Home Depot Or Lowe's: Which Has Better Deals On Houseplants?

When buying a new plant for your home, according to Balcony Garden Web, you need to look for a plant that is in healthy condition and isn't showing any signs of damage. Healthy houseplants will look vibrant and their leaves will be visibly fresh. However, unhealthy ones will likely have bruises and the leaves will be wilting or yellowing. If you're unsure, you can also pick the species up from their pot and examine their roots. If they're brown, dark, and appear to be rotting, put this one back.

Once you have checked its appearance, you should also ensure that there aren't any pests living on the plant. Bio Advanced suggests looking closely underneath leaves or in areas where the leaves and roots join as they tend to be clustered in these locations. You can also look for any draping of webs or damage to leaves. After you know it's in good condition, be sure to read the label — each plant has specific needs when it comes to water, sunlight, and fertilization. If the pot doesn't specify, be sure to do some research.

But, where do you go to purchase a plant to begin with? Home Depot and Lowe's seem to be two of the most common retailers to choose from. So, let's compare their most popular options from each to see who has the better deal.

One of Home Depot's most sought-after plants is a Cat Palm. This plant can either be purchased in a black growing container for around $28 or a white pot for about $43. Suitable for both indoors and outdoors, it features dense and dark green fonds and grows at a slow pace. It thrives well in brightly lighted areas, therefore it should be placed in front of the sunniest window possible.

Typically, these species grow somewhere between 24 and 48 inches tall, from the top of the plant to the bottom of the pot. They're safe around pets including cats and dogs, and you can return these plants up to 90 days after their purchase date.

Home Depot's Cat Palm plant received a 4.5-star rating based on over 200 reviews and a 72% recommendation rate. One consumer stated that their plant is growing beautifully and that it can light up any room. Another chimed in and said they were able to place their plant directly in a pot without any issues and they will be ordering more. However, a third purchaser has stated theirs is dying and nothing will help.

Over at Lowe's, one of their top models is a Majesty Palm. Costing just under $21, this species has medium green shaded fronds that are said to grow at a slow rate. While it can tolerate a dim light setting for short periods of time, it thrives better in a brightly lighted area. Typically, it will only need watering about once a week. In addition, it also naturally purifies the air in your home and can grow to around 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. 

Based on over 500 reviews, this plant received a 4.5-star rating and a recommendation rate of 93%. One consumer stated that they have not had a hard time caring for it and that it appears to be greener than when they bought it. Another calls this plant graceful and says that it can finish a space beautifully. They also appreciate how low maintenance it is.

While this was a very close comparison, we'd have to say the better deal is at Lowe's. Even though Home Depot's plants can be returned for 90 days, the latter is slightly cheaper, needs a little less care, and has overall better ratings and reviews.