Blog · Tools & Supplies
What to Check Before Buying a Plant
PlantPal Team · June 2, 2026 · 1 min read
That gorgeous plant at the nursery might be hiding pests, root rot, or a price tag from another dimension. Run this 60-second inspection before it comes home with you.
The 60-second inspection
- Flip the leaves: check undersides for webbing, sticky spots, or tiny moving dots
- Check the soil line: mushy stems or mold mean trouble
- Look at the pot bottom: roots circling out of the drainage holes mean it's rootbound
- Squeeze the nursery pot gently: rock-hard soil means it's been neglected
- Smell it: healthy soil smells earthy, rot smells sour
Pick the boring one
The plant covered in blooms is spending all its energy on flowers. The compact, deep-green plant with new growth coming in will outperform it within a month. Buy potential, not the party trick.
Know the fair price
Prices for the same plant can vary wildly between stores. PlantPal's Price Checker tells you a fair range before you pay nursery-boutique markup for a pothos.
FAQ
Should I repot a new plant right away?
Wait a week or two. Moving homes is stressful enough. Let it settle before disturbing the roots.
Should I quarantine new plants?
Yes, two weeks away from your other plants. Hitchhiking pests are real and they multiply fast.