What to Look for when Buying a Plant

What to look for when buying a plant is important. Just like anything else that you spend your hard earned money on, picking out the healthiest plant is important. But do you actually know what to look for when making a decision on what which plant you should buy?

Quality counts, even in plants and the best plant, meaning the one with the highest quality is the one you should spend your money on. But, in order to decide which plant this is, you will have to spend a little time inspecting the potential new plant for your garden. No one wants to spend their money on a plant that is not going to perform well for them. The thing to remember here is to take your time and do not rush into a purchase unless you are sure you have picked out the best of the best.

When examining a plant you are considering buying, look at the plants roots, its trunk, it branches, its foliage and if there are any signs of damage from pests. Bedding plants have a similar list of things to look at including their stems, the shape of the plants and the leaves.

Inspecting the roots of the plant depends on the type of plant. For plants in containers avoid plants that have roots showing on the surface or roots that are already coming out the drain holes of the container. Also avoid roots that are matted together. For plants with roots that come balled or in a burlap wrap do not buy plants that have roots that are dry or loose. If the plant has bare roots then avoid plants have roots that are broken, crushed, damaged or dry or they simply do not have very many roots.

When inspecting the trunk of a plant look for one that is not twisted or slanted, it should be straight as possible. Also avoid plants with trunks that are scarred, have gouges, that have branches missing or that are nicked down at the bottom of the trunk.

When inspecting the branches of a plant look for one that does not have bare spots, branches that are too big or are broke or branches. Also, look for plants that have branches on the lower section of the trunk and those that are shaped well.

Plants with discolored foliage, with leaves that drop unusually, that is wilted or that is curled up should be avoided.

When trying to decide if a plant has pest damage look for the pests. If there are little white flies in the area of the plant, granular material falling out of the drain holes of the pot, branch joints that have white cottony looking balls in them or leaves with spots on the underside of them then do not buy the plant as these are all signs of pest problems.