Use the following houseplant buying guide to ensure you’re getting the highest-quality plant. Touch it. Turn the leaves over.
Every plant has a Latin botanical and common name. Botanical names are unique, like bar codes for plants. However, some plants share common names, which can be confusing.
Buy from reputable sources. A cheap plant may be costly if it dies after a few weeks.
Never buy a houseplant displayed outside a shop; in winter, they get chilled, and in summer, they get intense sunlight. Flowering plants are most sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Avoid pest- and disease-infested plants. They usually don’t survive and can infect your other houseplants. Be sure to check leaves, flowers, and stems for signs.
Never buy a plant with roots growing from the pot’s drainage holes. This means the plant needs repotting—possible growth retardation.
Buy flowering plants with plenty of buds that are ready to open. Full-blooming plants will fade quickly.