Root-bound
The plant has outgrown its pot: more roots than soil.
What you'll see
- Roots poke out of the drainage holes or circle on the soil surface.
- Water runs straight through, and the plant dries out soon after watering.
- Growth slows despite feeding, and leaf tips may brown.
Why it happens
The plant has outgrown its pot, so a tight mass of roots leaves too little soil to hold water and food.
How to fix it
- Repot into a pot only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) wider, ideally in spring.
- Tease circling roots apart with your fingers so they grow outward.
- Use fresh potting mix, keep the plant at the same depth, and water it in well.
- Take the repotting check on the plant's page to see if it's time.
Keep it from coming back
- Check the roots every year or two; fast growers need repotting sooner.
- Repot in spring as growth starts, not in autumn or winter.
- Don't jump to a much bigger pot; the extra soil stays wet and can rot roots.
Read more
- Choosing a pot: size and drainage
- Potting mix basics
- When and how to repot a plant
- How to pick a healthy plant
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Pot-bound indoor plants
- RHS: How to repot a plant
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Houseplant care
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.