Vee H.
I am trying to get better at checking plants before I buy them. I used to just choose the prettiest leaves, then I brought home gnats twice and one plant with suspicious sticky spots.
What is your quick nursery inspection routine? I do not want to be the person taking a plant apart in the aisle, but I also do not want surprise roommates.
Nina V.
Look under leaves, along stems, and in new growth. Pests hide in the cozy spots. I also check the surface of the soil for gnats or larvae movement.
Marcus Reed
Lift the nursery pot if you can. If it is heavy and smells sour, I pass. If roots are exploding out the bottom, I decide whether I am ready to repot soon.
Theo M.
Sticky residue is a warning. It can be nectar on some plants, but it can also mean scale or other pests. I would rather leave it than diagnose it at home.
Priya N.
Check the neighboring plants too. A perfect-looking plant sitting in the middle of a pest party is still risky.
Miguel A.
Look for soil pulled away from the pot edges, hydrophobic peat, or standing water in cache pots. Those are not always dealbreakers, but they tell you what care the plant has had.
Dee Walker
Buy the healthiest common plant, not the biggest sad one, unless you want a project. There is no prize for bringing home trouble.
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