Repotting house plants

Check houseplants in spring and repot those that have genuinely outgrown their pots. A crowded root ball or roots growing from the drainage holes are useful signs. Water before you start.

Choose a slightly larger pot. Go up one size, or two if appropriate. An oversized pot holds more wet compost than the roots can use.

Make a planting hole with the old pot. Put fresh compost in the base of the new pot. Set the old pot inside, adjust the height and fill around it. Lift the old pot out, ease the plant free and slip the root ball into the imprint.

Firm lightly and water well. Let the plant settle out of direct sun for a day or two.