Buying plants

What to look out for
Flowers: if the plant is in flower, check it matches the picture on the label. If it doesn't and you'd like to buy it, ask the staff to identify it for you.
Leaves: unless they're supposed to be coloured or variegated, leaves should be a healthy shade of green. Look out for any signs of pests and diseases.
Stems and branches: look for a plant that has an attractive shape. Avoid ones with broken stems or branches.
Compost: moss, liverwort or weeds in the pot are not freebies that you want. Also watch out for compost that is bone dry.
Roots: knock the plant gently and take a look at the roots. A good plant will fill its pot with roots. Avoid any where the roots are jammed in and curling around as these have been in their pot too long and are pot-bound. Also avoid any that have only recently been repotted and are more compost than roots.