Root Bound Houseplant and How to Spot One

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So the million dollar question is how do you know when your little plant baby needs a new pot? Most of the time, experienced plant peeps can spot a root bound houseplant right away, but sometimes it’s not that obvious.

An extremely obvious sign of a root bound plant is if you see roots at the top of the soil or roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. If and when you see rogue roots, just pull the plant right out of the pot and check. If you see nothing but roots, you know without a doubt it’s time for a repot.

Yellow leaves are another sign that your houseplant may be root bound. Assuming there are no other issues going on with your plant such as pests, watering, or some other issue, then being root bound is probably the cause.

Root bound plants will dry out quicker due to the lack of soil. This causes the plant stress, which will manifest in wilting and yellow foliage.

Constant wilting could be a sign of a root bound plant. Many plants wilt when thirsty and then perk up after a good drink. If your plant is wilting shortly after being watered, it’s time to pull it out of the pot to check the roots.

If your plant is root bound and you’re planning to repot, be sure to tease out the roots. Don’t be afraid to use your hands and break those roots apart. If needed, you can use some pruners to cut through, making sure not to take off more than 25% of the root system.

Being root bound is an issue that could possibly strangle your plant and kill it. This can take a while to happen, so as long as you are being proactive, chances are you will be able to repot your houseplant in time for it to make a quick recovery.

Happy Gardening,

Ciearra