Guide to Proplifting: How to find free plants!

[@FreePlantsForever]

It is VERY important to note that I am NOT CONDONING SHOPLIFTING or breaking plants/ruining stock with the intention of taking it, I RECOMMEND ASKING STAFF before picking leaves off the ground, as there is definitely a grey area with the legality of this practice and different stores have different policies about this practice.

[@flyingbytheseatofmyplants]

It’s stealing plain and simple

[@cmillet9293]

It’s not stealing if you ask permission.

[@youresoakinginit2113]

@@flyingbytheseatofmyplants She said to "ASK"; worst thing that might happen is they say NO. She also said they're going in the bin at the end of the day. So basically she's more or less garbage-pickin'! Just a little more classy way to get the haul than to literally PICK THRU GARBAGE!! 🤭

[@sewfancynancydesign5970]

To call someone ? A thief….maybe not so much! If you believe that was so be it. But asking permission and having a contact or even friend in that store is awesome. At my Lowes they know me by name. I spend a whole bunch of money in my Lowes. I have a vegetable garden…flower gardens on 1 acre of property. I also have pet chickens that I work constantly in their coop. Which I build everything they have which means I buy lumber, tools, and nails etc! This past year we spent maybe $2000.00 on home repairs. So to ask for a broken piece of plant is not even going to bother me. I do it every time and the ladies have even helped me look for succulents. They help me out by letting me know when I come in if the have marked down/clearance hydrangeas … which I have rescued 30 or more. Stealing it is NOT! I enjoy your videos and your channel. So keep them coming!

[@sewfancynancydesign5970]

I also frequent Home Depot. But the store is a bit away from my property. I watch their advertisements to find their sales. But at this store they usually have several carts that the workers have to put their waste in while sorting out and cleaning and picking up. I have also asked if l could look through the carts and they have alway said yes. They have even allowed me to pick out plants that were still in the pot…but not sales floor quality. Some of them even died when I got them home…but I rescued some and that makes me happy. My kids call me the plant whisper. But I always ask. That is not stealing. To go in a store and BREAK off a piece of A PLANT that is stealing.

[@sarahrose5057]

I literally just got back from Home Depot 20 minutes ago. I found an absolutely dehydrated and abandoned rack of succulents. I got several viable leaves. The old lady working the register saw me, and actually picked one of the (mostly) dead succulents, put it in a bag for me, and whispered, "We're supposed to just throw these away. Take it home and give it a good soak. Don't tell anybody..." 🤣😍😢

[@FreePlantsForever]

What a wonderful story. Glad to hear that the staff are so cool where you are.

[@Izsmelfie]

Awe. 🥰

[@tajkhan8613]

@@Izsmelfie 😊

[@hongvuth3798]

OoooOh😂🎉😂😅😂

[@ale347baker]

They risk their jobs though. I wouldn't want that to happen.

[@jjayneartworkx]

Once when I asked if I could pick up the broken pieces of succulents at my local nursery, the lady came back with a little box for all my pickings! 💚

[@FreePlantsForever]

That’s amazing!

[@GardenHappy]

Awww how sweet was that!!!

[@kristingonzalez6065]

Aweeee ❤️

[@marilynalmoite4821]

Wow! That’s customer service, I would say! Happy for you!😊❤️

[@general.disdain]

wholesome

[@GrizzerBear]

As a former manager of a Home Depot in D28 Garden Center.... I would have ZERO issue with customers picking up plant life that is laying on the ground. Through the Spring/Summer season it is nearly impossible to keep the floor clear of debris, and if a customer wants to pick up a piece of broken plant that's already on the ground... GO FOR IT

[@BobRooney290]

ok, you gotta tell me, what's Home Depot's secret to those plants outside? how do they keep them alive? like the violets and geraniums? i bought a few times and within a month or two they ALL died. i have never bought a successful plant at these stores. they got decent amount of light inside on my widow sill.

[@codyrebelcb]

​@@BobRooney290horticulturalist here, your comment made me giggle a bit. You can't expect those flowers to do well in a windowsill. They require full sun 8+ hours a day. You probably were overwatering/under watering them as well without knowing it. The Internet can help tremendously and you can learn so much about any plant species if you put in enough time.

[@zeragus707]

They get watered every single night all night long. Employees always forget to turn off the sprinklers. They basically live in a rainforest for 12 hours a "day" during the night.@@BobRooney290

[@miamerle8965]

​@BobRooney290 Lowe's and Home Depot will refund within 90 days. Some plant types have a 365 warranty for store credit. Take the dead ones back.

[@pantherzone2008]

@@BobRooney290I work for the Home Depot and I can answer that question. Plants do die because of customers don't always buy them or left there for weeks without purchase. We normally throw them in the dumpster as our per policy that we are not allowed to sell diseased and dying plants to customers. Also, it's the nursery vendors' policy as well. They remove those dying and diseased plants as well. This is why those plants die so easily. Plus, our associates are prohibited from giving out free plants or picking them from the plants to customers as it is considered shoplifting. It's either buy the plant or leave the plant alone. We have to keep a close eye on those customers to ensure that they don't grow plants for free. We always clean up the debris at all times to make sure that customers don't take advantage of the free seeds and stuff like that. That is why most of them die within a month because people keep picking those from the plants and it kills them.

