I would not enjoy house plants if it wasn’t my for friend sending me so many tropical plant species from Southern California over the past many years since we graduated from college and relocated 200 miles in opposite directions. Some of the species which he is able to grow in his garden do not tolerate the cool winter weather of the Santa Clara Valley. Because some have lived in containers for nearly that long, the soil has “collapsed” as it has decomposed.

When soil level becomes so low within a container that more must be added, it is usually not advisable to add new soil above older soil. Instead, the container should be “stuffed”. This involves removing the entire plant and root system from the container, adding fresh soil, then replacing the plant on top of the fresh soil. If the container is tapered, additional soil will be necessary around the root system as well. The quantity of fresh soil added should be sufficient to raise the root system to the desired depth in the container.

During this procedure, any loose soil on the bottom of the root system which has become too dense and water soaked for healthy root growth may be removed. A small amount of fresh soil may be added on top to cover any exposed roots and to level the top surface. Soil added on top should not be deep enough to cover the bases of stems which might easily rot if buried. However, many plant species which grow from rhizomes do not mind considerably more soil added to the surface.

Stuffing is performed for several reasons; but mainly because roots grow down more than they grow up. It is also done so that much of the decomposed material in the older soil leaches down into the new soil; enhancing quality of the older soil, without totally ruining the fresh soil.