Pruning your houseplant roots can have some amazing benefits, but knowing when and how to prune is crucial to maintaining plant health.

When to Prune Houseplant Roots

Houseplant roots should be pruned when they have either developed congested roots or are suffering from root rot. With old or fast-growing indoor plants, the roots can grow so much that they take up all the space in the container.

“This is called being “root bound” and it’s a serious condition that can cause stunted growth and, eventually, the death of the plant,” stated Diane Kuthy, the founder of How To Grow Everything.

Though you could simply repot the plant into a bigger container, this may encourage the plant to grow larger. To keep the plant compact, an alternative solution is to trim the roots so it can remain healthy in its existing container.

The other issue that would require pruning, root rot, is caused by waterlogged soil which is often the result of overwatering. Cutting away the damaged roots can allow the plant to regain its health.

What to Look For Before Pruning

First, ensure your plant is root-bound prior to pruning or you could risk removing too much of the healthy root system and causing stress to the plant.

‘A root-bound plant will show signs of stress and have a very dense and tightly bound root ball with almost no loose soil,’ Diane stated. The plant may also need to be watered more frequently and roots could be pushing through the drainage holes.

A few signs of root rot, on the other hand, would be stunted growth, mushy stems, and yellow leaves. When removed from the pot, rotted roots are soft, brown or black, and may have an unpleasant odor.