Why Do Garden Centers Plant in Bigger Pots? 🌱

Debunking the Myth: "They Just Want to Charge More"

One of the biggest misconceptions customers have is that when a plant is shifted into a larger pot, it’s only to raise the price. Let’s set the record straight: that is completely false.

If a plant is growing well and starting to outgrow its container, the roots begin to circle and choke themselves. This is called being rootbound. A rootbound plant cannot properly absorb water, nutrients, or continue healthy growth. At that point, the plant must be moved or “shifted” into a larger pot to survive and thrive.

To believe otherwise is like thinking a child’s shoes don’t need to be replaced as they grow. You wouldn’t expect healthy development in shoes two sizes too small, so why expect a plant to keep thriving in a cramped pot?

🌿 What Is Shifting?

Shifting is the nursery term for transplanting a plant from one container into the next size up. It’s not about “making more money” it’s about giving roots more space to expand.

Without shifting:

• Roots circle tightly, cutting off water and oxygen.

• Growth slows, foliage yellows, and branches weaken.

• Eventually, the plant declines and dies.

With shifting:

• Roots grow outward and downward.

• Water and nutrients flow freely through the soil.

• The plant continues to gain size, strength, and beauty.

🪴 Why Customers Get Confused

We understand how the myth formed. You see a 1-gallon hydrangea for one price, then the same plant in a 3-gallon pot for more. The assumption is the nursery just moved it up a pot and doubled the price.

But here’s the truth:

• That larger plant has months, if not years, of extra growth and care invested in it.

• Soil, water, fertilizer, labor, greenhouse space, and time are all real costs.

• Bigger pot = bigger root system = bigger plant = higher value.

It’s not about “tricking” anyone. It’s about the natural process of plant production.

🌱 A Challenge to the Myth

Let’s flip the question back:

If you think a plant should stay in the same container forever, how exactly does it keep growing?

Roots don’t magically stop developing. They don’t politely stay within the original pot. If you don’t shift them, they strangle each other. That’s not good horticulture, it’s plant neglect.

So the next time you see a bigger pot, ask yourself is it really a trick, or is it proof that the plant was grown correctly?

🌾 How Shifting Helps You as a Gardener

Shifting doesn’t just benefit nurseries; it benefits you:

• Healthier Plants: You’re buying a plant with strong roots, ready to take off once planted.

• Stronger Survival Rate: Rootbound plants planted straight into the ground often fail. Shifted plants establish faster.

• More Beauty, Quicker: With more space, the plant grows larger and fills your landscape faster.

🧑‍🌾 Maple Leaf Farms Practice

At Maple Leaf Farms, we only shift plants when needed. Some species grow fast and need a larger pot sooner, while slower growers may stay in their container longer. We don’t pot up for show, we pot up for the health of the plant.

When you see our 1-gallon perennials, 3-gallon shrubs, or large container trees, know that the size isn’t about pricing games. It’s about root space and plant quality.

💡 Final Word

Shifting is a necessity, not a gimmick. Plants, like people, outgrow their space. A bigger pot isn’t a trick; it’s a sign of good horticultural care.

So next time you hear someone say “they only put it in a bigger pot to charge more,” you’ll know the truth. The real question is: would you rather buy a plant struggling in a small pot, or one thriving in a proper container?

🌿 Visit Maple Leaf Farms

Stop by our Garden Center & Country Store to see healthy, properly grown plants in every size. Our team is here to answer questions, explain growing practices, and help you choose the right plants for your space.

📍 Address: 525 US-9, Manalapan, NJ 07726

⏰ Hours: Open Daily 9AM–5PM

📧 Email: mapleleaffarmsnj@gmail.com

🌐 Website: www.mapleleaffarmsnj.com

❓ FAQ Section

Do all plants need shifting?

No. Some slow-growing plants can stay in the same pot for years, while fast growers like willows or hydrangeas need shifting more often.

Is shifting the same as repotting at home?

Yes, but on a nursery scale. We monitor plants daily and move them up when needed.

Why do some big pots cost so much more?

Because you’re not just paying for soil and a plastic pot. Larger plants represent months or even years of added work, daily watering, precise fertilization, pruning to shape structure, training branches, and careful monitoring for pests and disease. Each shift also requires fresh soil, labor, and time in our greenhouses or growing fields. That investment translates to a healthier, larger, and more valuable plant.

Can I leave a rootbound plant in its pot?

You can, but it will eventually decline and fail. Shifting prevents that.

🌿 Need Expert Advice on Your Landscape?

If you have bigger questions about your yard — from custom 2d landscape designs to plant health concerns — we recommend reaching out to Horticulture Specialists, LLC at

📧 horticulturespecialists@gmail.com.

They provide professional landscape design opinions, plant consultations, and practical advice backed by years of horticultural experience. Whether you’re starting fresh or fine-tuning an existing landscape, they can help you plan with confidence.