When to Buy Houseplants

Last Updated Feb 10 2024

Outline

• Introduction to When to Buy Houseplants
• Houseplant Prices Varies by Season
• Chart of Monthly Median Houseplant Prices by Genus
• Chart of Monthly Average Houseplant Prices by Genus
• Houseplant Demand Also Varies by Season
• Seasonal Effects on Indoor Plant Health
• Houseplant Availability by Season
• Conclusion to Best Time to Buy Houseplants

Introduction to When to Buy Houseplants

In recent years, houseplants have become an integral part of interior decor. However, optimal houseplant purchases requires some strategic planning. Timing your purchase right can make a significant difference in the cost and health of your leafy companions.

In this guide, we'll delve into the best times of the year to buy houseplants based on data backed research from the last 12 months of houseplant prices, availability trends and plant health considerations.

The verdict? Late autumn can offer discounts from large retailers, while winter and early spring usually have the best prices for rarer houseplants in US marketplaces. Read on below for the full analysis.

Houseplant Prices Varies by Season

Houseplants, along with outdoor plants, vary significantly in price season by seaon.

In general, you're likely to find the widest selection of houseplants during the spring and summer months.

This is typically when nurseries and garden centers experience peak demand as people spruce up their indoor and outdoor spaces with new foliage.

However, summer, particularly early summer, is also when plants tend to be the most expensive and big box stores offer the least discounts.

We've analyzed several types of houseplants: monsteras, philodendrons, alocasia, hoyas, alocasias and anthuriums, and found all the average and median prices for these plants peak during summer months ^{[1, 2]}.

Chart of Monthly Median Houseplant Prices by Genus

The best months to buy houseplants, particularly more rare houseplants, are October through May, when median prices tend to drop below their summer-highs.

However, targeting a specific plant should also take into account the houseplant's historical pricing, as 95% of houseplants that costs above $200 at one point will decrease as time passes.

Interestingly, the average price trends are a bit different compared to the median prices for different genuses. Specficially, monstera and philodendron average prices tend to be higher than median prices during summer months.

On the other hand, alocasias have more stable median prices throughout the year.

This can mean that more expensive specimens, such as mature variegated monsteras tend to also be more available during summer months as sellers try to capitalize on increased demand. ^[3]

Chart of Monthly Average Houseplant Prices by Genus

Houseplant Demand Also Varies by Season

October through April is also when demand is lower for houseplants compared to summer.

In the chart below from Google Trends, we can see that for popular houseplant genuses, there is a clear seasonal trend year to year with summer being the peak demand.

This demand trend is unlikely to be a coincidence with houseplant price trends above. As less people are interested in seeking out a new houseplant, suppliers are more likely to lower their prices to move the inventory they have on hand.

Seasonal Effects on Indoor Plant Health

Spring and summer brings optimal conditions for transplanting and acclimating houseplants to new environments.

With temperatures rising and outdoor conditions stabilizing, plants experience minimal shock during the transition, ensuring a smoother adjustment period in their new indoor homes. Longer daylight hours also benefit houseplants by providing more energy for them to grow.

Depending on where you are, spring showers can also increase ambient humidity, which many tropical houseplants love.

Regardless, indoor plants are sheltered companions, so it's absolutely possible to provide a healthy indoor environment for a new houseplant in any season. The difference is that you may have to supplement lighting, increase ambient humidity for finicky tropicals, and be more on top of problems as they come up in cooler weather.

Houseplant Availability by Season

Some houseplants are more available during special times of the year. For example, Poinsettias, and Christmas Cacti can be found in big box stores around the winter holidays, but is usually not available year round.

In general, the best selection of houseplants at big box stores is late spring to summer. Suppliers will stock the year's new arrivals around this time. Expect multiple shipments of succulents and cacti, known for their resilience to heat and drought.

Meanwhile, common plants, such as pothos, spider plants, and jade plants are typically stocked by nurseries regardless of the season.

Furthermore, online retailers offer a vast selection of houseplants, ensuring year-round availability for enthusiasts seeking specific species or rare cultivars.

Conclusion to Best Time to Buy Houseplants

We've analyzed several different factors for when to purchase a houseplant, from seasonal pricing, availability and health. Overall, late autumn can offer discounts from large retailers, and winter and early spring usually have the best prices for rarer houseplants online.

If you are looking for a specific houseplant, we would recommend researching historical pricing, especially if the current cost is high, to see if the trend is steady or decreasing.