I'm building my collection as we speak and I have already started cuttings and things and jars just to see if I can do it number one because I'm at the beginning of my journey but once they start I want to gift them to people. The people in the plant community have been so generous with their time with their answers to questions and even with their plants and I am going to do the same thing I'm going to get better and better at it and I'm going to give back just like it was given to me So thank you❤
I purchased some plants at a market from a vendor and struck up a conversation. I ended up telling him how heartbroken I was that my Tradescantia had died recently due to some unfortunate circumstances. He immediately reached into his bag and pulled out a TON of Tradescantia cuttings and just handed them to me, gleefully. I have grown them into full, healthy plants. Plant people are usually pretty generous.
Here’s one to add to your list: restaurants! Specifically, I love growing new basil plants from the stems when I get pho from Vietnamese restaurants. They usually give an array of items to add to the soup on a side plate and I’ve had many a basil plant started this way.
As a vendor who’s company contracts with home depot, please, PLEASE take the fallen leaves if you want them!! Otherwise they just get stepped on or rot or eaten by the birds. Just don’t pull leaves off the plants. We also tend to just throw away an unacceptable amount of product that usually just needs a repot or some water, so if you see a vendor, ask! We’re happy to give out any product that was destined for the trash. The worst we could say is no!
Yes! Thank you, so happy to hear from a vendor. I've talked to so many Home Depot vendors that say the same thing. We all love plants. A little friendliness and conversation always makes a difference.💚
Thank you so much for this advice. I used to work at homedepot and that helped me get free plants that were destined to get thrown out. I’ve seen the “plant cemetary” behind the HD and it’s so sad to see the plants just sit there to die. Thank you for letting us folks save these poor plants. Or even cuttings that would get thrown out.
I live up north where a lot of plants don’t make it thru the winter unless you bring them into your house. My friends laughed at me when I tell them I go to the cemetery in the fall and get free plants people throw away when they clean up the graves. I never take anything off a grave but do look thru the garbage cans that are set out.I have gotten hardy mums, germanium’s, vinca , spikes, dusty miller ,and some bulbs after Easter.I keep them in my basement and around late April or May I cut them back (germanium) and repot them and bring them upstairs in sunny windows.I have a gorgeous pink germanium that I have had for 6 yrs now. In the fall I just bring it back in.
My son found a lavender plant that was going to be thrown out at Home Depot. I remembered your video and we asked the cashier if we could pay for it, we ended up getting that plant and another sunflower plant for free. My son was so happy that he was able to save two plants. Thank you!!
When I was 8 years old I discovered cactus and succulents. And when you’re a kid, you don’t really have money to buy anything, so I went around and knocked on all the neighbors doors that had plants that I liked and asked if I could take cuttings. After a while I had a huge collection. And in later years I would dumpster dive at the local nursery every day after closing and would get a whole truck full of plants and pots that they discarded. In fact I had so many of these plants, I gave two truck loads to the local garden club for their plant sales.
This resonates with me! I can't help but kind of chuckle knowing I'm not alone lol. I have always grown cacti/succulents since I was young. On my first trip to Florida I was probably around 15...I did the same thing and went around to my Aunt's neighbors and I got home with a huge bag of all kinds of goodies including some cool aloes. 🌵
Somewhere out there is an older gardener that can't get out as much and would love to trade some baby plants for like 5 minutes of weeding. I was helping the neighbor, and there were like 20 Japanese maple seedlings she let me scoop up. I kept 10 alive over the winter, and they just took off. Not to mention all the overgrown plants she needs divided... Lariope and lillies galore! Also, this weird curly tree has a branch touching the ground that is rooted, so I might get that too and start my own :)
Great video ☺️ I get free plants from Lowes and home Depot all the time. Also when the trucks unload new plants, the truckers will let you have everything left on the floor of the truck. I'm gonna make a video soon also of all my free plants. Thanks for sharing and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗
I respect what you are saying here and have a story to relate on what not to do. My parents owned a home in a high price neighborhood along a winding street. The opposite side of the street is an untended river bank. Over the years, my parents landscaped the section of bank across from their home. It became a popular rest stop for joggers, children, fishermen, and assorted passers by. One rainy day, two well-dressed ladies parked an expensive car, took a shovel out of the trunk and dug up all the full grown hosta. A neighbor noticed their umbrellas and enquired. They said they were collecting the plants for an impoverished friend. The gall. On a side note, my father was of German heritage and adopting the care of untended land is a very German thing to do. It is just for the pleasure of creating beauty where there was none. It upset him terribly to see his work undone. The day we buried him, I stood outside the cemetery chapel waiting for the crew to prepare his casket for the grave. I stood among all the funeral flower arrangements that would be placed upon the grave, the wreaths, bouquets, etc. A couple came strolling along among the gravestones. And right in front of me, they helped themselves to his roses. I was already hurting too much and could not speak a word at that unspeakable deed.
Im so sorry you went through that! 😢 thats so inhumane! Dont get me wrong i get wanting to scoop a plant that is gonna die but at least have the decency to wait until the ground-keep cleans them up… you and your dad deserved better ❤
I was at lowes admiring new racks not unloaded yet “I want them all!” Lowes employee responded “ a lot of them will be in the dumpster in a few weeks” if you are willing to dumpster dive.
Our Lowe’s does not allow retrieving from dumpsters. They also toss racks of potted succulents. Ditto hanging plants. Pots and all. I asked to buy the potted plants to recycle the dirt, pot, and maybe plants. Firm NO. To the landfill they go😢
Thats plain greed if i cant sell it no one can have it. i have encountered quite a few like that i dont patroize stores like that and pulled a lucrative contract from home depot because of it. And they told me they dont need my business. They keep their dumpsters inside their yard so no one can get anything i guess a billion dollar corporation can never have enough money.@@tinahelton3062
Thats what i do if i can get to them i get more from walgreens or cvs than the big box stores.the more money they make the less willing they are to give.
My neighbor and I are exchanging. Sometimes i leave plants for her, and sometimes she had left me on the porch! It is the best feeling!! Like having gift just for me!!
I have a friend that works in the floral department at a grocery store. She has saved me plants that are about to go into the compost . I call it my compost collection! I’ve brought so many plants back to thriving . She loves seeing my photos
My husband is a landscaper so i lucked out. Sometimes people move and want their young trees or shrubs removed, and guess who takes them? My husband, and brings them home to me :)
Taking clippings from neighbors yards is how many gardens have become great places, of course you should always share 😊 When I walk my dog, I see my plants all over my neighbors yards!!
the last one so true, i used to work at a seasonal garden center that used venders and frankly it was heat braking exprience. we threw away so many plants every day, to make room for truck loads of new plants. it sickens me that we throw away all those plants instead of giving them to shelters or free to food shelf or anything like that, we had no training and one time a coworker of mine over watered the tomatoes and i had to throw away 5000 moldy tomatoe plants and it wasnt even a problem cuz the truck comes in the morning that was the motto...o well truck comming in the morning... we tossed more plants then we sold and its sickening. please resuce plants from garden centers its a disgusting practice
What i like to do is to make notices, for example at local stores or websites for trading and then trade your cuttings, offshoots, seeds etc. with the ones from people in your neighborhood
I’ve also rescued plants from neighbors that are moving and left them out on trash day. Also they can’t be bothered taking the plant to their new home. As a plant lover I’ve seen plants at stores that are pitiful looking and asked for a discount. I got a 5’ Dracena at IKEA…it was the last one…and the top 12 inches was at a 90degree angle. I got it for $3.00👍👍👍. I still have it. Yes it straightened itself.
