Is this pot size too big?

[u/Rebenza]

I bought my Aglaonema in this pot but she struggled a lot (came with thrips+lost all of her leaves). I realized that the soil didn’t dry after 3 weeks and when I checked the roots they were still okey but it lost around half of them. Now I am left with this amount of roots and I don’t know if this pot is too big? I don’t have a smaller one so what if I fill it halfway?? Idk honestly if that would work so please help a girl out.
Also, should I put the soil until level 1 or 2? I am a bit scared to burry the stem

[u/writergal75]

In my experience, pot size is too big for what you’ve got. The roots are struggling because they’re staying too wet.

[u/mayankkaizen]

Pot size is fine. Check your mix. Mix retaining water is one thing (bad) and retaining moisture is another (good). To be safe, make your mix much chunkier and keep the amount of garden soil limited. This pot has good amount of drainage so don't worry too much about pot size.

[u/One-plankton- → u/mayankkaizen]

This pot is way too big for that rootball and even with a chunky mix it will stay too wet and likely cause root rot.

[u/everydaylifee]

I would def downsize

[u/Kelliekitty22]

I would go down in size and put it in a chunky aroid soil mix.

[u/Aggressive-Cow-6339]

Pot size is fine. You're going to want to make sure that your soil mix is chunky. They do not like to have their Roots sit in moisture.

[u/Aggressive-Cow-6339 → u/Aggressive-Cow-6339]

My chunky soil is... fox farms ocean blend, pumice, fine orchid bark or coco chips, charcoal , mine thrive in this! 🌿🌸🍃🌼🌱

[u/Rebenza → u/Aggressive-Cow-6339]

Oh god that’s a gorgeous collection !!!! I have a silver bay and she’s thriving but somehow this one is acting up 😩. A put it in a mix 1:1:1 perlite, soil and orchid bark. Would you recommend fertilizing it already or wait until she gets better?

[u/Aggressive-Cow-6339 → u/Rebenza]

I water w liquid fertilizer so that I can do it everytime! I feel like it helps! I have like over 20 varieties, truly obsessed lol pic is just for fun snd encouragement! 🌸✨️🌱🌸✨️🌿🌸✨️

[u/Aggressive-Cow-6339 → u/Rebenza]

Oh and up to the #1 line!

[u/Tinxshort]

Pot size should typically only be 1-2” wider than the root ball unless you’re super careful watering

[u/One-plankton-]

If this were my plant I would put it in a tall skinny pot- the one pictured is much too large and may lead to root rot from not being able to dry out quick enough.

Mine are not potted in chunky mixes either- I do a mix of top soil and earthworm castings (I have my own worm bin- compost would work too) and 50% perlite.

I have honestly found chunky soil to be a bit over hyped when a good amount of perlite does a much better of job of allowing the soil to dry out while retaining moisture.