What Plants Like To Be Root Bound? (6 Known Plants)

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But what plants like to be root bound?

There are many plants that like to be root-bound; root-bound plants are also called pot-bound plants. Root bound is a condition that does not allow the plant to receive sufficient water. 

In this article, we will discuss some plants that like to be root bound, what makes them special, and some individual features.

Let’s get started!

What Does It Mean For a Plant To Be Root Bound?

Root-bound plants are plants where the root gets tangled in the pot, mostly due to a lack of space for the effective growth and development of the plant.

Root-bound plants normally have roots that adopt the shape of the container they’re planted, and other types tend to replace the soil in the pot with their roots. Sometimes if the plant is too root-bound, it may require you to remove them with your hands. 

The cause of this is lack of space, and the best way to remedy this is to space out your plants when planting them in a pot, and it is advisable not to plant two different species in the same pot. 

There are numerous types of plants that like to be root bound. We will discuss them next.

See Also: Plants Good For Tall Narrow Pots

What Plants Like To Be Root Bound?

Numerous plants like to be root bound. In this article, we will discuss a few of them.

Some examples of plants that like to be root bound are:

  • A peace lily
  • Spider plant
  • Snake plant
  • Jade Plant
  • Aloe Vera
  • Boston Fern

1. Peace Lily 

This is one of the best types of plant that likes to be root bound; this flower, when root-bound, produces a healthy and beautiful flower. 

One of the things that makes this plant unique is that it doesn’t spread out; when planted effectively and in good soil, it grows to maturity in due season. 

If there’s more soil in the container used for planting this plant after the plant has root bound, it will lead to root rot, and this is why it is important to always check on the plant. 

2. Spider plant 

Like peace lily plants, spider plants grow well and reach maturity on time when they’re root bound, but for them to grow faster than usual, you will have to report them before they get root bound. 

During repotting, it is very important not to remove the plant until you’ve seen the roots above the soil. This indicates that it is time to repot to help the plant grow faster and more effectively.

3. Snake Plant 

Yes, snake plants like to be root bound too. When planting this plant, you need to bear in mind that they grow very fast, and they tend to crowd all over the place. 

To prevent this, you need to plant snake plants in a spacious area, and you don’t need to frequently repot them into larger containers as they grow well when they’re root bound. 

When planting the snake plant, use a large pot to avoid repotting to a larger one due to space. 

4. Jade Plant 

The Jade plant is a unique type of plant that likes to be root bound in a small container; keeping it in a small container makes it grow smaller, which gives you the ability to manage it properly. 

Unlike other plants, the jade plant likes to be repotted once every 2 to 3 years, and immediately after repotting it, do not water the plant for at least seven days.

When watering the plant, you should water it adequately, but make sure the pot does not become waterlogged. 

The jade plant, after being repotted, tends to be root bound. 

5. Aloe Vera 

This is one of the most planted plant types, mostly because of its medicinal value, which has proven to be potent over the years. 

This is an excellent houseplant found in many houses, and it likes to be rootbound. As the aloe vera plant grows, it tends to become root bound; when your aloe vera plant becomes root bound, you should consider repotting it after some time. 

6. Boston Fern 

This is one of the best plants that like to be root bound, and you can easily plant them in a small container to control their growth so they won’t spread to other areas. 

As the plant grows and the root becomes stronger, they become pot-bound. Generally, it is not advisable to report a Boston Fern, and this is because they’re more likely to die when you do. 

The Boston fern plant grows to a height of 10 inches and requires proper watering and fertilizer to grow effectively. When watering, do not overwater the plant; water is adequate and enough for its proper growth and development. 

How To Remove Root Bound Plant From Its Container 

We have satisfactorily discussed plants that like to be bounded. In this article section, we will discuss removing a root-bound plant from its container, especially if you want to repot; stay tuned. 

Step 1

The best time of the year to remove your root-bound plant from its container is spring. 

During the spring season, the plant usually has a higher growth rate speed, and this is the season in which the plant is at its highest productivity. 

Transplanting the pot or the plant in the spring season will make it very easy for you to remove the root bound.

Step 2

Before removing the root-bound plant, you need to water effectively; this is to enable the soil to become moist and wet. 

To know if you should stop watering, you water until water starts coming out from the perforated base of the potted plant. Watering the soil effectively is to make the soil wet enough and easy for your plant to be repotted. 

Step 3

Avoid grabbing your houseplant forcefully from the container. Doing this will damage the root step and leave. Removing the plant requires careful planning and execution. 

To do this, place your hand around the base of the potted plant at the level of the soil; the next thing to do is to turn the container upside down since you’ve already watered effectively and the soil is now wet when it is turned upside down.

The gravitational force will make the plant slide out from its container. 

If, after watering effectively and turning the plant upside down, it doesn’t seem to come out easily, all you need to do is gently tap the base of the container against any hard surface.

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