9 Plants That Are Always Worth Buying As Seedlings

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If you garden, it's important to consider the benefits of buying seeds versus seedlings. It can be helpful to think about certain factors when doing so, such as the ease of transplanting seedlings into your garden and the time it takes for the plant to mature. Seedlings are excellent for providing a jump on the harvest season. You can also buy the exact number of plants you want so you don't have a lot of extra. Some of the best plants that are always worth buying as seedlings are herbs like rosemary and veggies like tomatoes and peppers.

The best places where you can purchase great and healthy seedlings include farmer's markets, garden centers, and plant nurseries (rather than a big box store's garden section). The more local you can buy, the better, since you can ask specific questions about the plants from the experts. One thing to note is that just because a plant is bigger doesn't necessarily mean it will grow better — one of the hard truths you learn as a beginner gardener. Look for plants that have healthy leaves and stems with no signs of wilt, root rot, or other disease.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a part of the sage family that produces strong-smelling needle-like leaves. It grows best in the warm climates of USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11. It's much more worth buying as a seedling or cutting because it's very challenging to germinate as a seed. It also grows slowly in the early stages, so starting with seedlings saves you time. If you're able to get a seedling from a nursery or garden center, it will root much more easily in your pot or garden bed.

Yet another great herb for your garden, lavender (Lavandula) can be intimidating for many gardeners since it is also hard to germinate and grow from seed. Because of this, it's much more worthwhile to buy as a seedling. Its beautiful purple buds can bring some nice color (and smell) to your herb garden. Lavender is a perennial in zones 5 to 9 — plant it in the spring when soil is warm.

You can get a head start on your tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) harvest if you start with seedlings. Look for young plants that don't have any signs of wilt. When you move them to your garden, choose an area that gets full sun. One key to a healthy tomato plant is installing a support system when you plant them, like these Stroller Plant Stakes. The support helps keep leaves and fruits off the ground.

Starting artichokes (Cynara cardunculus) from seedlings is far easier than seed in colder locations, especially if you want to ensure that the plants can produce buds their first year. They thrive and are hardy in Zones 7 to 11. Because the seedlings are already off to a good start, there's less of a chance of them dying. They can be transplanted into your garden after the last frost.

Eggplants (Solanum melongena) grow best in hot weather, so starting with seedlings gives you a head start on the season. Look for young plants that have green leaves and don't show any signs of wilting or pests. Starting with plants instead of seeds leads to earlier fruit production and reduces transplant shock. You can transplant them into your garden when the weather starts to get hot.

Chilies (Capsicum) are a part of the pepper family, with many varieties to choose from as seedlings. These plants can take a while to get started, so it can be beneficial to buy live seedlings rather than starting from seed. It's helpful to add a slower releasing fertilizer to the soil when transplanting, like The Old Farmer's Almanac Tree & Shrub Fertilizer Spikes. Since chilies can get a little top-heavy, it's also helpful to include sticks or posts as support.

You may get better results from starting your cabbage (Brassica oleracea) from purchased seedlings than directly sowing seeds. With these starter plants you avoid the risk of poor germination. The seedlings are already in early growth stages when transplanted, leading to quicker growth and maturity. In this case, look for a seedling that is more robust and bigger so it will reach maturity before it gets too hot.

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) are perennial plants in zones 5 through 8. Starting with purchased seedlings means you will get fruit within the first season in your healthy garden. They are a good investment for long-term production, and starter plants are far easier to handle than the tiny seeds. Strawberry plants produce stems that grow along the ground, which you can separate and replant expand your strawberry plot for free.

Finally, starting with tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica) as seedlings provides a longer growing period and more mature fruits for the season, giving you a significant head start on your harvest. Look for seedlings with at least 5 to 7 leaves. Be sure to get more than one plant because tomatillos require at least two plants for pollination and fruit production.