Good plant care starts in the shop. A plant that arrives stressed or carrying pests is harder to keep than one that starts out strong, so it is worth a two-minute check before you pay.
Hold the plant up to the light and look at both sides of the leaves and along the stems, especially where leaves join the stem. That is where mealybugs, scale and other small pests like to hide. Pass over plants with yellow or pale leaves, brown edges, spots or blotches, wilting, or long, thin, stretched growth.
If the shop allows it, ease the plant out of its pot. You want to see some potting mix between the roots, not a solid mat of roots circling the pot or many roots pushing out of the drainage holes. Moss or weeds on the surface can mean old stock that has been sitting a long time.
Finally, choose a sturdy plant with even growth all round and some fresh buds or new leaves, and be honest about whether your home has the light it needs.
Key points
- Check leaf undersides and leaf joints for pests.
- Avoid yellowing, spots, wilting and stretched growth.
- Look for new growth and roots that are not packed solid.
Try this
Next time you pass a plant stall, practise the check on one plant without buying: both sides of the leaves, the stem joints, and the surface of the mix.
Check yourself
Read more in the reference
Sources
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