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
Carey BrothersExamples of root ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dig a hole that is the same depth as your mum, but at least 1 1/2 times the width of the root ball.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
When the pot is loose, use two hands to lift your monstera up and be sure to support the plant’s root ball and stems at all times to avoid breaks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
Newly installed balled and burlapped plants need about 1 inch of water a week — be sure the root ball is getting watered.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Add the plant and potting soil so the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root ball
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
When the pot is loose, use two hands to lift your monstera up and be sure to support the plant’s root ball and stems at all times to avoid breaks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2025
Newly installed balled and burlapped plants need about 1 inch of water a week — be sure the root ball is getting watered.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Add the plant and potting soil so the top of the root ball is about an inch below the rim.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for root ball
Cite this Entry
“Root ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20ball. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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