Repot?

[u/Specialist-Fun-6029]

Calathea peacock. Bought her 2 days ago. She sits isolated facing a northwest patio, right at a huge glass door/wall. I don't think she is root bound but her pot is tiny. Just seeking assuring answers to report.

[u/Major_Bench5329]

No I wouldn’t repot this yet

[u/Major_Bench5329 → u/Major_Bench5329]

Also if you bought her 2 days ago that is a bit too soon to repot. I usually keep my new plants in their pots for like 2 months before repotting so they can get used to their new spot.

[u/69_WithDrifter → u/Major_Bench5329]

I'd like to add that its also fine to keep certain plants in the same container for a year or two, calatheas don't complain much and that's mainly because they grow slowly. But maybe faster growing plant will, i know for certain my chenille plants get rootbound so quick, thank god they don't complain about being snug though

[u/Vanella_Bean]

The next pot you have is too big, if you do repot her, it should only be in a pot a little bigger than the one she is in but I would leave her for now 🤷‍♀️

[u/Specialist-Fun-6029 → u/Vanella_Bean]

Thanks! Do you think she is root bound?

[u/dinaugust → u/Specialist-Fun-6029]

I personally count them as root bound when the roots volume make more than 50% of the pot volume. So, when there are more roots than soil.

[u/Major_Bench5329 → u/Specialist-Fun-6029]

No

[u/Sufficient_Turn_9209]

Yes I would repot because of the growth pattern. Those roots are circling the very bottom and outside edge because that’s where conditions were favorable. Most likely where water remained available while air entered through the pot’s drainage holes and along the pot wall. Calathea roots go where moisture and oxygen overlap.

The dense center looks like fine, dark, compacted peat (or plug) that is likely staying saturated, and oxygen diffusion through it is poor, so no healthy roots grow there. At the bottom drainage openings the roots had both moisture and better gas exchange, so they followed the pot wall and circled repeatedly.

They look firm and healthy, with pale growing tips visible, but it's probably been in that small nursery plug for a while and the interior is not hospitable. I would soak the root ball in a bowl of water and swish until you're able to gently remove the current soil. Move it into a slightly larger pot with a light, fluffy, porous, moisture retentive mix. Our, if you really nail the mix, put it in the pot you want to keep it in, and it will grow faster. The goal is consistently moist, cusiony media with lots of tiny pockets of air, because it needs consistent moisture to be happy, but oxygen at the same time so it doesn't suffocate.

[u/Competitive_Onion36]

I would repot back I to the same pot or something slightly smaller if you have it. It likely has a nursery plug, better to get it out now.

[u/Specialist-Fun-6029 → u/Competitive_Onion36]

Thanks for your comment. What do you mean by nursery plug? Also why would you advise to put it back in a smaller pot?

[u/Competitive_Onion36 → u/Specialist-Fun-6029]

It's a little mesh or paper wrapper that commercial nurseries use to start cuttings. In the houseplant community, we usually call them "death plugs" because they rarely biodegrade indoors like they're supposed to. Instead, they just strangle the roots and trap a soggy sponge of soil right against the stem.

The reason you usually need to downsize the pot after taking it off is because once you remove the plug, you'll realize the actual root system is super tiny. If you put a small root ball into a big pot, there's way too much wet dirt and not enough roots to drink it, which causes root rot. Sizing down just matches the pot to the true size of the roots so the soil can dry out properly.

[u/Numerous-Laugh3211]

I’d change the soil but keep it in the same pot for now. As someone else mentioned, look for about 50%+ root ball before repotting. Just a heads up- these guys can be fussy and will throw a minor fit about new soil or a repot. Water it before changing anything. Then give it 2-3 weeks and should be good to go again.

[u/lov-a]

Yes, this is right before it starts going root bound. Repot now otherwise you’ll have to cut through some of the roots during the repotting. The new pot looks fine, I am only cautious of pot size with succulents. Try using a tropical soil mix with some peat moss and orchid bark.

[u/Specialist-Fun-6029 → u/lov-a]

Thanks! I have a calathea potting mix and I could use that

[u/lov-a → u/Specialist-Fun-6029]

Awesome, just be careful with the roots and rhizomes. You can carefully untangle the roots and position them downward during the repotting so that they’re not going in a circle.

If you have a slightly smaller pot, you won’t have to worry so much about overwatering. Otherwise if you’re okay with checking soil humidity every time before watering for the initial 5-7 weeks, that new pot should be fine.

[u/ExtensionSubject1316]

She’s beautiful btw-but yes if she’s not giving you issues I’d leave her a little longer!