How to Transplant a Potted Shrub to the Ground

I’ve learned more about how to transplant a potted shrub to the ground in the last few weeks than I ever wanted to know. We’re re-landscaping the entire back yard after putting in a pool. It’s not as simple as just taking the plant out of the pot and putting it in the ground. There are certain things you should do to ensure that your plant will thrive.

Or in our case plants. Many, many plants! We’re lucky to have a very large yard and even after putting in a pool we have plenty of space for flower beds. We dug up and potted dozens of shrubs and bulbs prior to pool construction starting, as well as bought many new shrubs from a local nursery. This is only a small portion of what we’ve planted.

The plant we’re transplanting in this post is a European Fan Palm, and they’re not cheap! I couldn’t believe it when I saw this price tag (!!!) but I never fuss at Robbie for what he spends on plants or fireworks because he never never says anything about what I spend on craft supplies or how much I order on Amazon! That’s our secret to a happy marriage!

Without further ado, here’s step by step instructions for how to transplant a potted shrub into the ground.

1. Prepare the hole

Dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate your plant. Then add a layer of potting soil to the bottom.

2. Remove the plant from the pot

For small shrubs, turn the plant sideways and gently hold the stem in one hand while pulling the pot away with the other. You may have to tap the bottom of the pot and/or squeeze the sides to loosen the roots.

Hopefully, the plant will slide out easily. If a plant is root bound it may be difficult to get it out of the pot and will require firmly squeezing the pot in different directions to loosen the roots. Try to avoid pulling on the plant’s stem.

For larger plants, like the 30 gallon European Fan Palm pictured here, lay the pot on its side and firmly but gently step on the sides of the pot to loosen the roots. It may take two people to remove the plant from the pot — one pulling on the pot and the other pulling the stem of the plant in the opposite directions.

3. Remove the bottom root layer

After the plant is free of the pot, use a trowel or shovel to break off the bottom inch or so of roots. This is especially important if the plant was root bound. A healthy plant won’t be effected by removing the bottom portion of the roots. The goal is to make it easier for the root system to expand after being planted in the ground.

4. Planting

Center your plant in the hole and check to make sure it’s the right height. The base of the stem should be slightly above the top of the hole. If the hole is too deep, simply add some more potting soil to the bottom.

Fill the extra space with a good quality potting soil and press the soil down firmly.

5. Watering

Water the plant thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.

That’s all there is to it! Your plants will thrive if you follow these simple steps when you transplant a potted shrub to the ground.

On a side note, how cute are my boots? This polka dot pattern is no longer available but you can find lots of other cute designs here. After all, it’s always important to be stylish even when when you’re digging in the dirt!

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You might also enjoy these other gardening posts: DIY Trellis | The Best Shrubs for Creating Privacy in Your Yard | DIY Herb Planter | 10 of the Best Herbs to Plant in your Garden

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