How To Score The Healthiest Plants At Home Depot (Look For Just Two Things)

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Buying new plants is an exciting experience, but it can also be a nerve-racking one. And when Home Depot has a large amount of stock, it can be challenging to figure out which ones are healthy enough to survive and thrive in your home. But whether you're looking for houseplants, annuals for your garden, or even small trees and shrubs, there are actually two key signs that can help you pick out the healthiest ones available. Looking out for these can save you serious money at Home Depot, since you won't have to keep coming back to buy new plants when your previous purchases die off.

The first thing to check for is the health of the plant's mature leaves. These are the leaves that have been on the plant for a while and have completely unfurled. They should look strong, with no signs of wilting or sagging, which can indicate incorrect watering, lack of sunlight, or a container that is too small. All of these issues can affect the plant's overall health and even shorten its lifespan. The second thing to note is the presence of new leaves or shoots, which suggests the plant is generally happy and healthy. This is because when plants have enough reserve energy — which is prime for encouraging new growth – it means they likely aren't fighting infection or poor conditions. Leaves aren't the only indicators of a plant's health, however. Inspecting the roots and soil can give you a clearer picture of a new plant's well-being.

Did you know that you can actually check the roots of a plant while it's still in the store? You can! Many plant experts recommend gently removing the plant from its plastic container to check the health of the roots and the soil underneath. You will want to look for a plant with white or light-brown, taut roots. Dark or squishy roots can be an indication of root rot, a condition that can lead to the plant's death when water sits in the soil. In addition, the number of roots within the container can give you an idea of how long the plant has been waiting on the shelf. A plant whose roots are tightly bound or inching out of the bottom of the pot is beginning to outgrow its container. This means that the plant will likely need to be repotted very soon, if not immediately.

Some plants with unhealthy roots or soil lacking nutrients can be helped with a conservative application of fertilizer — such as this Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus Outdoor & Indoor — but it is a good idea to purchase a plant with healthy roots if possible. The soil itself can also be an important indicator of how well the plant has been treated. If the soil is exceedingly hard and dry, this could be a sign that the plant has been chronically underwatered and may be suffering as a result. And though there are ways to fix compacted soil, it should ideally have an airy texture, indicating a decent structure and potentially containing a range of components beneficial to the plant.