ROOTBOUND

rootbound

(adjective) having the roots matted or densely tangled; “shaggy untended lawns of old trees and rootbound scented flowers and shrubs”- William Faulkner

potbound, rootbound

(adjective) (of a potted plant) grown too large for its container resulting in matting or tangling of the roots

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

rootbound (comparative more rootbound, superlative most rootbound)

(of a pot plant) Having outgrown its pot, so that the roots are cramped and tangled.

Synonyms

• potbound

Source: Wiktionary