Repotting guide

When & how to repot Crested Phlomis (Phlomis crinita)

Also called Crested phlomis, Hairy phlomis.

More about crested phlomis

About Crested Phlomis

Phlomis crinita · also called Crested phlomis, Hairy phlomis · flowering

Phlomis crinita is a woolly-leaved sub-shrub native to the western Mediterranean, particularly Spain and North Africa, where it grows on dry rocky hillsides and scrubland. It thrives in full sun with sharply drained, low-fertility soil and shows excellent drought tolerance once established. The most important care fact is to avoid any supplemental watering or rich compost — too much moisture rots the crown, especially in winter. The pet-toxicity status is unknown and it is not listed by the ASPCA; treat as mildly toxic as a precaution.

Mature size: 60–90 cm tall and 60–80 cm wide.

How to tell crested phlomis needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For crested phlomis, 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 crested phlomis

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Crested Phlomis's growth habit — upright, clump-forming sub-shrub with stiff woolly stems and whorled flowers. — sets the pace. Phlomis crinita is a woolly-leaved sub-shrub native to the western Mediterranean, particularly Spain and North Africa, where it grows on dry rocky hillsides and scrubland. It thrives in full sun with sharply drained, low-fertility soil and shows excellent drought tolerance once established. The most important care fact is to avoid any supplemental watering or rich compost — too much moisture rots the crown, especially in winter. The pet-toxicity status is unknown and it is not listed by the ASPCA; treat as mildly toxic as a precaution.

What size pot to step crested phlomis up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Crested Phlomis 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 crested phlomis

Spring or summer, while crested phlomis 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 crested phlomis

Repot dry. Do not water crested phlomis 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 sharply drained, low-fertility, alkaline to neutral 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 crested phlomis 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 crested phlomis 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 crested phlomis

Crested Phlomis wants sharply drained, low-fertility, alkaline to neutral. Plant in gritty or sandy loam; heavy clay must be amended with horticultural grit or pea gravel. Avoid adding compost or manure, which promotes soft growth prone to rot. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting crested phlomis — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot crested phlomis?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for crested phlomis. Repot crested phlomis every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply drained, low-fertility, alkaline to neutral, 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 crested phlomis need?

When is the best time of year to repot crested phlomis?

Should you water crested phlomis after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot crested phlomis 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 crested phlomis after repotting?

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