If Your Houseplants Won't Stop Turning Yellow, Look Beneath the Soil Surface – This Common Cause is Often Missed
Root-bound houseplants need some TLC to thrive once again
Few things are more disappointing than expecting a lot of new spring growth in your indoor garden, only to be greeted by yellowing leaves and drooping stems. There's one common cause of this problem that is often overlooked: root-bound houseplants.
Root-bound is the term used to describe when plants in pots have run out of room for their roots, also referred to as pot-bound. The roots essentially don't have any more room or soil to grow in and start to wrap around each other. It's often met with symptoms like dying foliage, stunted growth, and hydrophobic soil. While there are some houseplants that like being pot-bound, the majority need to be rehomed into a larger planter. Failing to detect the issue and repot them can even lead to plant death.
How to Identify Root-Bound Houseplants
'A plant is root-bound when its roots have filled the pot and start circling tightly, leaving very little room for fresh soil,' says houseplant expert Rosalin Ortega.
It's common for root-bound houseplants to have roots poking out of the planter's drainage holes as they desperately look for more space. Other symptoms include yellowing foliage, caused by overcrowded roots being unable to absorb water and nutrients sufficiently.
'Common signs are wilting soon after watering, water running straight through the pot, slow growth, smaller leaves, and the plant drying out much faster than it used to,' Rosalin describes.
Likewise, you may find that your houseplant soil has become hydrophobic, i.e., it repels water, leaving it pooling on the surface and not soaking in.
'The root ball may also push the plant upward or cause plastic pots to bulge,' she adds.
The best way to confirm if your houseplant is root-bound is by carefully removing it from its pot and observing the roots. You'll see if they are lacking room and wrapping around the root ball, as Rosalin describes.
Rosalin Ortega is the founder of All About Planties, an online houseplant shop helping beginners choose plants they can actually keep alive. She shares practical, real-world guidance on indoor plant care
How to Fix Root-Bound Houseplants
Don't fret if you do find root-bound houseplants among your collection; it's not too late to save them. 'Most of the time, the fix is a gentle repot,' says Rosalin.
You may want to prune houseplant roots first to remove any damaged plant matter.
'Slide the plant out, loosen the outer roots, and if it’s very tight, trim a small amount of the circling root layer,' describes Rosalin.
You should use sharp houseplant pruning snips (like these from Amazon) to remove any rotting, mushy, or broken roots. Take care not to remove more than this, as you want to keep as much of the root system intact as you can.
Likewise, remove discolored foliage from the plant, as this won't recover. Make sure to follow the one-third pruning rule to not cause the plant further stress and stunt growth.
'Repot into a pot just one size up with fresh, well-draining houseplant potting mix (like this from Lowe's). Avoid jumping to a much larger pot, since that can hold too much moisture and create new issues,' Rosalin says.
For example, if your plant was in an 8-inch pot, upgrade to a 10-inch planter (like this terracotta one from Amazon).
Before repotting, use your hands to gently squeeze and tease the roots apart so they're much more loose and able to move.
'After repotting, water thoroughly, let it drain, and keep the plant in bright indirect light while it recovers,' she advises.
What to Shop
A grow light can aid plant growth, especially during winter and early spring when daylight is limited.
Seedling heat mats provide extra warmth to aid seed germination and seedling growth.
Use these pebble humidity trays to boost humidity levels for your moisture-loving houseplants. Simply place your houseplants on top.
FAQs
How Often Should I Repot My Houseplants?
How often you repot your houseplants depends on their specific needs. The likes of jade plants and snake plants like to be slightly pot-bound, for example. However, the majority of houseplants benefit from being repotted every couple of years, or they may show symptoms like yellowing foliage. It's best to research the specific needs of your houseplants to determine when to repot them.
There's lots to do on the spring houseplant care checklist over the coming weeks, so make sure to have your plant care kit to hand and to read up on indoor plant mistakes.
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