Tips for choosing healthy plants

When buying potted plants or plants for your garden, it is important to make sure that you get the best quality. Healthy plants have a greater chance of thriving and you don’t have to worry about them affecting the health of the rest of your plants.

Healthy foliage

Apart from variegated leaves, most plants have leaves that are a single colour. Take time to inspect the leaves of the plant and make sure that they are not discoloured in any way. Yellowing, browning or any other form of discolouration can indicate a significant problem with the plant. It is best to look at another plant to add to your collection instead. Sometimes discoloured leaves can be due to excess water, too little water, pests or disease. It can be difficult to find out the cause of the problem before it’s too late.

Pests and disease

Inspect the plant for any visible pests like aphids, spider mites and mealybugs. Different pests are attracted to different types of plants. You can do some research before shopping for a plant and then inspect the plant based on these findings. Remember, some pests like to hide on the underside of the leaves so don’t be afraid to turn over several leaves when searching. In some cases, pests are difficult to avoid but easy to get rid of with regular treatments. If this is the case, some pests are not necessarily the end of the story for the plant. Especially if you do not notice any significant damage as of yet.

Plants with healthy roots

Look under the pot and check for drainage holes. If you notice that the roots have started to penetrate these holes, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It often indicates healthy growth. It does mean, however, that you will need to repot your plant as soon as you take it home. So, make sure that you invest in a larger pot or select that perfect spot in your garden quickly.

With all of these tips in mind, it is also important to make sure that you understand the specific needs of your plant. Each plant is different and has different needs. By knowing their needs, you can keep your plants happy and healthy so that they can thrive.