What Are Plugs?
Get to know these young plants, grown to order, ready for your garden.
In horticulture, the term "plugs" refers to young plants cultivated in individual cells, typically in seed trays, that are ready for transplanting into larger containers or directly into the garden. Defined by the American National Standards, a plug consists of a cylindrical root mass encapsulated in its growing medium, which remains intact when transplanted. Our professionally grown cut flower plugs are nurtured in state-of-the-art greenhouses for 6 to 14 weeks or more, depending on the species. This controlled environment during their formative stages ensures optimal health and vigor, allowing the plants to flourish once transplanted.
Plugs offer a simpler and more reliable way to establish a garden compared to starting from seed. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned horticulturist, plugs provide an easy, successful start to your garden. This method of cultivation ensures that each plant is robust, healthy, and poised for success.
Why Grow from Plugs?
Growing from plugs significantly reduces the time required for plants to reach maturity, making them ideal for gardeners who wish to enjoy quicker results, even with limited space. Plug plants are carefully selected and nurtured to ensure they establish quickly, growing symmetrically and offering greater resilience to pests, disease, and drought. This makes them an excellent option not only for seasoned gardeners but also for those less experienced or short on time.
About Plug Sizes
At Garden Club, every plant is grown to the size that suits it best, both for thriving in your garden and for arriving safely at your door. When plants are grown in oversized trays that are too roomy, they risk dislodging during shipment; when held too long in small cells, they can become rootbound and stunted, never reaching their full potential. We carefully grow each crop with multiple factors in mind, including durability in transit and strong, immediate growth once planted.
Our horticulturists and professional growers have divided our crops into two distinct plug sizes to suit each plant’s needs. Many of our seed-grown varieties flourish in smaller root cells and are offered as Standard Plugs, purchased in convenient 8-packs. These compact plugs allow us to fit more individual plants into each mini greenhouse - but don’t be fooled by their size. They’re vigorous and ready to take off quickly once planted in your garden.
Some plants, especially those propagated from tissue culture or unrooted cuttings, need more space for their roots to initiate and develop before shipping. These are grown as Chunky Plugs, sold in sets of three. The larger cells give these varieties the head start they need to establish beautifully once transplanted. Both plug sizes arrive in our signature mini greenhouse packaging, allowing you to mix and match 8-packs and 3-packs seamlessly within the same order.
Plugs provide an opportunity to experiment with new varieties without the need to purchase numerous seed packets or endure the time-consuming process of growing from seed. They also serve as a perfect solution when time is of the essence, such as when a planting window is missed or a crop fails unexpectedly.
In an established garden, plugs can be interplanted with existing crops, improving both productivity and aesthetics. This technique of intercropping with companion plants can boost overall yields and reduce the need for weeding. Moreover, the visible growth and vitality of plug plants after planting make garden design simpler and more immediate, offering both beauty and functionality.