14 Big Box Retailers With The Best Houseplants That Are Worth Buying

When you want houseplants, you might think you have to go your favorite local nursery or online plant shop to get your fill. Don't sleep on the big-box stores, though, because they also carry a diverse range of the best houseplants to turn your house into the jungle of your dreams. From common, low-maintenance staples like snake plants to rarer finds like fiddle-leaf figs, you can pick up a selection of houseplants on your next grocery or cleaning supplies run. One of the best reasons to buy from a big-box retailer is that the offerings often include multiple low-maintenance options, whether you want a flourishing fern or a cool-looking succulent.

Nowadays, plant parents can grab a few new "babies" for reasonable prices, thanks to the great list of big-box stores stepping up their game. While you're there, you can also pick up the essentials you'll need for healthy, thriving plants. With options such as planters, fertilizers, soil, and even grow lights sometimes, these retailers have what you need. While exact selections vary by store and region, there are enough options to suit any experience level, from beginners to seasoned pros. 

When buying plants from any store, be sure you examine their condition, looking for yellowing leaves, leggy growth, brown spots, or wilting. If possible, scan them for pests and disease before tossing them in your cart; you'd hate to waste your money and end up with a dying plant! And if you're new to a species, read up on whether it's safe for furry friends, as there are some houseplants you should never grow in a home with pets. Here's a list of stops for plant nirvana.

First on the list is one of the most ubiquitous big-box retailers, Walmart. The brand's Supercenter Walmart stores, those locations spanning around 190,000 square feet, often have Garden Centers where shoppers can browse a rotating collection of houseplants during the spring and summer, until the chillier temperatures give way to seasonal decor. With over 3,500 Supercenters around the country, many Walmart garden centers include options like monstera (Monstera deliciosa), pothos (Epipremnum aureum) snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata), and even rarer plants. Many are available in self-watering planters, making the care process a little simpler.

Think IKEA is all about flat-pack modern furniture and meatballs? Think again. The Swedish retailer is great for big-box plant shopping with beautiful live houseplant options. And thanks to those large IKEA carts and skids, it's easy to load up on tropical plants and impressive-looking tall palms while you work your way through the showroom maze. Live plants at IKEA are typically located at the end of the marketplace section near the exit. Pay attention when buying plants at the retailer, as you might rush by a so-called faux plant only to discover it's real.

Warehouse club Costco can be a great plant destination if you want a new houseplant or two. Keep your eyes out when shopping, and in addition to that jumbo pack of mustard, you might walk out the door with a monstera, fern, or money tree. Costco has been known to have a few rare plants, too, if you feel like a challenge. The plants are typically located near the checkout area, while some warehouse locations even feature a pop-up garden center in spring and summer, either in the parking lot or adjacent to the store.

It might not be as recognizable as Home Depot or Lowe's, but Rural King can be a jackpot for live houseplants. With over 130 stores across 13 states, the retailer is a farm and home store with a variety of goods. Rural King's live plant selection varies by location and season, with common options including ferns, dieffenbachia, palms, and snake plants. So, while you're munching on the store's free popcorn, stop by the plant aisle. Then you can buy a bag of potting mix and a sleek planter to give your new addition a stylish home.

If you live in the Midwest, add Meijer to your plant shopping list. The regional retailer has over 200 stores throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Meijer is similar to Walmart in that it offers "one-stop shopping," with groceries, household goods, toys, and other consumer merchandise under one roof. Many Meijer locations also feature a flourishing garden center packed not only with flowers or hanging baskets, but also larger plants for the home. Though Meijer isn't marketed as a discount store like Walmart, prices are reasonable, and the plants are typically well-cared for by the associates.

When you think of home improvement, Lowe's is probably one of the first brands to come to mind. Although well-known for having everything you need for your home renovations, Lowe's often has a selection of greenery for the discerning plant lover. You might find an African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), spider plants, indoor hanging baskets, and even a lucky bamboo plant. Themed planters and plant stands are nearby, plus you can pick up all of the gardening supplies you need while there. The options rotate by season, but you can always find a great option to brighten up your home with beautiful greenery.

The other major home improvement retailer, Home Depot, is a mainstay for indoor plants, thanks to its partnerships with well-known growers like Costa Farms. Inventory options can include peace lilies (spathiphyllums), palms, Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema), air plants, and numerous succulent species. While there's nothing like shopping in-store when you want to decorate with indoor plants, Home Depot may offer delivery through a third-party service like Instacart for convenience. You'll usually find the houseplants inside, adjacent to the outdoor garden center section. Home Depot is a reliable stop for many plants, especially if area nursery options are limited.

Your experience may vary depending on your area, as each Ace store has independent, not corporate, owners, but many of the company's stores aren't just the "helpful place"; they're the "plant place," too. Some locations even have expanded garden centers with a robust collection of species, covering everything from ferns to ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia). Light needs range from high to low, with many plants sourced from local vendors. You can also find succulents and hanging plants, along with all of the plant supplies needed to support your growing plant family.

Target has increasingly moved more into the plant game, from offering small succulents near its checkout areas to featuring a collaboration with noted plant stylist Hilton Carter in the past. In addition to carrying Livetrends, Target has its own plant brand called Good Little Garden with assorted foliage plants, monsteras, succulents, and other easy-care options available in-store. Its plants are typically available year-round, though the selection depends on the season and store. The prices are typical for other big-box planting shopping destinations, with the plants located near the outdoor living and seasonal decor area.

The Midwestern chain Menards is a big-box retailer that offers home improvement and renovation supplies as well as groceries across over 300 stores. Located in several states, including Kentucky, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and West Virginia, Menards can be a hidden gem for plant lovers. You'll find a selection of indoor houseplants, though keep in mind the variety differs by region and season. It's not unusual to spot monsteras, ferns, tropical plants, and others from companies like Livetrends. The company is expanding to other areas, so you may find one in your neighborhood eventually.

Technically a grocery store, Aldi has emerged as a premium spot for plant lovers. The discount retailer is known for its "Aldi Finds," weekly rotating items for the home, including garden supplies, decorations, plants, and a little bit of everything else. Its popularity even spurred a popular Facebook group called Aldi Aisle of Shame, where shoppers share their newest finds, including, yes, plants. Like the rest of the Aldi non-food merchandise, it's a bit of a treasure hunt, as plants can vary heavily by region and store. Past shoppers report finding palms, ZZ plants, snake plants, and others.

Walmart subsidiary Sam's Club features nearly 600 United States locations and is a warehouse club with a rotating selection of various goods, including houseplants. Succulents, money trees, and others are some species you might find here, especially during peak inventory times in spring and summer. You won't find just small plants either, as there are sometimes tall tropical plants that appear on the shelves. Prices are reasonable, though you have to have a membership to shop there, and social media member commenters often report scoring great deals.

Known for its wide variety of agricultural supplies, Atwoods Ranch and Home Goods doesn't skimp in the houseplant department. The brand has over 70 stores across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas, with plenty of products to help ensure you have healthy crops. Yet if you want an indoor plant, it's a good place to go as well, as the store sells houseplants throughout the year. The retailer erects a big greenhouse in the spring, offering an assortment of houseplants like begonias and pothos, along with plenty of garden plants.