root ball

noun

ˈrüt-ˌbȯl

also ˈru̇t-

variants or less commonly rootball

plural root balls also rootballs

: the compact mass of roots and soil formed by a plant especially in a container

If there are large circling roots or you have a difficult time straightening the roots, the root ball should be thinned and the soil loosened before planting.—

Carey Brothers

Examples of root ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Choose a pot that’s just 2 or 3 inches wider than the root ball of the plant. —

Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024 Pull your mum out of the pot and loosen up the root ball with your fingers, especially any circling roots. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024 If in a plastic pot, squeeze the sides to loosen the root ball and tip the pot sideways to slide it out of the pot. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024 Gently loosen the roots and remove the old soil, then transfer the whole root ball to the pot. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for root ball