One of my favorite parts of hiking is taking some small, harmless cuttings of cool and interesting plants while I'm on the trail. Great way to get some small cuttings to start cloning!
Thank you for these videos! I started proplifting because of your videos! I used to take every loos leaf I found, but now I’m getting more selective. I don’t take leaves from plants that I already have plenty of. Only plants that are unique and I don’t already have. I always ask. I carry a ziplock baggie in my purse for them. And, I always ask permission. I also buy plants from them. Usually my local Home Depot. I’m hoping that in Spring, they will introduce new varieties. Then I can start again. Happy New Year!
Yes! I've had to start being selective too... running out of room! I'm actually planning on helping organize a plant swap so that I can give away a lot of my duplicates.
I've got another way at the stores- seeds! At the end of the season, many flower heads turn into seeds (marigolds, petunias etc) once the flower fades. I have collected so many old dead flower heads and this year I had amazing germination with the petunia seeds!
I've known several people who were moving or even college students leaving college who treated their plants like pets but couldn't take the plant with them but wanted their plants to go to a "good home" and gave great plants away. I have also been in Home Depot and noticed many succulents that suffered root rot. (I have bought several plants from there.) I asked the woman who tended the plants if they shouldn't be in the "sale" section or if I could get them at a discount. She said sure 50 cents. I said I would take several (4 or 5). She said 50 cents for all of them. We went to the counter and they didn't know how to ring them up so they gave them to me with a $0.00 rec't. Unfortunately, I ended up trying to propagate so many that many did not survive and I felt sorry I got so many...
My friend started doing a plant swap. Bring a potted plant to share from your flower garden or house . We numbered everyone and allowed them to take their turn to pick a plant. We then shared a lunch. It was always a hit. ❤
@@xXIronPeachesXx We also did a Harvest Exchange in the fall. Things that were grown in the garden, canned for our families, baked, or just a homemade craft if you weren’t into gardening. Our Homeschool Group was very active and supportive in those days. ♥️ always a lot of fun for Mom and children!!
OMG. I watched this video a few days ago, just on a curious whim. A little later my husband needed to go to HD. I wanted to get a pothos to put in my aquarium (another video I had watched), so off we went! While I was browsing around I saw a nice looking ~3-5 gal plastic pot with an insert which was upturned in a trash bin! I pulled it out and put it on the bottom of the cart and went on shopping. I also found about 5 broken pieces of plants (3 succulents, 2 unidentified). We bought some annuals for the pot which now looks nice on our porch. The guy didn't even bat an eye when I asked about the pot, the plant pieces are now in water to start roots, all free, and it was all due to your clever video!! I had to come back and say thanks!
That's so great to hear! My experience at Home Depot is always similar, if you're there buying stuff already they're usually happy to have you clean up the broken stuff. So glad you had a good experience and got some free plants!
You're such a pleasure to listen to. These free plant ideas are great, and obviously done responsibly. Thank you for all of your insightful and educational videos. Every time I move, I say goodbye to all my outside babies and trees, because they feel like a part of me. And if I can't take all of my potted plants with me, I make sure they go to good homes.
It's always hard to move and say goodbye to plants you've taken care of - making sure they go to good homes feels really important. I had to do the same when I moved from abroad - another reason not to spend too much money on plants!
I collect seeds where I walk, it is the best way to get plants! When I see volunteers in my yard I love it.... I agree with my own collection I spread the love throughout my yard and my home 😊
Local plant swap! Make friends with your neighbors. Other gardeners LOVE giving garden tours and sharing plants! My best plants are gotten this way. The plants you admire in your neighbor’s garden is already thriving in your same climate.
My mom saw a piece of Wandering Jew plant in the trash bin at Meijer. She asked an associate if she could have it and they obliged. The plant is gorgeous. Also, I've asked ppl at Home Depot and Lowes if i could have the plants that were 99% dead. My flower beds are full of those dying plants that are now thriving.
A friend just told me she needed some shade loving plants to keep the kids from riding their bikes across her lawn. I dug out eight huge pots of hosta, spiderwort, and sedum for her to create that perennial barrier she was hoping for.
I've done all of those things to fill my yard or for fillers; and, I've even asked store managers if I can take a couple of Cuttings from their yard garden/car park decor. I've never yet been refused; it's all in the respectful way you ask, and even better if you can assure the store manager, from their questions (most don't ask, or are amused), that you know what you're talking about when discussing plants.
Paused @1:02 To compliment 1) Your acknowledgment of possible privilege at play. 2) The first tip just smacked me in the face about an hour ago! Last week I trimmed off all the new shoots from my spider plant not thinking much of it. So, I'm excited to watch the rest of this video. Lol...😊
That's the way to get it for free! Those little Tillandsia plants are pretty expensive in the garden centers, maybe it's the glass globe they're in, but I've seen those growing off of trees, too. Might snag one for myself the next time I see one.
I believe you. I do the same thing my husband tells me to stop but I'm learning how to grow them some fall at the store we was at Walmart and the lady told me to take it. Walmart won't regrow them 😊
For stuff on the ground, stores like Walmart and grocery stores get racks of plants for special occasions like easter, mother's day...well we don't even water them, let alone pick up broken pieces, so yeah these places are great for getting cuttings. I work in such a store and I picked up and rooted 3 kinds of miniature roses, various succulents and different vin-like plants, recently I even picked up a venus fly trap that was knocked out of a container. The pot and wrapper go in the "losses" bin but the plants go in the garbage/compost. Towards the end of the sale the plants looks sad and thirsty, no one buys them, they all go in the garbage, but you can talk to a manager and ask for a deal. You can get alot of stuff for practically nothing.
Greetings from Alberta Edmonton! I do this as well. I love my local Home Depot garden centre, and anytime I've asked, they were ok with me taking the 'dropped' or discarded leaves.
I have no problem with this, you ask,and you don't damage. I think I will try this idea when out or at the stores mentioned. Where do you live ( not you're address). Tyvm
I am from Santa Barbara and my grandmother’s yard and house as full of these kind of free plants. I have gotten most of mine from gifts or family and friends plants. Community is the best
I did my first proplift today at Home Depot. I bought some plants and other items too but I must admit the proplifting was the most exciting part! 😅 Thanks for the tip!!!
I stole some cuttings from the big stores. I got 3 succulents propagated from leaf, 1 lemon cutting I grafted on my seed grown lemon, one kumquat cutting I propagated in soil, mint.
Home Depot puts neonicoids in the soil - kills the bad bugs - but also the bees for a full 2 years before it breaks down - be careful if you are buying flowers for bees - you are actually killing them
My grandmother loved her plants, from the African Violets to those little plants with pink flowers that surrounded her home, she never went anywhere without her plastic bag with the damp tissue and her tiny little embroidery scissors. God i miss her.
I found two sprigs of Wandering Jew in the parking lot of Lowes - not near the store at all- took them home and they have just taken off. It’s amazing what you can find on the ground.
