Plug plant sizes
When you buy flowers from a garden centre or online retailer they are usually supplied as plug plants of varying sizes. The vast majority of plugs will be annual plants to create seasonal displays in flower beds, borders, hanging baskets and pots.
These can loosely be split into “summer” or “winter” categories, but in truth, many may flower for six months or longer. To help you understand the different types of plug plants here are the most common descriptions below:
Smaller Plugs
Ideal for getting ahead of the game, many sellers provide trays of small plants that can be planted into pots straight away, but will need growing on for 4-5 weeks before planting out. They usually arrive in nursery fresh condition inside a sturdy blister pack. Plug plants offer great value for money, usually coming in larger pack sizes and often in mixes and collections.
Height – 4 – 6 cm
Diameter – 1.5 – 2 cm
Time you need to grow before potting on – 4 – 5 weeks
Jumbo Plugs
These are larger sized plug plants that are slightly more established and can also be planted into pots straight away, but we would still advise growing on for 3-4 weeks before planting out. Jumbo plugs are more robust and offer great value as they are often offered in larger pack sizes for value and efficiency.
Height – 6 – 8 cm
Diameter – 2.5 – 3.5 cm
Time you need to grow before potting on – 3 – 4 weeks
Garden Ready Plugs
For a more ‘of the moment’ choice or simply for convenience, Garden Ready Plugs need no growing on whatsoever. They are very large plugs or ‘trayplants’ that are more established and robust than smaller plugs. They can be planted direct into baskets, containers, beds and borders and will not take as a long to flower or fruit. Often offered in larger pack sizes than potted plants, they offer great value for money.
Height – 8 – 12 cm
Diameter – 6 cm
Time you need to grow before potting on – None, they are ready to plant out.
On Receipt
For most Jumbo/Garden Ready collections, the “mini greenhouse” they are packed in will have a label on the outside, listing the individual varieties inside. We recommend writing your own labels out on receipt!
Unpack plugs immediately and carefully and stand them in water for an hour prior to planting. They may be slightly dry or yellow after being in a dark box in the post but they’ll completely recover within a few days.
If you can’t plant straight away, plug plants can sit for up to a week if kept upright and moist (not too wet) in a light, airy spot – a windowsill or in a greenhouse is best.
Planting your plugs
For most Jumbo/Garden Ready collections, the “mini Greenhouse” they are packed in will have a label on the outside, listing the individual varieties inside. We recommend writing your own labels out on receipt! Unpack plugs immediately, and stand them in water for an hour. If you can’t do this, they can sit in Mini Greenhouses for a week if upright and not too wet. They may be slightly dry or yellow after being in a dark box in the post but they’ll quickly recover. Put them somewhere warm, light and airy such as a windowsill or greenhouse. When potting on (“pricking out”), handle plugs carefully.
For plug plants in trays, push them out using a suitable small instrument through the hole in the bottom of each cell – e.g. a “dibber” or a pencil. Pot on using our Windowsill planters or 9cm pots in Shuttle Trays, using good multi-purpose compost. Give your plants a good water initially, then only when the top compost starts to dry. They don’t like to be left in standing water. If planting directly in to flower beds, prepare the ground well, removing weeds and digging in some compost or well-rotted manure if your soil is not already rich.
Plant approx. 20cm (8”) apart to allow them room to grow. Feed using a high-potash feed such as Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser for Flowers & Fruits, to encourage flowering. Dead-head when flowers fade to encourage more flowers. We recommend Easy Fill baskets for the very best hanging basket displays.