How to Pick Plants like a Pro
Going to your local plant store ready for a new plant. How do you pick the best one? How do you make sure that your plant is healthy from the start?This guide will help you pick out the best plant.
Know Where It’s Going
I am very guilty of going to the plant shop and buying a plant getting home and realizing I don’t have a good spot for it. This planning step is important because if you buy a plant that requires bright light but only have space for a low light plant you’re throwing away your money.
Peep the Leafs
Pick the plant up and away from all the others plants on display, this way you can get the best look at the total plant.
Peep a look at all the leafs. If you see yellowing or brow leafs at the bottom it could be a sign that the plant has been over or under watered, not a deal breaker but it may need to be monitored. If you see a lot of yellow or brown leafs especially toward the top its time to put it down and move on to another plant.
Check for Damage
Plants are shipped and this shipping process is hard on plants, they go through various temperature changes and in and out of trucks until they are put on display. Damage is not a deal breaker, this does not mean the plant is injured, this is mostly for aesthetics. Most leafs can easily be snipped off to make the plant more appealing.
This shipping process can also be avoided by shipping at your local nursery where they grow their own plants and there is no shipping process.
Look for Disease or Bugs
When looking at the leafs look for sings of disease. Lots of little brown specks under the leaf can be a sign of a fungal infection or root rot. Look for small white specks on top of the leafs or any other indication of bugs or insects. If you see any of these signs, out the plant down and choose another this plant is already doomed.
Check the Nursery Pot
When looking at the nursery pot you’re looking to see if the plant has already out grown the pot. Looking to see if the roots have already poked out the bottom. This isn’t a deal breaker, but its something to note since it will need repotted soon. Repotting and a new home is a recipe for plant death. If you think it can stay in its nursery pot for a few weeks while it adjusts to your home then proceed.
New Growth
Look for new growth of leafs at the top of the plant. Look to see if it has any little leafs ready to uncurl or little babies poking though the soil. New growth is a sure sign that this plant is healthy and happy and ready to come home with you!
And just like that you’ll pick a healthy new plant to your home! Looking for advice on how to care for it? Check out this easy care guide.