How to Repot a Cactus Properly

Cacti grow slowly, but eventually every cactus outgrows its pot or exhausts its soil. Repotting can feel intimidating because of the spines, but with the right preparation it takes only a few minutes.

When to repot

• Roots are growing out of the drainage hole.
• The plant is top-heavy or as wide as the pot.
• The soil stays wet for a long time or has broken down into fine dust.
• It has been three to four years since the last repot.

The best time is spring or early autumn, during active growth.

What you need

• A pot only one size larger, with a drainage hole. Terracotta is ideal.
• A gritty cactus mix: roughly half potting soil and half pumice, perlite or coarse sand.
• Thick gloves, kitchen tongs, or a folded towel or newspaper strip to hold the cactus.
• A chopstick or small stick.

Step-by-step

1. Let the soil dry out for a few days. Dry roots are less likely to break and rot.
2. Remove the cactus. Wrap a folded strip of newspaper around the body like a collar, tip the pot and squeeze or tap it until the root ball slides out.
3. Inspect the roots. Gently loosen old soil. Trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean scissors.
4. Add fresh mix to the new pot so the cactus will sit at the same depth as before.
5. Position and fill. Hold the cactus upright and pour mix around it, using a chopstick to settle the soil into gaps. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
6. Top dress with gravel if you like — it keeps the base of the plant dry and looks tidy.

Aftercare: do not water yet

This is the most important step. Wait about one week before watering. This gives any damaged roots time to heal and prevents rot. Keep the plant in bright, indirect light during that week, then return it to its usual sunny spot and resume normal watering.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a pot that is far too large — excess soil stays wet.
• Using regular potting soil without grit.
• Watering immediately after repotting.

Freshly repotted cacti often respond with a burst of new growth. See our succulents and cacti for your next addition.