Check moisture inside the pot, drainage and the root ball. Gently loosen a minor surface crust if appropriate; replace badly worn mix at a suitable time using a medium matched to the plant.
Is it only a surface crust or a problem throughout the pot?
Feel the surface gently and check moisture below it. If water runs straight down the sides, the centre may still be dry. If water sits on top or the pot stays wet for a long time, check whether drainage holes are blocked.
A tightly circling root ball with little mix left may need repotting or fresh medium. A pale crust can also contain mineral deposits; colour alone does not establish compaction.
If a very dry mix repels water, rewet it slowly
Some mixes pull away from the pot and let water run down the sides when very dry. For a plant that tolerates thorough watering, add water slowly in stages and check whether the root ball becomes moist. Let excess drain.
Do not keep adding water blindly if it runs through. Pause and inspect the container and mix if you cannot tell whether the root ball is wet or water remains trapped below.
Loosen only the surface; do not stab into roots
For a thin surface crust, gently loosen just the top layer with your fingers or a small wooden stick, keeping away from the stem. Stop when you meet roots or resistance. Digging deeply can damage the root system.
If the mix has broken down badly, stays airless or roots are very crowded, loosening the surface alone is unlikely to solve the problem. Inspect the root ball before deciding on fresh mix or a new pot.
Use a mix suited to the plant
Choose a potting medium suited to containers and to the plant, with space for both air and water. Orchids, succulents and common foliage plants have different requirements; one recipe is not universal.
Protect healthy roots and keep the root ball reasonably intact, removing loose old mix gently before placing it in a pot with drainage holes. Water according to the plant and observe; do not try to dissolve the soil with concentrated fertilizer, vinegar or detergent.
Common questions
Will fertilizer loosen compacted soil?
Fertilizer cannot replace an aerated potting mix, and too much can harm roots. Check the structure and drainage first.
Can I loosen the entire pot with a chopstick?
Avoid stabbing deeply. Loosen only the surface away from the stem, stop at resistance and inspect the root ball if the problem is severe.
Does water running straight through prove compaction?
No. A shrunken dry mix, crowded roots or a gap between the mix and pot can also channel water down the sides.