Find out what topdressing means and how it can help your houseplants. A quick explanation of this method of adding to plant soil. This method is useful when you aren’t able to repot or pot up a plant.
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Today, I have another houseplant term for you. The term is “top dress.”
Top dressing refers to adding more soil or amendments onto the top of the soil in a pot. I do have a video on how to do this and more on why to do this, but just very quickly:
The reason you do this is oftentimes when you can’t repot the whole plant for some reason. It could be that the plant is too large to move, or it could be that it’s the wrong time of year. Say it is winter where you live—it’s not a good idea to repot many plants until spring.
So instead, you add soil and/or amendments such as worm compost and a little bit of fertilizer onto the top of the plant. Generally, it will be soil and a very mild fertilizer amendment (like worm compost) that you put on top.
So, that is what top dressing is!
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FAQs About Top Dressing for Houseplants
What does top dressing mean in houseplant care?
Top dressing refers to adding soil or amendments like worm compost and mild fertilizer to the top layer of soil in a pot without repotting the plant.
When should I use top dressing instead of repotting?
Use top dressing when the plant is too large to repot or during colder months like winter when repotting isn’t ideal.
What materials are used for top dressing?
Common materials for top dressing include fresh potting soil, worm compost, and mild fertilizers.
Can I top dress all types of houseplants?
Most houseplants benefit from top dressing, especially if they’re root-bound or if you’re trying to enrich the soil without disturbing the roots.
Is top dressing as effective as repotting?
While it doesn’t replace repotting long-term, top dressing is an effective short-term solution to refresh nutrients and support plant health.
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