Top 10 Ways to Buy a Good Plant

The cost of a new plant can range from very little, for a seasonal bedding plant, to the exorbitant, for a large tree for instance. Whichever you are looking to buy, it makes sense to get the best you can so it will grow well and you can enjoy it.

Taking a few precautions at this stage can save wasted time, effort and money - as well as disappointment - if the new plant fails to thrive.

Have an idea what you want

We all know that buying on impulse can be risky, yet we still do it. It is usually safer to have an idea what you need in terms of size, shape or season of interest before you go shopping. If you are new to gardening or unsure which plant to choose, ask advice from family, friends, neighbours or your local gardening club.

Know your garden

Plants have preferences for where they will grow well. There are a range of conditions in which they will thrive, another where they will survive and in the rest they will struggle or die. You need to know if you have acid soil or alkaline, whether your garden is wet or dry, sunny or shady and if it is exposed or sheltered.

Buy from a reputable seller

This sounds obvious, but if you buy online it can be hard to tell who is honest and who will sell you rubbish. Some even sell imported, contaminated plants that can land you with a big fine. Try to make your purchase from a well-established nursery or larger company who will not only sell you a good plant, but also replace it if something does go wrong.

See before you buy

Nothing compares to viewing the plant before you part with your money. If there are several in a batch, you can select the biggest, the one with the best shape, the most new shoots or the brightest flowers.

Examine the plant

First impressions count and if you think the plant looks sickly, put it back. You need to look for a healthy, sturdy plant with intact, bright leaves. Die-back on the ends of shoots can be a sign of fungal disease or winter damage and spotty leaves can indicate disease. Look for rotting on the stems, grey mould on the leaves or weak, floppy growth and avoid it.

Look for pests

As well as signs of disease, you need to check for unwanted insects that you will be taking back to your garden. Look under the leaves and down the stems for green or brown scale insects feeding. Aphids prefer the tender young buds of leaves or flowers. Not all insects are harmful to the plant, so if you are in doubt, ask someone or use an app to identify them.

Check the roots

You may not feel comfortable knocking a plant out of its pot to check the roots, but it can tell you a lot about the health of the plant. Healthy roots are firm, usually white or a shade of light brown and do not smell. If the compost smells sour and the roots are shrivelled or dark brown, then they have been damaged. This can be excess or under watering, or frost damage, but they may not recover.

Buy in flower

If you have decided on a plant for its flowers, then it helps to see one to check if it is the right plant and whether you like the colour. Having said that, aim to buy it at least partially in bud, so you get the benefit of the remaining flowers while you decide where to plant it.

Look at the compost

The longer the plant is on sale, the more stale the compost in the pot becomes. A crust will form on the surface and the compost itself will become pale as the food within it runs out. This is a particular problem in early spring, where plants that did not sell in autumn have been outside all winter. They will need extra feeding immediately to help them recover.

Use an app to make sure it's the right plant

Almost everyone has a smart phone now and this can be a quick and easy way to make sure you are getting the right plant. Simply find an identifying app and use a flower or leaf to confirm the name. This will allow you to access all the care information you will need to help your new acquisition settle in.