You’ve heard of plug plants, but you don’t really know what they are. You’re wondering what’s the difference between a mini plug and a garden ready plug? And also are they really worth it? This article explores the wonderful world of plug plants. Find out below what they are, find out when and how to use them and when not to bother.
So let’s start at the beginning:
What are plug plants?
Plug plants are young plants. They are a halfway house, not as small as a seed or a seedling and not as big as a mature established plant. They are usually grown in plug trays, these are trays of individual cells each filled with a plant. Typically plugs come in trays of 50 to 100 plants. They are often bedding plants that can be used to add colour and interest to gardens. They have been grown by professional growers ready to be planted out in your garden. Plug plants can be bought at your local garden centre, or can be ordered online and delivered by post. You can buy plugs of perennial plants and annual plants such as courgettes and broccoli.
What are plug plants good for?
Plug plants are great for the following reasons
1. You don’t want to faff around with sowing seeds and the caring and cultivation aspects of growing young seedlings.
2. You don’t have suitable indoor growing space to establish young plants early in the growing season.
3. You missed the start of the growing season and you are ready to plant in late spring or summer.
4. You want to fill a lot of space in your garden quickly and affordably with lots of the same type of garden plants, or you have a large garden.
Is it worth buying plug plants?
Yes if you want lots of small plants to fill a big space in your garden and if you have the space and time to nurture them ready to be planted into their final positions.
When not to bother with plug plants?
If you want a small number of different plants in your garden then a large tray of mini plugs would not be the right way to go. You might end up wasting them. It could work out cheaper to buy a couple of established plants instead. Although you would have to weigh up the options. Because although a lot of mini plugs may not work, you might be better off getting a couple of larger plugs, jumbo plugs, or garden ready plugs.
Another reason not to bother with plugs is if you want a large number of plants and you have the space and time to raise them yourself, then it would be cheaper to buy seeds than plugs. In this case you can grow your own plug plants!
What is the difference between plug plants and garden ready?
Garden ready plug plants are more established bigger plants that have been hardened off. They are tough and ready to go out and grow. Smaller plugs need a little more nurture by you before they are ready to go into the garden. They might need a couple of weeks in small pots to establish their roots and toughen up ready to go outside.
Guide to using plug plants
What to do with plug plants when they arrive?
The best way to establish healthy plants is to first let the plants acclimatise. If they have come from a local garden centre this may not take long (24 hours), if they have come in the post then perhaps leave them for 48 hours to acclimatise. During this time make sure that the plugs are watered so that the soil is moist.
Plug plants should then be potted into small pots, 9 cm pots work well. The idea here is for the plant to grow up and establish a strong root system. Once the roots are poking out of the bottom of the 9 cm pot you know that your plant is ready to plant out. It will need to be hardened off and then it can be planted out.
It’s a good idea to use a standard tray and fill the pots with good quality potting compost. The small plug plants will soon establish healthy root growth and be able to be moved to suitable places in the garden.
How long can plug plants survive in the post?
Small plugs can survive for a couple of days. As soon as they arrive you should give them access to light. Even if you can’t pot them up straight away make sure they have access to light, moisture and warmth. More than a couple of days in the dark will likely kill the plug plants. Don’t forget that plugs are little plants, they are still tender and young!
Can you put plug plants straight into hanging baskets?
It depends on where your hanging baskets are located and what type of plug you buy.
If the plug is garden ready and the hanging basket is in a sheltered location then direct planting straight away would be fine. For hanging baskets in an exposed location I would harden off small plugs first. If you have tiny plugs then I would give them the best start by first potting them up, keeping them protected in a sunny greenhouse or window sill, harden them off and let them establish strong roots. Once the individual plugs are established then plant them in the hanging baskets.
Always remember that plugs are young plants, they need to be given time and space to grow before exposing them to the harsh weather outside!
How often should I water plug plants?
Always keep the soil moist. Test with your finger before watering. Water daily if the conditions are very hot and the plants are very small. Reduce the watering frequency as the plants grow.
Can you put too many plants in a hanging basket?
Yes! Don’t forget that a small plug will grow into a bigger plant. Less is more is a great maxim. Too many plus will crowd each other out, robbing themselves of direct sunlight and nutrients. In the long run all plants will suffer and none will reach their full potential. It is better to plant fewer and wait for them to establish and grow. A crowded hanging basket will have leggy growth and smaller or no flowers.
Why are my plug plants dying?
Common reasons would be not enough light, insufficient water, planted out too soon before their root system were established, not hardened off so they are suffering from transfer shock.
Is it too late to plant plug plants?
Plug plants can be used throughout the year. If you have bought plugs later on in the summer season then do not expect the plugs to reach maturity. As the days cool, the plants will not grow so much. This doesn’t mean that it is too late, just that you should expect less!
So that concludes our exploration of plug plants. I hope that you are clear on when to use them and what to do with your plug plants. I would love to hear how you get on with working with plug plants in the comments below.