What to do when plug plants arrive

Plug plants are young plants with compact root systems. A calm first day and a correctly sized pot will help them settle after travelling.

Unpack promptly

Open the parcel as soon as practical and remove all packaging around the foliage.
Check every plant and photograph any serious transit damage before changing or discarding the packaging.
A little loosened compost, temporary drooping or a pale lower leaf can happen in transit. Judge the growing point and roots as well as the oldest leaves.

Check moisture before watering

Feel the compost rather than watering automatically. If it is dry, stand the plug briefly in shallow water and let it drain. If it is already moist, give it light and airflow instead. Do not leave a plug sitting in water.

Pot on without burying the crown

Choose a small pot with drainage holes, only modestly wider than the plug. Use fresh peat-free compost suited to the plant. Water the plug before removing it, support it from below, and keep the top of the root ball close to its original level. Firm gently and water in.

Give it a sheltered start

For the first few days, use bright but indirect light and protect the plant from hot sun, cold glass, radiators and strong draughts. Increase light gradually once growth looks steady.

Harden off outdoor plants

Plants raised under cover should not move straight into full outdoor sun and wind. Over roughly two weeks, start with a few hours in a sheltered, shaded place, then lengthen the time and exposure. Keep tender plants indoors when nights are too cold for that species.

Common warning signs

Crispy or bleached patches soon after moving: light or wind exposure increased too quickly.
Yellowing with persistently wet compost: drainage is poor or watering is too frequent.
Wilting with dry, light compost: water thoroughly and let the excess drain.
Collapsed or blackened growth after cold exposure: move the plant somewhere protected and remove dead tissue only when the damage is clear.

Shop the current plug plants or ask a plant-care question.