When your plants are wilted, discolored, or droopy after potting them up or placing in a garden bed, you’re likely dealing with transplant shock. This common plant problem can affect houseplants, perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, and trees. Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of transplant shock and help shocked plants recover by following these tips.

Causes of Transplant Shock

Transplant shock can occur when a plant’s roots are disturbed or the growing environment changes faster than a plant can adapt. Often, shock is caused by repotting, dividing perennials or houseplants, or disturbing plant roots in another way.

Shock can also occur if plants are moved out of a protected environment, such as a greenhouse or a warm grow room, too quickly. Some types of plants, such as those with long tap roots, are more sensitive to root disturbance and transplant shock.

Signs and Symptoms

When a plant’s roots are disturbed or damaged, the plant has a harder time absorbing nutrients and water, and will often display signs of acute stress, including:

Transplant shock can also make plants more vulnerable to pests and diseases, and it can sometimes be severe enough that a plant can’t recover. However, most shocked plants just need a bit of TLC and time to overcome the problem.

Preventing Transplant Shock

Even with the proper care and gentlest handling, plants may droop or wilt after transplanting, but following these tips can minimize the effects of transplant shock and help indoor and outdoor plants bounce back faster.

1. Direct Sow Sensitive Seedlings

Some plants resent any root disturbance, and they’re likely to suffer from shock even when they’re transplanted as gently as possible. This includes many root vegetables, crops like corn and sunflowers, and some vining plants. To avoid issues, read the seed packet instructions carefully and avoid transplanting crops if those instructions recommend “Direct Sow Only.”

2. Handle Roots Gently

Handling plant roots carefully and keeping root balls as intact as possible is essential whether you’re transplanting seedlings, houseplants, or garden plants. Digging a wide circle around perennial roots before lifting them out of the soil should help to keep root balls intact, while running a butter knife around the interior of growing containers can loosen tough soil and free stubborn pots with minimal root damage.

Unless the soil is poor, leave the old soil attached to plant roots when repotting, and water the plants thoroughly before transplanting to make digging easier. The only exception to this rule is if plants are rootbound or suffering from root rot. In these cases, you’ll need to remove affected roots or gently tease encircling roots apart. However, these tasks should still be done carefully and with a gentle touch.

3. Transplant at the Right Time

The best time to transplant or repot plants is in spring or fall when the weather is cool and the plants are actively growing. Transplanting in winter increases the chances of root rot, while transplanting during hot weather can lead to plant stress, wilted leaves, and sun scorch. If possible, transplant outdoor plants on cool, cloudy days just before rain is expected, and only transplant indoor-started seedlings when the weather is warm and the danger of frost has passed.

4. Don’t Move Blooming Plants

Flowering takes a lot of energy. Transplanting or repotting plants while they’re in bloom increases the chances of transplant shock. To avoid this, enjoy flowers while they last and only transplant your plants when their blooms fade.

5. Prepare Planting Sites Before Transplanting

Poor soil that drains too slow or is laden with rocks, clay, or too much sand can increase the risks of plant stress and shock. Taking the time to work compost, aged manure, worm castings, or other organic matter into garden beds before transplanting makes a world of difference for plants. While you’re at it, you may also want to test the soil to see if you need to add more nutrients.

6. Acclimate Plants Slowly

When transplanting indoor-started seedlings into your garden or moving houseplants outside for the summer, take it slow and harden off your plants for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors. This period of hardening off helps plants acclimate to the temperature and light levels of outdoor living and reduces the risk of transplant shock. You should also slowly acclimate plants to your home before moving outdoor plants inside in the fall.

7. Replant ASAP

When dividing plants or repotting, it’s best to replant as soon as possible to minimize the amount of time roots are exposed to air, which will dry them out. If you can’t replant transplants or divided plants right away, plant them into temporary containers with potting soil, move them into a shady spot, and keep them well watered until you can get them into your garden.

8. Water Well

Indoor and outdoor plants have a harder time absorbing water after transplanting and repotting, until they can grow new roots in their new space. That’s why it’s important to water plants regularly after transplanting, but don’t water them so much that the soil stays soggy. You can taper off watering after the plants are established.

9. Add Kelp or Seaweed Fertilizer

Plants can struggle to absorb granular fertilizers after transplanting, but they have an easier time absorbing liquid fertilizers. Watering plants with diluted liquid kelp or seaweed fertilizer after transplanting or repotting can help them settle in faster and reduce the risk of shock. You can also use diluted applications of worm castings or compost tea.

10. Install Row Covers

While it’s not always necessary, adding row covers over newly transplanted seedlings can protect their tender leaves from sun, wind, and cold weather, and make them less likely to wilt. Install the row covers before transplanting and remove them when the plants are established or start to flower. If your plants don’t need to be pollinated, you can leave the row covers on through the season to reduce pest problems.

Remedies for Transplant Shock

Handling plant roots carefully and watering plants well after repotting and transplanting can minimize the worst symptoms of transplant shock. However, if your newly transplanted or divided plants still look a little wilted after a few days, here are tips for restoring the health of your plants.

• Give it time. Most plants recover from transplant shock in a few days to weeks.
• Provide consistent water. Keeping soil consistently moist but not soggy helps plants recover faster. If the soil gets too wet, reduce watering so the plants don’t develop root rot.
• Remove damaged leaves. It’s normal for plants to develop a few withered leaves after transplanting. Remove these faded leaves to give your plants more energy for fresh growth.
• Add kelp or seaweed fertilizer. Kelp and seaweed fertilizers don’t only prevent transplant shock, they can also help shocked plants recover faster.