Here ’s how to choose the right size of plant life for your garden and your budget .
exposure : Ian Adams
As you range the flora selections at yourlocal garden centre or nursery , you ’ll likely find some small plants ( often sold in six - multitude containers ) and tumid plants in 1 - gallon - sizing ( or larger ) container . Which is better ? The answer depends a lot on what you ’re institute and when you ’re planting it . Here are the pro and cons of various sizing of plants to consider so you could make the better buy .
Credit:Photo: Ian Adams
Benefits of Small Plants
mostly , smaller plants will cost less , so if your budget Is special , buy smaller plants — especially for yearly plants — can be a smart mode to go . “ yearly flowers , herb , and vegetables produce very promptly , so buying smaller plant is more economical , ” says Leslie Hunter , Horticulture Manager at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden .
When shopping forcontainer gardens , small plants can often be a skilful option as well , because they incline to acclimate more speedily to new condition compared to large , more conventional plant .
“ Because their roots are still develop , smaller plants tend to adapt more easy to new territory and confined space , ” says Sandra Mao , author ofVibrant Harvest(December 2025 ) . “ This mean they can quick prove a good for you root word organization that fits well within the grass . ”
Credit:Blaine Moats
lowly plants incline to experienceless transplant shockthan orotund flora when replanted into the garden as well , adds Mao . They ’re also easier to wield , carry , and plant on your own , especially if you have any mobility issues .
When to Buy Large Plants
Perennials can take longer than annuals to shew themselves in your garden , so Hunter suggests you may want to grease one’s palms alarger recurrent plantto give it a forefront scratch . likewise , if you ’re purchasingwoody shrubs or trees , buy a larger plant can help you enjoy their full shock in your landscape painting sooner .
If you need container with inst impact for an forthcoming event , you ’ll likely desire to choose a larger plant , Mao says . Larger plants can also more quicklyprovide privacyif you are planting them to shield out a neighbor ’s yard or unappealing scene .
Also consider when you ’re planting because that can help you decide the safe plant life size for your motivation . “ One of the most uncouth reasons to choose larger works is if you ’re planting lately in the time of year , ” Mao say . “ If you ’re behind schedule and still require to enjoy flowers and vegetable before the weather change , larger flora can help you catch up . ”
Consider Plant Types and Growth Rates
When deciding whether to buy a small or large plant , also consider each type of plant ’s growth rate . Simply put , some works grow quicker than others so you may want to bribe a larger plant if it ’s a slow cultivator and you ’re in a haste .
Herbs
When buy slower - maturate perennialherb plant , such as rosemary , thyme , and bay laurel , Mao recommends buying these as large plants so you ’ll be able to harvest sooner . With faster - growing one-year herb like basil and dill weed , you could opt to start with smaller plants or even seeds and still get a harvest relatively speedily .
Shrubs
Some shrubs are peculiarly good to grease one’s palms in enceinte sizes because they will develop more slowly . “ Hydrangeas and boxwood often take several age to fill out if begin from humble plants , ” Mao say . Installing larger plants will make a bigger impact in your garden sooner .
Climbing Plants
Mao recommends opting for larger sizes when purchase mounting plant . “ For climb plant life and vines like jasmine , clematis , or passionflower vine , start with a larger works facilitate them establish faster and begin climbing sooner , ” Mao aver . “ This is particularly helpful when you ’re trying to cover a trellis , fence , or wall . ”
Trees
While trees are generally sold in big container than most perennials and annuals , you could get off with grease one’s palms smaller , less expensivetrees if they are fast - growers . You ’ll still relish their focal - breaker point position in the garden relatively shortly . “ Certain tree spring up quickly , like arborvitae or maples , so buying a 5 to 10 - Imperial gallon plant life as opposed to a more expensiveball and gunny treemay be a better choice , ” Hunter says .
Vegetables
Though most vegetable plants originate rapidly from seed or modest transplantation , if you ’re getting your vegetable garden started after than you had hoped , large plant can be a unspoilt choice . This is peculiarly true forwarm - time of year varietiesthat require a longer grow period , such as tomato plant , peppers , and brinjal , Mao says . You ’ll have a well change of enjoy a harvest before temperatures plunge too low .
Blaine moat
Inspect Your Plants
No matter what size of plant you ’re buying , be sure to check them over carefully before purchase them . “ It ’s always unspoilt to inspect not only the wellness of the green side , but also the root , ” Hunter say .
That ’s because plants can become root - obligate if they are kept in their container too long , which can affect their wellness even after you replant them into your garden bottom or container . This is especially likely for smaller plants , which are usually betray in very small container . If you see roots circling at the bottom of the tidy sum or stick out the muddle at the bottom , mildly relax the root before planting . If industrial plant are extremely root - bound . It may be better to opt for a larger works in a bounteous can .
