Repotting a Plant
A plant that's outgrown its pot, a bigger one, and roots finally seen in the open.
Repotting a Plant is a Montessori activity for a child aged 6 to 8 years. Area: Practical Life. Time: 20-30 min.
What the activity builds
Care for a living thing over time, and discover what's happening underground.
The materials
- A sturdy plant to repot, and a bigger pot with a drainage hole
- Potting soil, clay pebbles, a small watering can
- A tarp or newspaper for the table
- A small trowel and a brush for cleanup
How to do it, step by step
- Lay out the tarp and set up all the materials before starting.
- Show how to tip the plant and slide it out of its pot while supporting the root ball.
- Look at the roots together, for a good while, before replanting.
- Let them add the pebbles, the soil, the plant, then pack it down and water.
- Clean the table and tools together: cleanup is part of the care.
The parent's role
Show once, then step back. The real moment of this activity is looking at the roots, not how fast the repotting goes. Let them look and touch. After that, the plant becomes theirs: they water it, not you.
Safety
Use soil without chemical fertilizer, and wash hands afterward: soil can carry germs. Skip toxic or thorny plants. A terra cotta pot is heavy and breaks, prefer a small one or a plastic pot.
You remain the sole judge of what is right for your child. These activities are offered for educational and recreational purposes: they do not replace medical advice or the guidance of an early childhood professional.
Ways to adapt the activity
- Easier: repotting an already rooted cutting into a small pot.
- Harder: dividing a plant in two and repotting both halves.
- Extension: keeping a watering log, one checkmark per watering day.
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