The Simple Solution That Can Keep Hanging Baskets Thriving For Longer

Your hanging basket is asking for more from you. More water. More soil. More nutrients. More room to stretch and grow its roots. If your basket has reached that mid-summer point where it looks like it is tired and struggling, chances are it's crying out for what it needs more of. The easiest way to give your hanging basket plant more, is to repot it in a larger container.

The size of most hanging basket pots are 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter, but a smaller pot will dry out more quickly than a larger one. During growing season, a plant's roots will need space to grow, and a smaller-sized pot will impede this growth. So, this means repotting a plant into the next size up, at least. After 12 inches, you're looking at pots that are 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches wide.

This said, you also don't want to repot plants into too large a pot. Instead, look to plant them in one that's about 25% larger (not double in size). In addition to providing roots enough room, bigger pots also make a hanging basket easier to care for, as you will likely need to water less often.

When repotting your hanging plant into a larger pot, be sure to use a lightweight soil mix, one that drains well. This means the mix should be part peat moss and perlite or vermiculite (or both). Such a loose texture will allow for good drainage, which is exactly what you need as your new plant grows in its new home. This is also the best soil for thriving hanging baskets to prevent root rot.

Before you simply transfer your hanging plant to the larger pot, you should first tend to the plant's root ball, specifically if the roots are root-bound. This means the roots are tangled tightly, and in this state, they won't be able to further grow. To loosen and free the roots, start at the bottom of the root ball. Try using a bit of water if the root-bound roots won't budge. If you can imagine, these roots once untangled will be able to grow down and into various directions in the new roomier pot.

Once the plant's roots are loosened, you can move it to the new pot. This is a good time to add any favorite soil amendments, such as compost, as well. Then it's simply a matter of surrounding it with its soil mixture, and then giving the plant a thorough watering that goes through the soil and roots.

Whether you're trying to revive a dying hanging basket or setting plant baskets up for success at the start of the season, repotting a plant into a larger pot is the simple solution to providing it with what it needs most. Providing a plant a pot of accommodating size — plus following other essential tips to ensure your flowers thrive – should assure robust baskets well into the summer.