Repotting guide

When & how to repot Hairy Aichryson (Aichryson villosum)

Also called Hairy Aichryson, Hairy House Leek.

More about hairy aichryson

About Hairy Aichryson

Aichryson villosum · also called Hairy Aichryson, Hairy House Leek · houseplant

Aichryson villosum is a softly hairy, compact succulent shrublet from the Canary Islands, named for its distinctly villous (densely hairy) stems and leaves. The soft texture makes it a tactile and attractive collector's plant. It produces small yellow flowers in spring and thrives on a bright windowsill with excellent drainage, cool nights, and very sparing watering.

Mature size: 10–20 cm tall; 10–15 cm spread; slow-growing

Watch for — Stem base rot: The densely hairy stem surface wicks moisture toward the base, making stem rot at soil level a common issue. Use a grit surface mulch, water only at the base, and ensure the pot drains fully after watering.

How to tell hairy aichryson needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For hairy aichryson, 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 hairy aichryson

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Hairy Aichryson's growth habit — compact, densely hairy branching succulent shrublet — sets the pace. Aichryson villosum is a softly hairy, compact succulent shrublet from the Canary Islands, named for its distinctly villous (densely hairy) stems and leaves. The soft texture makes it a tactile and attractive collector's plant. It produces small yellow flowers in spring and thrives on a bright windowsill with excellent drainage, cool nights, and very sparing watering.

What size pot to step hairy aichryson up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Hairy Aichryson 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 hairy aichryson

Spring or summer, while hairy aichryson 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 hairy aichryson

Repot dry. Do not water hairy aichryson 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 very free-draining cactus/succulent 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 hairy aichryson 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 hairy aichryson 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 hairy aichryson

Hairy Aichryson wants very free-draining cactus/succulent mix. Use cactus compost combined with 40–50% coarse perlite or horticultural grit. The hairy stems are especially susceptible to stem rot at soil level if compost stays moist; a grit surface mulch adds further protection. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting hairy aichryson — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot hairy aichryson?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for hairy aichryson. Repot hairy aichryson every 2–3 years into a snug pot of very free-draining cactus/succulent 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 hairy aichryson need?

When is the best time of year to repot hairy aichryson?

Should you water hairy aichryson after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot hairy aichryson 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 hairy aichryson after repotting?

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