How to Buy Plants and Choose the Best
How to Choose the Best When You Buy Plants
Need to buy plants? A trip to the nursery is always exciting—so many beautiful plants, all waiting to come home with you! But how do you ensure you pick the healthiest, strongest plants that will thrive in your garden? Not all plants at the garden center are equal, and knowing what to look for can save you time, money, and disappointment.
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the best plants every time.
1. Look for Healthy Foliage
The leaves tell you a lot about a plant’s health. Choose plants with vibrant, rich green leaves (unless the variety naturally has variegated or colorful foliage). Avoid plants with:
- Yellowing or browning leaves (a sign of stress, overwatering, or nutrient deficiencies).
- Wilting leaves (which may indicate dehydration or root problems).
- Spots, holes, or strange markings (which could mean pests or disease).
2. Inspect the Roots
If possible, gently slide the plant out of its pot to check the roots. Healthy roots should be white or light tan and well-distributed. Avoid plants with:
- Roots circling the inside of the pot (a sign they’re root-bound and may struggle to grow once planted).
- Dark, mushy, or foul-smelling roots (which could indicate rot).
Note: Many times the six-packs of plants are already blooming and root-bound, in the video linked at the end of this post I share how I fix that problem once I get them home.
3. Check for Pests and Disease
Examine the leaves (including the undersides) and stems for tiny bugs, webbing, or sticky residue—these are signs of pests like aphids, spider mites, or scale insects. Also, avoid plants with black spots, powdery mildew, or mold, as these can spread to other plants in your garden.
4. Look for Buds, Not Just Blooms
If you’re buying a flowering plant, it’s tempting to grab the one in full bloom. But for the longest-lasting display in your garden, pick plants with plenty of unopened buds instead. This way, you’ll enjoy a longer flowering period at home.
But this also indicated this plant may not have been in the container too long and is not as root-bound (if it is) as others.
5. Choose the Right Size
Bigger isn’t always better! Large plants in small pots may be root-bound, making it harder for them to establish in your garden. A medium-sized, well-proportioned plant often adapts better and grows more quickly once planted.
6. Read the Plant Tag
The plant tag provides valuable information about sun requirements, spacing, and watering needs. Make sure the plant you’re choosing fits your garden conditions—don’t buy a shade-lover for a hot, sunny spot!
7. Consider the Season
Some nurseries sell plants that aren’t quite in season yet. For example, buying warm-season flowers or vegetables too early in spring could result in setbacks if there’s still a risk of frost or if the soil temperatures are not warm enough.
Similarly, perennials that are just emerging from dormancy might not look impressive in their pots but will perform well once established.
8. Watch for Overcrowded Pots
If a pot contains multiple plants squished together, they may struggle to grow properly. This is common with annuals, but sometimes perennials and shrubs are also overcrowded. If you see a crowded pot, be prepared to separate and replant them carefully.
I don’t see this as a negative, I often will buy plants that have more than one in a pot on purpose. Once I get them home I divide them into individual pots or containers so I get more bang for my buck.
9. Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask the nursery staff for advice! They can tell you which plants are best suited for your area and offer care tips to help your selections thrive.
This is not always true at big box store garden centers. Some will hire people knowledgeable about gardening yet most put anybody and everybody in that department and they cannot be of help.
10. Trust Your Instincts
If a plant looks weak, sickly, or just “off,” trust your gut and choose another. There are plenty of healthy plants out there—don’t settle for one that looks like it might struggle.
Now, once you know more about plants you can pick out which ones will recover well that are on the “discount” racks and look straggly, fading, and downright dying. I love finding bargains on these racks and bringing them home to recover.
I knew these hydrangeas merely needed a good watering so I snapped them up and brought them home to save them. The peat moss used in potting them had become hydrophobic and they needed better soil too. This is why I avoid using peat moss when creating my own potting soil.
Final Tip: Shop at Reputable Nurseries
A high-quality, locally owned nursery often provides healthier, better-cared-for plants than big-box stores. They usually have knowledgeable staff and a wider selection of plants suited for your area.
But you never know, we have a big box store that has chosen to hire garden-savvy people who take excellent care of the plants and even set up lovely vignettes to inspire you throughout the garden center.
The downside is they don’t have much on the bargain racks (where most put the plants that don’t look good) so finding a plant at a better price is hard there. This is good for the store but I miss grabbing a good bargain plant.
By following these simple tips, you’ll bring home the best plants for a thriving, beautiful garden.
Happy planting!
Hi, I’m Pamela
My goal is to cultivate the love of gardening and help make your gardening life more enjoyable!
