Everything You Need to Know About Succulent Pots

The right pot can make caring for succulents easier.

The right pot affects how quickly your soil dries, how much room your roots have to grow and even how often you’ll need to water.

If you’ve ever wondered when to repot, what size pot to buy or whether different succulents can live together, this guide is for you.

Does Pot Size Really Matter?

Yes. But probably not for the reason you would think.

A bigger pot holds more soil and more soil usually means it stays wet longer after watering. A smaller pot has less soil, so it tends to dry out more quickly.

Neither one is better. But we like giving our plants enough room to continue growing without surrounding them with a huge amount of extra wet soil. One thing we always pay attention to is watering around the root system instead of soaking every inch of the pot, especially right after repotting and especially if you have a bigger pot.

Think of your pot as part of your watering routine. The size you choose affects how often your succulent will need a drink.

When Is It Time to Repot?

Succulents don’t need to be repotted on a schedule. Instead, let the plant tell you.

Here are a few signs it’s ready:

•  Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
•  The plant is becoming top-heavy and tips over easily
• The soil dries much faster than it used to because the roots have filled the pot.
• Growth has slowed down even though the plant is otherwise healthy.
• The roots have filled most of the pot, leaving very little soil.

Fun fact: Many succulents actually enjoy being a little snug in their pots so don’t feel like you have to rush into repotting.

What Does “Rootbound” Actually Mean?

You’ll hear this term all the time, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

A rootbound succulent means the roots have filled most of the space inside the pot. That doesn’t mean your plant is unhealthy.

Many succulents can happily stay rootbound for a while.

Repotting gives the roots more room to keep growing, especially if you’re hoping for a larger, faster-growing plant.

When Should You Wait to Repot?

We recommend waiting if your succulent is:

• Fresh out of the mail. Let it settle into its new home for about a week before making any big changes.

• Blooming. If possible, enjoy the flowers first.

• Dormant. Wait until it’s actively growing again.

• Recovering from stress like overwatering, underwatering or sunburn.

Giving your succulent time to adjust can make repotting much more successful.

Our One Non-Negotiable: Drainage Holes

If there’s one thing we almost never compromise on…Choose a pot with a drainage hole.

Drainage holes allow extra water to escape out of the bottom instead of collecting around the roots, making it much easier to not overwater.

Have you found the perfect decorative pot without a hole? No problem!

Leave your succulent in its nursery pot and place it inside the decorative container. You get the best of both worlds: beautiful style and proper drainage.

Can Different Succulents Live Together?

Absolutely! Just make sure you are choosing plants with similar needs.

When building an arrangement, ask yourself:

• Do they like the same amount of sunlight?

• Will they be watered at roughly the same time?

• Do they grow at a similar pace?

The best pot is the one that fits your plant, your home and your watering style.

A little extra time when choosing a container can make caring for your succulents easier, help prevent common problems like root rot and give your plants plenty of room to thrive.