Tips for Purchasing House Plants


Houseplants, also known as indoor plants, enhance the appeal of a home or office. Looking after houseplants is an immensely satisfying hobby especially during the long months of winter when conditions are rough for gardening outside, and is equally a suitable activity round the year. Many gardeners find houseplants extremely helpful in extending their gardening activities during the winter months by taking care of a diverse variety of them.

Indoor plants are available according to the size of the pot, either in terms of gallon proportion or pot diameter. The plant's height is calculated from the floor to the topmost point of the foliage which includes the height of the pot as well. It should be remembered that plants that are relatively tall need not essentially be expensive. Generally the plants that are costly are of the slower growing variety. Since the grower is in possession of these plants for a longer period longer, more cost is involved.

Houseplants are generally produced in a suitable growing environment. When the plant is shifted indoors its growth rate diminishes. It is almost impossible to replicate the kind of growth that a nursery produces in homes. A house plant can take years prior to doubling in size.

Purchasing a houseplant

  • While purchasing a houseplant one should only choose those plants that seem to be free of pests.
  • The undersides of the foliage and the axils of leaves should be examined for sign of insects or disease.
  • Plants that appear tough, clean, and properly potted should be purchased. One should select plants with foliage that is healthy.
  • Plants with yellow or chlorotic leaves, brown leaf margins, wilted foliage, spots or blotches, or spindly growth are not good enough to be purchased.
  • Additionally, plants with torn leaves and those on which leaf shines have been applied must be avoided.
  • The leaf shine imparts an unusual polish to the leaves. Plants possessing fresh flowers and leaf buds together with young growth are generally of superior quality.
  • Most favorable conditions for light are commonly mentioned on the tag available with the plant.
  • One should make certain that the interior of the house fulfils the necessity from natural sunlight. If it is not in a position to do so, artificial lighting may be necessary.

Prior to purchasing an indoor plant, one should ensure that it is healthy. Ahead of buying you should see to it that the planted is removed from the pot to enable you to look for healthy light-colored roots.

One should purchase a plant with a pot that has proper drainage and the plant is not root bound. A new plant ought to be separated from other plants in the home for two to three weeks to prevent subjecting the other plants to problems that may arise.