Hello there! From my perspective, your English Ivy, I need to communicate when it's time for a bigger pot, but I can't use words. Instead, I send clear signals. You might notice my roots starting to circle the inside of my current pot or even peeking out of the drainage holes below. This is my way of saying I'm feeling cramped and "root-bound." Above the soil, you might see that my growth has slowed down significantly, or my leaves are turning yellow even though you're watering me correctly. The soil might also dry out incredibly fast because there's more root mass than soil left to hold moisture. This is my plea for more space to stretch out and gather nutrients.
Before we begin, please gather everything we'll need. A smooth transition is vital for my health. You'll need a new pot for me that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than my current one. A pot that's too big can lead to waterlogged soil around my roots, which I really dislike. Next, choose a fresh, well-draining potting mix; a standard indoor plant mix is perfect. Please have a trowel, some pruning shears (cleaned, please!), and a watering can ready. It's also a good idea to lay down some newspaper to keep your workspace clean. Having everything prepared means less stress for me during the repotting process.
This is a delicate step. First, please water me lightly a day before the repotting. This will help the soil hold together and make it easier to slide me out of my old pot. When you're ready, turn me on my side. Hold the base of my stems gently but firmly and tap the bottom and sides of the pot. You should feel my root ball loosen and slide out. If I'm stubborn, you can gently run a knife around the inside edge of the pot. Please never pull me out by my stems, as this can cause serious damage. The goal is to get me out with the root ball as intact as possible.
Now that I'm out, it's time for a quick examination. Gently loosen the outer roots with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into the new soil instead of continuing in a circular pattern. Look over my roots carefully. If you see any that are dark brown, mushy, or smell bad, those are rotten and need to be trimmed away with your clean shears. Similarly, you can snip any excessively long, thread-like roots, but please be conservative. This little "haircut" stimulates healthy new growth and removes any parts that are no longer serving me.
Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot, enough so that when I'm placed on top, the base of my stems will sit about an inch below the rim. Center me in the pot. I like to be at the same soil level as before—not too deep, not too high. Once I'm positioned correctly, begin filling in the space around my root ball with the new potting mix. Gently press the soil down to eliminate large air pockets, but don't compact it too tightly; my roots need room to breathe. Leave a small space at the top to make watering easier.
After the move, I'll be a bit thirsty and stressed. Give me a thorough, gentle watering until you see water running out of the drainage hole. This helps settle the new soil around my roots and ensures I have the moisture I need to recover. After watering, place me in a spot with bright, indirect light. It's normal for me to look a little droopy or shocked for a few days as I adjust. Please hold off on fertilizing for at least a month; my new soil has plenty of nutrients, and my roots are too sensitive for extra stimulation right now. Just let me settle in and enjoy my new space
