How To Top Dress Houseplants

If you love your indoor plants as much as I do, you know that keeping them healthy is a priority. As I inspect and repot my houseplants in early spring, I often find plants that seem to fall “in the middle.” Perhaps they’re very large or sensitive plants, making repotting difficult. Or they may be happy in their pots, but the soil is looking a little old.

Sometimes, repotting isn’t always the answer. That’s where top dressing houseplants come in. It’s a simple yet effective way to refresh the top layer of soil without the hassle of full repotting, especially for plants like monstera, orchids, or your favorite succulent plants. In this article, I’ll cover which plants benefit from top dressing and how to do it so your plants stay healthy and look their best.

What Is Top Dressing?

Top dressing for indoor plants is a simple way to give your plants a little boost without the hassle of full repotting. Basically, it involves removing the top layer of old soil and replacing it with fresh soil or other materials like compost, perlite, mulch, or even decorative options like river rocks. It’s a great way to refresh the plant’s soil and improve its health when repotting isn’t necessary or practical.

Top dressing improves plant health, helps with moisture retention, prevents root rot, and even aids in pest control by reducing fungus gnats. Regardless of the top dressing material used, this method will give your indoor plants a fresh start. Think of it as a little makeover for your plant that helps with moisture retention and even reduces the risk of problems like root rot.

The process of top dressing works wonders by replenishing nutrients right where your plant needs them most, at the surface, without disturbing the plant’s roots. It’s also an effective way to manage mineral salt buildup, which can sometimes build up in the top layer of the soil. Top dressing allows you to replace that with fresh material while leaving the rest of the soil intact.

What Plants Benefit From Top Dressing?

Top dressing can benefit a variety of indoor plants, especially those with specific moisture needs or that are settling into new pots. Succulents, for instance, love a good top dressing because it helps them stay upright as they establish roots in their containers. Plus, materials like decorative stones or gravel can give them a well-draining environment in which they’ll thrive. It’s an easy way to keep them healthy without doing too much extra care.

Plants that need consistently moist soil, like some orchids, also benefit from top dressing. Using something like sphagnum moss helps lock in moisture and protects the plant’s roots. Even plants that spend a lot of time in direct sunlight can gain from top dressing — just avoid materials that heat the soil too much. Choosing the right material can make a big difference in keeping your sun-loving plants happy and healthy.

How To Top Dress Houseplants

Top dressing your houseplants with compost is a simple and effective way to boost their health. Adding a thin layer of finished compost to the top of the soil helps provide extra nutrients without the need for full repotting. Just be careful not to overdo it — too much compost can overwhelm your plant and lead to root burn. I recommend using just enough to refresh the soil and improve moisture retention.

Here are the steps to take:

• Step 1: Water your plants lightly to loosen any hard-packed soil.
• Step 2: Using your fingers or a small trowel or spoon, very gently scrape away the top 1 to 2 inches of potting soil until you begin to see the top of the root ball. Try not to damage or tear any roots.
• Step 3: Add fresh compost to refill your pot. Make sure to keep the plant at the same depth — don’t pile more soil than was in there before. If you like, you can mix in some slow-release organic fertilizer, following package instructions to get the correct dose.
• Step 4: Water again to settle the new soil. Don’t leave water sitting in the plant drainage tray.
• Step 5: While you’re at it, gently clean the dust off your plant’s foliage, trim away any dead parts, and pinch back the ends of leggy branches.
• Step 6: Finally, toss the old potting soil in your compost pile, where it will mix with other goodies and get its own second chance.

Gardening Tip

If you don’t have a compost pile, you can purchase bags of compost at your local garden center. You can also use organic potting mix in a pinch, but compost will add a much more powerful boost of nutrients. As compost breaks down, the organic matter and beneficial microbes will filter throughout the pot and improve your soil. 

Final Thoughts on Top Dressing Houseplants