Hello from my pot! I might look fine above the soil, but down here, it's getting crowded. My roots are like a tangled ball, circling the inside of this container with nowhere new to explore. I can't effectively gather the water and nutrients I need to grow bigger and stronger for you. You might notice I'm not growing as vigorously as I used to, even with enough sun and water. This is my quiet way of saying, "I need a new home!" Another sign is if you see my roots peeking out of the drainage holes below, a clear distress signal that I'm completely root-bound.
Over time, the soil I live in breaks down and loses its structure. It becomes compacted, meaning when you water me, the liquid just rushes over the surface and down the sides of the pot instead of soaking in to reach my thirsty roots. This leaves me parched even right after a drink. Furthermore, all the nutrients that were once in the soil have been absorbed by me or washed away. The growing medium is now exhausted and can no longer support my health. I need fresh, well-draining soil to thrive and produce those aromatic leaves you love.
Please be gentle with me during this process. The best time for my big move is in the early spring, just as I'm waking up from my winter rest and full of energy for new growth. Start by watering me thoroughly a day before; this will make it easier to slide me out of my current pot and lessen the shock to my system. When you lift me out, please don't yank me by my stems! Gently squeeze the pot and tip me sideways, supporting my base. You will likely see my dense, coiled root mass.
Once I'm out, it's time to loosen my roots. Gently tease apart the outer layer of the root ball with your fingers. You don't need to be aggressive—just enough to encourage the roots to grow outward into their new space instead of continuing in a circle. If the roots are extremely tight, you can make a few shallow vertical cuts into the sides of the root ball with a clean knife. This might seem scary, but it actually helps stimulate new root growth into the fresh soil.
Please choose a new pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than my old one. A pot that is too big will hold too much moisture around my roots, which can make me sick. Ensure it has excellent drainage holes! Place a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix at the bottom. Position me in the center so that the top of my root ball sits about an inch below the rim of the pot. Fill in around the sides with more fresh soil, gently firming it down to eliminate large air pockets. Give me a deep, generous drink of water to help me settle in and to ensure the new soil makes good contact with my roots.
