End of Season Plant Bargains

Frugal Plant Shopping

It is hard to be frugal if you love plants and don’t have friends to exchange plants with or don’t have a plant swap network.  If you ever thought about getting some new indoor plants, but thought the prices were a bit high for something that could just die in a few weeks or months, and was not worth the risk, especially if you are new to plant love, then now is the time.

Summer is over, and all those leftover plants are looking for homes.  This is especially true for stores which usually did not sell plants but wanted to catch the wave of this popular trend.  Those stores are not equipped to maintain the unsold plants, and the staff do not want to be the watering person, so plants go on the bargain rack.  That’s where we come in.

Set the Frugal Radar

I was shopping the other day at a popular Canadian chain store and noticed that they had put a couple of racks out, in the bright sun, of 4″ pots of some of the most popular indoor plants. Never mind most of these plants could not tolerate full sun, and seemed a little dry.  And the best part was they were selling them for under $3.00.  Yes, the frugal radar was on.

I did happen to have some coveted spots available in my plant pad due to the demise of a Croton Luna, and a Polka Dot plant.  It wasn’t my fault, really!  They are very finicky plants, especially the Croton Luna which was throwing down a leaf each day like it was doing a striptease.  So to comfort myself I bought 4 amigos,  a Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia),  Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans), Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum “Vittalum”), and a Lemon Lime Dracaena “Warneckii”. These 4″ pots were a bargain. If I had bought a 6″ Monstera I would be out $36.00.  One plant, one chance to get it right. Instead I had a variety of four young plants and only spent $12 +tax.

Advantages of Getting 4″ Pot Plants

Here are some of the advantages of getting 4″plant pots:

• • You can watch the plant develop.

• • If the plant succumbs to some disease, or that which should not be spoken – neglect- the financial loss will not be great.

• • Your knowledge of the individual plants grows as it develops.

• • There is a decorative advantage to purchasing a variety of smaller plants.

• • Improve your air quality as each plant has its own way of keeping the environment clean.

• • You can propagate new plants from these starters for yourself, or to give to friends.

Check Before You Buy

Now if you think it’s time to add to your indoor plant menagerie, now is the time as the winter creeps upon us.  The big box stores want them gone.  Here is what to look for:

Check the bottom of the pot.  Usually if the plant has been sitting in the store a long time its roots are pot bound. This will explain some of the things you see in the leaves and stature of the plant.

Look for new growth, this is a good sign as it means the plant strong is trying to survive despite its less than ideal conditions.

Stay away from anything with signs of fungus or pests on the plant or in the soil.

Depending on the plant, spots or wilting could be due to lack of light, humidity or some other thing which once provided will make the plant happy and healthy.

Now you know what to look for have fun adding to your indoor plant collection in a frugal and sustainable way. Share you finds in the comments below.