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

When I was younger, in my 30's, a statuary store with outdoor plants, went out of business and cut down all their larger trees and bushes in half, (and smashed the statues) thinking they would kill them. I went by to look around for anything salvageable and found a "trunk in a pot" sprouting a few leaves! I took it home and watered it and put it in the ground! I am 74 and it has turned into a Japanese Maple "bush", about 5ft tall! Never quite grew into a tree! When it is meant to grow, it will grow! Keep rescuing those plants! God Bless!

[@AsaTrenchard1865]

Bonsai!

[@owoodard1110]

Yep

[@shannonbailey7580]

I didn't even know you could grow a plant from a leaf. I saw the word free and stopped to watch. Thanks!

[@yobaby7780]

😂lol that’s tooo funny that’s called eco systems. Life just revolves and around us all.

[@NickyLindolls]

I know right???? Some plants you need a whole twig. Some just a leaf. Once I learned about this I started practicing with my own garden clippings. Most thing I kill. But my weeping willow I just cut a twig and put it in water and it grows roots. I haven’t had much luck with the indoor plants like pathos tho. My friend was propagating her succulents and ended up with so many she sold them to a farmers market succulent seller. 🤣

[@504doe]

You have to research...not all plants can be grown or (propagated) from leaves or in just water...some need rooting hormone and others need a rhizome with a growth point and a root developing...

[@sushisue42]

It opens up a whole new hobby that will beautify your home- if you want this hobby!😂

[@chastityhadley]

@@NickyLindollswillow has a lot of rooting hormone in it. You could also use willow sawdust to help some other plants root.

[@laurie4275]

I worked at Lowes. We throw away SO many plants in the dumpster that are still salvageable to grow. We had people ask if they could raid the dumpster all the time. We always said "Sure. Go for it. Rescue all you want." We didnt mind.

[@faithnfibro4708]

Omgeez really I'm gonna go to my local owes and see if I can raid the plant dumpster hopefully I'll find some really cool plants!!

[@karenvonbargen4472]

I was the garden DH at our local Home Depot and we had our dumpster inaccessible to the public. If we got too many plants in a shipment that were on consignment from the grower we tossed the consignment plants and only displayed the ones we had actually paid for, per corporate policy. It was horrible.

[@lisascenic]

@@karenvonbargen4472 that must have been so demoralizing.

[@yle4876]

I would love to know which Lowe's you work at. I share my plants with my friends, and even people who live several blocks away from my house. Plants are expensive, and it's a shame that they're thrown away.

[@yle4876]

​@@faithnfibro4708 Make sure you ask them first; I would love to do the same.

[@lissa755]

When I was a little kid my older sister worked at a florist.She would bring my mother pieces of plants and of course regular plants for birthdays and holidays.By the time I was 18 my mom had so many plants it was amazing.We lived on a second floor in an apartment.There where plants everywhere it looked like a jungle.Love those memories.

[@FreePlantsForever]

That is awesome!

[@sergiomartins8626]

Beautiful!!!

[@VeryKinkyCurl]

Beautiful! 🪴🌱

[@lonismith3002]

I always ask the managers at my local Lowes and HD. They always either say “yes, just take it” or for large plant pieces, charge me $1. Easy peasy. Being ethical and honest pays off. Don’t be entitied or shady. Lol Great video!

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yeah I agree... asking is absolutely recommended!

[@trippin9899]

@@Sannidhi1 dont say that bro, im high and ur making me paranoid as fuck 😅😰

[@GardenHappy]

Oh wow that is very interesting. I didn't know we could do or ask that! Pretty awesome : )

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

If you find total complete leaves that have fallen off the plant and are either on the shelf or the floor, and they look plump and firm then it is not shoplifting to pick them up and take them home. These retail workers will only sweep them up and toss them.

[@lindalamb6643]

I asked recently at Walmart for some pieces on the ground. There were soooo many broken off. The lady said no I'll get in trouble for giving them to you. I had never done that before I was just thinking they'll probably throw them away so they might just give me some. NOPE... definitely be careful👍

[@jujubee7351]

I think it is so sweet of all of you that proplift ! Giving that poor leaf or stem on the ground a new lease on life❤

[@RealBradMiller]

One day I visited my local nursery, and when I got home I found a tiny opuntia stuck to my shirt. Been nearly ten years, I still have the same plant! Propagated many more off of her, too. At my Lowe's I just put cuttings or broken pieces in a pot I am buying, and they always tell me I can keep them! I still ask every time! ☺️☺️👍👍

[@gigishair4u]

Same

[@OffGridInvestor]

Optunia is considered a serious pest in Australia. I can take you to a patch of railway with 2 prickly pear varieties and eves needle all within about 100-200 yards. I love the flowers of eves needle and have a few cuttings I grabbed from the huge patch. Agave Americana is not uncommon and considered a weed by some. I have a colossal patch that I get seeds from and the sheep are actually eating them because they push thru the fence. 5 or 6 of the huge flower stalks come up EACH YEAR and inevitably collapse on my fence. The same fence had a tree collapse on it a few months ago and needs to be properly repaired (after I finish building my hothouse).

