How to Care for Plug Plants
Plug plants are a brilliant and budget-friendly way to grow your indoor plant collection. These baby plants arrive ready to grow, offering you the chance to nurture them from the start and watch them thrive over time.
Plug plants are young starter plants grown in small cells. They’re rooted and healthy but need a little care to grow into mature, display-worthy houseplants.
They do however, need to be cared for slightly differently to regular houseplants, so read on for our full care guide.
Step 1: Unpack Gently
As soon as your plug plants arrive, unpack them carefully.
Be gentle and handle your plugs by the leaves, not the stems, to avoid any damage.
Step 2: Water Lightly
After a journey in a box, your plug plants might be a bit thirsty. If that is the case, give them a light drink but avoid soaking the base.
Place your plug plants in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. They’ve just been through the post, so give them around 7 days to acclimate before any major changes (like repotting).
Step 3: Remove Mesh Lining & Repot
Your plug plants arrive without a pot, so they’ll need one as soon as possible.
Check how rootbound the plug is: if lightly rooted, use a 6cm pot; if more established, go for a 9cm pot. Use a well-draining houseplant potting mix suited to the plant type. Don’t disturb the rootball by teasing at the roots, as they will still be fragile and juvenile. Instead, simply place the plug in the centre of the pot and fill in around it with soil. Water lightly and place somewhere warm and bright, out of direct sunlight.
Step 4: Care and Watch Them Grow
After repotting:
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Keep them in bright, indirect light
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Avoid overwatering as small plants have small roots!
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Start light feeding after 2–3 weeks if growth is active
Your new plug plants might be small now, but they’re full of potential. With a little love and patience, they’ll grow into mature houseplants in no time!
If you have any further questions, feel free to email us at hello@growtropicals.com