Plant shock refers to the stress a houseplant undergoes when there is a change in it’s environment. Transplanting is one of the most common causes of shock. In the wild, plants stay in one place and grow roots deep and wide into the soil, so it’s no surprise they don’t like being moved around by humans. Plant shock can cause leaf drop, wilting or even death. That’s why it is important to only repot your plants when they need to be repotted.
Some plants may be able to cope well with transplantation while others may not.
Completely avoiding plant shock is difficult because it is a biological process, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of your plant dying.
What is Transplant Shock?
Transplant shock occurs when a plant that was moved into a new container experiences stress because it does not have an established root system to keep up with it’s needs. Since the root system is lacking, the plant cannot absorb the water that it needs.
A plant experiencing transplant shock is more susceptible to outside stressors, such as disease or pests.
These plants require extra care until their roots become well-established and they have transitioned to their new environment.
What does transplant shock look like?
- Wilting leaves
- Leaves changing color to yellow or brown
- Leaf drop
- Poor growth
Causes of transplant shock:
- Injured root system
- Improper planting technique
- Poor conditions
- Moving locations
Ways to Avoid Plant Shock
Buy healthy plants
Your plant has a much better chance of surviving transplantation if it is already healthy and has a solid root system. Avoid plants that look like they have root damage, root rot, or are suffering from pests.
Adding further stress to an already sick plant increases the likelihood of shock or plant death.
Moving new plants home
Bringing a plant home from the nursery is often a big source of shock. In nurseries, plants are in their ideal conditions and are cared for by experts, which can be difficult to replicate at home. It’s no surprise that plants experience a bit of shock when they are brought home.
To minimize plant shock in a new plant, keep it somewhere that receives enough light and leave it alone for a week before you repot. Do not be discouraged if your plant drops a few leaves or takes a few weeks to settle in.
However, if your newly purchased plant looks like it is suffering from root rot (it has mushy stems or leaves and is turning yellow/brown), you may have to break those rules and repot it immediately to save it.
Repot only when necessary
Transplanting is safest during the spring. Only transplant when it is necessary- when your plant has grown completely root bound in it’s current pot. This avoids unnecessary shock to the plant.
If you are replanting outdoor plants, do so in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day so the roots have time to recover before being subjected to intense sun rays.
Disturb the roots as little as possible
If it is time for your plant to be moved into a new pot, minimize your handling of the roots for a smooth transition.
When you take the plant out of it’s container, try to dig out as many of the roots as you can with the plant. The more roots you bring with the plant, the easier the transition, which minimizes shock.
While moving the rootball into a new container, try to disturb it as little as possible. Do not remove the dirt, poke the roots out, and keep your handling at a minimum.
However, if you notice rotten roots (they look dark brown and mushy), make sure you cut those off so your plant can grow new, healthy ones.
Use a correctly sized pot
Choosing a pot that is too large increases plant shock because your plant has a larger area to get used to. A larger pot has extra soil, which holds a lot more water- for a plant that was previously root bound, this is a dramatic change.
To minimize this, choose a pot that is about one to two inches larger than the current one. A slightly larger pot will fit your growing plant without drowning the roots.
Use proper planting technique
Transplant shock is worsened by planting at the wrong depth or choosing the wrong type of soil. This adds further stress to your plant.
Fill your pot with the soil mix up to a few inches. Make a hole in the soil and place your root ball in it. There should be enough soil that the top of the root ball is right below the top of the pot.
Once the placement is right, fill in the soil around the root ball. Spread the roots out as you fill in the soil. Press firmly down on the soil from all sides so that the plant remains secure and upright.
Use a well-draining soil mix to keep the plant’s roots healthy.
Keep your plant in the same environment
Since plants already have to adjust to a new container, keep other environmental factors the same. Place your plant in the same area it was before you repotted, so the temperature stays constant and it receives the same amount of sunlight. Continue to water with the same frequency.
Sudden changes in the environment can cause plant shock even in plants that have not been transplanted.
Light
Plants that were in the shade do not like suddenly being moved to bright sun. Even plants that are quite fond of sunlight, such as succulents, may show signs of sunburn if they are moved too quickly from shade to sun.
Sunburn will show up as brown edges or patches on the leaves. Once a plant’s leaves get sunburned, the spots do not fade away.
To prevent sunburn, slowly increase the sunlight your plant receives each day so it has time to transition.
Plants receiving inadequate light can show signs of shock as well. They may have pale green leaves with slow or stunted growth.
Temperature
Similar to light, plants do not like sudden increases or decreases in temperature. If you have left your plant overnight during a cold draft, you may have noticed some leaf drop or wilting, which is another sign of shock.
If the weather is getting colder, bring your plant inside to prevent shock.
If you want to keep your plant outside for the summer, slowly increase the time it spends outside. This allows it to become used to the extra light and heat, which prevents sunburn.
What to do About Plant Shock
Wait it out
Not doing anything is probably the most frustrating solution, but sometimes all your plant needs is time. Give your plant a few days to weeks to recover. Care for it as you normally would during this time.
Trim the plant
Trimming some of the plant allows it to focus energy on growing new roots. Trimming excess foliage decreases the stress on the plant and conserves resources to recover.
Remove any dead or dying leaves or stems to further conserve your plants energy.
Water as needed
Different plants have different watering preferences, so there is no one solution. Both too little and too much water are harmful. Soaking wet soil suffocates the roots, while dry soil puts additional stress on the plant. Research how much water your plant likes and water accordingly.
Check out these plant specific care guides for watering and general care information for different plants
Do not fertilize
Plants that are suffering from shock do not require fertilizer. In fact, fertilization may result in a burst of new growth, which increases the stress put on the plant.
Give the plant time to establish a healthy root system before fertilizing.
Keep an eye out for your plant
A plant undergoing transplant shock is more susceptible to diseases and pests because it is already stressed. Keep an eye out for any signs of pests so you can deal with them early on.
Signs of infestation include:
- Misshapen leaves
- Cottony-white substance
- Black spots or mold like substance
- Yellow spots
If you notice pests, wash your plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Then spray the plant with 70% rubbing alcohol.
Repeat the above steps once every 3 to 4 days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take a few weeks.
In summary for plant shock…
Plant shock is a biological process, but it can be minimized with the above tips. Be gentle with your plants experiencing shock and give them time to heal.
Have any more questions about plant shock? Let me know in the comments below!
Learn more about plant care from these articles:
References
Purdue University Extension: Transplant Shock of Trees and Shrubs
