Transplant shock is a plant’s response to stress it may experience when being introduced to a new environment. Namely, it can occur when a plant or seedling growing indoors is relocated to the garden or other outdoor space. It can also happen when a plant is moved from one area of the garden to another or from one container to another.

What Causes Plant Stress?

Several things can cause a plant to experience stress. Perhaps the greatest contributor is disturbance to the root system, which can result in a plant’s inability to take up nutrients and water.

Another contributing factor is changes in the soil, which can include changes in soil composition, soil temperature, and moisture levels. 

Three more factors that can contribute to a plant’s stress response are a change in air temperature, wind, and exposure to the sun.

What Are the Signs of Transplant Shock?

Signs of shock may include one or more of the following:

• Wilting leaves, stems, or the entire plant.
• Leaves turning yellow or brown or leaves that drop off.
• Stunted growth including leaf production or development, as well as fruit production or development

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How to Treat Transplant Shock

If your plants should experience shock, here are four steps you can take to treat the problem.

1. Water Thoroughly

Water the plant thoroughly but without oversaturating the soil. Oversaturation can lead to waterlogged roots, which prevents water and nutrient uptake. After transplanting, keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil, and do not allow it to dry out.

2. Add Compost

If you haven’t already, add mature compost to the soil. The additional nutrients will help the plant regain its strength.

3. Prune Discolored or Dead Leaves

Prune any yellow or brown leaves to allow the nutrition and water to be redirected to healthy parts of the plant.

4. Protect the Plant

Use a row cover or shade cloth to provide protection from the wind and sun.

How to Prevent Transplant Shock

It is important to prevent plants and seedlings from experiencing transplant shock because it weakens them. Weakened plants are more susceptible to diseases and pests. Here are easy steps you can take to prevent this problem:

1. Harden Off

If the seedlings or plants have been growing indoors, they need to be hardened off before relocating outdoors. The process is designed to acclimate the plants to their new environment, thus minimizing and possibly eliminating transplant shock altogether. You can learn more about the easy process in this helpful article.

2. Water Thoroughly

Watering the plant and its new location thoroughly so that the roots have the moisture needed for the transition. Gently water after transplanting as well, being careful not to oversaturate the soil.

3. Choose a Cloudy Day

Choose a cloudy to partly cloudy day to initiate the transplant.  The cloud cover prevents the plants from being stressed by too much exposure to the sun.

4. Choose the Best Time of the Day

Morning and evening are the best times of the day to relocate plants because those are the cooler parts of the day.

5. Monitor Plants

Keep an eye on new transplants for signs of stress.  Remember to keep the soil moist, not soggy.

A mild reaction to being transplanted into new surroundings is not uncommon. Once the plant becomes acclimated to its new home, the symptoms should be resolved in a few days. The goal however, is to reduce and ultimately eliminate shock altogether.

It does not take much effort to have a successful transplant.  Follow the steps and your plants will soon be established in their new home!

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