Repotting succulents: video tutorial & Tips

The easy-care plants are suitable for indoors and outdoors. In our video we show you how to properly repot succulents.

Succulent Repotting Video Tutorial [Music: www.bensound.com]

Houseleek (Sempervivum), Money Tree (Crassula ovata) or Aloe Vera (Aloe vera ) - many popular houseplants are counted among the succulents. No wonder, after all, the plants are considered to be particularly easy to care for and are particularly suitable for beginners. The reason for their robust character is the fact that succulents are characterized by their excellent ability to store water in their tissue. As a result, the plants survive longer periods of drought without any problems. But even the undemanding succulents need care from time to time, which is why it is worth repotting them every now and then.

When and how often do you have to repot succulents?

Even if succulents don't need a lot of attention, they should still be repotted regularly. However, it is difficult to generalize at what intervals this should happen: Since succulents are not a botanical group of plants, but only a collective term for water-storing plants, numerous plant genera from mini succulents to succulents are hidden behind this synonym to the large cacti, some of which differ greatly in their growth. So it is not surprising that particularly vigorous succulent species should be repotted up to once a year, while slow-growing species can remain in their pot for up to five years. On average, however, it is assumed that a succulent needs two to three years to root through its new pot, which is why this period of time is often given as a rule of thumb. Another indication that it is time to repot is when the plant hardly has any space left in the pot. However, it is worth repotting the succulent for the first time immediately after purchase: Old or poor-quality substrate as well as soil-borne pests are unfortunately not uncommon in purchased houseplants and can significantly reduce the he alth of the plant without repotting.

But not only the frequency, but also the time is crucial when repotting: The beginning of spring is best suited to offer the easy-care houseplants a new home. At this point, the succulents are at the beginning of their main growing season and therefore thrive particularly well in the new pot. During the summer, however, you should not repot the plant, as the additional stress on the plant during its rapid growth in summer is particularly difficult. Winter is also not well suited for repotting, as the plants hardly develop any new biomass during their resting phase and accordingly only slowly root through the new substrate.

Repotting succulents: step-by-step instructions

Even though succulents are often rather slow growers, they still need to be moved to a different pot from time to time. You can find out here what you need and how to repot succulents properly.

You need this

Repotting succulents is not particularly difficult. In fact, most of the things you need for this can be found in your own home. To repot succulents you will need:

• Planter
• Saucer
• Plant Clay
• Succulent or cactus soil
• Possibly gloves

The right soil for succulents

Succulents are known to be masters at storing water, as they are often found in particularly dry regions of the world. On the other hand, the plants do not tolerate too much moisture in their substrate or even waterlogging - their sensitive roots are quickly damaged here and the succulent can die in the worst case. For this reason, it is particularly important to pay attention to the right plant substrate: good drainage is one of the main aspects to consider when choosing the right soil. The plant does not do too well with too much nutrients either, which is why you should use a particularly lean, permeable soil for the succulents. Special succulent or cactus soils meet these requirements and can be purchased from specialist retailers.

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Expert tip: If you want to know exactly what's in your potting soil, you can also lend a hand: You can't just buy cactus soil, you can also mix it yourself the needs ofCustomize your own plants perfectly.

The perfect container for succulents

Theoretically, succulents can be grown in almost any container, because the undemanding plants only have one requirement for their environment: there must be adequate drainage. However, succulents thrive best when planted in an ordinary saucer with a matching cachepot. This combination has the advantage that excess water can drain through the holes in the saucer, minimizing the risk of waterlogging. If you like it a little more unusual, you can also combine the saucers with old crockery or other unusual containers to put the plants in the limelight. The only important thing is that the drainage holes in the lower pots guarantee adequate water drainage.

How to repot succulents: Instructions

Once you have found the right soil and the right container for your succulent, you can start repotting. First you start with the preparations of the new pot. For this, the saucer is placed in the cachepot and filled about a quarter full with plant clay. This mainly ensures that the drainage properties of the substrate are further improved and that there is no waterlogging. Now fill a little of the cactus or succulent soil in the pot.

Now you can carefully free the succulent from its old pot. You should pay attention to your safety, especially with succulents with spines or thorns, such as those found in cacti (Cactaceae), and equip yourself with thorn-proof gloves to avoid injuries. The old soil can be removed very carefully with your fingers. However, the fine roots of the succulent should not be injured - only the soil is removed, which can be easily detached.

The succulent is now placed in its new pot. This is filled with the special cactus soil, which should be pressed lightly with your fingers. Especially with tall succulents, care must be taken to ensure that the plant is planted as upright and straight as possible to give it the necessary stability in its new pot. Make sure to maintain the previous planting depth - succulents planted too deep can start to rot.

Here again all the steps in fast forward:

1. Put saucer in cachepot

2. Fill saucer a little less than a quarter full with plant clay

3. Fill the pot with cactus or succulent soil

4. Carefully remove the succulent from the old pot

5. Gently remove excess old soil; avoid damaging any roots

6. Place plant in new pot

7. Fill the pot with soil and gently press it down with your fingers

Caring for succulents after repotting

Repotting succulents - like any other plant - means enormous stress. For this reason, it is particularly important in the initial period after repotting to give your plant enough care. In the first week after repotting, the succulents should not be in direct contact with full sun, as this is another stress factor for the plants. Instead, it is advisable that the succulents can first recover in the penumbra. Succulents should also be watered immediately after repotting. You should only water the succulent for the first time after about a week - if the plants are watered too early, there is a possibility that the already stressed roots will begin to rot. If the first few weeks after repotting have already passed, the succulents should be cared for as before.

The perfect location for succulents

So that the succulent can present itself in all its beauty, you should make sure that you offer it a suitable location. Most species prefer a sunny, bright place - ideally directly on the south window. If the plants get too little light, this is quickly reflected in an unnaturally long and stretched growth. Only in the first week after repotting the plants should not be exposed to full sun. But there are also exceptions among succulents: Plants from the genera Aloe (Aloe), Haworthia (Haworthia) and Gasterie ( Gasteria) do not tolerate full sun and therefore prefer a place in partial shade.

Not only succulents need to be repotted. In our special articles we will tell you how you can do this with cacti and carnivorous plants.

Many thanks to Floragard for the support!