Determining Plant Health

There are a few ways to make sure a plant is healthy before taking it home from the store.

Choose plants with healthy foliage and no sign of disease or insects.
If possible, examine the roots of a containerized plant before you buy. Healthy roots will generally be white or light-colored on most plants.
Shrubs and trees that have spent a long time in transit or on display may have gone through extended periods of heat and drought. Reject any plant with dark, discolored roots or a shrunken root mass.
The root ball of a balled-and-burlapped plant should be round and firm — not loose — and there shouldn't be roots growing through the burlap.
Look for plants that are bushy and compact, with new leaves appearing close together on the stems (not leggy).
Take an even closer look at plants on sale — they may be past their prime.
Avoid plants with flowers that have opened, and opt for those still in bud.
An annual or perennial with leaf scars indicates that the plant has previously lost leaves.
Look for even and attractive branching from all angles.