Repotting Guide · Late Fall
November is a rest month for plants and a planning month for you. Hardy trees are entering full dormancy, desert plants are settling into their dry winter rest, and the holiday cacti are setting buds. There is no repotting to do — but there is plenty of quiet groundwork that pays off come spring.
What to repot in NovemberAcross all four families we grow for — timing depends on watching your plant, not just the date.
Outdoor & Temperate Bonsai
Fully dormant or nearly so. No repotting — instead, protect roots from hard freezes with a cold frame, mulch, or sheltered spot, keep an eye on watering during dry spells, and finalize next spring's repot list while last year's growth is fresh in your memory.
Tropicals & Tropical Bonsai
Settled indoors for winter. Hold off on repotting in the low light, water more sparingly than in summer, and watch for the dry air of heated rooms — a humidity tray helps ficus and other tropicals through the season.
Cacti
Cool, bright, and dry is the rule. Cacti are resting and need very little water and no fresh soil; that restraint now is what rewards you with flowers in spring.
Succulents
Resting, with a festive exception: holiday cacti (Schlumbergera) are setting buds, so do not move or repot them — even a change in light can make them drop buds. Enjoy them and save root work for after they bloom.
Timing by USDA zone
Spring runs later as you go colder and earlier as you go warmer — shift the calendar to match your climate.
Deep dormancy — protect roots and store tender plants warm.
Dormancy setting in; no repotting, light watering only.
Cooler now; tender plants slow but a frost-free spot keeps them comfortable.
🌱 Tip of the month
Do not move budding holiday cacti. Schlumbergera set their flower buds in response to cool nights and long darkness, and a sudden change in light or position is the usual reason buds drop before opening.
✨ Fun fact
A cactus's spines are actually modified leaves — shrinking the leaf to a spine cuts water loss and adds shade and defense, which is how these plants thrive where little else can.
Soil for this month
Everything above drains fast and breathes — exactly what these plants want at repotting time.
A note on timing: plants don't read calendars. Use these months as a guide, but let the plant make the final call — repot deciduous trees as buds crack, conifers as new growth softens, and tender plants only while they're in active growth. Always step up just one pot size and match the mix to the plant.