Online sites and local groups are goldmines for discounted plants.
The Spruce / Ran Zheng
Not everyone has the budget to buy new plants for each season or occasion.
The sign of a well-designed garden is not how much money is invested.
The Spruce / Ran Zheng
It’s all about theselection of plantsand how well they’re cared for.
There is a variety of ways to fill your life with plants that are little to no cost.
Here are 12 options for where to get cheap plants.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
you could propagate existing plants by trimming off a healthy portion of stem and rooting it.
There are many plant groups on social media with people willing to share cuttings.
(Always ask the owner first before taking a cutting.)
Hunstock/Getty Images
Locate Rescue Plants
Just as animals have dedicated rescue groups, so do plants.
This will give you an opportunity to learn about the plants that grow well in your region.
Plus, many garden tours offer cuttings of plants for sale or even for free.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
If they don’t explicitly offer, it can’t hurt to ask.
An ideal time to go for cuttings is in the spring as the growing season is picking up.
That way, your cutting will have time to form a root system well before chilly winter weather.
The Spruce / Lisa Hallett Taylor
One of the perks of joining: You’ll receive 10free treesthat are chosen specifically for your zip code.
You’ll also receive discounts on trees and shrubs through the foundation’s online nursery.
Visit Yard and Estate Sales
Plants are often overlooked at an estate or garage sale.
Paul Thompson/Getty Imagaes
Everyone has an eye on a valuable piece of jewelry or a cool furniture piece.
But you often can find beautiful mature houseplants at these sales that would be quite expensive at retailers.
Check Out Garden Clubs
Local garden and horticulture clubs often hold seasonal plant sales.
Jill Ferry Photography/Getty Images
An added bonus: Club members typically can offer information on how to grow the plant.
And you might even find out that the club regularly engages infree plant swapsif you become a member.
The gift-giver can have fun picking out a good-looking specimen and a cool pot.
The Spruce / Lisa Hallett Taylor
You also can request seeds for a gift option that’s easier on the budget.
Or simply ask for a garden center gift card if you prefer to pick out your own plants.
Some places to look include:
Check online groups regularly, as the offerings constantly change.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Many seed packets only cost a few dollars.
There’s often nothing wrong with these plants.
They’re just seasonal inventory that the store wants to move.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Moreover, don’t hesitate to look at the garden center’s plant sale or clearance section year-round.
Sometimes returned plants or ones that are damaged end up in this section at a discounted rate.
And after the event, they might just throw away these plants.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Speak up and ask whether you’ve got the option to take some home.
You could even volunteer to distribute any unwanted plants to community members, reserving some for yourself.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
Tobias Titz / Getty Images
