So you like indoor plants, but you need some help on where you can go to buy them. Don’t worry, I have a list of all the top places you can find them and give details on where you might find the best deals and where you might find the healthiest of plants. Let’s dive in!
#1: Social Media Groups
I put this one first because I feel like it’s a fantastic option that isn’t usually explored. There are many Facebook groups that revolve around trading or swapping indoor plants or items related to indoor plants. For example, I follow a page on Facebook called “Utah Plant” (formerly known as “Utah Plant Swap & Sell”) and there are constant posts of people selling their plants at amazing prices or selling cuttings of different plants that you can take home and grow yourself. I will admit, there will be plants advertised for sale/trade that will be in dismal shape, but often it’s just a houseplant hobbyist trying to purge a few plants for great prices.
If you’re wanting to go for a thrifty route or you’re looking for a unique plant, this is a great option to explore. And another benefit about these groups is that they can often be helpful if you have a question or problem come up with your indoor plant or giving you feedback on where the best places to go to buy more indoor plants.
#2: Big-Box Stores
These include stores like hardware stores or Walmart. These stores usually have great competitive prices and you can score some good deals here. They’re often bringing in new stock so they’ll often have a clearance rack with damaged plants or plants that have been there too long that need to be sold. The health of these plants can be questionable. Most are housed indoors and aren’t getting the light they’re used to at the nursery so they are slowly deteriorating. Although, big-box stores with outdoor garden centers will generally have plants in better health since they have access to better lighting.
#3: Nurseries
Another option for buying plants is to look up your local nursery. Depending on where you live, these could be a little more out of the way than your big-box stores. The longer drive may pay off though because nurseries usually have the widest selection of plants, including houseplants. So if you’re looking for a very specific type of plant, the nursery is a good bet for finding it. You can even call ahead to ask if they currently have the plant you’re looking for in stock.
Another pro is that they have the facilities and staff to give these plants the best care possible so their indoor plants are usually healthy and strong. The plants housed in nurseries are usually very fairly priced, especially because these plants haven’t been shipped to a 3rd party seller where the price will be marked higher.
#4: Specialty Plant Shops
These shops are a great option for plant-shopping if you’re looking for some decor and accessories to go with your plant. They are known for being very stylized and on-trend with the products they carry. For example, if you want a nice pot to go with your new indoor plant or need a copper-colored watering can, then this could be a great place for you to explore. They may even carry items for your plants from local artisans giving it a boutique-like vibe.
#5: Grocery Stores
This is definitely a convenient option since you can grab your groceries after you’ve perused their selection of plants. Depending on the store, grocery stores usually have a smaller selection but will carry most popular plants. The plants here face the same problem as the plants in the big-box stores; they don’t receive the light they’re used to and are slowly dying. They are usually priced a bit higher than big-box stores and nurseries but you can still find some great plants here.