Why You Should Check Root Cover When Buying Plants

Looking to expand your houseplant collection? There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing plants, whether from the grocery store shelf or your local nursery.

Your plant may be in a plastic pot, either exposed or inside a pot. If you just drop your plant directly into a ceramic pot without first checking the plastic nursery pot, you may miss out on an important element to your plant’s health: its roots.

Learn why you should always check the roots of a houseplant before buying it—it will save you trouble later.

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Why You Should Check Tree Roots Before Buying a Tree

Many nurseries, garden shops, and even grocery stores will grow or source plants using root netting or landscape fabric inside their pots. You will likely encounter a variety of root ties, from plastic cages to wire mesh.

These cages surround the inside of your plant pot. They surround the soil and roots, keeping them securely inside the plastic container.

Nurseries often use this fabric to protect plants from weeds, protect roots when moving, and make it easier to repot plants as they grow.

But these types of root inhibitors can be significantly detrimental to plant growth. Not only can they hinder root growth, but they can also increase the risk of root rot or mold growing inside the plant’s soil.

How to tell if your tree has a root net

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your plant has a root net. You can try using your fingers to feel around the inside edges of a plastic plant pot.

Some garden stores will use mesh, dark landscaping fabric that can be difficult to see, or—worst of all for your plant—plastic. You may also find part of your plant in a plastic root cage, which you can remove.

• Remove the plant from the plastic pot.
• Move the plant outdoors to reduce clutter (or if you keep it indoors, move it to a trash can, bag, or surface you don’t mind spilling soil on).
• With the fabric holding the soil and roots firmly inside the pot, you can easily remove the plant from the plastic pot. You can try turning it sideways and gently sliding or squeezing the plant out.
• If you plan to repot the entire plant, you can also cut the plastic pot to remove the plant inside.
• Once you have removed the plant from its pot, simply remove the protective covering from around the roots.

Pay attention to other root covers too.

Also, look for biodegradable mulch when purchasing from a nursery. While this may sound like a good idea, biodegradable mulch does not break down quickly enough to save your plants.

You may find them partially decomposed when you remove the plant from the pot, so you need to check the soil carefully to make sure all the debris is removed.

Don’t make the mistake of using this type of mulch on your plants as it can still cause the same problems as other root protection materials.