If some of your potted plants aren’t looking so good and you think you’ve tried everything, they may be root-bound. This stealthy condition often mimics under-watering or nutrient deficiencies, leaving many well-meaning plant parents completely baffled.It happens quietly beneath the soil line, slowly choking off the plant's lifelines until intervention becomes absolutely critical. ‘Root-bound’ simply means the plant has outgrown its container. Its roots have filled all of the space and formed a dense, tangled mass. To learn the signs of a root-bound plant and how to save it, read on.
1. Visible roots
Can you see roots emerging from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot or from the soil on the surface? Visible roots are the most obvious sign that a plant’s roots need more space and are actively searching for a way out. When roots begin wrapping tightly around the upper rim of the soil, the plant is practically begging for a larger home.
2. Soil drying quickly
If you discover that you’re having to water a plant more often, that you’re finding the topsoil dry earlier than usual, that’s probably because the roots have taken up so much space that there’s less soil to absorb moisture.Without enough soil acting as a sponge, the water quickly evaporates. You might find yourself watering every couple of days instead of your usual weekly routine just to keep the plant upright.