[@Beverly88keys]

My daughter went to work at Lowes in Chattanooga, TN during the pandemic because she was laid off from her job as a server. Chattanooga had several tornadoes hit and during clean-up she asked the manager if she could have some of the plants that they were throwing away that were damaged. When I came to visit, I couldn’t believe all of the gorgeous plants in her home. I was super impressed that she really took to raising plants and had such a green thumb. She had some of the most beautiful Easter Lily’s that I’ve ever seen in my life. Especially great that she rescued those plants and revived them so well!

[@thatthieff]

... Sam's Club throws away perfectly good, alive plants because they're past season. It kills me every time because I know they won't just discount or give them away. A whole rack of roses and hydrangeas just this week..

[@JennySimon206]

​@@thatthieff ouch. 😢

[@teresaburnette3778]

Always ask

[@Kellie08]

The employees at our local HD will sweep up the leaves and stems and leave them in a pile for people to “proplift” from. They work in the garden center because they love plants and want to save as many as possible. They’d rather people take them home than throw them in the trash.

[@Chelle778]

My mother, who passed away a few years ago at 94, used to do this all the time. I would go to her house and say, what a lovely plant. She would say, yes, that's from that leaf that I picked up when we went to the Walmart Garden Center. She never asked for permission. She also loved to make rock gardens. She would come over very early in the morning to make one in my backyard, and when I remarked about how similar and beautiful the rocks were that she was "finding," she told me that she had picked them up off the street where the city crew had left them. The city was using large river rocks to pave a meridian near my house. I told her that she couldn't just take those - it was stealing. She got very indignant and told me, no, indeed the city workers had left those there for anyone who wanted them.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Haha! Your mother sounds amazing, bless her ❤️

[@bestfoodchannelever]

Lol

[@farajaraf]

She sounds amazing

[@smc7929]

Love this! My mom was the same way when she could get out and about! I always teased her that she’s too old to get arrested for @ borrowing” rocks and plant pieces! Lol

[@growmiezhomiez8760]

still stealing if you dont ask.. yer mom was a dishonest person

[@lisayip4305]

I feel heartbreaking seeing dried up plants at the clearance sections. You are saving them!

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's what I like to think! ❤️

[@ladylove34]

At my daughter’s daycare, they have big planters with sweet potato leaves growing. They grow fast and are cut frequently. I asked if I could take some cuttings, and they said, “Yes!! The gardener just cuts them and throws it all away!” So, now I have so much from those two original cuttings. Also, I went to a restaurant in Austin with a ton of vining plants. The owner makes sure they have scissors for you to take some cuttings. It’s a beautiful green thing! I will always cherish my trip when looking at the plants that came from those cuttings ❤️

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's amazing. Sharing is caring, and the more plants in this world, the better 💚

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Makes for an interesting story of how you got the plant.

[@6ftCowgirl]

Why am I crying reading this??? Omg. Ima go find my green thumb!

[@ladylove34]

@@6ftCowgirl Haha! Girl yes! 🪴

[@swikfors]

I’ve been doing this for years. I refer to it as “gleaning.” The other fun thing to do is toss wildflower seeds out the window while driving down the highway but do it before a good rain. Put some beauty along our highways.

[@MP-gx6mg]

They will probably get mowed down

[@JustFollowthePetals]

@@MP-gx6mg😂joy kill

[@MP-gx6mg]

@@JustFollowthePetals I wish they wouldn't but sadly I think they would. I personally would LOVE to see more flowers on the highways.

[@CeruleanStar]

​​@@MP-gx6mg People in my region do this with daffodils and wild daisies. They grow everywhere on the side of the freeway. I live in a very wet region where it rains fall through spring, and the grass only get mowed in the summer when the dry grass becomes a fire hazard. It leaves plenty of time for early flowers to bloom. It's beautiful, and better for the environment than just plain grass. I've never done it myself, but I appreciate those who do.

[@mrs.tcampbell1249]

I've done this around ponds and lakes. It's fun to go back and see bees, butterflies, birds, and beautiful flowers growing.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

Watching this video and reading through the comments, it's lovely to see how many people are doing this. These little pieces would probably just end up in the garbage, so why not save them? Great idea!

[@FreePlantsForever]

My thoughts exactly!

[@rachelflower8826]

That's so true.....Actually had an employee tell me that I couldn't take a little piece of a succulent that was laying on the ground. Then witnessed her take it and toss it directly into the trash. I guess some would rather toss them into trash than allow a customer to try and save them.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

@@rachelflower8826 - That's awful. Why would she toss it away when you might have been able to propagate it? That's a terrible policy. So wasteful!

[@robertc5387]

Keep in mind that those broken pieces are STILL the property of the nursery. They don’t suddenly become free for the taking once their broken off. If the nursery denies you access to them, then that’s that. You can’t legally defy them. As for the “terrible policy”, try to imagine the floodgates that would be open if the policy was to give away everything that was broken off of every plant - the number of “broken” plants would likely increase very quickly. This kind of policy is unrealistic. If I had a nursery, my official policy would be not to allow this either. Unfortunately, people are too dishonest these days and businesses need to anticipate these types of problems. If a nursery employee makes an exception, then that’s fine, but better to ask first.

[@riosoma]

@@robertc5387 it’s like the dented can thing. Some people would dent them on purpose rather then pay full price there is now a notice on a lot of the plants that says unlawful to propagate this plant !