We waste so much in this country. Food at stores/restaurants, clothing, good bags of expensive dog food, entire sets of golf clubs- it’s insane. I don’t get why they don’t just discount it or give it away? Reduce what we send to the landfill and give people/pets things they might need. Seems a win/win to me. They’ll still write it off on their taxes- they lose nothing.
I'm only a beginner indoor plant keeper but, in the last few years, I've managed to give away some orchid kikis that I successfully potted up and significantly increase my succulent collection by propagating the leaves that fall off my own plants! I'm not completely confident yet with what I'm doing but it's getting there. I also have to regularly chop and prop my echevaria due to etiolation. I have just chopped and propped my rather unruly Monstera Deliciosa for the first time and I'm hoping that also goes well! While it's not free, but instead very cheap, I've had some real bargains from my local Lidl as they will sell off, for €1, any plants that didn't get sold during the current plant promotion. I also look on the 'scruffy and battered' reduced to clear shelf at my local garden centre. This has lead to me buying some plants that I'm unfamiliar with and breaking out of my comfort zone! It's a fun way to experiment. I'm definitely going to check for fallen leaves next time that I visit though :-)
I can remember going into restaurants who had hanging plants and asking if I could have a stem. I was never refused. Of course, I never took a stem that would leave a hole. But that was back in the 70s when I was young. Now I just buy them. I will have to look around and see if I can pick them up.
TY for all your great ideas. I’m just starting to get back into having plants again after several years. You are so encouraging & enthusiastic! I’ll now be looking around for new-to-me plant opportunities 🥰
I started my large collection of purslane plants from plants I found growing on my walks around the neighborhood! I find a lot of wild onions and such also!❤
Farmer's markets are a great place to get small starter plants for very cheap. Many growers will only charge $1-$3 per plant and if you repeatedly buy from them, they are often generous. I've gotten several plants completely free this way.
Yes! Same! We love our farmers market for that too, direct from grower is the cheapest, and they're often in much healthier condition than plants bought at a big store.
In Maine, most of the stores that are like Walmart home Depot Lowe's they all have plants in the spring and they have no problem as long as it's on the floor and not going to be used if you take it. I always ask. And when I say proplifting all on meaning is I'm taking props that won't be used, lifting them and bringing them home and making something out of them that otherwise would be thrown away. So, yes I am a proud proplifter!!
I always taken broken pieces from my local, family owned nursery and they could care less. Told me it helps them out by not having to pick it up themselves and toss it.
The graveyard across the street from me has a ton of free plants :) The forest right behind it has huge beds of creeping myrtle. :) If you got a keen eye in the forest you can find some cool stuff, just use your phone to ID plants :)
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I haven’t read the controversy comments on the other video but you really couldn’t be clearer about what you mean by ‘proplifting’. I mean is it even proplifting at a big chain like Home Depot (or Bunnings here in Australia) where as you say it’s all gonna get swept into the bin? Be fun to see a tour of your free plants.
Just found your channel and I LOVE IT!! If it's free, it's for me. As far as garden centers go, my Lowe's and Home Depot love getting rid of leaves that break off, parts of plants that just crack and fall off the mother plant. If more people did what you do, the garden centers would be a lot neater. Next time I go in my Lowe's I'm going to look for fallen, broken leaves and plants. I may have to remind them of the 20 bags of mulch I bought a few weeks ago for my newly designed flower bed. I particularly liked the clearance plant you got in your other video. I never thought that even though you may have to nurse a plant back to health, look at the gorgeous pot you got. Please, please keep up the great videos. At 76 I'm always looking for bargains and free stuff.
We have squirrel and burgeoning creeping bell flower this year, so I am avoiding spending much on plants as either I or the squirrels will perhaps be pulling everything up after it blooms. However, in a self-pitying run through Home Depot I found a rack of clearance plants - $3 for gallon hostas and gardilia (sp). They were so helpful and pointed out cheap pepper plants covered in blooms, so my despair was assuaged. That $10 was well-spent!
And these days, with the cost of soil, gravel, moss, vermiculite, orchid bark, coconut core, leche- free plants are the only way to go. Plus the ridiculous price of pots.
@perdiddlepanskew8018 take a small sprig of fresh rosemary and stick one in each potted plant. The squirrels will not mess with your plants and the rosemary will usually root - it doesn’t grow fast unless you feed it, so it doesn’t bother the other plant. If it dies and dries up, leave it alone because it still smells bad to the squirrels.
The Magic Word is.... *ASK* 🌸🌷🌺💖💮🌸🌷💖🌸 Having worked in the private nursery industry, the big box garden center, the grocery store floral and plant center, and my own home plant sales., I can say that I would Not encourage people to just randomly go around collecting " broken" plant parts. Or dead heading seeds Employees in most of these places are not allowed to do what you are suggesting. And it would definitely get a person fired for theft. And those employees really don't have the authority to allow pilfering. So it stands to reason that we don't want the public pilfering either. It just leads to problems. And... If I saw someone just randomly doing this at my own place , I would be furious. I don't want any one messing with my plants in any way, without ASKING. It is a slippery slope that can lead to pinching and " OOps " breaking of plants . There are always exceptions, and proper ways to glean from other people's abundance, as you shared here. Just ASK. 🌸 A good rule is... If you have to sneak, or you feel like you might be doing something wrong... Don't Do It. Just Go Ask. You may get even more than you imagined. Most plant lovers chose life for the plants, and want the plants to survive. .
So glad this could be helpful, and privilege indeed affects how everyone navigates this world whether they realize it or not, so it felt important to mention it.
I have gotten plant pots and plants at the grocery store. I asked about the cracked pot and it was given to me. Two very large neglected dried up tomato plants. I asked for a discount and I got both for $3.00.
I live in Portland and people steal plants with pots from people’s gardens! I don’t understand that but then again people steal everything here. Do pawn shops take plants? 😄. Awesome video and new subbie 🙃. Thank you 💚🙏💚
I subbed and this is my first vid of yours I have seen! I NEED to start doing this plus learning how to germinate things- seeds, leaves, branches etc. Thank you for the content!!!!!
We got a BUNCH of mint from a local community garden we were cleaning up, it had grown out of the bed, we also thinned the bed to make room for more growth.
I've made friends with the folks at a local garden center. I have seen them using leaves and cuttings to start more plants, but they will always give me a prop if I spend a little time geeking out about a certain plant with them. It probably doesn't hurt that I drop plenty of money on other plants and supplies there lol.
Thanks for this, so glad I found your channel! I never would've thought of these ideas to get free plants! It makes so much sense though. I'm new to the plant world, never had a green thumb but I just got my first Yucca (hardy plant, so hard for me to kill lol) and my first Dumb Cane. Thank you so much!!
I get free plants from an ace hardware store, a local store that sells everything including plants. All by leaves on the ground. I ask all the time before taking. I love free plants. Btw just subscribed to your channel.
Someone helped themselves to a large chunk of my beautiful bottle brush bush...in the process they seriously damaged the bush. Always ask people before helping yourself to parts of someone else's plants. I would have readily given them as much cuttings as they want, but it is done at the time the plants are pruned.
If you find a plant near death at Walmart 9/10 they'll let yoy have it when asked or they'll heavily discount it. My m.i.l. is the plant discount queen there. 😂 We asked awhile back at Home Depot & they were fine with us taking leaves off the ground. Buy a rooting hormone & voila! Beautiful plant.
