I can easily spend an hour in a good houseplant shop, marveling at the sea of leafy green and deciding which specimen to make my own. Once upon a time, my final choice would have been based solely on aesthetics – the winner would often be the most unusual, or the largest I could afford. However, this didn't always lead to success – I'll admit, I've had prized new plants meet their demise within weeks.
The reasons for these failures varied, but all could have been potentially avoided if I'd shopped more carefully in the first place. Of course, mistakes make for valuable lessons, and I've now learned the 'red flags' to look out for when picking the best indoor plants for my home. I'm pleased to say that my current collection is thriving without being coddled (the exception is a calathea, but I'll get to that in a bit).
Below, I've shared my top tips on how to shop for a long-lived leafy companion, as well as insights from a horticulturist. If you plan on buying a new plant anytime soon, I hope this guide will help you choose wisely.
How to shop in a houseplant store
The first thing I'd advise is to suss out the store itself. Places dedicated to plants and plant paraphernalia are likely to be experts in the field. The plants, therefore, are probably going to be well-looked-after, and the people working these are likely to be able to help if you're looking for advice.
If the plants look healthy, check out their specific location in the store, too. Are they in the shade? Are they hanging above your head? Often, they are there because that's what suits them, both stylistically and in terms of giving them the growing conditions they need. Putting them in a similar place back at home will help them acclimate quickly.
Justin Hancock of Costa Farms also says it can be helpful to ask the store if they know where the plants came from. 'If they propagate and grow their own plants, for example, you can guess the plants will have been less stressed because they’re not shipped from a grower in another state to the plant shop.'
Mistake 1: Not doing your research
You know the calathea I mentioned earlier? This is a prime example of buying a plant without knowing much about it. It immediately caught my attention in the store – it's huge (about waist-height), with velvety, striped leaves in shades of green, and when I bought it, it had clusters of purple flower heads. Talk about a show-stopper!
However, turns out it's immensely fussy and needs watering all the time, otherwise its leaves flop onto the floor dramatically. It was initially in too-sunny a spot, and some of its leaves frazzled at the ends. Now it's out of the sun but closer to a window, where it curls up at the slightest breeze. Don't get me wrong, it's still a beauty. But, if I knew how high-maintenance it would be, I would have chosen something easier. In contrast, I bought a rubber plant at the same time for the same room. It is absolutely thriving with barely any attention at all.
My point is, if you want to achieve a gorgeous botanical display without much of a challenge, it's worth gravitating towards low-maintenance houseplants, and checking that they're suitable for your space in terms of temperature and light. Some planning beforehand is always a good idea, and if you have your head turned by something once you get to the store, it's worth asking the salesperson how to look after it. Some of my easiest indoor plants over the years have been jade plants (just be careful not to overwater), snake plants, blue star ferns, and peace lilies. I’ve also had great success with pothos, of which a range can be bought from Lively Root.
Mistake 2: Buying unhealthy plants
'No matter where you’re shopping for houseplants, the most important thing is to pay attention to plant health,' says Justin. 'Look at the leaves to ensure there’s no black, brown, or yellow spotting, drying, or other symptoms of a potential problem. Give the tops – and especially the bottoms – of the leaves a once-over to see if you see pests or signs of pests. If you see signs of pests, such as feeding marks, don’t be afraid to ask the staff if there is or has been a problem. Sometimes they’ll be able to tell you there was an infestation, but it’s been since taken care of (which is often the case if you see a sign on older growth, but not newer growth).'
What about the plants in the discounted section, practically crying out to be rescued? On a couple of occasions, I've given in and brought them home with the promise to turn their life around. The reality was, they were beyond saving, at least under my care.
In these circumstances, it's crucial to check what exactly is wrong with these 'problem' plants – do they have root rot or another disease? Is there a houseplant pest infestation? The former could be saved, potentially, with some careful dissecting and repotting, but it's hard to tell how far the issue has spread just by looking at them in the store.
Pest problems can also be dealt with, of course, but you risk bringing them into your home and passing them onto your other plants. It's often not worth the hassle, or the money (even at a reduced price), as you may end up replacing plants sooner rather than later.
FAQs
Where should you buy plant pots from?
Often, houseplant stores have a range of pots available. It's great to buy these at the same time as you purchase your plant for two reasons: you can check that the plant fits, and you can see whether the style suits it.
If you already have a pot at home, be sure to measure it first, so you don't end up buying a plant that's too big (I've made this mistake countless times). Naturally, the same applies if you already have a plant, and are searching for a pot: measure it first.
Should you repot newly-bought houseplants?
'There’s a wide range of different potting mixes, but not every mix works well for every houseplant parent,' says Justin. 'Chunky, super well-draining potting mixes, for example, are trendy with a lot of plant shops. But if you’re someone who underwaters, you might find they dry out too fast for you, so be prepared to repot them.
'On the other hand, if they’re in a peat- or coir-based mix and you tend to be an overwaterer, then a chunky, super well-draining mix might be better for you,' he adds. 'So again, you might want to be ready to repot.'
For more advice on keeping your houseplants healthy, take a look at our guides on caring for them in winter and increasing humidity.
