How to Root Prune a Potted Plant

Some plants are like cute kids. You like them just the way they are. So when they start to outgrow their pots, you want them to stop growing and stay cute. Unlike kids, who are generally going to grow up and leave home despite your protests, plants can actually be root pruned. This allows you to keep them in the same pot indefinitely.

Root pruning might sound a little harsh, but it’s not. Done correctly, the plant will hardly know what happened. It’s actually a kind way of keeping the plant in check so it can stay in its comfy digs. It’s especially helpful when a plant is beginning to outgrow a pot you really like. Indoors, root pruning allows you to stop a houseplant from hitting the ceiling and outgrowing its home.

In addition to keeping a plant at the same size, root pruning also enables it to become healthier and stronger.

Steps to Root Pruning

In order to get a potted plant to slow growth down so it can stay in the same pot, remove up to one-third of the roots.

To root prune, you need to remove the plant from the pot. Facilitate easier removal by watering the plant several hours before. Also run a long sharp knife along the inside of the pot to loosen the soil from the side of the pot.

Carefully remove the plant from the pot. With particularly large plants, it’s a good idea to have someone help you. One person can tip the plant pot over while the other person can ease the plant out of the pot. This prevents the plant from landing on its “head” and becoming damaged.

Keep the plant on its side and using a sharp knife or small saw, slice away roots. Turn the plant as you go. Remove the same amount of roots from the bottom and sides of the plant. Make clean cuts. Jagged cuts can invite in decay and disease.

Repot the Root Pruned Plant

After cutting is complete, use a pronged hand cultivator or your fingers to loosen old soil from the roots. Discard the soil, as it is most likely full of mineral salts, which are harmful to roots.  Doing this also encourages roots to grow into the new soil.

Before repotting into the same pot, clean the container out with hot water and a stiff brush. Repot in fresh organic potting soil. Water the plant well after transplanting. You’ll know the plant has established when it starts to put on new growth.

Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of 10 books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story Series, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com. Her backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.