[@corithefrugalflower]

When I used to work as a delivery driver, I once found this lovely Deifenbachia left out on the end of the walkway for the garbage pickup! I was horrified and "rescued" it, put it in a plastic storage tub in the truck & took it home! 🥰 After many cuttings/transplants some 15+ years later, I have created several offspring, many given as gifts! 😉

[@GrandFamily4]

Last year happened to be at home Depot when they was throwing away what they considered dead,about dead, wilted tomatoe plants and pepper plants. Ask the manager if we could have some of them plants in the trash. She said sure.We took them home planted them, watered them and watch them grow. Produced many green peppers tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Was thankful for that.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Nothing like cherry tomatoes. I have worked in a commercial nursery for vegetables, biggest in Australia. One year I grew 27 cherry tomato plants and it got out of control. We also had seed developers with new experimental hybrids. I took some home in a plastic bag unknown to the boss after being told to throw them in the junk heap. Beautiful fluffy lettuce. 2 or 3 years later they were selling in the shops.

[@amandak1982]

When we bought our house, I went to Home Depot for plants. They had a few hydrangea trees that were totally dried up and they were throwing out. They gave me one of them and I planted it. The next year it had a few blooms but than died off 😢 this year it grew a new shoot so I cut everything back except for the new growth ❤ love saving plants!!

[@RRaucina]

This is not shoplifting, this is uplifting and plant rescue! Go for it.

[@TheNurseIshee]

OMG!!! I loved your video. My mom would have loved it too. She used to do that sometimes. We used to have to stop at people’s homes if she saw a woman working in a flowerbed. She would make new friends all the time. I was a teen and so embarrassed at first until I saw how fast two strangers became instant friends and would talk nonstop. She would then come back and bring them plants. It was crazy amazing. You are an inspiration!

[@AlpacaRenee]

I ventured out of my comfort zone and picked up the broken leaves under the succulents table. Excited! Thank you! I also spent $48 of other plants and succulents so…I don’t feel guilty at all.

[@mybleachhouse]

Hello, I'm from the loss prevention department of that store and we have decided to open an investigation into to your claim. We have reviewed all the purchases of $48 and have narrowed our search down to 420 people. Security cameras have now been installed under the plants and we will send footage of anyone rummaging down there to the FBI.

[@AlpacaRenee]

@@mybleachhouse that’s about the caliber of cases the fbi works nowadays. Wouldn’t surprise me.

[@sheldonmurphy6031]

Yes!! Those companies have no problem tossing anything food or plant. They just write it off, and it's covered under their losses. Nearly every cacti I have (27) were given to me for 50 cents to 2 dollars for their neglected cacti. Now they are all thriving beautiful! You are my type of people Ma'am 😊 Greetings From Iowa !

[@FreePlantsForever]

Amazing what a little TLC can do! Always glad to connect with another friend of the plants.

[@Ophiichus]

I have very recently gotten into the hobby, and all of my plants have either been free or on clearance. Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, these all have sections of "damaged plants" (Mostly just plants that need new pots, have been in stock for too long, or have left their blooming period ((Like Orchids)) ) And it has honestly been such a blast!

[@angelacorbin3769]

I was told by "Larry" an employee at my local Home Depot that once the plant/leaf or etc. is on the ground it is longer Home Depot's property and yours for the taking!!!! So I grabbed some hay laying on the ground as I didn't need the big bale they sell just for a few strawberry plants at home and a beautiful succulent laying on the ground was " FREE" along with the $150 in paint I paid for.... Great video 👍

[@FreePlantsForever]

Excellent! We must protect Larry at all costs!

[@christineribone9351]

'Larry' could have said so, but Judge Judy says 'Off to jail you go!'

[@mikemillson9572]

@@christineribone9351 This is theft being promoted in this video and as for Larry.....he would normally be fired and escorted off the premises for this false narrative and aid to theft.

[@christineribone9351]

@@mikemillson9572 WOW!!. Thanks for agreeing with me. Everyone else is justifying, rationalizing, and making excuses. Incidentally, there are several other you tubers advising its okay.

[@christineribone9351]

Once you get busted for theft, Larry will change his story to cover his ass! Or he might say 'it must have been the other Larry'. Have you figured out who is going to pick up the alleged $150 bucket of paint while you're sitting in the back of a police car?

[@jillgott6567]

One year I went to my favorite garden shop to purchase Tomato plants. I was told they could not sell them because of blight but that had set them aside to give to a local food pantry - they were safe but not sellable. I asked if I could have 1 or 2 and they said to take all I wanted. I took several plants, planted them at home, carefully stripped all the yucky leaves off which I threw in the trash not as fertilizer since they were yucky. I had the very best tomato crop that year allowing me to share with several families.

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's amazing! I love stories like that.

[@diversegardener392]

Finally, someone came out with this and I thought I was the only one who has done this sort of thing. One other thing I do is look for spent blooms with seeds and pinch only the seeds. Thanks for sharing!

