As a retail and consumer expert with over a decade of experience analyzing store policies, I know that Home Depot‘s plant return policy is one of the most important factors for discerning garden shoppers. While the home improvement giant offers an unparalleled selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and more, even the greenest thumbs can end up with a dud from time to time.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about returning plants to Home Depot, from the generous timeframes to the rare exceptions. Plus, I‘ll provide insider tips to help you minimize returns and keep your plants thriving long past the point of purchase.
How Home Depot‘s Plant Return Policy Stacks Up
When it comes to plant returns, Home Depot‘s policy is among the most lenient of any major retailer. To see how it compares, I researched the return guidelines for some of HD‘s top competitors.
| Store | Return Window | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | 90 days for most plants, 1 year for perennials/shrubs/trees | Cut flowers and floral arrangements |
| Lowe‘s | 90 days for most plants, 1 year for perennials/trees | None |
| Walmart | 90 days for all plants | Live holiday plants like poinsettias |
| Costco | Case-by-case basis, typically 30-90 days | Cut flowers and floral arrangements |
| Local nurseries | Varies widely, often no returns allowed | Varies by store |
As you can see, Home Depot and Lowe‘s offer the most flexible return options, with a full year to bring back larger, long-living plants. Walmart also has a straightforward 90-day policy, while Costco and local nurseries are more of a mixed bag.
In my experience, the major benefit of Home Depot‘s policy is the ability to "test drive" a shrub or perennial in your yard without the fear of being stuck with it if it underperforms. This can be especially valuable for pricier purchases like trees and established shrubs.
Digging into the Data on Plant Returns
To get a sense of how often shoppers actually take advantage of Home Depot‘s return policy, I sifted through the company‘s annual reports and financial filings. While Home Depot doesn‘t disclose specifics on plant returns, a 2021 report indicates that returns of all merchandise accounted for approximately 11.2% of sales.
How does that compare to other retailers? According to the 2021 Retailer Returns Survey from Appriss Retail, the average return rate across all sectors was 16.6% in 2021, up from 10.6% in 2020.
While it‘s impossible to say exactly what percentage of those returns were for plants, anecdotal evidence suggests that garden centers tend to see higher return rates than other departments. A veteran Home Depot garden center supervisor I interviewed estimated that around 15-20% of the plants sold during peak season end up being returned.
"Spring is our biggest time for plant returns," the supervisor told me. "People get excited about starting their gardens, but then we‘ll get a late frost or they‘ll realize they don‘t have time to care for everything they bought."
Other common reasons for plant returns include pest infestations, disease outbreaks, and mismatched growing conditions. In some cases, shoppers may simply change their minds about a plant once they see it in their landscape.
Tips for Choosing Healthy Plants and Minimizing Returns
As a discerning shopper myself, I‘m always looking for ways to avoid the hassle of returns (even with a generous policy like Home Depot‘s). Here are my top tips for picking out healthy plants that will thrive in your space:
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Examine plants carefully for signs of pests or disease, such as sticky residue, webbing, spots, or wilted leaves. If one plant looks infected, its neighbors probably are too.
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Choose plants that are compact and sturdy, not spindly and stretched out. They should have healthy root systems that fill out the container.
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Make sure the plant tag lists growing requirements that match the environment you‘re planning to put it in – don‘t try to force a sun-lover into a shady corner!
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If you‘re buying a larger plant like a shrub or tree, ask the garden center associate when it was delivered. The fresher the better.
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For annuals and other seasonal bloomers, look for plants that have plenty of unopened buds rather than ones already in full flower. This will give you a longer blooming period.
Once you get your plants home, proper care is key to keeping them healthy and minimizing the need for returns. Most plants will benefit from a gradual transition period before being planted in their permanent location. I like to keep mine in a shady spot for a few days, then slowly acclimate them to their new growing conditions.
It‘s also important to resist the urge to overwater your plants, which can lead to root rot and other issues. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil – if it feels dry, it‘s time to water. If the soil is still damp, hold off for a day or two.
When to Return vs. When to Revive
Even with the best intentions, sometimes a plant will start to struggle despite your best efforts. So how do you know when it‘s time to throw in the towel and return it vs. try to bring it back to life?
As a general rule of thumb, I give most plants about 2-4 weeks to bounce back from transplant shock or other stressors. During this time, I‘ll monitor them closely and provide extra TLC like increased shade or humidity as needed.
However, there are some signs that a plant is probably too far gone to save. If the leaves are more than 50% yellowed or browned, the stems are mushy or brittle, or there‘s evidence of extensive root rot, it‘s probably time to return the plant.
If you do need to make a return, the process at Home Depot is fairly painless. Simply bring the plant and your receipt to the customer service desk, where an associate will process the return and issue you a refund. In my experience, they don‘t typically ask many questions about why you‘re returning the plant.
For online orders, you can return plants to your local store or ship them back using a prepaid label from the Home Depot website. Just be sure to initiate the return within the designated window for your plant type.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, even the pickiest plant shoppers can feel confident buying from Home Depot thanks to their generous return policy. With a full 90 days to a year to bring back underperforming plants, you can rest assured that you won‘t be stuck with a dud.
Of course, the best way to take advantage of Home Depot‘s plant selection is to choose wisely and care for your plants properly to avoid the need for returns in the first place. By following the tips outlined in this guide and staying attuned to your plants‘ needs, you‘ll be well on your way to a beautiful, thriving garden that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
