How to repot a succulent

In this guide we will show you how to repot a succulent – replant step by step.
Over time, potted succulents grow to the capacity of their containers.
Thus, repotting becomes necessary, which gives the roots of the plant the right conditions to grow and prosper again.

It may be necessary to repot the plant in a new pot as the current one is small, or you may simply want to repot in a different pot.
Follow these steps to learn how to replant your succulents simply and effectively.

Mix of succulents growing in pot

In this article

When to repot succulent plants?

The best time of year to repot succulents is spring. In this time of year the plants recover quickly.

Normally, succulent plants should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, during this period they will have reached the limit of growth in the pot.
As the plant grows, the roots will fill the pot and will eventually become compact.
They consumed all the nutrients in the soil and become so compressed that they cannot absorb enough water, nutrients and air.

Succulents growing in terracota pot

How to know if your succulent needs to be replanted?

Some signs that indicate that the plant needs to be repotted:

There are a lot of roots growing out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
Plant roots are coiled and densely packed
The plant has poor growth or yellowed foliage
The compost is too dry and not capable of absorbing water

How to replant?

If your succulent needs to be replanted, follow these steps, it’s very simple.

This Echeveria was bought in a supermarket and has a new shoot that is growing out of space. I’ll take the opportunity to separate it and repot the mother plant. Splitting plants is one of my favorite propagation methods… you may have noticed that yet… hehehe!

This Echeveria is growing out of space

Prepare the compost

Prepare your own compost for cacti and succulents, or make your own mix.
I usually recycle the used compost from the tulip pots, they have the right characteristics to grow cacti and succulents, that is, excellent drainage and few nutrients that were consumed by the bulbs.
If you want to make your own compost, mix equal parts coarse sand or garden gravel with a generic potting compost.

Prepare the pot

I chose a terracotta pot, put a crock in the bottom and fill it with some compost. Terracotta pots are typically better than plastic for succulents and cacti as they allow better aeration of the compost.

Put a crock in the bottom of the pot to plant the succulent

Plant the succulent

I remove the plant from the previous pot and with the help of a chopstick, I easily separate the offset. The plant has a second shoot growing in the center that I will keep and see how it evolves.

The roots are healthy and not compacted, so nothing needs to be done.