Repotting guide

When & how to repot Slipper Flower (Calceolaria integrifolia)

Also called Slipper Flower, Slipperwort, Bush Calceolaria, Yellow Pouch Flower.

More about slipper flower

About Slipper Flower

Calceolaria integrifolia · also called Slipper Flower, Slipperwort · flowering

Calceolaria integrifolia is a compact, semi-woody sub-shrub native to Chile, producing masses of cheerful yellow pouch-shaped flowers (occasionally orange or red in cultivars) from late spring through summer. Unlike the tender indoor Calceolaria hybrids, this species is more robust and suits outdoor container displays, summer bedding, and borders in sheltered gardens. It flowers most abundantly in cool conditions and quickly declines in summer heat above 25 °C (77 °F), making cool-season planting the key to success. The Calceolaria genus is widely cited as non-toxic by pet-safety compilers; however, it is not definitively confirmed as individually assessed by the ASPCA, so it is listed here as mildly-toxic as a precaution.

Mature size: 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall with a similar spread.

How to tell slipper flower needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For slipper flower, 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 slipper flower

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Slipper Flower's growth habit — bushy, semi-woody sub-shrub producing sticky, aromatic leaves and dense clusters of inflated pouch flowers held above the foliage. — sets the pace. Calceolaria integrifolia is a compact, semi-woody sub-shrub native to Chile, producing masses of cheerful yellow pouch-shaped flowers (occasionally orange or red in cultivars) from late spring through summer. Unlike the tender indoor Calceolaria hybrids, this species is more robust and suits outdoor container displays, summer bedding, and borders in sheltered gardens. It flowers most abundantly in cool conditions and quickly declines in summer heat above 25 °C (77 °F), making cool-season planting the key to success. The Calceolaria genus is widely cited as non-toxic by pet-safety compilers; however, it is not definitively confirmed as individually assessed by the ASPCA, so it is listed here as mildly-toxic as a precaution.

What size pot to step slipper flower up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Slipper Flower 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 slipper flower

Spring or summer, while slipper flower 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 slipper flower

Repot dry. Do not water slipper flower 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 light, moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil 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 slipper flower 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 slipper flower 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 slipper flower

Slipper Flower wants light, moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil. Thrives in a sandy loam or gritty, peat-free compost with a pH of 5.5–6.5; add perlite or horticultural grit to improve drainage in heavier soils. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting slipper flower — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot slipper flower?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for slipper flower. Repot slipper flower every 2–3 years into a snug pot of light, moderately fertile, acid to neutral, well-drained soil, 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 slipper flower need?

When is the best time of year to repot slipper flower?

Should you water slipper flower after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot slipper flower 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 slipper flower after repotting?

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