How to Choose Healthy Plants at Garden Centers

There are a few things to watch for at any garden center to make sure that the plants you take home are healthy and will grow big and beautiful.

Some days, especially when I have time to kill, I browse the garden centers at big box stores. More often than not I see plants screaming for attention – drooping over the edge of their containers, yellowing, with dry, crusty potting soil. And then there’s the clearance rack with plants that look like they’ve been through a war. Taking a chance on a plant that’s suffered lots of stress is usually not worth it, especially for beginner gardeners – it will most likely die from transplant shock, rot in the ground, never produce new flowers or foliage, or never root properly.

You should always buy your plants from a reputable local nursery so you can see exactly what you’re getting. Here’s a simple buying guide:

Yellow leaves on plants are warning flags

Make sure the plant’s foliage is not yellowing – this can be a sign of too little water, too little nutrition, or other problems. In short, the plant has been stressed in some way. The leaves should be deep green and growth should be robust.

Is that tree planted in the container correctly?

If you’re buying a tree, check the trunk – it should be straight, with a slight flare at the base (in some ornamentals the trunk is intentionally curved however). If you don’t see a flare, the tree is planted too deeply. The branches should be widely and evenly spaced and NOT exclusively at the top of the trunk. Check the buds on the foliage – they should be plump and firm.

Is the plant clearly marked?

All plants, including trees and shrubs, should be clearly labeled with cultivar information (flower color, bloom size, mature height), hardiness zones, and their area of origin. The plant should have been grown in an area with weather similar to the one where its new, permanent home will be. This is especially important when buying trees and shrubs.

Are the plant’s roots pushing through the container’s drainage holes?

If a plant, shrub or tree looks like it’s trying to bust out of its pot – leave it be, because it’s probably root bound. Overgrown plants have roots circling the stem and are suffering from growth problems or worse. The plant should also be at the proper depth in the container – make sure that it’s not too deep (soil should not be far over the crown) and not too shallow (you shouldn’t see any roots).

Does new growth snap off?

Foliage, twigs, or flowers should not easily fall or break off the plant – if they do, it hasn’t been taken care of properly, so give it a pass.

Inspect the plant for unwanted visitors

Check for insects on the tops and undersides of leaves and on the stems. If you see any at all, move on.

These are just a few of the basics of what to look out for when buying plants. Your best bet is to always shop at an independent local garden center-their reputation is built on the quality of the plants they sell so they take their job seriously. 99 times out of 100 you’ll get a healthier plant at an independent nursery than a big box store.