Root Bound Plants
Indoor Houseplants and outdoor container grown plants, can outgrow their
pot or container. The roots grow in search of water and nutrients. The roots
consume increasing amounts of space in the container. Eventually, your plant
stops growing, or even wilts, for lack of nutrients.
The solution is simple: repot it in a larger container. Your plant will now
have room to grow, and more fresh soil, to seek out vital water and nutrients.
As a rule of thumb, houseplants should be re-potted every 1-2 years, or less
with faster growing plants.
How can you tell that a plant is root bound? The real proof is growing hidden,
inside the planter. When you take out the plant, there will be a ball of
roots, with little soil.
There are a couple signs that your plant is root bond. A healthy, growing
plant that slows down or stops growing, has probably become restricted by
too small of a container. If it has been a long time since you repotted your
plant, it is a good assumption that your plant has become root bound. Even
if it hasn't, re-potting into fresh soil is always a healthy thing for your
plants. And, it allows you the opportunity to get your hands into some
dirt!
Once you have determined that your plant is likely to be root bound, its
time to repot them. Learn how
to repot houseplants and container grown plants.
Related Gardening Topics:
Garden Planters
Container Gardening
All about Houseplants
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