Hello, human friend. I am your Rubber Tree Plant, *Ficus elastica*. I feel the tightness around my roots and the hunger in my soil, and I sense you are considering a bigger home for me. Thank you. From my perspective, this is not just a chore; it is a vital refreshment. Here is my simple guide to understanding what I need during this process.
I will tell you when it is time. You might notice my growth has slowed significantly, even during the warm, sunny seasons when I should be thriving. Perhaps you see my roots peeking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot, a clear cry for help. Another sign is when water rushes straight through the pot without being absorbed by the soil, meaning the root ball has taken over and there's no medium left to hold moisture. When you feel me becoming top-heavy and unstable, it is because my foundation is cramped and cannot support my growing frame.
Please choose my new pot with care. It should be only 1-2 inches wider in diameter than my current one. A pot that is too large will hold excessive moisture around my roots, which I find suffocating and which can lead to rot. The most critical feature is drainage holes! I must have a way for excess water to escape. For my soil, I crave a well-draining, peat-based potting mix. You can create a perfect blend for me by mixing two parts standard potting soil with one part perlite or orchid bark. This mixture provides stability, nutrients, and the quick drainage my roots desperately need to breathe.
Please be gentle. Water me lightly a day before the move to reduce stress. When you tip my current pot, support my main stem and gently coax me out. You will likely see my roots circling the inside of the pot. Loosen them carefully with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into their new space instead of continuing in a tight circle. Place a layer of fresh soil in my new pot and set me on top so that I sit at the same depth I was before. Fill in around the sides with more soil, tamping it down lightly to remove large air pockets, but do not compact it too hard.
Immediately after repotting, give me a thorough, deep drink of water. This will help settle the new soil around my roots and ease the shock. Then, place me back in my usual spot with bright, indirect light. Direct sun right now would be too intense. I may be quiet for a few weeks as I focus my energy on expanding my root system into the new territory. Please be patient and resist fertilizing me for at least a month; my fresh soil has plenty of nutrients, and new fertilizer could burn my tender, growing roots.