[@erikadavis6213]

I will dead head the flower for them so I can get the seed pods lmao

[@OffGridInvestor]

Done that once myself with some kinda lithop or something strange. I buy PILES of cacti off a guy on ebay. Many with seed pods on them (mammillaria). I got another very rare succulent that has a yam thing on the bottom, looks like baby sun rose but very slow growing and has a relaxant effect in the alkaloids in the leaves. 2 plants both with what looks like dead flowers but full of seeds. Got several hundred seeds out of them in the past few days and have planted them. Its so rare you have trouble even finding it on google. African plant.

[@subaru7233]

This is a great idea for those of us who love to "see what happens" with cuttings and drops and I'll give it a try today! Thanks. Another tip: I was a homecare and hospice nurse for many years and found that if I saw a plant in a planter or yard, the gardener is usually proud and happy to be asked about a cutting. I have a 20 year old ivy I got from a two inch cutting from a planter at a nursing home. I was also once invited to come back when I wasn't working to tour a beautiful hosta garden. That family member had potted up a few for me!

[@FreePlantsForever]

That is a great tip! I've connected with so many people in my neighborhood this way 🥰

[@wickedlester2743]

I proplifted a Japanese maple tree. It still had the trunk and roots attached and it grew beautifully when i planted it.

[@The_LaughingHyena]

This is how I got all of my plants, though it was through a commercial wholesaler specializing in native plants. I feel an important technique is under utilized. A smile and kind word are the best.

[@southernzen365]

I got a tiny bit of transcantia the pink and green from wally world. It was just laying on the sidewalk outside, I asked the guy he said "pfft yeah" with an eye roll. She's a big gorgeous girl now after 2 seasons of propagating her. 🥰

[@JadeWatercolors]

I just did this at Lowes the other day. I found a plan on the ground next to the checkstand (literally the day after I saw a video of yours). I asked the checker what they would do with it and he said they'd just throw it away so I asked, and he said I could have it! He laughed at how excited I was! haha!! Thank you for the idea! I never thought about asking!!

[@pamelapruitt2558]

Back in the mid 70s, I had a friend that carried sandwich bags with damp paper towels in them. She would take small cuttings off plants in the malls. Her house was full of plants and she really had a green thumb. Then in the 80s she started a company that took care of plants for commercial venues.

[@randimayes560]

You mean she was the first? Or just started her own? I have seen them before at big companies coming in to tend to the plants

[@pamelapruitt2558]

@@randimayes560 She started her own company.

[@6boysareus]

It's a win win for everyone. Merchants have let me take home plants they have thrown in the garbage. If I'm unable to revive them, I re use the soil and use the dried plants for compost. Everyone is happy to give them to you. Just ask nicely...🥰🥰Great video with awesome tips. I love your prop/pot and tray idea. So going to do!

[@FreePlantsForever]

Thank you! I agree, it's win win as long as you're being sound about it.

[@shainazion4073]

Soil can be sketchy, it could have bugs, mold, or fungus in it. It is important for a houseplant to have good soil.

[@youresoakinginit2113]

Be careful though with half dead plants. The may have a disease that caused their early demise. I've seen SCALE on plants on the Dollar Clearance Shelves. (And I'm a cheapskate who will buy literally ANYTHING for a dollar!) It's painful, but if you see scale you have to throw them away bc there's no reviving them unless that's *ALL* YOU DO!! Same with soil, it could have earwigs, pill bugs (roly-poly), and snails/slugs. To be sure you don't hatch a bunch of hungry bugs and plant your plants in there,, I suppose you could add diatomaceous earth to your big batch of soil; or sprinkle some on top around the plants main stem. At least it would be organic! (Beneficial Nematodes are another option (Just resist spraying RAID! or something on it!) 🤢

[@RayF6126]

I take all the towns chrysanthemum pots at the end of fall. Even dead you can mix them with isopropyl alcohol and make bug spray. I reuse the pots and compost the roots.

[@CampingforCool41]

As someone who worked at a garden center at a big box store I fully endorse this lol plants at these stores are often a complete rip-off and also a horrific amount of whole plants just get thrown away anyway, it’s really sad. Btw a lot of herbs will root from cuttings very easily....I’ve been told 😉

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yes! I've had great success with Rosemary, Thyme and Basil.❤️

[@robertc5387]

Hopefully, you’re not advocating taking cuttings from these big box stores, as that is CLEARLY illegal. One may well feel that the plant prices at these stores are a ripoff, but that still doesn’t justify stealing.

[@riosoma]

@@robertc5387 you are right! These vendors get paid by scanned based sales and you are taking the money out of someone’s pocket. Usually the little guy at the bottom of the ladder that planted and nurtured those plants to begin with.

[@princesspink143]

How exciting.. I will ask when I find some only because I don't go to HD much. ❤ Funny story though. I dio the same thing with silk flowers at Joanns, Michaels Nd Hobby Lobby. They save them for me when they domp the containers and sweep into a pile. I donate what I can't use to the schools

[@AlpacaRenee]

If you buy tomatoes, just buy one and trim it into many more plants. It only takes about a week to get roots. Plants have gotten ridiculously expensive.

[@kootiblu113]

I worked part time at a family owned small garden center business and every night before we left we could rummage through a damaged unsellable plant rack to take plants home for free. I got tomato plants, coleus, flowers etc. That's one way to do it too. Work part time at a garden center. :D but yeah, I couldn't imagine anyone being mad you are picking pieces off the floor. That stuff we would just sweep up and put in the trash every night so if anything you were doing us a favor lol less cleaning.

