Repotting guide

When & how to repot Lion's Angraecum (Angraecum leonis)

Also called Lion Orchid, Comet Orchid relative.

More about lion's angraecum

About Lion's Angraecum

Angraecum leonis · also called Lion Orchid, Comet Orchid relative · tropical

Angraecum leonis is a compact Malagasy epiphytic orchid that produces large, waxy white flowers with a long nectar spur, pollinated by sphinx moths. Despite its modest size, it bears disproportionately large blooms with a sweet nocturnal scent. Prefers bright light and a cool dry winter rest. As an orchid, it is pet-safe.

Mature size: 15-25 cm tall; flowers 6-10 cm across

Watch for — Root rot from winter over-watering: Continuing summer watering frequency in winter quickly kills roots. Reduce dramatically once temperatures drop.

How to tell lion's angraecum needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For lion's angraecum, 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 lion's angraecum

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Lion's Angraecum's growth habit — compact monopodial epiphytic orchid with succulent leaves arranged in a fan — sets the pace. Angraecum leonis is a compact Malagasy epiphytic orchid that produces large, waxy white flowers with a long nectar spur, pollinated by sphinx moths. Despite its modest size, it bears disproportionately large blooms with a sweet nocturnal scent. Prefers bright light and a cool dry winter rest. As an orchid, it is pet-safe.

What size pot to step lion's angraecum up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Lion's Angraecum 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 lion's angraecum

Spring or summer, while lion's angraecum 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 lion's angraecum

Repot dry. Do not water lion's angraecum 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 mounted on cork bark or in coarse bark with charcoal 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 lion's angraecum 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 lion's angraecum 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 lion's angraecum

Lion's Angraecum wants mounted on cork bark or in coarse bark with charcoal. Mounting on cork or tree-fern slab best replicates its natural epiphytic habitat in Madagascar. In pots, use a very open bark mix with good drainage. Small pots are preferred; overpotting causes root problems. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting lion's angraecum — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot lion's angraecum?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for lion's angraecum. Repot lion's angraecum every 2–3 years into a snug pot of mounted on cork bark or in coarse bark with charcoal, 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 lion's angraecum need?

When is the best time of year to repot lion's angraecum?

Should you water lion's angraecum after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot lion's angraecum 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 lion's angraecum after repotting?

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