How to Leach a Pot

Leaching occurs when water washes substances dispersed throughout the top layer of soil deeper into the soil, creating a porous top layer and a denser lower layer. Potted plants can accumulate salt on their top layer left by the residue of fertilizers or evaporation of standing water. Soil in pots should be leached three to four times a year, before adding fertilizer and whenever you purchase a new plant.

Water
Water container
Dinner fork

Instructions

- 1
  Calculate how much water your pot would hold if it were empty by filling up an empty container of the same size with water. According to the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Science’s website, a 6-inch pot holds 10 cups of water. Double this amount. In this example, to leach a 6-inch pot use 20 cups of water.
- 2
  Look at the plant’s soil to see if a hard, salty crust has formed. If this crust is under an inch thick, remove it manually, using a dinner fork, as water will not be able to permeate it. If the crust is thicker than 1 inch, repot the plant.
- 3
  Place the pot into a sink so the pot's drain hole is over the sink's drain. Pour the water into the plant at a steady rate so it runs out the bottom and does not pool at the top of the soil. Continue to pour the water until it has all run out the bottom of the pot and into the sink drain.

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