It’s hard not to love the diverse shapes and sizes of philodendrons or Philodendron spp., on the market. There are over 600 species of these broad-leafed South and Central American perennials. You’ll find dozens of species and varieties in nurseries across the country.
These tropical plants make excellent houseplants and are easy to care for and grow in your home. They have an abundance of thick, tropical-looking foliage that brightens indoor spaces with large, striking leaves and branches.
As fun, as they are to grow, they’ll outgrow their containers and need repotting more frequently than other plants. Without a new and larger container, they’ll become rootbound.
Fortunately, your plants will show you several signs that they need a new home before problems arise. Below are the nine signs it’s time to repot your philodendrons before they have serious problems.
Roots Are Coming Out of the Drainage Holes
First, check the drainage holes for one of the easiest signs that your philodendron has outgrown its container and needs to be repotted. When roots outgrow their container, they continue searching for sources of water. They’ll encircle the plant and find the nearest openings they can to continue their search.
If your philodendrons are growing in containers with drip trays, the roots will move towards the water source. As they exit the drainage holes, they’ll clog the holes and prevent water from draining. This causes several problems, including soggy soil and root rot.
As your plants mature, peak at the drainage holes under their containers. If you notice root hairs making their way out, it’s time to find a new pot or planter. Try catching this issue before they clog the holes and create bigger problems for your houseplants.
Roots Are Breaking the Soil Surface
If there’s no water source close to the drainage holes, your plant may shoot its roots out of the topsoil. This can happen before or after they reach the drainage holes and could mean they’ve already crowded the soil. Roots naturally grow towards the ground and away from a light source. If they’re reaching the topsoil, that’s a clear sign they have nowhere else to go.
Carefully move your philodendron leaves to the side to get to the topsoil. Don’t mistake their root ball for aerial roots, which help them climb and support themselves in their natural environments. These aerial appendages are normal in healthy plants and appear much larger than the subsurface roots.
Look for thin fibrous threads popping out of the topsoil. They’ll look much different from the thicker and darker aerial type. Catch this common sign early before your tropical perennials become rootbound.
Discolored Leaves
When bright green or colorful leaves suddenly become dull or brown, it could be another sign that your philodendron is feeling crowded and needs to be repotted. Yellow or brown leaves mean your plants are experiencing stress. Although this can be from disease or environmental factors, it can also mean they’ve outgrown their containers.
Remove the dead foliage and check for pests and signs of disease. If your plant appears healthy otherwise, check the drainage holes and topsoil. If you see roots coming out of the bottom holes or poking through the top of the container, repotting is your only option.
Discolored leaves could also signify an issue with your soil. If you notice signs of pests or diseases like root rot, repotting into new soil may do the trick.
Encircling Clusters of Roots
As the roots try to find new sources of food and water, they’ll crowd around the limited soil in your pot. Eventually, they’ll wrap around the main stem of your plants. When they encircle it, they can girdle your plants, which can kill them over time.
You’ll probably notice other signs first, such as roots emerging from the topsoil or drainage holes. You can check for encircling roots by carefully removing them from their containers. If you notice condensed root balls constricting them, it’s time to repot immediately.
When this constricted growth is left unchecked, it will eventually become rootbound. Rootbound plants will be difficult to remove from their containers. Repotting these plants can be highly stressful for them and cause other health issues.
Abnormally Dry Soil
Noticing dry topsoil is normal, especially if your philodendrons consume a healthy amount of water. This is a good sign they’re thirsty. However, if you see dry, cracked dirt a couple of days after watering, it could mean the soil has lost its structure.
When this happens, the dirt can’t hold in nutrients. Every time you water your plants, it depletes the soil’s nutrients further, leaving your stunning perennials growing in a nutrient-poor medium. Your philodendron will feel stress from malnourishment. Poor soil health is one of the main reasons to repot your houseplant.
After watering, check the medium to see how quickly it dries. Stick your finger into the pot to find moisture. If, after a few days, the soil is completely bone dry and cracking, you may need to repot with a new mix.
Stunted Growth
Stunted growth is one of the hardest signs to detect and could mean a variety of issues with your philodendron, with some pointing to the need for repotting. Environmental changes, lack of light or water, or temperature fluctuations can make your philodendron stop growing. You’ll likely notice the signs of stunted growth in spring and summer during their normal growing cycle.
If you notice your philodendrons are not growing as fast as they should be, check for other signs like uncommon root growth and browning leaves. Lift your philodendrons out of their containers to look at their roots. If you notice their roots are constricting them, this could be the cause of their stunted growth.
Top-Heavy Foliage
Foliage should grow vigorously, but too much could make your plants unstable. Although this is a sign your plants are healthy, it could signal they can handle repotting into something bigger.
Philodendrons are fast growers and can quickly outgrow their containers. Their vigorous growth and wide leaves help them thrive in their native habitats, which include sub-tropical and tropical forest floors. As houseplants, this trait makes them a little unstable in smaller containers.
Make sure your top-heavy perennials are well-established before repotting. Transplant them in spring or early summer when their fresh growth is at its peak. Choose larger containers with several drainage holes and fill them with well-drained soil that is full of rich organic material.
Your Soil or Containers Need Replacing
There’s nothing like growing your favorite houseplants, only to realize you used the wrong medium or the container is broken. We’ve all been there, and as frustrating as it is for us, it’s even more stressful for our plants.
Repotting a philodendron often causes signs of transplant shock, including slow growth, wilting, and sometimes worse side effects. However, you’ll need to repot your plants if they’re growing in the wrong medium or containers.
If you need to replace your medium or find a new home for your houseplants, there are a few guidelines to follow. Below are a few practices to make repotting easier for your philodendrons:
- Only repot in spring, and early summer, during the natural growing cycle.
- Repot using the right techniques.
- Use the correct medium and containers.
- Consider using organic fertilizers to encourage new growth.
Two to Three Years in the Same Container
Philodendrons, especially split-leaf varieties, usually outgrow their pots every two to three years or sooner. However, it’s important not to repot them prematurely. Repotting your houseplants causes transplant shock, and when you do it too early, it can cause many problems.
Transplanting too early is stressful for your philodendron, and so is leaving them in their containers for too long. Look for the signs above before transplanting, and don’t ignore them! By repotting only when you have to, you’ll avoid unnecessarily shocking your plants.
After two to three years of growing in the same container, check for signs of overcrowding. Look for yellowing or brown leaves, dry and cracking dirt, and root growth in drainage holes. If you don’t see any of these signs and your philodendrons appear healthy, leave it be until it’s ready for a new home.
Key Takeaways
Philodendrons grow vigorously and after a while, you’ll need to find them a larger home. Although repotting can stress your tropical perennials and cause transplant shock, it’s important to do so every few years.
Watch for signs such as yellowing leaves, roots coming out of drainage holes, and stunted growth. Frequently check your houseplants and their containers, especially after the first year or two of growing.
By staying on top of your plant’s growth, you’ll prevent root bounding and stress-related issues. Repot your beautiful philodendrons in the spring and early summer and give them the care they need to bounce back stronger than before.