Great information!! I learned from my grandmother about some plants, spider and inchplant, to propagate with clippings ... it works perfect... enjoyed your video...😊
I am starting to see signs up at greenhouses saying you cannot take cutting or take pieces. Now maybe the big box stores don’t care but personally if I cannot afford to buy the plant I could not bring myself to take something in fact this is something I wouldn’t even ask if I could take. I will negotiate price reductions on spent plants but I do not take anything for free. Just my conscious on this if I have to do this I won’t go there if I cannot afford it.
Appreciate you saying ask first. I had a purple rose that someone once helped themselves to cuttings. they cut it too far and it didn't make it through the winter. Never knew who did it.
When I am plant shopping vegetables are other I always look in the pots for more than one plant in that pot. Just this past weekend I got six extra tomato and pepper plants because I bought the pots that had two plants in them.
LOL, I was just at Home Depot today getting about half a dozen veggie plants for the summer. I went by the succulents area as I always do on the few occasions that I go to Home Depot, looking for fallen leaves. Only saw one and it's now at my house sitting in some dirt. Hopefully, it will grow some roots/babies. Do I consider it stealing? Hell, no! It's my version of doing their clean-up maintenance in exchange for the dropped leaves and stems.
I just dug up a blackberry bush that sprouted across the road from me yesterday. You can get free plants from home depot like crazy, but my way is just buying "single" plants that are clustered in one pot and separating them at home. It turns a single plant sale into as much as 5 free extra plants Also, (in my humble opinion) screw any corporate box store like HD or Wal-Mart. they get money anyway when they let their plants die from disease or dehydration and throw them away, and they don't have a nursery mentality, those broken stems and leaves are garbage to them so I have no judgements about people sneaking cuttings intentionally if they feel inclined. It doesn't hurt the plant, and it doesn't take their sale away either. anything that falls off the plant is definitely fair game. Crazy that people would defend corporations and consider taking a leaf off the floor "shoplifting" in this day and age.
As an African American girl. I appreciate you saying you under that you have some privilege. Usually people are nice to me, but mainly because I'm nice first. :)
The Saturday one on the corner of Santa Barbara St. and E. Cota - He's not always there, but when he is he usually is set up on the Santa Barbara St. side. Such an awesome shop.
I’m having 3 windows being replaced in 2 weeks and I have to clear out my aeoniums and jade plants. Thinking of putting them up in my etsy shop and/or just putting a free sign in front of my house.
Free is great. I found a poor begonia fallen out roots intact at Lowe's, I put on top of soil if plant I was buying. I told the girl about it expecting yeah take it it. Instead she said no, they HAVE to throw it away. No report, don't try to save it. And I felt a little like a thief. Next time I'm not saying anything. I drop a lot of money at Lowe's, this one tiny plant cost them way more $ than it was worth. I'll be going to Home Depot much more
I proplift the trash broken pieces at garden centers too. If there’s a really sad clearance plant that I dont think will sell, sometimes I DO even break off a piece to take with me. Most of those propagations fail because the plant was dying and didn’t have enough energy but I have one or two BEAUTIFUL plants in my collection now that originally came from a node I ripped off a dying lowes clearance plant. If I’m fairly sure it will become trash, I take it.
I was in Home Depot recently and saw a Purple Heart stem on the ground. It was obvious that the vendor was going to sweep it up and throw it away. I asked if I could have it. She said yes. I agree with you, just ask.
I do that I ask but at nursery I ask and they said NO! So I just leave it there. Now the nursery I go to they clean their floor or grounds 😔 even met the owner, I don’t go there unless I have to buy fruit trees which I bought like 10 fruit trees and some vegetables so that’s what I don’t do anymore
That's too bad, they might be re-propagating the plants for themselves, which is okay. That's the reason I usually only proplift at the big box stores where they generally don't mind and will never propagate them.
@@FreePlantsForever Independent nurseries lose a ton of money from this practice. It's not just that some people DO actually break off "just one leaf/stem" (multiply that by a certain proportion of all customers), but if you pick up a fallen piece then you're happy cause it was free, but the nursery's business is selling them. There's plenty of other ways to get free plants. Like the other things she mentions. I once stopped a guy about to throw a yucca stem into the organic compost, and now it's growing happily on my friend's balcony.
I have a small plant business and always give people pieces or clippings. It's part of sharing the love and building a community.
I'm building my collection as we speak and I have already started cuttings and things and jars just to see if I can do it number one because I'm at the beginning of my journey but once they start I want to gift them to people. The people in the plant community have been so generous with their time with their answers to questions and even with their plants and I am going to do the same thing I'm going to get better and better at it and I'm going to give back just like it was given to me So thank you❤
Your awesome 👍 ♥️
Can I also get a free cutting from you
So sweet!
I would love some free plants please
I purchased some plants at a market from a vendor and struck up a conversation. I ended up telling him how heartbroken I was that my Tradescantia had died recently due to some unfortunate circumstances. He immediately reached into his bag and pulled out a TON of Tradescantia cuttings and just handed them to me, gleefully. I have grown them into full, healthy plants. Plant people are usually pretty generous.
Amazing! and it's true, plant people really love sharing their plants.
I Have had 3 Tradescantia that plant does not like me. It’s so full and beautiful when I get it but few weeks later it is dying.
@@Momma2222 they are fussy sometimes!
Here’s one to add to your list: restaurants! Specifically, I love growing new basil plants from the stems when I get pho from Vietnamese restaurants. They usually give an array of items to add to the soup on a side plate and I’ve had many a basil plant started this way.
Same with mint stalks from cocktail bars 😊
Genius
I love this! Such a great idea, and I bet that is some tasty basil!
Never thought of that!
As a vendor who’s company contracts with home depot, please, PLEASE take the fallen leaves if you want them!! Otherwise they just get stepped on or rot or eaten by the birds. Just don’t pull leaves off the plants. We also tend to just throw away an unacceptable amount of product that usually just needs a repot or some water, so if you see a vendor, ask! We’re happy to give out any product that was destined for the trash. The worst we could say is no!
Yes! Thank you, so happy to hear from a vendor. I've talked to so many Home Depot vendors that say the same thing. We all love plants. A little friendliness and conversation always makes a difference.💚
RIGHT ANSWER THANKS. I SEE SO MUCH WASTE AT ALL THE STORE! BUT THEY GET THE TAX WRITE OFF SO THEY DONT GIVE A SHIT
Thank you so much for this advice. I used to work at homedepot and that helped me get free plants that were destined to get thrown out. I’ve seen the “plant cemetary” behind the HD and it’s so sad to see the plants just sit there to die. Thank you for letting us folks save these poor plants. Or even cuttings that would get thrown out.
I live up north where a lot of plants don’t make it thru the winter unless you bring them into your house. My friends laughed at me when I tell them I go to the cemetery in the fall and get free plants people throw away when they clean up the graves. I never take anything off a grave but do look thru the garbage cans that are set out.I have gotten hardy mums, germanium’s, vinca , spikes, dusty miller ,and some bulbs after Easter.I keep them in my basement and around late April or May I cut them back (germanium) and repot them and bring them upstairs in sunny windows.I have a gorgeous pink germanium that I have had for 6 yrs now. In the fall I just bring it back in.
