Repotting guide

When & how to repot Codonanthe crassifolia (Codonanthe crassifolia)

Also called thick-leaved codonanthe, ant plant gesneriad.

More about codonanthe crassifolia

About Codonanthe crassifolia

Codonanthe crassifolia · also called thick-leaved codonanthe, ant plant gesneriad · flowering

Codonanthe crassifolia is a trailing epiphytic gesneriad from Central and South American forests, with thick, succulent oval leaves and small white tubular flowers followed by ornamental berries. In the wild it associates with ant nests. Grown indoors as a hanging-basket plant, it wants bright indirect light, high humidity, an airy epiphytic mix and warm, frost-free conditions.

Mature size: Stems trailing to 30-60 cm; spreads to fill a basket over time.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The succulent leaves mean it needs less water than typical gesneriads. Soggy mix rots the roots; let the airy medium dry partway and ensure free drainage.

How to tell codonanthe crassifolia needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For codonanthe crassifolia, 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 codonanthe crassifolia

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Codonanthe crassifolia's growth habit — trailing or pendent epiphytic stems with thick succulent leaves; spreads and cascades, well suited to hanging baskets and mounted culture. — sets the pace. Codonanthe crassifolia is a trailing epiphytic gesneriad from Central and South American forests, with thick, succulent oval leaves and small white tubular flowers followed by ornamental berries. In the wild it associates with ant nests. Grown indoors as a hanging-basket plant, it wants bright indirect light, high humidity, an airy epiphytic mix and warm, frost-free conditions.

What size pot to step codonanthe crassifolia up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Codonanthe crassifolia 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 codonanthe crassifolia

Spring or summer, while codonanthe crassifolia 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 codonanthe crassifolia

Repot dry. Do not water codonanthe crassifolia 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 coarse, fast-draining epiphytic mix 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 codonanthe crassifolia 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 codonanthe crassifolia 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 codonanthe crassifolia

Codonanthe crassifolia wants coarse, fast-draining epiphytic mix. Use a loose blend of orchid bark, perlite and coir or peat, or a chunky African violet mix lightened with extra bark and perlite. Excellent aeration mimics its natural growth on branches and bark. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting codonanthe crassifolia — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot codonanthe crassifolia?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for codonanthe crassifolia. Repot codonanthe crassifolia every 2–3 years into a snug pot of coarse, fast-draining epiphytic mix, 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 codonanthe crassifolia need?

When is the best time of year to repot codonanthe crassifolia?

Should you water codonanthe crassifolia after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot codonanthe crassifolia 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 codonanthe crassifolia after repotting?

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