[@kootiblu113]

Another thought: I transplanted a sedum plant that grew through the neighbors fence onto our property into my garden. Yay free plants. So that's an idea. Look around fair game places in the neighborhood. Seeds blow all over the place and make nice plants.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yeah I think that’s it, just be reasonable about it. Don’t break anything or take anything that will be sold, but as long as something is destined for the trash it’s fine!

[@lindalamb6643]

@@kootiblu113 sometimes neighbors are thinning their herds of plants and would be happy to give starts as well. I've planted entire yards that way... recently a neighbor was turning a family home into a rental. They wanted all the up keep gone. So they asked if I wanted anything. I took all of the plants for 3 days straight. I just had to do the work digging and transplanting... My daughter in law has a very well established nice yard now as a result.

[@lucyhuff9708]

I’m glad you made this video , my husband always yelled at me when I picked up a piece of succulent like this, now I know it is ok to do that , thanks.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Haha! If the comments are any indication, some people definitely don't like it. But I figure, if it's going into the trash anyways, it's okay.

[@magpie3924]

I've been doing this for years and I take cuttings from my friends plants all the time . Root hormone is a great booster too

[@candysands2632]

I was always so scared to do this and thought in asking I would still look foolish... Now I'm doing it ☺️

[@GardenHappy]

hahaha right on good for you!

[@MegaLilDrake]

Half the time the people know nothing about gardening and literally don’t care. Have fun!!

[@GardenHappy]

@@MegaLilDrake Gardening should be fun not stressful.

[@topnetworkersgroup]

Don't let this white privilege video get you in trouble. This don't apply to us. This is theft.

[@robertc5387]

@@MegaLilDrake what about the other half?

[@andalistark5416]

Maybe cuz i only ‘picked up’ gardening this past year.. it never crossed my mind that this stuff COULD be “theft!” Oopsie i’ve done this many times lol, from finding a sad flower lying on the shelf & sticking it in my hair to adopting a lonesome leaf for a cement casting or charcoal rub.. You’re giving those poor scraps new life! Enjoyed very much 👍

[@rickwilliams594]

I was at a local greenhouse last year and saw some newly deposited clippings in a trash bin. I scooped up 6 or 7 of them. As I was checking out with other plants, I confirmed with the cashier that it was ok to take them. She said yes. Now I have a beautiful new house plant! Never hurts to ask!

[@emanuelarocco3391]

I told a women at the garden center who was buying so many marigold plants. I told her to buy 2 plants and when the flower head is done to get the seeds out. You will never have to buy more marigolds 🤩

[@shastina5493]

True! It is so easy too! 💯

[@jadebryan2897]

I NEVER knew that

[@jadebryan2897]

@@shastina5493you learn something new every day. And here I am buying marigolds all the time, to keep the deer’s out of my guarden. And because it looks so cute too. 😊

[@shastina5493]

@@jadebryan2897 I think they both look cute in the garden but then again I dont get dear in my garden! Lol! You can also reseed from California Poppies, carnations, daisies, etc! Got to love Mother Nature! 😁💐

[@lizzyanthus1]

My daughter always has tons of marigold plants every summer. She deadheads her flowers, even before they are dried, and tosses them around. They always grow! I always thought they had to be dried before planting them, but she taught me that that wasn't true! Happy lesson! Now I do the same.

[@CharlieB.-]

You just taught me so many things in this one video. I tried growing three different succulent plants over the years and have never been successful. Also tried rooting just the leaves of some, no luck. I was putting the entire leaf end into dirt and probably over watered also. I had no idea these little guys could just sustain themselves from out of the soil until they got a good start. Ty. I had given up on succulents forever now I’m willing to try again ❤

[@FreePlantsForever]

So glad this was helpful! Overwatering is usually why succulents fail. They’re so hardy when left alone 😊

[@coldnhot369]

I actually did this when seeing my doctor. It was in the lobby and this huge jade plant looked kinda dry and I looked into the pot and saw all these leave droppings. So I took em!

[@FreePlantsForever]

Good idea! No one else was going to save them!!

[@mylink.orb17]

Good for you ! One man's trash is a plant parent's treasure!

[@lisawilliams9980]

Great tips! I have picked up broken off leaves as well. It’s good to ask if you can have them, so it doesn’t appear that you’re stealing. 😊 I propagate my own leaves often. I also put them in the large trays for future planting. It helps to mist them with water once a week or so, to keep them hydrated and help promote growth. You can also put water in a cup/container, cover the top with plastic cling wrap, cut small slits in it, then stick the ends of the succulent leaf in the slit, so that it touches the water. This helps them to sprout as well.

[@fromherworkshop689]

Great advice thanks 😊

[@timekabolden5309]

Broken leaves by the plant ..or on the ground?!?

[@emilypoole5686]

Trust me having worked at a large garden center. At the end of the night those leaves and sticks are either blown away or hosed away so it is not stealing, it is saving a leaf. As a former specialist of plants, I would never have thought a thing seeing someone picking up leftovers

[@emilypoole5686]

@@timekabolden5309 either way, it will end up on the ground and at night cleaned away for good

[@leesaenger2045]

I regularly visit the plant shelters (Lowe’s, Home Depot & walmart) and rescue plants. In addition the local nurseries, they sometimes give me branches that are still viable. ❤it.

