I can't seem to catch a break here!! A friend of mine just recently moved back to France and gave me a few of her houseplants which she couldn't take with her. I've got a croton, an African violet, and a reiger begonia. All plants seem to be doing ok, and they all have new growth, although the croton seems a little dull. The reason I'm concerned is because I guess that, immediately after she bought these plants, she repotted them into decorative, tin containers, without drainage, and they're too big, on top of it! I've read that crotons like to be root-bound-I'm not sure about the others. Should I try downsizing the pots-down to a 4 or 5 inch pot from an 8-10 inch one? The current pots are quite deep, also. I seem to be a magnet for these plants in need of help! Thanks for any advice!

pot them down. the sooner the better. just be careful to allow about 1/2 in (give or take) around the edge of the root ball. they'll be fine once you do that. you'd be amazed at how resillient they can be!