6 Things You Should Never Do When Buying Potted Plants, According to Experts

Indoor potted plants enhance a home’s interior, bringing in a cozy charm and a natural touch to any space. They act as focal points, fill empty shelves or corners, and even provide health benefits like air purification. Before you go out to find the perfect potted plant for your home, be aware of common mistakes to avoid when buying them. Here, we list the things you should never do when buying potted plants, according to expert florists and plant shop owners.

Pick a Plant Based on Looks Alone

The biggest mistake potted plant shoppers make is choosing a plant because it looks good and not because it’s compatible with your home. “Do your research before you go out plant shopping to figure out what plants will do well in your space,” says Meg McCormick, plant and flower shop owner at Vera & Buck. For instance, you should take into consideration sunlight hours in different rooms in your house and whether some rooms are more humid than others.

Not only should you consider if this plant works in your home, but also with those living in your house. Do you have curious pets or children who may touch (or even eat) the potted plant? If so, make sure this plant is nontoxic for pets and safe for kids to be around.

Not Think About the Plant's Needs

You might get caught up in what the plant can offer your home in terms of its aesthetics—without thinking about whether you can properly offer the plant a suitable home. For example, popular houseplants like orchids and ferns, to succulents and air plants, have very specific care requirements.

“Always do a quick search on a plant if you’re unfamiliar with its needs,” says Cassandra Braman, plant shop owner at Honey Plant. “For instance, sometimes certain plants do better with distilled water or higher humidity.” Meanwhile, carnivorous plants, like Venus flytraps, or desert plants like succulents, don’t even want to be put in regular potting soil and require special soil types instead. The exact care requirements all depend on the plant variety you decide on.

Overlook the Roots

Just like how many shoppers are drawn to pretty plants, we tend to focus on how a plant looks above the soil, instead of thinking about what’s happening underneath the dirt. “Roots that are browning, smelly, or have a small root system compared to the plant may indicate trouble or root rot,” says Victoria Beaty, founder and creative director of The Botanical Bar. But checking root health is easy, she says. “Carefully lift the plant out of its pot—or ask a shop assistant to help—and look for firm, white roots that spread nicely through the soil, and avoid buying potted plants sitting in overly wet soil, which is never a good sign.”

Forget to Check for Pests

Tiny bugs like spider mites or mealybugs can hide on the undersides of leaves or in the crevices of stems on potted plants. “You might not see them at first, but bringing one infested plant home can suddenly put your whole plant collection at risk,” says Beaty. Hence, when plant shopping, always inspect the plant. “Check under leaves, around stems, and along the soil surface. Look for sticky residue, webbing, or white specks that move.” If you spot any of these worrisome signs, look around for a healthier plant to purchase.

Don't Miss

How to Grow Sweet Potatoes in Containers for Delicious Harvests Year-Round

7 Smart Ways to Use Old Potting Soil, According to Gardening Experts

Go Big Too Soon

If you’re a first-time potted plant owner looking for beginner houseplants, opt for a smaller houseplant variety than starting with the biggest one you can buy. “Smaller plant breeds are often easier to care for and less expensive, making them a great way to learn the basics of watering, lighting, and humidity,” says Beaty. On the other hand, bigger plants can often require more attention and cost more. And, if you're unsure where it might do best in your home, lugging it around to find the best lighting or humidity can become a chore itself.

Disregard the Plant's Overall Health

No plant is perfect: some houseplants may have a brown or yellow leaf here and there. However, you don’t want to purchase a potted plant that is already struggling. According to McCormick, you’ll want to pick up the plant and inspect the underside of the leaves. “This is crucial in checking to make sure there is no mold, bugs, webs, or spots that could lead to bigger problems down the road,” she says.

For example, Braman says that if you are thinking about buying a tropical leafy plant, it should be perky and the leaves bounce back into place when touched. “This means they are well hydrated and the roots are healthy,” she says. Meanwhile, cacti should have even growth and not look pointy near the top. “This means they have gotten enough sun and aren’t going to weaken as they grow taller.”