Indoor plants can transform any space, bringing vibrancy, fresh oxygen, and natural beauty into your home or office. But finding the right place to buy quality indoor plants at affordable prices can be a challenge. This guide will explore the best places to buy indoor plants, things to look for when selecting plants, and tips for caring for your new greenery.

Indoor Plant Shops Near Me

Searching for “indoor plant shops near me” is a great way to find local nurseries, garden centers, and boutiques that specialize in houseplants. While big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s carry indoor plants, smaller specialty shops offer far greater variety. Visit a few shops in person to inspect the plants for pests and diseases, check soil moisture, and see full growth habit. Reputable shops will have healthy, vibrant plants and knowledgeable staff who can offer care tips. Some things to look for:

• Variety – Look for shops with a wide selection of plants. This ensures you’ll find something perfect for your space and décor.
• Plant Health – Avoid plants with yellowing leaves, brown spots, webbing or tiny insects. Select plants with lush, green foliage and no drooping.
• Soil – Peel back a corner of the nursery pot to peek at the roots. Avoid root-bound plants where roots circle the outside of the rootball.
• Cleanliness – Shop display areas and greenhouses should be tidy and sanitized to prevent disease spread. Dirty shops likely have pest problems.
• Staff Expertise – Employees should be able to ID plants, offer credible growing tips and troubleshoot plant issues. This expertise ensures you pick the right plants for your growing conditions.
• Prices – While affordable plants are ideal, be wary of shops with extremely cheap plants. This could indicate poor quality.

Buying Indoor Plants Online

Online plant shops offer convenience and huge selections. But since you cannot inspect plants in person first, order from reputable sellers with excellent ratings and reviews. Here are some top online indoor plant stores:

• Bloomscape – Trendy selection of common and rare plants, shipped straight from greenhouse to door.
• The Sill – Wide variety of popular indoor plants with helpful online plant care guides.
• Greenboog Garden – One of the largest tropical gardens in Thailand, sells rare plants wholesale and retail at lower prices than US stores because they grow them themselves. Shipping is easy with Dragon Courier.
• Pistils Nursery – Great selection of hard-to-find plants. Similar to an Etsy shop with tons of independent sellers to choose from.
• Etsy – In addition to Pistils Nursery, search Etsy for small boutique plant shops with unique offerings. Always check shop reviews.

When your plants arrive, carefully unpack and inspect leaves, soil and roots. Contact the seller right away if plants arrive damaged or distressed.

Where is the Cheapest Place to Buy Indoor Plants?

Finding affordable indoor plants involves visiting discount retailers and sales, shopping for common starter plants, and buying young plants vs mature specimens.

Big Box Stores

Large home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer indoor plants of all sizes at reasonable prices. Check discount racks for clearance plants. Time sales carefully for the best deals on seasonal indoor plants like poinsettias.

Supermarkets and Superstores

Many grocery stores and superstores like Walmart and Target now include plant departments. These mass-market sellers can offer cheap plants, but inspect carefully for health and quality.

Hardware Stores

Shop hardware stores like Ace and True Value for indoor gardening supplies and seeds, plus inexpensive starter plants for herbs, vegetables and houseplants.

Discount Nurseries

Look for wholesale and discount nurseries that offer deals when buying plants in bulk. Great for ordering plants for office spaces, event decor and more.

Trades and Divisions

As indoor houseplants grow, they often outgrow their pots. Reach out to local plant swap groups and request plant divisions from generous green thumbs in your community.

Propagate Your Own

Taking plant cuttings and propagating new plants from ones you already own is completely free. Spider plants, pothos and philodendrons are easy to propagate in water.

Buy Young Plants

Opt for purchasing small starter plants vs mature specimens. A 4 inch potted pothos is $5, while a full hanging basket may be $40. Go small and watch your plants fill out.

5 Tips for Caring for New Indoor Plants

Once you’ve selected new additions for your indoor plant collection, be sure to get plants off to a healthy start in their new home with proper care.

• Choose the Right Spot – Consider lighting needs, humidity preferences and growth habits before picking a location. Arrange plants attractively to complement your interior design.
• Allow Time to Acclimate – Let new plants gradually adjust to your indoor conditions. Avoid repotting right after bringing them home.
• Water Carefully – Learn each plant’s preferences. Feel soil to water only when partially dry. Water thoroughly until it drains from holes.
• Adjust Temperature and Humidity – Observe plants and adjust conditions as needed. Mist leaves, use a pebble tray, change thermostat or move location if plants show signs of stress.
• Fertilize Sparingly at First – Wait a few weeks before fertilizing so roots can recover from repotting. Then use indoor plant fertilizer at half strength to avoid burn.

Caring properly for indoor plants does require some learning and attention. But the benefits plants provide for air quality, mood and decor make the effort well worth it!

See also the list of rare indoor plants in 2023

See also the list of rare indoor tissue culture plants in 2023

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Indoor Plants

Where are the best places to buy indoor plants online?

Some top online sellers for indoor plants include Bloomscape, The Sill, Greenboog, Pistils Nursery and Etsy shops. Check shop reviews and plant guarantees before ordering.

Should I buy indoor plants from big box stores?

Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s sell indoor plants at reasonable prices. Inspect plants closely for health and pests before purchasing. Ask about plant care and guarantees.

Are indoor plants at supermarkets healthy?

Inspect supermarket plants very closely, as mass retailer plant departments often lack proper care. Choose vigorous, pest-free plants and repot at home in fresh soil.

Can I get cheap indoor plants from hardware stores?

Hardware stores offer supplies plus inexpensive veggie seedlings and starter herbs and houseplants. Select healthy young plants and grow them out.

What are signs a plant shop has unhealthy plants?

Avoid shops with plants that are root-bound, have insect webs, yellowed leaves or signs of disease. Also beware dirty shops that lack sanitation or staff knowledge.

How do I transition new indoor plants to my home?

Allow new plants to acclimate in a proper spot for 1-2 weeks before repotting or fertilizing. Adjust temperature, light and humidity gradually. Water only when partially dry.

Conclusion

Bringing new indoor plants into your home or office does require some thoughtful planning and attentive care. But visiting reputable plant shops near you or choosing wisely when buying plants online will ensure you find quality specimens. Discount retailers, young plants and DIY propagating can all help you build your indoor plant collection affordably. Properly welcoming and tending to new additions will keep your indoor garden thriving. The effort pays off manifold when you enjoy the daily benefits and beauty of indoor plants!