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How to change rootball soil

by Martina
(Spain)

Good morning, I have a pothos in this small pot and I want to change the soil for a more aerated one. Can I just remove the soil from the roots and change it for my new compost or can I just put it in the new soil and forget about it? The rootball is in 100% peat Moss.

Comments for How to change rootball soil

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Mar 16, 2021

Soil
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

You can remove as much as you can of the existing soil, if possible. The problem with peat moss is that if it dries out, then it will never re-wet. It will also tend to act as a wick, and moisture will evaporate from any part that sticks out of the soil.

So use a fork (yes, cutlery!) gently, to rake off as much as possible and make a rough surface. Try to leave the roots alone, but don't worry if some get damaged - it will make more to take their place once you repot it.

Make sure your new pot has drainage holes!

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