I admire your ethical, frugal ways of getting free plants !
stealing is not ethical. Taking leaves or stems from a healthy plant and walking away with it is stealing
My son found a lavender plant that was going to be thrown out at Home Depot. I remembered your video and we asked the cashier if we could pay for it, we ended up getting that plant and another sunflower plant for free. My son was so happy that he was able to save two plants. Thank you!!
When I was 8 years old I discovered cactus and succulents. And when you’re a kid, you don’t really have money to buy anything, so I went around and knocked on all the neighbors doors that had plants that I liked and asked if I could take cuttings. After a while I had a huge collection. And in later years I would dumpster dive at the local nursery every day after closing and would get a whole truck full of plants and pots that they discarded. In fact I had so many of these plants, I gave two truck loads to the local garden club for their plant sales.
Amazing! I've always found plant people are happy to share the wealth.
This resonates with me! I can't help but kind of chuckle knowing I'm not alone lol. I have always grown cacti/succulents since I was young. On my first trip to Florida I was probably around 15...I did the same thing and went around to my Aunt's neighbors and I got home with a huge bag of all kinds of goodies including some cool aloes. 🌵
Somewhere out there is an older gardener that can't get out as much and would love to trade some baby plants for like 5 minutes of weeding. I was helping the neighbor, and there were like 20 Japanese maple seedlings she let me scoop up. I kept 10 alive over the winter, and they just took off. Not to mention all the overgrown plants she needs divided... Lariope and lillies galore! Also, this weird curly tree has a branch touching the ground that is rooted, so I might get that too and start my own :)
Lovely! What a wonderful way to connect with your neighbor and trade some plants along the way. ❤️
LOLL I am the older gardener that gives plants away to neighbors. I dig as exercise. My garden is exercise.
A Great Suggestion
🌺🌸💖💮🌷🌺💖🌸🌷
My neighbors are plant poopers😒😒😒…and I’ve had several plants stolen from my front porch👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
@@candicecassel1110 I would give you some of mine!
Great video ☺️ I get free plants from Lowes and home Depot all the time. Also when the trucks unload new plants, the truckers will let you have everything left on the floor of the truck. I'm gonna make a video soon also of all my free plants. Thanks for sharing and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗
Oh, waiting for the trucks is a great idea - would love to see your free plants! Happy gardening to you too!
Brilliant!
I joined the carnivorous plant community and they give and trade plants all the time
That's great Dorinda :)
And when is truck day 😭
I respect what you are saying here and have a story to relate on what not to do. My parents owned a home in a high price neighborhood along a winding street. The opposite side of the street is an untended river bank. Over the years, my parents landscaped the section of bank across from their home. It became a popular rest stop for joggers, children, fishermen, and assorted passers by. One rainy day, two well-dressed ladies parked an expensive car, took a shovel out of the trunk and dug up all the full grown hosta. A neighbor noticed their umbrellas and enquired. They said they were collecting the plants for an impoverished friend. The gall.
On a side note, my father was of German heritage and adopting the care of untended land is a very German thing to do. It is just for the pleasure of creating beauty where there was none. It upset him terribly to see his work undone. The day we buried him, I stood outside the cemetery chapel waiting for the crew to prepare his casket for the grave. I stood among all the funeral flower arrangements that would be placed upon the grave, the wreaths, bouquets, etc. A couple came strolling along among the gravestones. And right in front of me, they helped themselves to his roses. I was already hurting too much and could not speak a word at that unspeakable deed.
Im so sorry you went through that! 😢 thats so inhumane! Dont get me wrong i get wanting to scoop a plant that is gonna die but at least have the decency to wait until the ground-keep cleans them up… you and your dad deserved better ❤
Check the carts in the parking lot
There are always broken stems in some of those
Great idea!!!
I was at lowes admiring new racks not unloaded yet “I want them all!”
Lowes employee responded “ a lot of them will be in the dumpster in a few weeks” if you are willing to dumpster dive.
Our Lowe’s does not allow retrieving from dumpsters. They also toss racks of potted succulents. Ditto hanging plants. Pots and all. I asked to buy the potted plants to recycle the dirt, pot, and maybe plants. Firm NO. To the landfill they go😢
Thats plain greed if i cant sell it no one can have it. i have encountered quite a few like that i dont patroize stores like that and pulled a lucrative contract from home depot because of it. And they told me they dont need my business. They keep their dumpsters inside their yard so no one can get anything i guess a billion dollar corporation can never have enough money.@@tinahelton3062
Thats what i do if i can get to them i get more from walgreens or cvs than the big box stores.the more money they make the less willing they are to give.
They say that, but their dumpsters are all behind locked fences. :-(
My neighbor and I are exchanging. Sometimes i leave plants for her, and sometimes she had left me on the porch! It is the best feeling!! Like having gift just for me!!
I have a friend that works in the floral department at a grocery store. She has saved me plants that are about to go into the compost .
I call it my compost collection! I’ve brought so many plants back to thriving . She loves seeing my photos
My husband is a landscaper so i lucked out. Sometimes people move and want their young trees or shrubs removed, and guess who takes them? My husband, and brings them home to me :)
That's awesome!
SCORE!!
I love how concise and informational you are. You just get to the point, and everything you say is totally helpful. Thank you! 😊
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Taking clippings from neighbors yards is how many gardens have become great places, of course you should always share 😊
When I walk my dog, I see my plants all over my neighbors yards!!
the last one so true, i used to work at a seasonal garden center that used venders and frankly it was heat braking exprience. we threw away so many plants every day, to make room for truck loads of new plants. it sickens me that we throw away all those plants instead of giving them to shelters or free to food shelf or anything like that, we had no training and one time a coworker of mine over watered the tomatoes and i had to throw away 5000 moldy tomatoe plants and it wasnt even a problem cuz the truck comes in the morning that was the motto...o well truck comming in the morning... we tossed more plants then we sold and its sickening. please resuce plants from garden centers its a disgusting practice
I came across your video by accident, but I'm so glad I did. I have subscribed because I love listening to people who speak green thumb.
Gardeners share. Sharing and community is a big part of a gardener's ethos. At least the ones I've met.
What i like to do is to make notices, for example at local stores or websites for trading and then trade your cuttings, offshoots, seeds etc. with the ones from people in your neighborhood
FAntastic idea!
I got a tree at Lowes for .25¢ that they were throwing away. Now it is a big beautiful tree in my yard
I always buy the ones that need saved ❤
I’ve also rescued plants from neighbors that are moving and left them out on trash day. Also they can’t be bothered taking the plant to their new home. As a plant lover I’ve seen plants at stores that are pitiful looking and asked for a discount. I got a 5’ Dracena at IKEA…it was the last one…and the top 12 inches was at a 90degree angle. I got it for $3.00👍👍👍. I still have it. Yes it straightened itself.
I love that!
One of my favorite parts of hiking is taking some small, harmless cuttings of cool and interesting plants while I'm on the trail. Great way to get some small cuttings to start cloning!
Thank you for these videos! I started proplifting because of your videos! I used to take every loos leaf I found, but now I’m getting more selective. I don’t take leaves from plants that I already have plenty of. Only plants that are unique and I don’t already have. I always ask. I carry a ziplock baggie in my purse for them. And, I always ask permission.
I also buy plants from them. Usually my local Home Depot. I’m hoping that in Spring, they will introduce new varieties. Then I can start again.
Happy New Year!
Yes! I've had to start being selective too... running out of room! I'm actually planning on helping organize a plant swap so that I can give away a lot of my duplicates.
I've got another way at the stores- seeds! At the end of the season, many flower heads turn into seeds (marigolds, petunias etc) once the flower fades. I have collected so many old dead flower heads and this year I had amazing germination with the petunia seeds!
Thank you for the zip lock bag information.
I've known several people who were moving or even college students leaving college who treated their plants like pets but couldn't take the plant with them but wanted their plants to go to a "good home" and gave great plants away. I have also been in Home Depot and noticed many succulents that suffered root rot. (I have bought several plants from there.) I asked the woman who tended the plants if they shouldn't be in the "sale" section or if I could get them at a discount. She said sure 50 cents. I said I would take several (4 or 5). She said 50 cents for all of them. We went to the counter and they didn't know how to ring them up so they gave them to me with a $0.00 rec't. Unfortunately, I ended up trying to propagate so many that many did not survive and I felt sorry I got so many...
Id separate them from your other plants because that stuff spreads.
My friend started doing a plant swap. Bring a potted plant to share from your flower garden or house . We numbered everyone and allowed them to take their turn to pick a plant. We then shared a lunch. It was always a hit. ❤
I love this! Such a great way to build community... and get plants😉
I totally wanna do one of these!
@@xXIronPeachesXx We also did a Harvest Exchange in the fall. Things that were grown in the garden, canned for our families, baked, or just a homemade craft if you weren’t into gardening. Our Homeschool Group was very active and supportive in those days. ♥️ always a lot of fun for Mom and children!!
OMG. I watched this video a few days ago, just on a curious whim. A little later my husband needed to go to HD. I wanted to get a pothos to put in my aquarium (another video I had watched), so off we went! While I was browsing around I saw a nice looking ~3-5 gal plastic pot with an insert which was upturned in a trash bin! I pulled it out and put it on the bottom of the cart and went on shopping. I also found about 5 broken pieces of plants (3 succulents, 2 unidentified). We bought some annuals for the pot which now looks nice on our porch. The guy didn't even bat an eye when I asked about the pot, the plant pieces are now in water to start roots, all free, and it was all due to your clever video!! I had to come back and say thanks!
That's so great to hear! My experience at Home Depot is always similar, if you're there buying stuff already they're usually happy to have you clean up the broken stuff. So glad you had a good experience and got some free plants!
You're such a pleasure to listen to. These free plant ideas are great, and obviously done responsibly. Thank you for all of your insightful and educational videos. Every time I move, I say goodbye to all my outside babies and trees, because they feel like a part of me. And if I can't take all of my potted plants with me, I make sure they go to good homes.
It's always hard to move and say goodbye to plants you've taken care of - making sure they go to good homes feels really important. I had to do the same when I moved from abroad - another reason not to spend too much money on plants!
I collect seeds where I walk, it is the best way to get plants!
When I see volunteers in my yard I love it.... I agree with my own collection I spread the love throughout my yard and my home 😊
Local plant swap! Make friends with your neighbors. Other gardeners LOVE giving garden tours and sharing plants! My best plants are gotten this way. The plants you admire in your neighbor’s garden is already thriving in your same climate.
My mom saw a piece of Wandering Jew plant in the trash bin at Meijer. She asked an associate if she could have it and they obliged. The plant is gorgeous. Also, I've asked ppl at Home Depot and Lowes if i could have the plants that were 99% dead. My flower beds are full of those dying plants that are now thriving.
I’ve been looking & I can’t find one locally. Well, I found 2, but they were full of what I think are thrips- so that was a bust.
A friend just told me she needed some shade loving plants to keep the kids from riding their bikes across her lawn. I dug out eight huge pots of hosta, spiderwort, and sedum for her to create that perennial barrier she was hoping for.
So many of my "new" plants are from seed and snipping. Did not know I could profligate my fiddle leaf. Great channel. Great tips. Thank you
I've done all of those things to fill my yard or for fillers; and, I've even asked store managers if I can take a couple of Cuttings from their yard garden/car park decor. I've never yet been refused; it's all in the respectful way you ask, and even better if you can assure the store manager, from their questions (most don't ask, or are amused), that you know what you're talking about when discussing plants.
Paused @1:02 To compliment 1) Your acknowledgment of possible privilege at play. 2) The first tip just smacked me in the face about an hour ago! Last week I trimmed off all the new shoots from my spider plant not thinking much of it. So, I'm excited to watch the rest of this video. Lol...😊
I can't believe people are this stupid.
I collect airplants from trees in my neighborhood. I love them!
That's the way to get it for free! Those little Tillandsia plants are pretty expensive in the garden centers, maybe it's the glass globe they're in, but I've seen those growing off of trees, too. Might snag one for myself the next time I see one.
I believe you. I do the same thing my husband tells me to stop but I'm learning how to grow them some fall at the store we was at Walmart and the lady told me to take it. Walmart won't regrow them 😊
For stuff on the ground, stores like Walmart and grocery stores get racks of plants for special occasions like easter, mother's day...well we don't even water them, let alone pick up broken pieces, so yeah these places are great for getting cuttings. I work in such a store and I picked up and rooted 3 kinds of miniature roses, various succulents and different vin-like plants, recently I even picked up a venus fly trap that was knocked out of a container. The pot and wrapper go in the "losses" bin but the plants go in the garbage/compost. Towards the end of the sale the plants looks sad and thirsty, no one buys them, they all go in the garbage, but you can talk to a manager and ask for a deal. You can get alot of stuff for practically nothing.
Greetings from Alberta Edmonton! I do this as well. I love my local Home Depot garden centre, and anytime I've asked, they were ok with me taking the 'dropped' or discarded leaves.
I have no problem with this, you ask,and you don't damage. I think I will try this idea when out or at the stores mentioned. Where do you live ( not you're address). Tyvm
We just got free plants from Home Depot today. The vendor was there pulling old/dry plants. He let my son pick out what he wanted to take home. ❤️
I am from Santa Barbara and my grandmother’s yard and house as full of these kind of free plants. I have gotten most of mine from gifts or family and friends plants. Community is the best
I did my first proplift today at Home Depot. I bought some plants and other items too but I must admit the proplifting was the most exciting part! 😅 Thanks for the tip!!!
I stole some cuttings from the big stores.
I got 3 succulents propagated from leaf, 1 lemon cutting I grafted on my seed grown lemon, one kumquat cutting I propagated in soil, mint.
Curious, did you ask anyone?
Home Depot puts neonicoids in the soil - kills the bad bugs - but also the bees for a full 2 years before it breaks down - be careful if you are buying flowers for bees - you are actually killing them
@@laurentallman2918To take scraps that would go in the garbage?
Hahaha😂😂😂
My grandmother loved her plants, from the African Violets to those little plants with pink flowers that surrounded her home, she never went anywhere without her plastic bag with the damp tissue and her tiny little embroidery scissors. God i miss her.
Such a sweet memory, thanks for sharing! 💚
I found two sprigs of Wandering Jew in the parking lot of Lowes - not near the store at all- took them home and they have just taken off. It’s amazing what you can find on the ground.
Love this. And I agree, it's not stealing if you know it's headed to the trash.
We waste so much in this country. Food at stores/restaurants, clothing, good bags of expensive dog food, entire sets of golf clubs- it’s insane.
