Plant Trends: Rescue Plants

Plants are a living challenge, and some plant lovers are more enthusiastic about challenges than others. Collecting and learning to care for rare plants is always thrilling, but there is one growing plant trend that is even more challenging -- rescue plants.

Rescue plants are plants that are either declining in health or about to be thrown out. Maybe it’s a plant that your neighbor is throwing out because it “didn’t make the cut.” Maybe it’s the seasonal plant that lost its bloom in the clearance corner of the garden center or your local big-box retailer. Maybe it’s the plant with the weird-shaped leaf spots that you notice in the dumpster behind your apartment. Regardless, rescue plants are usually on their way out when their savior walks on the scene. We like to think of plant rescuers as the adrenaline junkies of the plant world. Although bringing rescue plants into the home often brings risk, plant rescuers understand that it can also bring great rewards.

Rescue plants are often marked down or free plants because people are trying to toss them. Plus, what do you have to lose if the plant doesn’t make it? You’re not emotionally or financially invested. Just think how good it will feel if you are able to turn that plant around. It makes for a fantastic success story!

Well… there may be more to lose than you realize. Rescuing plants that are on the decline has become a trend in past years, but sometimes, declining plants don’t make a comeback. In fact, it can even be dangerous to bring rescue plants into your current collection. We’re all for a challenge at Wild Interiors, but we also understand that plant rescuing brings as many risks as rewards. We’ve outlined some key pointers to consider when purchasing or acquiring rescue plants that keep your current collection safe.

Rescue Plant Tips

The plant must be alive.

While dead plants technically don’t directly damage your collection, they can attract mold, fungus gnats, and other problems that are best to avoid. If the plant does not have any green leaves, that is usually a sign that the plant cannot make a rebound.

Avoid plants with disease.

This is a big one! Most plant diseases cannot be effectively treated with materials available to consumers. In addition, chemicals and remedies that are available can end up being costly. Be careful that you don’t spend more money on treatment than you would have if you had bought a healthy plant in the first place.

Isolate plants that you bring into your personal growing area.

In order to prevent the quick spread of potential disease and pests to your other plants, it’s best to keep any new additions separate, especially suspicious rescues. That means that you should keep new plants where there is no risk of water or soil transmission of pests and disease (e.g., splashing water or touching leaves). You should also wash your hands before handling your healthy plants. Isolate them for at least a couple of weeks until you feel sure that disease and pests are not an issue. If you notice potential disease symptoms, contact an expert for diagnosis. Oftentimes, diagnosis requires a plant pathology lab. Reach out to your local extension agent for further assistance.

Scout. Scout. Scout.

Need we say more? If your latest rescue has signs of pest damage, make sure that you are monitoring for developments such as a change in color, spotting, or leaf drop. If you have a handful of plants, scouting or accessing your plants’ health should already be a part of your routine. Every time you water, give your plants a once over.

Recovery takes time.

Rescuing a plant is hard work for you, but also for the plant. It takes precious energy for the plant to shift gears. Often, the worse off the plant, the longer it will take to recover.

Rescuing plants can be successful and rewarding! However, it’s important to draw the line when the health of your other plants is at risk or the cost of salvaging is more than the rescue plant is worth to you. With these pointers, you are hopefully equipped to determine whether you are willing to take a risk with your next rescue plant find.

To make sure your houseplants don’t turn into someone else’s rescue plants, read our blog on Indoor Plant Care Mistakes You May Be Making.

Tell us about your rescue plant adventures @wild_interiors on Instagram!