Next, add some potting soil to the bottom of the new pot, then place the plant in the center. Ideally, you want the top of the root ball to sit about 1 inch below the rim of the pot. If it is too deep, add more soil to the bottom of the pot. Then fill in the pot around the plant until the new soil reaches the same level as the old soil. Then tap down gently on the soil.

"I wouldn't use the old soil to repot," Latina noted. "Actually, you want to have some of the old soil around the plant, around the roots. And if you're not replanting for the purpose of going to a larger pot, a lot of it's going to be the old soil, and that's OK. But if you're going to a larger pot because the plant's outgrowing its pot, then you'd want to use fresh potting soil."

STEP 1: Choose a pot 1 or 2 inches wider than the original. It should have large holes for drainage, which is essential for a healthy plant. Some master gardeners, including Al Latina of the Temple Terrace Garden Club, above, recommend putting clay pot pieces in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to flow through the soil. If you are reusing a pot, clean it with mild soap to remove potentially harmful organisms. Check growing guides for the needs of your plant; different species (cacti, herbs, bulbs, roses, etc.) have different needs.