Start at the growing tips
Turn the pot so you can see the whole plant, with permission if the display is fragile. Inspect young growth, leaf undersides and the junctions where leaves meet stems. The University of Minnesota recommends looking for insects, eggs, webbing and discolored foliage. This is an observation task, not a reason to assume every mark signals a pest. A broken leaf from handling and a cluster of moving insects deserve different questions.
Read the pot as well
Look along the rim, beneath the container and around any decorative sleeve. Ask the seller for the botanical name and the medium the plant is growing in. If an attractive specimen has an unexplained problem, take a photograph and postpone the purchase while you investigate. You do not need to solve an unfamiliar infestation in the shop. Compare two candidates by condition and suitability, rather than choosing only by size or price.
Plan its arrival before paying
Choose an observation space at home away from the existing collection. Keep the receipt, plant label and any care information together. The nursery visit should end with a plant you can identify and accommodate, not a bundle of conflicting product promises. Write down one question you still need answered. If the only available spot is unsuitable or the problem remains uncertain, leaving with that answer can be more useful than leaving with another pot. Take time to check a second candidate rather than feeling committed to the first attractive specimen you picked up.
University of Minnesota Extension: managing insects on indoor plants ↗
This article combines general educational guidance with original planning exercises. It does not claim first-hand field testing or an endorsement from the linked organization. Sources checked October 2026.
