We have all been there - you step into the grocery store with a list and a plan - we need eggs, bread, some vegetables. Everything is going as planned until you pass the plant section and suddenly, there is less room in your cart for the things on your list. Unplanned plant purchases are all fine and dandy, but there are a few questions that you can ask yourself or your plant-obsessed significant other to make sure that you are setting your plants (and yourself) up for success!

Choose wisely! Tips for plant shopping

What kind of light does this plant need?

One of the major reasons why plants do not thrive is because they are not getting the right kind of light. It can be difficult to place your new plant in the right spot, especially when it is an impulse buy and you do not already have a dedicated place for it. By checking out the plant's tag or by doing a quick search, you can find out what kind of light is best. If you know that every window in your home is occupied or if you live in a basement apartment, perhaps grabbing a succulent that needs bright light isn’t the best choice. Alternatively, it might be time to invest in some grow lights!

What kind of care does this plant take?

It is easy to bite off more plants than you can chew, so be sure to choose plants that you have the time and resources to care for! If you travel a lot or have a hectic schedule, choosing plants like ferns that need to be checked almost daily might not be the right choice. High maintenance plants can be kept alive if someone takes the time to watch for the signs of what they need. 

How healthy is the plant?

Take some time to look at the overall health of the plant. Plants go through a wild journey from the time they leave a greenhouse to when they arrive in your home. At every step of the way, they can be exposed to environmental changes, physical trauma, improper care, and even pests and disease. Taking note of some of these issues can prepare you for what needs to be done once they come home with you. And sometimes, it might just be best to leave them where you find them…

Was this plant watered properly?

Lift up plants that you are interested in purchasing and take note of how heavy they are in their pots. Small pots that feel like bricks may be completely saturated, while paper light 10 gallon pots may not have seen water in weeks. Plants can be brought back to health after improper watering, but sometimes they may be too far gone. If that Echeveria is as heavy as a sandbag, you may need to completely remove it from its pot and replace the soil when you get home. Even discount plants can cost you a pretty penny if they are going to need new soil, new pots, fertilizer, antifungal spray, and pesticides, not to mention your extra time and care!

Do you see any signs of pest issues? 

There is nothing worse than bringing a plant home and not realizing it is covered in pests until it is too late, infecting the rest of your plants with spider mites or mealybugs. For this reason, you should always quarantine new plants away from their new plant siblings for a couple of weeks, giving you time to monitor and treat any problems before they spread. 

Is this plant toxic?

If you have pets or children, take extra care that you are choosing plants that are non-toxic. Many houseplants are at least somewhat toxic - this is how they keep animals from nibbling on their leaves in the wild. If you have a curious cat or a tiny human that likes to put things in their mouth, there are some plants that should stay out of your home. Many plant tags will tell you right away if they are toxic. If they don’t, you may want to do some research before your purchase!

Having healthy and productive plant shopping habits can make your plant parent experience so much more enjoyable. By going through a mental checklist prior to bringing plants home, you are taking steps to make sure that you and your plants are as happy and healthy as can be! What are some things you take into account when choosing plants? Share your best (or worst!) plant rescue stories with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages!