Things you should never do in a factory, from owners and employees

Here’s what they said.

Try not to buy a plant just for its looks

“Honestly, the worst thing you can do in a plant shop is buy a plant because you like the look of it,” said Calista Budrow, owner of Green Spell Plant Shop.

If you’re drawn to the look or aesthetic of a particular plant, do some research on what kind of light, care and environment it needs before rushing to the registry.

Don’t touch any of the store’s motley plants

Constellation monstera Thai and other variegated plants – different colors on the leaves – can be fragile. Willa Claire, store manager at rOOTS KC, told BI that touching these specialty deals is a no-go.

“Oils from our fingers can cause variegated plants to brown,” she said.

You are not there to give advice to fellow customers

Claire discouraged people from trying to talk other customers out of buying certain plants just because they’ve had problems with them in the past.

“Not every plant is for every person,” she told BI. “There are lots of varieties and levels to plant parenthood, and we’re here to help the customer find what’s right for them.”

Stealing cuttings for propagation is a big false step

Under no circumstances should you cut nodes or find other ways to sneakily propagate plants in a nursery. You can often successfully grow whole new plants from small cuttings so you can really impact a shop’s business.

“Don’t pull a leaf, a piece of a cactus or a vine off a plant,” said Reba Hamilton, owner of Virgil’s Plant Shop. “If you see a piece lying on the floor, that’s a great opportunity to bring it to the dealer and tell them how you found it.”

Do not administer “care” to plants

Caring for plants in a retail store, especially a specialty store, is prohibited.

“Don’t water a plant you think needs watering or pull a leaf you think is ‘dead’ because it’s yellowing,” said Andie Schultz, inventory manager at rOOTS KC.

Employees are trained to know the needs of different plants and most likely have a watering and pruning schedule based on delivery date and moisture needs.

Do not shake the plants

Shaking plants to make them stronger and more consistent has become a bit of an online trend. But Cate Ferguson, plant care consultant at rOOTS KC, said the practice can actually harm some species.

Whether or not you’re an expert in this sort of thing, as a customer, it’s not your job to shake the plants and cause potential harm.

Infesting a shop with pests is a bad look

If you have plant problems involving insects, don’t show up at your local nursery with plant in hand.

“Never bring your plants in from home without carefully checking for pests,” Budrow said. “Plant pests spread quickly and you could cause major damage to store inventory.”

Instead, call the store – or another trusted person at the factory – for troubleshooting and advice.