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Repotting Your Succulent for Optimal Drainage - Succulent Help

Learn how to repot your succulent for optimal drainage. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure your succulent stays healthy and thriving. 🌵🌱

Repotting Your Succulent for Optimal Drainage

A pot with a drainage hole, a bag of succulent soil mix, a small shovel, and a succulent plant arranged on a table.
Prepare Your Materials
Gather a new pot with a drainage hole, a bag of well-draining succulent soil mix, a small shovel or spoon, and your succulent plant.
Hands gently removing a succulent from its pot.
Remove the Succulent from the Old Pot
Carefully take your succulent out of its current pot. Be gentle to avoid damaging the roots.
Hands gently cleaning the roots of a succulent.
Clean the Roots
Remove any old soil from the succulent's roots and check for signs of root rot. If you see any, remove the affected roots.
A succulent being placed in a new pot with fresh soil.
Place the Succulent in the New Pot
Add some succulent soil mix to the new pot. Then, place your succulent in the pot and gently spread out its roots.
Hands adding soil to a pot with a newly repotted succulent.
Add More Soil
Fill the rest of the pot with soil, ensuring the succulent is well-anchored but not buried too deep. Leave some space at the top for watering.
Water being poured into the pot and draining out of the hole at the bottom.
Water the Succulent
Water your succulent thoroughly. The water should drain out of the hole at the bottom of the pot, indicating that the soil is well-draining.

Repotting your succulent is an essential part of its care routine. It not only provides your plant with fresh, nutrient-rich soil but also ensures optimal drainage, which is crucial for the health and longevity of your succulent. This step-by-step guide above has walked you through the process, but let's delve deeper into the importance of each step and how it contributes to your succulent's overall well-being.

Why is repotting important?

Repotting is not just about moving your plant to a new pot. It's an opportunity to give your succulent a health check and treat any potential issues early. Over time, soil loses its nutrients and becomes compacted, which can affect drainage and root health. By repotting, you're giving your succulent a fresh start in a new, nutrient-rich environment. Learn more about the importance of repotting here.

Choosing the right pot and soil

When repotting, it's essential to choose a pot with a drainage hole and use a well-draining soil mix. This is because succulents are prone to root rot if they sit in waterlogged soil. The right pot and soil combination will ensure that excess water drains away quickly, keeping your succulent's roots healthy. Find out how to choose the perfect pot and soil for your succulent here.

Root health check

When you remove your succulent from its old pot, take the opportunity to check the roots for any signs of disease or rot. Early detection can save your plant's life. If you notice your succulent's roots are soggy and black, it might be suffering from overwatering. Check out our guide on caring for overwatered succulents here.

Final thoughts

Repotting your succulent might seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools, it can be a rewarding experience. Remember, the key to a healthy succulent is a well-drained soil, a pot with a drainage hole, and regular health checks. Happy repotting!

If you're still unsure about the repotting process, don't worry. Here's a more detailed guide on how to repot your succulent and when to water it afterwards.