Checklist: House Plant Care - Time to repot and feed.
- Anna Lisovskaya
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
TOOLS you might need | Plants, repotting mat, new pot, soil, soil scoop, roots rake, watering can, a bowl of water, plant food of your choice, spritzer, brush, permanent marker, your checklist (just hit print). |
Quick Jobs
1. Wash your pots if you are planning on reusing them for your new plants. |  |
2. Begin foliar and aerial roots spray feed - Particularly great for orchids and other epiphytes like hoya, citrus plants and certain vegetables like tomatoes. | |
Check if your plant feed is suitable for foliar and aerial root application and follow mixing and application instructions on your bottle. Avoid application on very hot days as it will dry quickly before being able to be absorbed by your plants.
3. For plants the you are not repotting this is the time to begin your seasonal feed. | |
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5. Set reminder on your phone for the next round of plant food application and if you are on the forgetful side your next round of watering. Don’t stress if you happen to be away when your reminder goes off. Nature doesn’t book when it rains, sometimes it just comes later. | |
Longer Jobs
1. Repot your plants. | |
Refreshing the soil for the same pot.
I generally find this easier if I allow the plant to get drier then usual. For one it makes it easier getting the plant out of the pot and two a lot less hassle shaking out the old soil that has settle between the roots. Use roots rake to help.
When you are happy pop your plant into water, while you prepare the pot with new soil.
When filling fresh soil around your plant, make sure you tap the pot in between soil scoops. This is to allow the soil to jiggle its way between the roots.
When finished don’t forget to water the plant thoroughly.
Finally use your marker to note the date the plant was re-potted. I usually do so on the base or side of my pots. It’s useful as it takes the guess work out in the future.
NOTE: I wouldn’t recommend doing this too frequently as you will effectively be turning your plant into bonsai, leading it to need much more maintenance. If you still love your existing pot and how the plant looks in it, you will need to divide your plant and pot it back, gifting the other half.
Repotting into a new pot.
Take your plant out of its existing pot and pop it in your bowl with water to get the hydration going.
Fill the base of your new pot with soil. Not too much, then place the pot the plant came in inside the new pot. You want the old pot to be level with the new pot. If it’s not, take it out and add more soil. Do so until both pots are level.
While the old pot is inside the new pot, fill the soil around it. Press the soil down a little, the aim is to compress it, not compact it to the level where all the air is pushed out.
Remove the old pot. You should be left with a perfectly sized hole ready for your new plant.
Pop your new plant in and gently but firmly press it down. You may need to add some more soil around it.
Before you water your plant thoroughly, brush off any dry soil from the pot margins. I also use this opportunity to brush all the soil into one scoop.
Finally use your marker to note the date the plant was re-potted. On the base or on the side of your pot. No guessing in the future!
NOTE: Generally you won’t need to feed freshly re-potted plants, however for specimens that are particularly precious or those you’ve spent time growing you may consider a little seaweed feed.
Essentials For House Plants Repotting
Potting Tarp / Repotting Mat
Your tough, waterproof and functional gardening companion. Eager to serve in large and small sizes.
Dimensions:
Small - (w) 67cm x (l) 50cm
Large - (w) 93cm x (l) 57cm
Made in UK
Welcome to The Plant Notebook
My name is Anna and I'm a maker with an interest in plants. I run Horticus from my pottery studio in Leicester where I make my living wall kits, write about indoor gardening and dabble in fun experiments.
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