Repotting: When and How to Move Your Plants to Bigger Pots

When a plant outgrows its pot, it doesn’t just look messy—it starts to struggle. Repotting, the process of moving a plant to a larger container with fresh soil. Also known as transplanting, it’s not just about giving roots more space—it’s about restoring the nutrients, airflow, and drainage your plant needs to thrive. Many people wait until their plant looks sick before they act, but by then, it’s often too late. The real sign? Roots poking out the bottom, soil drying out in hours, or the plant stopping growth even with regular watering.

Potting soil, a specially blended mix designed for container plants breaks down over time. It gets compacted, loses air pockets, and stops draining properly. That’s why even if you water every day, your plant still looks thirsty. Fresh soil fixes this. And container gardening, growing plants in pots instead of the ground is huge in India, especially on balconies and small terraces. If you’re growing basil, chilli, or even a small mango tree in a pot, you’re doing container gardening—and you’ll need to repot eventually.

Most houseplants and balcony plants need repotting every 12 to 18 months. But it’s not just about time. Look for the signs: slow growth, yellowing leaves that aren’t due to overwatering, or the plant tipping over because the roots have filled the pot. The best time to do it? Early spring, right before the monsoon. That’s when plants in India start their main growth cycle. Avoid repotting in peak summer heat or during winter chill—stress makes recovery harder.

And don’t just grab a bigger pot. Going from a 6-inch pot to a 12-inch one is a shock. Go up one size—maybe 8 or 10 inches. Use fresh potting mix, not garden soil. Gently loosen the roots before placing the plant in. Water well after, but don’t fertilize for at least three weeks. Your plant needs to heal first.

Some plants, like snake plants or ZZ plants, can go years without repotting. Others, like tomatoes or herbs, need it every season. That’s why knowing your plant matters more than following a calendar. If you’ve ever wondered why your hydrangea stopped blooming or your basil got leggy, repotting might be the missing piece.

Below, you’ll find real-life guides from Indian gardeners who’ve fixed struggling plants by getting repotting right—from choosing the right pot size to handling root-bound messes without killing the plant. No fluff. Just what works in Indian homes and balconies.