I've got some succulents in 3-inch pots that are less than a year old and they really need to be repotted—the roots are already pushing out of the drainage holes, and some of them are losing leaves like crazy. A few of them even showed up without roots. For their new pots, would 4x4x4 inches be a good size? I want to avoid deep pots since I've heard that succulents prefer shallow and wide ones. Also, once I repot them, how long will it be before they need to be repotted again? They're getting plenty of light and water, but I'd like to have an idea so I can plan for some extra space. Thanks!
2 Answers
About the repotting: a root poking out doesn't always mean your succulent is root-bound. Most types don’t really need repotting for about two to three years unless they’re really under-potted. When you repot, your root ball should ideally fill about 2/3 of the new pot, so size it accordingly. Just keep an eye out for other signs like multiple roots coming out of drainage holes or the plant dropping leaves—those are clear indicators that it needs attention.
When it comes to how big succulents can get, it really depends on the species. For example, Echeveria cante can grow 30-40 cm wide, while Echeveria prolifica stays smaller at about 4-8 cm. Some succulents, like those that are more of a ground cover, tend to spread out rather than grow tall. Just keep in mind that many rosette succulents can produce offsets and take up more space over time. Be sure to check the specific type you have for more accurate size estimates.
Makes sense, I’ll look up the species I have, thank you!
I see! How do you usually determine if a repot is needed? Is it just those signs?