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Visiting your local nursery can be exciting when you’re planning a new garden—but also overwhelming. The many choices and considerations to keep in mind when purchasing plants can quickly turn plant shopping into a stressful endeavor. Choosing the right greenery involves more than just finding a plant that catches your eye. It’s also about knowing what fits in your specific landscape and checking for key signs to ensure you bring home healthy plants.
From scrutinizing the root system to examining foliage for disease and unwelcome pests, a little bit of horticultural detective work can be the difference between a lush landscape and an expensive disappointment. Learn more to navigate the rows of plants at the nursery with confidence so you can select the most resilient plants for your garden.
Know your landscape’s conditions before you go.
Spending some time researching the conditions of your landscape and planning out what you want to achieve can make the trip to the nursery more manageable. “Before you go to the nursery, you should know your sun exposure, the type of soil you’re going to use, and the USDA Hardiness Zone so you can choose the correct plants,” says Gene Caballero, cofounder of GreenPal. It’s also helpful to consider the color scheme you prefer and if you want to plant annuals, perennials, shrubs, or a mixture.
Evaluate the overall form of the plant.
Focus on buying healthy, robust plants that will become established more easily and are less likely to introduce a pest or disease problem into your landscape. While at the nursery, study the plant’s condition to get a real sense of its health. “If it appears weak, dry, or stunted; if the shoots snap instead of bending; or if the leaves are pale, chlorotic, or slightly wilted, skip it,” advises Maksim Kazakou, resident botany expert at Plantum, an app that helps identify plants and improve plant care. “These are signs of root damage or significant stress, which can make it difficult for the plant to establish in a new location.”
Examine leaves for disease and pests.
Look carefully at the leaves, including the undersides, to check for insects and disease. When it comes to pests, you might notice either the insects or the traces they leave behind, says Kazakou. “Among the most common pests in nurseries are scale insects and soft scales, as well as spider mites,” he explains. If you see a spider web on the plant, you probably are dealing with a spider mite infestation. “Another sign of spider mites is specific chlorosis, which looks like a marbled leaf with small discolored dots. It’s also usually accompanied by dried leaves.”
Scale insects and soft scales have a very distinct appearance, resembling stationary buds or tiny scales, says Kazakou. Look for them on stems and leaves, especially along the major veins on the underside. “You may also detect these pests—or aphids, whiteflies, or mealybugs—by a sticky residue known as honeydew.”
You might also find fungal infections on the leaves in the form of various spots of different shapes and sizes in yellow, black, or brown. “If you see a plant with a lot of spots on the leaves, don’t buy it,” says Kazakou. Finally, powdery mildew is another type of fungal infection to look for, appearing as a white, powdery coating. “Pay especially close attention when inspecting roses, hostas, and peonies,” says Kazakou.
Inspect the root system.
Take the time to thoroughly examine the root system as well. To do this, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests gently holding the plant on its side and sliding it out of the pot to look for a mix of roots and soil. If the plant doesn’t slide from the pot and soil spills out, or if the plant seems too small in its pot and surrounded by soil, it is probably not sufficiently rooted. “Healthy roots are white and firm and not brown and mushy,” notes Caballero. Also, roots should not be growing in circles around the root ball or hanging out of the bottom of the container.
Check the soil.
Another way to test the condition of a plant is to check the soil. The soil surrounding the roots should be moist to the touch but drain well. If the soil is too dry or too wet, that often indicates poor plant care at the nursery. You’ll want to avoid bringing that plant home. Also, look for weed growth in the soil. Skip any plants with excessive weeds, as they can become a problem once planted in your yard.
Ask about guarantees and warranties.
Many nurseries offered limited guarantees, but not all, says Caballero. He recommends always asking whether they offer any landscaping warranties or guarantees before you make a purchase. Serving as an insurance policy for your landscaping, a guarantee or warranty on your plant purchase also builds trust, since you know the nursery stands behind its products and wants you to be happy. Keep in mind that there are often limitations and exclusions when purchasing plants locally or from online shops, so read the fine print.
Take action quickly if you discover you purchased an unhealthy plant.
What happens if you unfortunately bring home a bad plant and start to notice issues? “I would make sure to isolate it, then prune its damaged areas, and treat it early,” says Caballero. Treatment depends on the specific pest or disease. He also recommends trying to return it to the nursery, if possible. Bring your receipt and ask the staff to replace it with a healthy plant or to provide a refund.
