Buying plants is exciting! This section covers where to buy plants, considerations when buying plants and bringing them home, and a note on pets and plants.
You can buy plants from big box stores, such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and more.
You can also buy plants from local nurseries and garden stores.
Additionally, you can buy plants online from sites such as Plant Proper, House Plant Shop, and The Sill. It's a good idea to check reviews before buying plants from online sites to see experiences others had with the shop.
It can be tempting to purchase plants solely based on looks, but you need to consider if you have the right kind of place for it to grow in, especially in terms of light. Plants can serve as decor, but it’s important to recognize that they are living things.
When purchasing new plants, look for:
When purchasing new plants, avoid:
It's best to take your plant home directly after buying it, as hot or cold weather can negatively affect plants. Isolate the plant for several weeks to prevent possible pests from spreading to other plants.
Your plant will most likely be in a plastic grow pot when you buy it. It's generally recommended to never repot a plant immediately after bringing it home. Give it at least a few weeks to acclimate to the new environment before disturbing the root system.
It's important to keep in mind that some houseplants are harmful or even toxic to pets. Plants can affect your dog or cat to various degrees if ingested, ranging from an upset stomach to death. Common houseplants that are toxic to pets include philodendron, pothos, aloe, jade plants, and snake plants. A complete list of plants toxic to dogs, cats, and horses can be found here.
If you have pets who are interested in plants, ensure that you check whether they are toxic and put them out of reach of curious pets, if so. You can also certainly choose to not have these plants in your home at all.