🪴 Pot Size Calculator

Find the right pot diameter and volume for any plant. Includes repotting timing guide, root space requirements, and drainage hole guidance.

Current pot diameter

Unit

Repot reason

Plant type

Plants & Their Ideal Pot Sizes

🌿 Pothos / Philodendron

Start in 10–15cm pot. Up 2cm when rootbound. Vigorous growers. Don't oversize.

🌵 Cactus / Succulent

1–2cm clearance around root ball. Never oversize — excess soil stays wet and causes rot.

🌱 Peace Lily

Happy in 15–20cm pot. Move up 2–3cm when roots fill current pot. Prefers tight fit.

🌿 Monstera Deliciosa

Fast grower. Needs 20–30cm+ pot as adult. Can go up 5cm at a time when rootbound.

🌸 Phalaenopsis Orchid

Needs tight clear pot (for light to roots). Never oversize. Bark compost essential.

🌳 Fiddle Leaf Fig / Ficus

30–45cm pot for mature plants. Unstable in small pots. Top-heavy — use ceramic for weight.

🪴 Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Thrives root-bound. Slow grower. Only repot every 2–3 years. Prefers wide shallow pots.

🪴 Rubber Plant (Ficus)

Moderate grower. Move up 2–3cm per repot. Tolerates slight root-binding.

📏 The 2-inch rule: For most plants, increase pot diameter by 2–3 cm (1 inch) when repotting. Larger increases cause excess wet soil around the roots, which can lead to root rot. The exception is fast-growers like Monstera — you can jump up 4–5 cm at a time.

🕳️ Drainage holes: Every pot needs at least one drainage hole. Without drainage, water pools at the bottom and roots rot. If using a decorative cache pot (no holes), always use a plain nursery pot inside and empty the cache pot after watering. Don't rely on gravel at the bottom — it's a myth.

⏰ Best time to repot: Spring (when light levels increase and growth resumes) is ideal. Avoid repotting in winter unless the plant is in acute distress. Signs you need to repot: roots escaping the drainage hole, roots circling the surface, water rushing straight through without being absorbed.