How to Get a Large Plant out of a Pot

Plants can bring life and beauty to any space, but as they grow, they may need to be transplanted into bigger pots. Moving a large plant out of a pot can be intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be a fairly simple and stress-free process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps for getting a large plant out of a pot.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time

The first step is to choose the right time to move your plant. It’s best to do this in the spring when the plant is actively growing and starting to outgrow its current pot. Make sure the soil is slightly dry before you start, as wet soil can be heavy and difficult to work with.

Step 2: Gather the Tools You Will Need

To get the plant out of the pot, you will need a few tools, including a trowel, a pair of gardening gloves, and a bucket or other container to hold the plant. Depending on the size of the pot and the plant, you may also need pruning shears or a saw to remove any roots that have grown through the pot’s drainage holes.

Step 3: Loosen the Soil and Roots

To make it easier to remove the plant, you’ll need to loosen the soil and roots. Start by running the trowel around the inside of the pot to loosen the soil. Then, gently pull the plant by the stem to see if it will come out easily. If not, you may need to run the trowel around the edge of the root ball to loosen the roots.

Step 4: Remove the Plant from the Pot

Once the roots are loosened, carefully lift the plant out of the pot. It’s important to support the plant by holding the stem, as pulling on the leaves or branches can damage the plant. If the plant won’t lift out easily, you may need to tilt the pot on its side and gently tap the bottom to loosen it.

Step 5: Inspect the Roots and Soil

After you remove the plant from the pot, inspect the roots and soil for any signs of damage or disease. Trim away any dead or damaged roots, and remove any old soil from around the root ball. If the plant is root-bound, you may need to use pruning shears or a saw to cut away some of the roots.

Step 6: Repot the Plant

Once the roots and soil are inspected and trimmed, it’s time to repot the plant. Choose a new pot that’s one to two inches larger than the old one and add fresh potting soil to the bottom of the pot. Gently place the plant into the pot and fill in the gaps with additional soil. Water the plant thoroughly to settle the soil, and stake it if needed to keep it upright.

Conclusion

While moving a large plant out of a pot can seem daunting, it’s not as difficult as you may think. By choosing the right time, gathering the necessary tools, and following these simple steps, you can successfully move your plant into a new, larger pot, giving it the space it needs to continue to grow and thrive.