[@LaLoba73]

This is actually true (regarding bix box stores) we often buy our soil and plant food etc from a large store and one day we were looking at a guava tree. One branch was severely broken and when a lady in an electric cart pushed by, it fell off. I asked if I could take it and the cashier said, "heck yeah. I'll stick it in this plant for you". He thanked us for making less work for him later. We also have purchased ALL our plants and seeds on clearance. The birds LOVE to pick holes in seed packets and we get a lot for free or discounted prices (when you ask). I'm totally for getting local seeds but when you plant your own food/garden it's much more rewarding. Don't underestimate plants that look sad or a seed packet with less seed. Use them, don't let them be wasted!

[@susankelman7633]

Just found your channel today and went right to Canadian Tire and bought 2 plants and prop lifted several! I told the lady at check out that I found some “droppings” and she said yes take them, they just get thrown out!! Thanks for the tip!!

[@crickette5611]

I think the best policy is ask... I have bought a lot of plant rescues and got them back to thriving which is very satisfying.

[@StephanieKnight1]

So glad to have a name for this…😂 lol! I have done this a few times at Walmart. They don’t care and I have my pieces open in my cart; not hiding it. I am such a plant rescuer though. I hate seeing these beautiful plant prices being thrown away. I have a few nice plants this way. xxx

[@robinmp8300]

I have a word too, 'Salvation'. Its funny how people have no trouble 'saving' plants but have such a hard time believing in Jesus saving us 🤔 XXX

[@izzyha5403]

@@robinmp8300 Because the two don't equate at all. I'm not shriveled up dry and dying. I'm poor and my stomach hurts but i can't afford to go to the dr. Make jesus help that and while he's at it Make him make my brother sober.

[@ashleystreasures1921]

I have been a plant parent for a little over a year now. I currently have 10 plants. I always go to those type of stores to buy plants and other things needed for planting and potting. I never thought of picking up the broken pieces off of the floor. I am definitely going to do it now

[@John.Flower.Productions]

You never thought of being a thief but since this woman has justified her thievery; you are definitely going to do it now? After leaving Home Depot, you should go to a buffet restaurant and ask for a free glass of water. Then, when no one is looking, you can stroll past the buffet and grab a little of this/that to eat.

[@joannaherrick2215]

​@@John.Flower.Productions dramatic are we?

[@John.Flower.Productions]

@@joannaherrick2215 No. Thieves are detestable; especially the 'self-justifying' and/or 'thrill seeking' variety.

[@charlottesmom]

@@John.Flower.Productions, I said something to this effect on another video and got chewed out by all the leaf picker uppers. I think its stealing and would never do it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@igot7problemsbutyougotnojams]

@@John.Flower.Productions This is not illegal and is encouraged by employees because they get swept away or throw in the dumpster. They do not care, if you are scared just ask they always say sure go for it! You are just creating less work and doing their job for them.

[@k.s.k.7721]

I didn't know there was a name for this, but I like it! When I visit my local nursery for succulents/cacti and one pot has a rooted leaf from another variety in the pot, I will usually buy that one, and separate them into 2 pots when I get home. I've never been challenged at the check out over a stray rooted leaf, and have been able to add some fun little succulents to my collection.

[@BiracialBeauty620]

I do this at my local Lowe's. Like you, I am there so much that the employees greet me by name when I enter the Garden Center lol. I take a reuseable grocery bag with me and as I am checking out, I ask if it is ok that I take what I've found. I've never been told no. But I am always fully prepared for that and would happily give the few leaves, stems, sometimes seeds that I've gathered. I am so glad you shared this video. Most places are happy for you to "clean" the floor for them!

[@hpetterson2265]

This initially made me nervous about it being stealing but your explanation absolutely does not condone stealing at all! Sounds like I'll have a fun new hobby when I'm already at Lowes, etc for a purchase. 😏 I appreciate you also giving the caveat about small, family owned businesses whom I love to support anyway. 🥰

[@dustinrossg]

You can literally do this anywhere it doesn't even need to be a store. You can just propagate plants you find anywhere. I propagated several fruit trees from my college years back, also on some hikes I found a fig tree and a mulberry, and those cuttings are huge now.

[@Chrissey-jr9kh]

My daughter almost fell over when I jumped out of the drive thru line at McDonald's and snapped a clipping off of one of their rose bushes! I have no shame when it comes to roses apparently! LOL

[@darlenecuker9711]

You actually took cuttings from trees? That’s stealing. Not the same as finding broken or discarded.

[@vikm1341]

I don’t think snipping is the same thing. Because they take care of those.

[@bridgettechavez4551]

Such a great video.Thank you for sharing all this information.😊

[@OlliMSa]

I've often picked up pieces of the plants on the floor, especially under the racks, and I let them know what I've done. I've never had any negative responses. Just as you said, you develop a rapport. I always show them what I found when I check out; I always purchase something when I do this.

[@SirNickyT]

There's not a judge in the country that would charge you with shoplifting for picking up leaves off the ground. You're essentially just helping them clean what they see as trash.

