Why Are My Plant’s Roots Sticking Out of the Soil?

Are your plant’s roots sticking out of the soil? Depending on your plant, this may be normal or a sign something’s wrong. In this article, plant expert Matt Dursum covers why this is happening.

Close-up of a potted sansevieria plant in a clay pot with thin brown roots sticking out on the soil surface.

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Plants sometimes have strange behaviors. Sometimes they lose their leaves or start growing uncontrollably leggy growth out of nowhere. Fortunately, basic observation can usually point to the cause.

Most species keep their roots deep in the soil to absorb water and nutrients. Some species, like epiphytic orchids, have roots that are exposed to the air to collect moisture. There are even plants that use their roots to balance on rocks. 

If your common terrestrial plant is exposing its roots out of the soil, it may be a sign that there’s a problem. Let’s find out why this is happening and what you can do to fix it. 

The Short Answer

Plants stick their roots out of the soil for a few reasons. The most common reason is that they’re root-bound. This term means they have overgrown their container and have nowhere else to go but up.

However, some species produce appendages that stick out above the soil. These are called aerial roots. They are typically larger, thicker, and more sturdy than their sub-surface counterparts.

If your plant has aerial roots, don’t worry! This is natural for several species and not a reason to panic. But if it’s root-bound, you’ll need to figure out why.

The Long Answer

While having roots sticking out of soil isn’t always a bad thing, for some species, it can signal serious problems. If left unchecked, this could turn into a serious problem. Below are some common reasons they’re sticking out from the surface and what to do about it. 

What Do These Growths Mean?

Close-up of a potted plant in a large clay pot with fine roots showing above the soil layer, placed on a sunny windowsill.
Seeking moisture above ground can indicate root-binding issues.

When you see abnormal growth above the surface, it generally means there’s nowhere else to go. These thin strands search for water and nutrients in the pot by growing toward areas with more moisture. This is called hydrotropism and is common in houseplants. 

Usually, this results in searching for water below the surface. Sometimes it could mean horizontal growth as well to search for pockets of trapped moisture. 

When roots stick out above the soil surface, it means they are not getting the water and nutrients they need anywhere else. The most common cause is root binding

Common Cause of Root Binding

Tightly tangled grayish plant roots form a dense, circular mass, wrapped closely around the soil.
A crowded pot can lead to desperate growth above.

The term root-bound means the long nutrient-absorbing fibers have nowhere to go. This usually happens to container-grown specimens.

The most common cause is the container is too small. When a plant outgrows its container, its roots will run out of room to grow. Once this happens, they typically grow out of the pot’s drainage holes. 

When the drainage holes are clogged, the fibers will go to the only space possible: above the surface. This is usually the last effort to find moisture and nutrients before the plant starts to die. 

What To Do With a Rootbound Plant?

A gardener in black gloves repots a dracaena plant with roots tightly bound around the soil into a larger pot on a white table scattered with soil.
Untangle the root ball to help it thrive again.

Although some houseplants like being rootbound for a small amount of time, others will slowly die. This is because they’re not getting the nutrients and water they need to survive. 

The first thing to try is repotting your plant. Carefully remove it from the old container. You’ll see a bundle surrounding the container surface and sometimes strangling the crown itself. 

When you see this, it’s time to get to work. Once you remove your rootbound specimen, follow the steps below to transplant it. 

  • Carefully loosen the old soil around the crown and root system.
  • Massage the fibers from the growing medium until they’re loose. 
  • Keep moving your fingers between them to break their circular shape. 
  • Continue untangling the root ball until the root system starts dangling. 
  • Grab a larger pot and start layering the fresh growing medium. 
  • Place your plant carefully in its new medium and water immediately.

Other Reasons to Consider

Thin white roots emerge from the drainage holes of a black pot, curling slightly against the surface.
Depleted or compacted medium can make growth struggle.

Besides being rootbound, this strange growth could mean other things are wrong. Sometimes, if a plant has been growing in the same soil over time, it could run out of nutrients. With their nutrients depleted, the roots will search elsewhere for nutrients, bringing them to the surface. 

Another reason is compacted soil. This happens when your growing medium contains heavy clays and low organic material. Too much water or too little can also cause the medium to compact. Because the medium is compacted and dense, it makes it difficult for living root tissue to move through it.  

Both these problems are reasons to repot in a larger container and change the growing medium. Find a larger pot and create a new growing medium composition that has better drainage. Perlite, sand, and vermiculite work wonderfully and rarely become compacted. 

If your plant is a heavy feeder, add organic compost to the soil mixture. Stick to a consistent feeding schedule so it has enough nutrients to flourish. Always water immediately after you apply fertilizer. 

How to Prevent Root Binding

A boy in a brown t-shirt transplants a ficus plant with roots tightly bound around the root ball into a larger pot, in a bright indoor space.
Repot only when necessary to avoid transplant shock.

You can prevent unruly roots from sticking out above the soil surface by following these easy steps. First, make sure you have the right size pot. Each species has a different growth rate. Give your plant enough room to grow. 

Check your pot’s drainage holes and look for growth coming out of them. This is the first sign it’s time for a larger container. 

Only repot when it’s time for a new, larger container. If you repot too much or too soon, it can cause transplant shock

How to Prevent Compacted and Nutrient-Poor Growing Medium

A female gardener in colorful gloves and a striped apron uses a trowel to add fresh black soil to a potted plant in a glossy white pot indoors.
Different species need different care—know the soil requirements.

Each species has its own preferences. Some require extra nutrients in their growing medium and others can survive off very little. 

Research what species and variety you have and what medium composition it prefers. Add things like compost to raise the nutrient value of the medium if you need to. 

Stick to a consistent fertilization schedule according to the species you’re growing. This will prevent the soil from depleting its nutrients and keep your plant strong and healthy.  

What About Aerial Roots?

A phalaenopsis orchid in a transparent plastic pot displays elongated green leaves and thick, pale green aerial roots curving gracefully.
Species like orchids grow aerial stems to gather moisture.

Not all exposed fibers are bad. Some plants, such as Monstera adansonii, have aerial growths that break the surface. These strong appendages help plants climb in the wild. They also provide support for species that live in areas with harsh winds and rain. 

Epiphytic plants such as orchids use them to absorb moisture from the air. These plants love humidity and often, the healthier they are, the more aerial roots you’ll see. 

Other plants that develop aerial growths include: philodendron, pothos, and even hydrangea. You can tell these appendages apart because they develop from the stem tissue rather than the root tissue. 

Final Thoughts

If you see roots sticking out of the soil, don’t panic. This could be a sign your plant needs a new container or new soil. Repot it in a new pot and medium and watch for improvements. 

For other plants, however, they can simply be aerial growths. These appendages are normal and help with balance and support. They also help climbers such as ivy scale vertical surfaces. 

Roots growing above the soil surface aren’t always a sign your plant is dying. If you act quickly, you’ll solve this problem and enjoy healthy, normal growth. 

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