As your zebra plant grows, you need to upgrade its pot to a bigger size. A growing plant needs some wiggle room to spread its roots. Otherwise, their growth will be limited by the small size of their pot.
But how do you do so? And why not plant it in a huge pot from the beginning? And are there different types of repotting? We’ll answer these questions and more throughout this zebra plant repotting guide.
When Should I Consider Repotting?
Generally, four main telltale signs indicate that it’s time for repotting.
- Many roots are peaking through the pot’s drainage holes.
- The soil dries out in no time.
- The Soil doesn’t absorb water properly and drains it out of the pot instantly.
- The soil is too dense that it’s hard to hydrate your plant.
Three Options for Repotting
Repotting doesn’t necessarily mean removing your plant from its old pot and replanting it in a new one. That’s just one of the repotting options. Repotting could mean:
Moving to a Bigger Pot
We use this option for plants that still have some growing to do. Otherwise, leaving them in a small pot will stop them from growing to their full potential.
Changing the Soil
This is when you keep the same pot and only change the soil. This option is to stop your plant from getting any bigger. The plant will adapt to its current pot size, yet it’ll still need fresh soil to stay healthy.
Changing the Top Layer of the Soil
If your plant is too big to repot or change the entire soil, you could remove the top layer of the existing soil and add a new layer of fresh soil.
How to Repot a Zebra Plant in 9 Steps
As long as your zebra plant is growing, you’ll need to repot it every two to three years to prevent the roots from becoming pot-bound and limiting the plant’s growth. Just remember to repot your zebra plant in spring, right before it comes out of its winter dormancy.
The whole process is pretty simple, and anybody can do it in 9 simple steps.
- Pour some water onto the plant to loosen up the soil.
- Remove the pot by holding the plant and gently loosening it out of its place without pulling on the trunk or the branches.
- Clean up the roots and prune any dead, rotten, moldy, or coiled-up root ends.
- Wash your new pot and pat it dry to clear any infectious microorganisms that used to live in the old soil.
- Fill the bottom with soil to position the root ball a few inches under the edge of the pot.
- Put your plant in the pot right in the middle.
- Cover the roots with soil, and tap it with your fingers to press it down.
- If you haven’t already before repotting, water your plant until water comes out from the drainage holes.
- Check for the soil around the roots. Sometimes you’ll need to add more soil after watering your plant.
And there you have it! Your zebra plant is now in a slightly bigger pot and has more room to grow a little bigger.
Recommended Pot Size and Soil
It’s crucial to choose your pot size carefully when growing zebra plants. These plants prefer their soil to be slightly moist. That can only happen when the pot isn’t too big, and the soil isn’t too dense.
If we grow a zebra plant in a big pot, the soil would dry out quicker, leaving our tropical -moisture-loving plant with no moisture.
So the recommended pot size for repotting is only an inch larger than the size of the old pot.
What to Do After Repotting
Although repotting is easy for you to do, it’s not as easy for your plant. It takes your zebra plant about a month to get used to the new soil or pot and start enjoying it. To ease the transition for your plant, remember to:
- Position your plant in a spot where it gets plenty of indirect light throughout the day.
- Water your plant according to your usual schedule, which should be around once a week.
- Don’t add any fertilizers. The fresh soil is already packed with all the nutrients they need. Anything more could do more harm than good.
Final Thoughts
Zebra plants need the right amount of space and moisture to grow and maintain their luscious green foliage. That is why you must keep an eye on your plant’s soil. Your plant will be happy as long as the soil is lightly moist and the roots are sitting comfortably in their pot.
However, if your soil is getting dry quicker than usual or your plant’s roots are sticking out of the drainage holes, it’s time for a new pot with new soil!
If you follow the steps of our zebra plant repotting guide, the whole process should be a piece of cake.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.