Repotting in Summer? Avoid These 5 Deadly Mistakes

There’s nothing quite like the vibrant energy of summer, is there? Your home feels brighter, your days feel longer, and your beloved houseplants—the living sculptures that complete your home’s aesthetic—are soaking up all that glorious sunshine.

It feels like the perfect time for a little plant TLC, a bit of a refresh for your green companions. But before you grab that gorgeous new ceramic pot and a bag of soil, we need to talk. I’ve seen it happen too many times—a well-intentioned repotting session in the middle of July turns into a plant catastrophe.

Did you know that repotting during a heatwave can send your plants into severe shock, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or worse? It’s a heartbreaking sight for any plant parent! Let’s make sure your urban jungle continues to be a source of pride and creative expression.

I’m here to guide you through the 5 deadliest summer repotting mistakes, ensuring your leafy friends not only survive but truly thrive as the centerpiece of your decor.

1. The Fiddle Leaf Fig: Choosing a Pot That’s Way Too Big

Oh, the majestic Fiddle Leaf Fig. If you’ve ever fallen for one, you know the feeling.

You see it across the nursery, all lush and sculptural, and you just know it’s the piece of living art your living room has been missing.

I remember my first one like it was yesterday. I named her Franny.

I was so excited, I went straight to the home decor section and bought the most beautiful, oversized ceramic pot I could find.

My thinking was, “I’ll give her plenty of room to grow into a giant tree!”

It seemed so logical at the time. Boy, was I wrong.

Why Bigger Isn’t Better: The Root of the Problem

For weeks, Franny just looked… sad. Her vibrant green leaves started getting those dreaded brown spots and then, plop. One by one, they dropped.

I was doing everything else right—the light was perfect, I was checking the moisture—but she was dying a slow death.

The problem was hiding below the surface. That giant, gorgeous pot was a death trap.

All that extra soil around the small root ball was acting like a giant, soggy sponge. The roots couldn’t possibly drink all that water, so they just sat in cold, damp soil.

Fiddle Leaf Fig roots are sensitive, they need to breathe! Instead, mine were suffocating. I had created the perfect environment for the ultimate plant killer: root rot.

The 2-Inch Rule: Your New Best Friend

After a lot of frantic research and one very sad plant funeral, I learned the golden rule of repotting. I want you to remember this, it will save you so much heartache.

When you upgrade your plant’s home, you only go 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the pot it’s currently in.

That’s it. No more, I promise.

This little bit of extra space provides just enough fresh potting medium and nutrients for the roots to explore without creating a swamp. It helps the plant establish a strong, healthy root system much more quickly, which is exactly what you want.

Finding the Perfect Pot (That’s Also Pretty)

Now, I know what you’re thinking. You want your pot to match your home decor aesthetic! I get it completely.

The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice style for plant health.

You just have to be a stickler for one thing: drainage holes. This is the ultimate non-negotiable feature.

I once fell in love with a stunning ceramic pot that had no hole. I thought, “I’ll just be careful not to overwater.” Don’t do it! A lack of drainage is a one-way ticket to root rot city.

A fantastic little hack is to keep your plant in its simple plastic nursery pot (which has great drainage) and place that inside the pretty, decorative pot you love. It’s the best of both worlds! Your plant is happy, and your design sense is satisfied.

Learning this lesson was a game-changer for me. My Fiddles are now the happiest plants in the house because I learned to give them a snug, cozy home instead of a giant, soggy mansion.

Now that we’ve sorted out the biggest mistake for our Ficus friends, let’s talk about another popular plant that’s surprisingly easy to upset during a summer repot…

Are you accidentally sending your gorgeous Monstera into immediate shock by choosing the wrong time of day to repot? It’s a super common mistake that can cause dramatic wilting in just a few hours.

Click the ‘Next’ button below to find out how to time it perfectly!