I don’t get why they don’t just discount it or give it away? Reduce what we send to the landfill and give people/pets things they might need. Seems a win/win to me. They’ll still write it off on their taxes- they lose nothing.
I'm only a beginner indoor plant keeper but, in the last few years, I've managed to give away some orchid kikis that I successfully potted up and significantly increase my succulent collection by propagating the leaves that fall off my own plants!
I'm not completely confident yet with what I'm doing but it's getting there.
I also have to regularly chop and prop my echevaria due to etiolation.
I have just chopped and propped my rather unruly Monstera Deliciosa for the first time and I'm hoping that also goes well!
While it's not free, but instead very cheap, I've had some real bargains from my local Lidl as they will sell off, for €1, any plants that didn't get sold during the current plant promotion.
I also look on the 'scruffy and battered' reduced to clear shelf at my local garden centre. This has lead to me buying some plants that I'm unfamiliar with and breaking out of my comfort zone! It's a fun way to experiment.
I'm definitely going to check for fallen leaves next time that I visit though :-)
I can remember going into restaurants who had hanging plants and asking if I could have a stem. I was never refused. Of course, I never took a stem that would leave a hole. But that was back in the 70s when I was young. Now I just buy them. I will have to look around and see if I can pick them up.
I found a broken leaf at Home Depot on the floor , not in the pot , I took it , it’s doing beautifully . ❤
TY for all your great ideas. I’m just starting to get back into having plants again after several years. You are so encouraging & enthusiastic! I’ll now be looking around for new-to-me plant opportunities 🥰
Yay, there are lots of opportunities for plants, just got to keep looking!
I started my large collection of purslane plants from plants I found growing on my walks around the neighborhood! I find a lot of wild onions and such also!❤
That is awesome!
This video is a golden nugget for sure. My mom would always share her plants with friends. ❤
Farmer's markets are a great place to get small starter plants for very cheap. Many growers will only charge $1-$3 per plant and if you repeatedly buy from them, they are often generous. I've gotten several plants completely free this way.
Yes! Same! We love our farmers market for that too, direct from grower is the cheapest, and they're often in much healthier condition than plants bought at a big store.
In Maine, most of the stores that are like Walmart home Depot Lowe's they all have plants in the spring and they have no problem as long as it's on the floor and not going to be used if you take it. I always ask. And when I say proplifting all on meaning is I'm taking props that won't be used, lifting them and bringing them home and making something out of them that otherwise would be thrown away. So, yes I am a proud proplifter!!
I always taken broken pieces from my local, family owned nursery and they could care less. Told me it helps them out by not having to pick it up themselves and toss it.
The graveyard across the street from me has a ton of free plants :) The forest right behind it has huge beds of creeping myrtle. :) If you got a keen eye in the forest you can find some cool stuff, just use your phone to ID plants :)
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I haven’t read the controversy comments on the other video but you really couldn’t be clearer about what you mean by ‘proplifting’. I mean is it even proplifting at a big chain like Home Depot (or Bunnings here in Australia) where as you say it’s all gonna get swept into the bin? Be fun to see a tour of your free plants.
Yes, I couldn't agree more 😄 I'm actually planning on filming a little tour in the next week or so, so glad you're enjoying the videos.
Just found your channel and I LOVE IT!! If it's free, it's for me. As far as garden centers go, my Lowe's and Home Depot love getting rid of leaves that break off, parts of plants that just crack and fall off the mother plant. If more people did what you do, the garden centers would be a lot neater. Next time I go in my Lowe's I'm going to look for fallen, broken leaves and plants. I may have to remind them of the 20 bags of mulch I bought a few weeks ago for my newly designed flower bed.
I particularly liked the clearance plant you got in your other video. I never thought that even though you may have to nurse a plant back to health, look at the gorgeous pot you got.
Please, please keep up the great videos. At 76 I'm always looking for bargains and free stuff.
So glad you found my channel, happy to have you here! Wishing you luck in helping clean up at Lowe's 😁
We have squirrel and burgeoning creeping bell flower this year, so I am avoiding spending much on plants as either I or the squirrels will perhaps be pulling everything up after it blooms. However, in a self-pitying run through Home Depot I found a rack of clearance plants - $3 for gallon hostas and gardilia (sp). They were so helpful and pointed out cheap pepper plants covered in blooms, so my despair was assuaged. That $10 was well-spent!
And these days, with the cost of soil, gravel, moss, vermiculite, orchid bark, coconut core, leche- free plants are the only way to go.
Plus the ridiculous price of pots.
@perdiddlepanskew8018 take a small sprig of fresh rosemary and stick one in each potted plant. The squirrels will not mess with your plants and the rosemary will usually root - it doesn’t grow fast unless you feed it, so it doesn’t bother the other plant. If it dies and dries up, leave it alone because it still smells bad to the squirrels.
Blessed to live in you area (west coast). TONS on exotic plants everywhere!
Nice video. Very informative. Any negative comments is because they are just jealous of your creativity and the time you have to do this.
The Magic Word is.... *ASK*
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Having worked in the private nursery industry, the big box garden center, the grocery store floral and plant center, and my own home plant sales.,
I can say that I would Not encourage people to just randomly go around collecting " broken" plant parts. Or dead heading seeds
Employees in most of these places are not allowed to do what you are suggesting. And it would definitely get a person fired for theft. And those employees really don't have the authority to allow pilfering. So it stands to reason that we don't want the public pilfering either.
It just leads to problems.
And...
If I saw someone just randomly doing this at my own place ,
I would be furious.
I don't want any one messing with my plants in any way, without ASKING.
It is a slippery slope that can lead to pinching and " OOps " breaking of plants .
There are always exceptions, and proper ways to glean from other people's abundance, as you shared here.
Just ASK. 🌸
A good rule is...
If you have to sneak, or you feel like you might be doing something wrong...
Don't Do It.
Just Go Ask. You may get even more than you imagined.
Most plant lovers chose life for the plants, and want the plants to survive.
.
Great ideas. Thank you for acknowledging privilege as possibly playing a factor in the responses one might receive when asking.
So glad this could be helpful, and privilege indeed affects how everyone navigates this world whether they realize it or not, so it felt important to mention it.
Where I live, our library has a connection to a Seed Library (as well as a Tool Library!). Seeds can be donated as well as taken.
That is amazing! And great tip.
I have gotten plant pots and plants at the grocery store. I asked about the cracked pot and it was given to me. Two very large neglected dried up tomato plants. I asked for a discount and I got both for $3.00.
I live in Portland and people steal plants with pots from people’s gardens! I don’t understand that but then again people steal everything here. Do pawn shops take plants? 😄. Awesome video and new subbie 🙃. Thank you 💚🙏💚
I subbed and this is my first vid of yours I have seen! I NEED to start doing this plus learning how to germinate things- seeds, leaves, branches etc.
Thank you for the content!!!!!
Hi from France, did you think of cemetery? their big trash bins are full of empty pots, thrown away plants ...
We got a BUNCH of mint from a local community garden we were cleaning up, it had grown out of the bed, we also thinned the bed to make room for more growth.
Mint propagates so easily!💚Just be sure to keep it contained 😳
I've made friends with the folks at a local garden center. I have seen them using leaves and cuttings to start more plants, but they will always give me a prop if I spend a little time geeking out about a certain plant with them. It probably doesn't hurt that I drop plenty of money on other plants and supplies there lol.
