Repotting guide

When & how to repot Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) (Selaginella lepidophylla)

Also called Rose of Jericho, False Rose of Jericho, Resurrection plant, Resurrection moss, Dinosaur plant, Flower of stone, Doradilla.

More about rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

About Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant)

Selaginella lepidophylla · also called Rose of Jericho, False Rose of Jericho · houseplant

The false rose of Jericho is a desert spikemoss (a lycophyte, not a true fern) that curls into a dry brown ball, then unfurls bright green within hours of watering. Give it bright indirect light, frequent fresh water, warmth, and humidity. ASPCA data on the genus indicates it is pet-safe.

Mature size: Small - roughly 5 cm (2 in) tall and about 8-15 cm (3-6 in) across when open and hydrated; curls into a fist-sized ball when dry.

Watch for — Crown or root rot: Leaving it permanently submerged or in soggy soil rots the crown. If unrooted, only the base should touch water; if potted, set it over pebbles and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.

How to tell rose of jericho (resurrection plant) needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For rose of jericho (resurrection plant), watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for rose of jericho (resurrection plant)) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

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 rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Low, spreading rosette of flat, scale-like fronds. In drought the stems curl tightly inward into a dry brown ball; when rehydrated they unfurl flat and turn green. It can lose up to 95% of its moisture and survive, repeating this wet-dry cycle for years..

What size pot to step rose of jericho (resurrection plant) up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping rose of jericho (resurrection plant) into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

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 rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for rose of jericho (resurrection plant). 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 rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide rose of jericho (resurrection plant) out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip rose of jericho (resurrection plant) out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh light, well-draining, slightly acidic mix (or none), set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water rose of jericho (resurrection plant) again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for rose of jericho (resurrection plant)

Rose of Jericho (Resurrection Plant) wants light, well-draining, slightly acidic mix (or none). It can live without soil, resting on pebbles in a water dish. If you pot it, use a free-draining, slightly acidic blend - regular potting mix lightened with sand and a little peat or coir - over a layer of pebbles so the crown never sits in stagnant water. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting rose of jericho (resurrection plant) — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for rose of jericho (resurrection plant). Only repot rose of jericho (resurrection plant) every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using light, well-draining, slightly acidic mix (or none). The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does rose of jericho (resurrection plant) need?

When is the best time of year to repot rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?

Does rose of jericho (resurrection plant) like to be root-bound?

Yes — rose of jericho (resurrection plant) genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise rose of jericho (resurrection plant) after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting rose of jericho (resurrection plant). Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.