Repotting guide

When & how to repot all gold Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold')

Also called all gold Japanese forest grass, All Gold hakone grass.

More about all gold japanese forest grass

About all gold Japanese forest grass

Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' · also called all gold Japanese forest grass, All Gold hakone grass · houseplant

Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' is a luminous, clump-forming Japanese forest grass with uniformly golden-yellow blades that cascade in graceful arching mounds. Unlike 'Aureola' it has no green striping — the entire blade is pure gold. It glows in shaded borders and containers, brightening dark corners. Deciduous and slow-growing, it needs consistently moist, rich soil in part shade.

Mature size: 25-35 cm tall and 40-55 cm wide, spreading slowly over several years into a dense, cascading mound.

How to tell all gold japanese forest grass needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For all gold japanese forest grass, watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for all gold japanese forest grass) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

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 all gold japanese forest grass

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. all gold Japanese forest grass is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Slow, clump-forming deciduous grass with uniformly golden arching blades that sweep gracefully in one direction; rhizomatous but non-invasive..

What size pot to step all gold japanese forest grass up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. all gold Japanese forest grass positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping all gold japanese forest grass into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

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 all gold japanese forest grass

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for all gold japanese forest grass. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting all gold japanese forest grass

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide all gold japanese forest grass out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip all gold japanese forest grass out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh rich, moisture-retentive, humus-rich loam, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water all gold japanese forest grass again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for all gold japanese forest grass

all gold Japanese forest grass wants rich, moisture-retentive, humus-rich loam. Prefers fertile, well-structured soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-7). Tolerates clay if not waterlogged. Avoid dry, sandy soils that stress the shallow roots. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting all gold japanese forest grass — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot all gold japanese forest grass?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for all gold japanese forest grass. Only repot all gold japanese forest grass every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using rich, moisture-retentive, humus-rich loam. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does all gold japanese forest grass need?

When is the best time of year to repot all gold japanese forest grass?

Does all gold japanese forest grass like to be root-bound?

Yes — all gold japanese forest grass genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise all gold japanese forest grass after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting all gold japanese forest grass. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.