Yes, exactly. It definitely helps to cultivate friendships with other plant lovers and plant professionals!
Glad I found your channel. I get free plant all the time the same way. The leaf’s on the ground at Home Depot and Lowe’s just go in the trash.
Thanks for this, so glad I found your channel! I never would've thought of these ideas to get free plants! It makes so much sense though. I'm new to the plant world, never had a green thumb but I just got my first Yucca (hardy plant, so hard for me to kill lol) and my first Dumb Cane. Thank you so much!!
I like you. Easy going, you don’t talk ,talk ,talk, until I turn away. Goof info, and most relaxing viewing. Thank you.
Awww... thank you! 🥰
I get free plants from an ace hardware store, a local store that sells everything including plants. All by leaves on the ground. I ask all the time before taking. I love free plants. Btw just subscribed to your channel.
Yes! Ace is one of my favorite places to shop. Glad to find a fellow free plant lover.
A caution. In California at least it is illegal to take ANYTHING including dead leaf litter from any park,national or state.
Someone helped themselves to a large chunk of my beautiful bottle brush bush...in the process they seriously damaged the bush. Always ask people before helping yourself to parts of someone else's plants. I would have readily given them as much cuttings as they want, but it is done at the time the plants are pruned.
Ugh, so sorry to hear that, not a neighborly thing to do at all. I agree, always always ask! Most people are happy to share.
And the damage was done cause of IDIOTS like these that want EVERYTHING FREE and could care less the damage they do
If you find a plant near death at Walmart 9/10 they'll let yoy have it when asked or they'll heavily discount it. My m.i.l. is the plant discount queen there. 😂 We asked awhile back at Home Depot & they were fine with us taking leaves off the ground. Buy a rooting hormone & voila! Beautiful plant.
Thank you so much 😊
I look forward to seeing more
I like air layering for free trees and woody plants. Takes permission and time but works a treat
Great information!! I learned from my grandmother about some plants, spider and inchplant, to propagate with clippings ... it works perfect... enjoyed your video...😊
I am starting to see signs up at greenhouses saying you cannot take cutting or take pieces. Now maybe the big box stores don’t care but personally if I cannot afford to buy the plant I could not bring myself to take something in fact this is something I wouldn’t even ask if I could take. I will negotiate price reductions on spent plants but I do not take anything for free. Just my conscious on this if I have to do this I won’t go there if I cannot afford it.
Appreciate you saying ask first. I had a purple rose that someone once helped themselves to cuttings. they cut it too far and it didn't make it through the winter. Never knew who did it.
When I am plant shopping vegetables are other I always look in the pots for more than one plant in that pot. Just this past weekend I got six extra tomato and pepper plants because I bought the pots that had two plants in them.
LOL, I was just at Home Depot today getting about half a dozen veggie plants for the summer. I went by the succulents area as I always do on the few occasions that I go to Home Depot, looking for fallen leaves. Only saw one and it's now at my house sitting in some dirt. Hopefully, it will grow some roots/babies. Do I consider it stealing? Hell, no! It's my version of doing their clean-up maintenance in exchange for the dropped leaves and stems.
My feelings exactly, Home Depot aren't going to propagate and re-sell those leaves. You're good!
I just dug up a blackberry bush that sprouted across the road from me yesterday. You can get free plants from home depot like crazy, but my way is just buying "single" plants that are clustered in one pot and separating them at home. It turns a single plant sale into as much as 5 free extra plants
Also, (in my humble opinion) screw any corporate box store like HD or Wal-Mart. they get money anyway when they let their plants die from disease or dehydration and throw them away, and they don't have a nursery mentality, those broken stems and leaves are garbage to them so I have no judgements about people sneaking cuttings intentionally if they feel inclined. It doesn't hurt the plant, and it doesn't take their sale away either. anything that falls off the plant is definitely fair game. Crazy that people would defend corporations and consider taking a leaf off the floor "shoplifting" in this day and age.
You can't imagine how many people will take dormant plants to the local dumpsters in the fall thinking they are dead. I get a TON of ferns this way.
And mums!!
As an African American girl. I appreciate you saying you under that you have some privilege. Usually people are nice to me, but mainly because I'm nice first. :)
I caught that too thought it was just me
lol
I'm taking pups from my cactus and making small arrangements and using propagations.
Fantastic tips. Thank you so very much. I am giving my backyard a makeover and I want to have a small garden. I will look around from now on.
So glad this popped up on my UA-cam.
My girlfriend use to take a baggie with a wet napkin, when she went out for her cuttings. LOL
I live in SB. I will look for the plant guy next time I’m at the FM. Is it the Tuesday one on State Street?
The Saturday one on the corner of Santa Barbara St. and E. Cota - He's not always there, but when he is he usually is set up on the Santa Barbara St. side. Such an awesome shop.
I’m having 3 windows being replaced in 2 weeks and I have to clear out my aeoniums and jade plants. Thinking of putting them up in my etsy shop and/or just putting a free sign in front of my house.
Free is great. I found a poor begonia fallen out roots intact at Lowe's, I put on top of soil if plant I was buying. I told the girl about it expecting yeah take it it. Instead she said no, they HAVE to throw it away. No report, don't try to save it. And I felt a little like a thief. Next time I'm not saying anything. I drop a lot of money at Lowe's, this one tiny plant cost them way more $ than it was worth. I'll be going to Home Depot much more
That's frustrating, sorry to hear about that experience.
Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing! I just started my plant journey and this help so much! ❤
Glad it was helpful!
I proplift the trash broken pieces at garden centers too. If there’s a really sad clearance plant that I dont think will sell, sometimes I DO even break off a piece to take with me. Most of those propagations fail because the plant was dying and didn’t have enough energy but I have one or two BEAUTIFUL plants in my collection now that originally came from a node I ripped off a dying lowes clearance plant. If I’m fairly sure it will become trash, I take it.
I was in Home Depot recently and saw a Purple Heart stem on the ground. It was obvious that the vendor was going to sweep it up and throw it away. I asked if I could have it. She said yes. I agree with you, just ask.
Lovely! And those purple heart stems break so easily, and it doesn't harm the plant. So great to be able to get even more life from them. 💜
I always save the broken plants we’re giving them new life instead of letting them die ❤
Thanks for your great advice.
Work. My boss loves buying plants but not caring for them. I care for the plants and take cuttings and seeds if I want.
Great tip!
I do that I ask but at nursery I ask and they said NO! So I just leave it there. Now the nursery I go to they clean their floor or grounds 😔 even met the owner, I don’t go there unless I have to buy fruit trees which I bought like 10 fruit trees and some vegetables so that’s what I don’t do anymore
That's too bad, they might be re-propagating the plants for themselves, which is okay. That's the reason I usually only proplift at the big box stores where they generally don't mind and will never propagate them.
@@FreePlantsForever
Independent nurseries lose a ton of money from this practice. It's not just that some people DO actually break off "just one leaf/stem" (multiply that by a certain proportion of all customers), but if you pick up a fallen piece then you're happy cause it was free, but the nursery's business is selling them. There's plenty of other ways to get free plants. Like the other things she mentions. I once stopped a guy about to throw a yucca stem into the organic compost, and now it's growing happily on my friend's balcony.