Repotting guide

When & how to repot Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue')

Also called Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar, Weeping Blue Himalayan Cedar, Blue Deodar Cedar.

More about feelin' blue deodar cedar

About Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar

Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue' · also called Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar, Weeping Blue Himalayan Cedar · houseplant

A prostrate to low-spreading dwarf cultivar of the Deodar Cedar, native to the western Himalayas, selected for its striking steel-blue, pendulous foliage. Left unsupported it spreads as a ground-hugging mat; when staked it forms a small weeping standard with gracefully arching branches. Full sun and excellent drainage are non-negotiable — this cultivar is drought-tolerant once established but will not tolerate wet roots. True Cedrus deodara is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Mature size: Typically 30–60 cm tall and 1.5–3 m wide as a groundcover; when staked to 90 cm the canopy cascades to about 1.5 m wide.

Watch for — Root and collar rot (Phytophthora): Poorly drained or overwatered soils invite Phytophthora root rot, causing yellowing needles and sudden dieback; improve drainage before planting and never allow water to pool around the stem base.

How to tell feelin' blue deodar cedar needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For feelin' blue deodar cedar, watch for these signs:

Roots poking out of the drainage holes or coiling visibly around the inside of the pot.
You are watering far more often than you used to because the rootball dries out within a day or two.
Water runs straight through and out the bottom without soaking in.
Top growth has slowed or new feelin' blue deodar cedar leaves are noticeably smaller than older ones despite good light.

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 feelin' blue deodar cedar

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast. Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar's growth habit — prostrate spreading groundcover when unsupported; can be trained as a weeping standard by staking the leader, growing 15–20 cm per year in width. — sets the pace. A prostrate to low-spreading dwarf cultivar of the Deodar Cedar, native to the western Himalayas, selected for its striking steel-blue, pendulous foliage. Left unsupported it spreads as a ground-hugging mat; when staked it forms a small weeping standard with gracefully arching branches. Full sun and excellent drainage are non-negotiable — this cultivar is drought-tolerant once established but will not tolerate wet roots. True Cedrus deodara is not toxic to cats or dogs.

What size pot to step feelin' blue deodar cedar up to

Step up one pot size — about 2–3 cm (an inch) wider. Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar grows fast, so it will fill that space within a season, but jumping several sizes at once still backfires: the unused soil stays soggy and rots even a vigorous root system. One size at a time, every year or so, is the rhythm.

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 feelin' blue deodar cedar

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for feelin' blue deodar cedar. 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 feelin' blue deodar cedar

Time it for spring. Repot feelin' blue deodar cedar in early spring as growth restarts so it re-roots quickly into the fresh soil.
Choose one size up. Pick a pot about 2–3 cm wider with drainage holes. One step only — a much bigger pot stays soggy and rots roots.
Ease the plant out. Water lightly the day before, then tip feelin' blue deodar cedar out and gently loosen any roots circling the bottom of the rootball.
Repot at the same depth. Put a layer of fresh well-drained loam or sandy loam, neutral to slightly alkaline in the new pot, set the plant so its soil line is unchanged, and backfill, firming lightly.
Water and pause feeding. Water once to settle the soil. Hold off fertiliser for about a month — fresh mix already has nutrients and feeding now burns new roots.

Aftercare

Water feelin' blue deodar cedar once to settle the soil, then let the surface dry before watering again — fresh mix around the roots stays wetter than the old compacted ball, so the commonest post-repot mistake is overwatering. Keep it out of direct sun for a week or two while roots re-establish. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for feelin' blue deodar cedar

Feelin' Blue Deodar Cedar wants well-drained loam or sandy loam, neutral to slightly alkaline. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including chalk, provided drainage is excellent; heavy clay causes root disease and should be amended with grit before planting. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting feelin' blue deodar cedar — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot feelin' blue deodar cedar?

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast for feelin' blue deodar cedar. Repot feelin' blue deodar cedar roughly every 12–18 months, in early spring as growth restarts. It grows fast and circles its pot quickly, so step up one size (about 2–3 cm wider) into fresh well-drained loam or sandy loam, neutral to slightly alkaline. Don't jump several sizes — that soggy excess soil is what rots vigorous roots.

What size pot does feelin' blue deodar cedar need?

When is the best time of year to repot feelin' blue deodar cedar?

Can you put feelin' blue deodar cedar straight into a much bigger pot?

No. Even a fast-growing feelin' blue deodar cedar should only go up one pot size at a time. A vastly oversized pot holds a reservoir of wet soil the roots cannot reach, which stays cold and soggy and rots the roots — the opposite of what you wanted.

Should you fertilise feelin' blue deodar cedar after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting feelin' blue deodar cedar. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.