How to Replant Succulents: 3 Signs Repotting Is Necessary

Succulents are drought-resistant plants with thick, fleshy leaves. Succulent leaves store water, which help the plant thrive in arid, desert climates. Succulents are not synonymous with cacti. While nearly every variety of cactus is a succulent, not all succulents are cacti. Botanists categorize succulent varieties into large genus groups that include Aeonium, Echeveria, and Sedum. These different categories include various species that grow vibrant, multicolored leaves, needles, or tail-like fronds. Some of these ornamental plants have a layered, rosette-like growing pattern that can enhance your home decor with color or even other-worldly beauty.

Succulents, like aloe vera plants or snake plants, are excellent options for decorative house plants because they are extremely low-maintenance compared to other indoor plants. However, you should consider these clear signs that your succulent might require repotting:

1. 1. The plant has outgrown its current pot. If new roots begin to appear above the surface of the potting soil or through the drainage holes at the bottom, then your plant will require a larger pot filled with fresh soil to thrive. Although the majority of a growing succulent’s energy goes toward leaf growth, new roots will burrow quickly to provide the plant with stability.
2. 2. Your succulent is still in its garden center pot. Once you have brought your new succulent home after purchasing it, you should transplant it to a new pot. Garden centers often store succulents for short-term display in flimsy plastic containers and generic potting mix. New plants prefer a free-draining soil mix or a specialized succulent soil with perlite and bark.
3. 3. The potting soil is soggy or depleted of nutrients. Slow growth, discoloration of the leaves, and mold or mildew on top of the soil are all tell-tale signs that your DIY succulent garden is experiencing root rot. Insect infestation and fungal disease can spread quickly through a root system, so you should act quickly to remedy the issue. Let the repotted plant dry for a few days after you replant it in cactus mix and use a misting spray bottle to guard against overwatering it in the future.

Transplanting or replanting succulents can be a straightforward process since these plants have durable, fibrous root systems that grow at a shallow level in the soil. Simply dig around the plant with a trowel, and try not to sever the outer fibers of the root ball. Knock off any excess dirt. Replant the succulent into a different pot that you’ve filled with sand, pebbles, and a soil mix that will stimulate new growth for your specific type of succulent. Wait a few days for the roots to take hold in their new home before you begin your watering schedule.

Propagating a succulent is a relatively simple process. Follow these steps to learn how to propagate your succulent plant:

1. 1. Take cuttings. Removing mature leaves from an existing plant is the most simple technique of succulent propagation. Use scissors or shears to snip off a few leaves or offshoots from the mother plant. Take care when using sharp tools, so you avoid damaging the original plant.
   
2. 2. Allow the cuttings to callus over. Some succulent varieties can start putting out roots and taking hold in the soil the same day you remove a leaf from the mother plant. However, to ensure a successful leaf propagation, try allowing the cut ends of the leaves to callus over a few days by placing them in a dry place where they will not receive direct sunlight.
3. 3. Replant the cuttings. Move the callused leaves to a new pot containing succulent soil. Tamp down the earth around the base of each leaf and wait twenty-four hours before you add water. Place the pot in a windowsill with direct sunlight and wait for the baby plants to form—this should occur in roughly a month.

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