Okay, so my parlor palm was looking kinda sad. You know, droopy, a little yellow… the usual signs that it’s time for a bigger pot. I’ve been putting it off, but today was the day!
Getting Started
First, I gathered all my stuff. You’ll need:
- A new pot (just a couple of inches bigger than the old one)
- Some fresh potting mix (I like the kind that’s good for drainage)
- A watering can
- Maybe some gloves if you don’t want to get your hands dirty
I laid down some newspaper on my kitchen floor because, let’s be real, this can get messy. Then, I watered the parlor palm really well. This helps loosen the soil and makes it easier to get the plant out.
The Big Move
Next, the slightly scary part: getting the plant out of its old pot. I gently squeezed the sides of the pot and tilted it a bit. It took some wiggling, but eventually, the whole root ball slid out. If it’s really stuck, you might need to run a knife or something around the inside edge of the pot.
Once it was out, I took a look at the roots. They were pretty crowded, which is a good sign that I waited long enough to repot. I gently loosened some of the roots that were circling around the bottom – this helps them spread out in the new pot.
Then, I put a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot. I placed the parlor palm in the center and filled in the rest of the pot with more soil, making sure to leave a little space at the top.
Finishing Up
Finally, I watered the plant thoroughly until water started draining out the bottom. I put it back in its usual spot (it likes bright, indirect light) and that was it!
It’s been a few hours now, and my parlor palm already looks happier. Repotting can seem intimidating, but it’s really not that hard. And your plant will thank you for it!
