Repotting guide

When & how to repot African Kedrostis (Kedrostis africana)

Also called African Kedrostis, Baboon's Cucumber.

More about african kedrostis

About African Kedrostis

Kedrostis africana · also called African Kedrostis, Baboon's Cucumber · houseplant

A dramatic South African caudiciform (Cucurbitaceae) producing a woody underground caudex up to 50 cm across from which annual twining vines emerge each season. Grow in full light with some protection from harsh afternoon sun, water moderately in summer and keep nearly dry in winter. Excellent for hanging baskets or a trellis.

Mature size: Vines 0.5–1 m per season; caudex up to 50 cm across at maturity

Watch for — Root and caudex rot: The most common failure, caused by overwatering or poor drainage especially during winter dormancy. Ensure the medium dries fully between waterings in winter and use a very free-draining mix.

How to tell african kedrostis needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For african kedrostis, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot african kedrostis

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. African Kedrostis's growth habit — deciduous twining vine arising from a large persistent underground caudex. vines grow 0.5–1 m per season and may be trained up a trellis or allowed to trail from a hanging basket. — sets the pace. A dramatic South African caudiciform (Cucurbitaceae) producing a woody underground caudex up to 50 cm across from which annual twining vines emerge each season. Grow in full light with some protection from harsh afternoon sun, water moderately in summer and keep nearly dry in winter. Excellent for hanging baskets or a trellis.

What size pot to step african kedrostis up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. African Kedrostis stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot african kedrostis

Spring or summer, while african kedrostis is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting african kedrostis

Repot dry. Do not water african kedrostis for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty cactus compost with added grit ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set african kedrostis at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep african kedrostis completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for african kedrostis

African Kedrostis wants cactus compost with added grit. Use a loam- or sand-based cactus compost mixed with extra perlite or coarse grit (at least 30–40% by volume). The RHS recommends cactus compost specifically. Excellent drainage is essential. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting african kedrostis — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot african kedrostis?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for african kedrostis. Repot african kedrostis every 2–3 years into a snug pot of cactus compost with added grit, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does african kedrostis need?

When is the best time of year to repot african kedrostis?

Should you water african kedrostis after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot african kedrostis into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise african kedrostis after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting african kedrostis. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.