How to Repot a Succulent

Co-authored by Rachel Guffey and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 14, 2022 References

All succulents need to be repotted at one point another, whether they’re newly purchased or a token part of your home decor. But how can you safely re-house your succulent without hurting it in the process? You’ve come to the right place. We’re outlined the best, most essential times to repot your succulents, along with helpful advice on how to repot your succulents the right way. In a matter of minutes, your beautiful plants will be safe and secure in their new potted homes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

When to Repot a Succulent

1
In warm weather during the active growing season. Succulents are actively growing in the spring and summer months, which makes this time of year really great for repotting. Once transplanted, the developing roots can settle into the new pot nicely.^{[1]
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- Succulents are dormant between the fall and winter months, so it’s not a good idea to repot your succulent then.
2
You just bought it from a store or nursery. Most store-bought plants come in really small nursery pots, which don’t provide nearly enough space for your succulent to grow and thrive. An upgrade is in order to keep your plant happy and healthy.^{[2]
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3
Your succulent is too big for its pot. Lift up your current succulent pot and check the bottom. Do you see roots growing out of the drainage hole? If so, it’s definitely time to repot your cramped succulent.^{[3]
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- In some cases, the roots may twist around the soil along the inside of the pot.^{[4]
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4
The old soil doesn’t retain water well. A succulent needs more water as it continues to grow, and eventually, its current pot just won’t cut it. Rapidly draining soil shows that a plant is drinking up the water much more quickly, and that it needs a bigger pot.^{[5]
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5
Your succulent looks like it’s wilting or dying. Repotting is a great way to breathe some new life into your plant, and is an excellent solution when your succulent looks to be on its last legs.^{[6]
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- Make sure that you’ve ruled out any other causes of your plant’s droopy appearance, though. Too much or too little water can leave a succulent drooping, as well as low light. Try changing up your plant’s weekly care routine first and see if anything improves.^{[7]
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6
You haven’t repotted your succulent in at least a year. Succulents thrive with fresh potting material, and benefit from a yearly repotting.^{[8]
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- Some succulents, like cacti, can be repotted once every 3-4 years.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Repotting a Succulent

1
Choose a slightly roomier, well-draining pot for your succulent. Repotting is all about giving your succulent an upgrade so it has plenty of room to stretch and grow its roots. Your new pot doesn’t have to be massive, but it should look a little bit wider and deeper than your succulent’s current planter. Check that the new pot has at least 1 drainage hole at the bottom, so water doesn’t collect at the base.^{[10]
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- Drainage holes help extra water filter out of the plant instead of collecting at the bottom. If the water can’t drain properly, your succulent may develop root rot.^{[11]
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2
Remove the old succulent gently from its pot or planter. Place the current succulent pot on its side and wrap a soft cloth loosely around the thickest part of the stem if the plant is prickly or spiny. Then, very gently pull and coax the succulent out of its pot.^{[12]
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- If the succulent is smooth, gently pull it out of the pot with your bare hands.^{[13]
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3
Separate the roots with a pair of garden tweezers. The root ball, or the bottom of the plant, is probably tangled a bit clumped together. Poke your tweezers into the soil a few times to loosen up some of these roots, so they have an easier time growing into the new pot and soil.^{[14]
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- You can also use a fork to separate any tangled or compacted roots.
4
Scoop cactus mix into a new pot at least halfway full.^{[15]
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Research source} Add enough mix so the succulent sits at the same level that it did in the old pot.^{[16]
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- Despite the name, cactus mix isn’t just for cacti–it works for other succulents, like aloe vera.^{[18]
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  Go to source} You can buy cactus mix from your local gardening store or nursery, or you can purchase it online.
- Succulents thrive in a well-draining potting mixture, which is why coarse, sandy soil is ideal.^{[19]
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5
Set your displaced succulent in the pot and cover its roots with more cactus mix. Check that the succulent is centered, and gently scoop spoonfuls of cactus mix on top of the root system. Completely cover the roots with the mix, filling up the pot so the soil is just below the rim. Then, press down the edges of the soil so you fit a little more soil in your pot.^{[20]
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- If your succulent is especially prickly, like a cactus, use a wooden rod or another long object to press the soil down.
6
Wait at least 1 week to water your repotted succulent. Your succulent’s roots are banged up from being repotted and need time to recover completely. After a week or so, water your succulent as you normally would.^{[21]
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- Keep your succulent in a dark spot while it heals.

Community Q&A

Question

Is it appropriate to cut down the roots?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You don't actually need to cut down the roots! Repotting your succulent involves moving it to a larger pot that has enough room for all of the roots.
Question

I have 4 small succulents bought at Lowe’s. The soil is dry, and I'm getting ready to repot. The soil I have is damp... should I water before potting or after or neither?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Wait at least a week to water after repotting your succulents! This gives your roots time to heal after they're repotted.

Warnings

Never stick lots of rocks or clay pieces at the bottom of your succulent pot. Despite popular belief, these won’t help with drainage–they just cramp your plant.^{[23]
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