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Free Printable Plant Repotting Log (PDF)
| Date | Plant | Pot: old → new | Soil mix | Roots looked | Why repotted | Next check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
When to repot, and when not to
The safest time for most houseplants is early spring to early summer, when the plant is about to grow and can recover quickly. Avoid repotting a plant that is stressed, newly bought, or in the middle of flowering unless the roots have clearly run out of room; give new plants a few weeks to settle first.
Go up only one size — roughly one to two inches (2–5 cm) wider than the current pot. A much larger pot holds a volume of wet soil the roots cannot use, and that soil stays wet long enough to rot them. If a plant is top-heavy but the roots are fine, a heavier pot of the same size solves the problem without the risk.
- Water the day before; moist roots slide out and tolerate handling better.
- Loosen circling roots with your fingers; cut away any that are brown, mushy, or smell sour.
- Keep the plant at the same soil depth it was before, and hold off on fertilizer for a month or two.
Signs it is time to repot
| Sign | What it usually means | Repot? |
|---|---|---|
| Roots growing out of the drainage holes or circling the surface | Root-bound | Yes, up one size |
| Water runs straight through and the plant dries out within a day or two | Roots have replaced most of the soil | Yes, up one size |
| Plant tips over easily; pot lifts with the root ball in one piece | Root-bound and top-heavy | Yes, up one size or a heavier pot |
| Soil is compacted, crusty, or smells sour | Old mix has broken down | Yes — same size pot, fresh mix |
| Slow growth in spring with healthy leaves | Could be light or feeding, not roots | Check roots first |
| Plant looks fine, pot looks small | Many plants prefer being slightly snug | Not yet |
Soil mix by plant group
What to write in the Soil mix column, and what to buy. Proportions are by volume and approximate.
| Plant group | Mix that works | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical foliage (pothos, dracaena, peace lily) | Potting mix with about one part perlite to three parts mix | Holds moisture but drains |
| Aroids (monstera, philodendron, alocasia) | Chunky: roughly equal parts potting mix, orchid bark, and perlite | Air around thick roots; dries evenly |
| Succulents & cacti | Cactus mix, or potting mix cut 50/50 with grit or pumice | Dries fast; no wet feet |
| Orchids (phalaenopsis) | Orchid bark, sometimes with a little charcoal or sphagnum | Roots need air and light |
| Ferns & calathea | Peat- or coco-based mix with a little perlite | Stays lightly moist |
| African violet | Light violet mix or peat with perlite and vermiculite | Fine roots, needs to stay airy |
How to use this sheet
- Print the PDF and file it with your plant records, or keep it with the potting supplies.
- Each time you repot, write the date, the plant, and the old and new pot diameters — measured across the top.
- Note the mix you used (even 'store cactus mix + perlite') so you can repeat what worked or fix what did not.
- Describe the roots in a few words: white and firm, circling, brown and mushy, sparse. This is the diagnostic value of the sheet.
- Set Next check one to two years out, or sooner for fast growers, and look at the sheet each spring.
Questions
Is this sheet really free?
Yes. The PDF is free to download and print — no sign-up, no email, no watermark.
How often do houseplants need repotting?
Most every one to two years; slow growers and succulents every two to three. Let the signs in the table decide rather than the calendar — some plants flower better slightly root-bound.
Can I reuse old potting soil?
For the same plant in a larger pot, mixing some old soil with fresh is fine if it is not compacted or sour. Replace it entirely if the plant had root rot or pests.
Why did my plant droop after repotting?
Transplant shock is normal for a week or two, especially if roots were trimmed. Keep it out of direct sun, water lightly, and do not fertilize until new growth appears.
Is there an app version?
Yes — PlantLog for iPhone tracks watering, fertilizing, and repotting per plant with reminders, so the schedule maintains itself. Core is free, no account needed, and your data stays on your device.
Want the log to analyze itself?
PlantLog for iPhone tracks the same things in seconds and shows you the patterns — free core, no account, and everything stays on your device.