Fuchsia plug plants from T&M

Fuchsia postiplugs from T&M
Image: Fuchsia plug plants from T&M

Plug plants are an incredibly convenient way to fill your garden or veg patch. They’re quicker than sowing seeds, but cheaper than buying fully grown plants, and they offer a high success rate. Garden-ready plug plants can go straight outside as soon as the weather is warm enough, while smaller plugs may need potting on. Here are some quick tips on what to do when your plug plants are delivered.

Browse our full collection of plug plants for inspiration.

How to look after plug plants

Osteospermum plug plants from T&M
Plug plants have already started to establish strong root systems
Image: Osteospermum plug plants from T&M

Plug plants are available in various sizes, from mini ‘postiplugs’ that fit through a letterbox through to jumbo garden-ready plugs. Visit our plug plant sizes page for more information. Whichever option you choose, here’s how to look after your plug plants when they arrive:

  • Unpack your plants straight away, even if you don’t have time to plant them up immediately. They’ll need some air after being enclosed in their packaging.
  • Give them a drink! The plants may well be thirsty after their journey, so moisten the plugs of soil if they’re dry.
  • Don’t worry if the plants look a little sad on arrival; they should perk up once you give them a drink.
  • When you’re ready, gently tweak each plug plant out of its packaging and plant each one into a 7-9cm pot, filled with a good quality, multi-purpose compost. This is known as ‘potting on’.
  • Gently press the plug plant into the compost, adding more to top up the pot if necessary. Don’t fill the pot to the very top with the compost – you need to allow for watering.
  • Place your pots somewhere warm and bright – a windowsill, or a table near a window is fine if you don’t have a greenhouse or conservatory.
  • Keep the compost moist, but not waterlogged.

When to plant out your plug plants

Lobelia garden ready plug plant from T&M
Garden ready plugs are slightly larger and don’t need growing on
Image: Lobelia garden ready plug plant from T&M

Once your plugs have grown a bit, you can think about hardening them off ready to plant out. Depending on the weather in your area, you can start this process from late April to mid-May. Simply move your plants outside in the daytime and bring them back inside at night.

After your plants have been ‘hardened off’ for about two weeks, they can be moved out into their final positions in the garden. Plants destined for hanging baskets or containers (which can be easily moved indoors and out) can be planted into their containers a little earlier.

Plug plants are a quick and easy way to transform your outside space. Raised in optimum conditions by a team of experienced horticulturists, they have a high success rate. See our top ten flowering plug plants for a spectacular summer display, and browse our full range of bedding plants for even more inspiration.

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