Good news: the process of repotting plants is a fairly simple one. Generally speaking, plants will require a repot either annually or at least every two years to keep them looking their best for years to come.

Even out the potting soil on top and firm it down, water well, and enjoy watching your houseplant grow and thrive in its roomier container. Turn your plant sideways, hold it gently by the stems or leaves, and tap the bottom of its current pot until the plant slides out. You may need to give it a couple of gentle tugs on the base of the stems. 2. Loosen the roots Carefully remove the plant from its pot. Kujawa recommends keeping your plant in a plastic nursery pot inside a decorative pot so it is easy to wriggle out during this process. Gently squeeze the nursery pot while simultaneously and carefully pulling the plant out.House Beautiful's TIP: When you’re repotting it's important that the surface of the soil around the plant stays at the same level. Often called the nursery line, this is the point where the stem emerges from the soil. If you cover the stem in compost it will rot away. The nursery line should be about a centimetre below the edge of the new pot so there's space for watering. 6. Water and enjoy How to repot a plant: step-by-step guide for repotting success 1. Remove your plant from its current pot Add fresh soil to the new pot. Put a layer of fresh soil at the bottom of your new planter pot. "If your new pot is two inches taller than the last, put about two inches of soil at the bottom," says Kujawa. For plants that are root bound, make sure the new container is roughly 2 to 4 inches bigger in diameter, so it has space for new root growth. 3. Remove old potting mix

If you have a tropical plant, you may need soil that will retain moisture," says Kujawa. "If your plant likes to dry out between waterings, you'll want a fast-draining soil like a succulent mix." The plant looks too big for its pot. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to gradually increase pot sizes, so doing this as an annual job will encourage steady growth Trim roots. If your plant is healthy, only unwind and trim extra-long roots and leave the rest alone. If you are repotting due to insects in soil or root rot, unwind and trim any old, soggy roots as well as extra-long roots, says Kujawa.Repotting houseplants is not a one-size-fits-all process because different plants require different soil types. To choose the right soil, Kujawa suggests looking at all of its environmental factors: dryness or humidity of the climate, light exposure, and watering frequency. Remove old, excess soil. Using gardening gloves, gently scrape off the oil soil, making sure to get in between the roots. Use a handheld shovel if your plant is rootbound. This process loosens roots to absorb nutrients in new soil. Before repotting, your plant should have only a few clumps of old soil.