What indicates a plant is root-bound?

A plant is considered root-bound when its roots have filled the container and begin to grow in circles along the edge. This circular growth pattern indicates that the roots have run out of space to expand and are instead coiling within the confines of the pot.

This situation can lead to several issues for the plant, including restricted nutrient and water uptake, which can ultimately stunt its growth and health. When roots are bound in this manner, they may also struggle to absorb oxygen effectively, leading to poor overall plant vigor.

The other choices do not specifically describe the condition of being root-bound. For instance, yellowing leaves can arise from various stressors, including nutrient deficiencies or overwatering, but they do not directly indicate root binding. Excessively blooming flowers and rapidly developing fruits could suggest a plant is healthy or thriving, but they do not provide any information about the state of the roots. Thus, the characteristic of roots growing in circles is the definitive sign of a plant being root-bound.