A half-price plant sitting in the clearance corner can look like the gardening equivalent of finding a forgotten $20 bill in an old jacket. Maybe the leaves look a little rough, the pot has a few weeds, or the plant simply needs some attention. That bargain can absolutely become a beautiful addition to the garden, but it also can come with an unwanted passenger: pests hiding among the leaves, stems, soil, or even the pot.
Clearance plants often end up there for perfectly harmless reasons, such as seasonal changes, cosmetic damage, slow sales, or a nursery making room for new inventory. Still, a discounted plant deserves a closer inspection before it joins the rest of the collection. Five minutes of detective work can prevent a much bigger gardening headache later.
