Repotting guide

When & how to repot Spear Head (Senecio kleiniiformis)

Also called Spear Head, Spearhead Senecio, Reindeer Antlers.

More about spear head

About Spear Head

Senecio kleiniiformis · also called Spear Head, Spearhead Senecio · houseplant

A distinctive South African succulent producing flat, arrowhead- or spear-shaped blue-green leaves on semi-trailing stems. The unusual leaf shape, reminiscent of arrowheads or antlers, makes it a collector's plant. Best in bright indirect to partial direct light with very free-draining soil and infrequent watering. Toxic to pets.

Mature size: 30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall; 25–35 cm (10–14 in) spread

Watch for — Root rot: Overwatering in dense soil causes root decay, wilting, and eventual stem collapse. Repot in a much grittier mix, reduce watering frequency, and ensure the pot has at least one large drainage hole.

How to tell spear head needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For spear head, 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 spear head

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Spear Head's growth habit — semi-trailing to mounding succulent with flat spear- or arrow-shaped glaucous leaves on arching stems — sets the pace. A distinctive South African succulent producing flat, arrowhead- or spear-shaped blue-green leaves on semi-trailing stems. The unusual leaf shape, reminiscent of arrowheads or antlers, makes it a collector's plant. Best in bright indirect to partial direct light with very free-draining soil and infrequent watering. Toxic to pets.

What size pot to step spear head up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Spear Head 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 spear head

Spring or summer, while spear head 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 spear head

Repot dry. Do not water spear head 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 gritty succulent mix with high mineral content 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 spear head 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 spear head 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 spear head

Spear Head wants gritty succulent mix with high mineral content. Use a cactus mix amended with 50% coarse sand, pumice, or perlite for rapid drainage. The species is especially sensitive to wet roots; the potting mix should feel dry within 1–2 days of watering in warm conditions. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting spear head — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot spear head?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for spear head. Repot spear head every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty succulent mix with high mineral content, 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 spear head need?

When is the best time of year to repot spear head?

Should you water spear head after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot spear head 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 spear head after repotting?

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