[@trewti]

I do the same, but I ALWAYS ask the cashier before taking it, I sometimes point it out on the floor before even touching it. Below the hanging baskets I've gotten some of my most prized props.😉Below the tradescantias is like getting a whole hanging basket...lol!

[@corruptedteka]

After reading through all the comments, it really seems like asking staff is the key. No one can argue against doing it if you're directly given permission. So I guess if I want to try this, as a broke legal teenager, I will have to overcome my social anxiety !

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yes! I have found so much tradescantia this way! It seems to break really easily, but the mama plant still stays healthy so no one loses.

[@yle4876]

I think it's great that you do that. As you said, ask first. I feel so bad every time I walk to the garden center at Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart and see most of the plants are wilted, and the succulent are etiolated. Some of the people work in the Garden Center at those big box store like plants and flowers, but most are just there to work. I am so tempted so many time to pick up the hose to water them myself. I wish I have a huge garden so I can take all of those sick plants home. I think you are saving those tiny leaves and they thank you for that, for saving them, and giving them lives.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Thank you, and it also pains me to see plants go to waste, or not be maintained. Hope I'm giving them a new lease of life!

[@davidhalley9795]

Years ago I’d dumpster dive one of my father’s jobs. It was a horticulture facility and I went crazy the first time. So much was salvageable. I didn’t have to buy any plants for a few years. Now that I’ve moved west I had to give up a dozen or more plants leaving me with only one…which was checked at the border. Lol. All good though. Knowing lowes and HD will gladly give some up warms my heart.

[@n_dee_vee]

So happy to have found you, I never heard the term “proplifting” lol😂 I also am always buying something… Hit the jackpot yesterday! 5 Echiverria with roots & pups! & 4 Sedum- all under a pot ☘️

[@FreePlantsForever]

Love that! Happy gardening!

[@crybebebunny]

They often don't take care, to take care of the plants. I personally take advantage of this. I picke up bad looking plants, then while purchasing other things too, I ask if I can get a discount. I usually get about 33% off, but sometimes 50%. We were given a mouth/voice to ask, they can always say no, then I have the option to leave the plant or to take it home anyway.

[@roseyberry4590]

Very well stated! I am new to watching this so I am excited! I often pick up leaves off the ground at Walmart and I asked if I could have them when I saw the attendant getting a broom to sweep them up…they we’re going in the trash, the person said grab it before it’s gone, meaning it was trash!

[@FreePlantsForever]

That is awesome! Glad to hear they were nice about it ❤️

[@nicolegroves6880]

I have done this many times, I ask permission if it's at a smaller nursery. My local, family owned nursery has always been more than happy to let me take whatever I find! I grew a zig zag cactus this way as well as quite a few smaller succulents!

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's great! I also recently found a piece of a zig-zag cactus... I love their look!

[@jackijax505]

Love it!! Once a bunch of seeds were all over at the seed stand area of HD. I picked up what was on the floor & threw them in a big pot. They grew well.

[@JoeL-gf9wz]

I went to a restaurant which had a trellis wall and ceiling covered with pothos . Some of the branches were too long and kept hitting my head. I trimmed about 4 leaves and took it home. My church friend accused me of stealing after we left the restaurant. To this day he’s been telling other people what happened 3 years ago. I have used that clipping to produce 15 potted pothos for church fund raising.

[@thegiftlady1]

Woman after my own heart. 😇 First at any of those stores is Clearance to see what POTS are on sale! Yes, the pot is usually worth more than the plant but I check the plants too. Been "picking" up their trash for a few years. Nothing great but succulents are always a good haul. Did you know ALL PLANTS ARE ON CONSIGNMENT= they don't pay for the g em until they are sold. That's why the staff doesn't usually care what you do. My trick is to ask when the next delivery is coming in. Sometimes they know. Most times they don't know or care. Freshly delivered are a great value! A Happy Picker here 😁.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Always glad to meet a likeminded person! I've had interesting conversations with vendors at HD - found it interesting to learn that they don't own their own plants. I think it depends on the brand,, but you're right, the staff don't care about the plants, and they often don't put them on clearance because they do have a return policy. It's quite a business model. I am planning on creating a video on some of the houseplants that can be propagated from leaves such as peperomia, as not everyone is a fan of succulents!

[@toi_is_a_star]

This is an awesome video, you showed me some things I never knew I could do like picking up the stems etc that have fallen off plants that I normally would just walk right by! Thanks again

[@FreePlantsForever]

So happy to help!

[@dm4859]

I've not watched your channel before, but my brother-in-law and I used to try to take a little part of some plants outside the public library or other places that we had access to - just enough to get seeds at the end of the season generally.

[@lisakeenan5620]

I agree with you totally. I’ve always asked the staff, managers about certain things that I might return or certain things that I might buy and I always seem to get discounts and proper information about the product. I don’t do that on purpose, it’s occasionally, when I go into a store. But I love your idea. Because everybody knows me , where I go because I love customer service. I love the people who are employees people That know me. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it very much❣️. I’m just starting to get into planting only because a few things that I have planted over the years I would say half die. Obviously because I’m not giving it the correct pH soil mixture, or whatever. Again thank you🙏❤️

[@mnm9552]

This is such an innovative way of propagating plants. Thank u for sharing your brilliant idea!

[@FreePlantsForever]

My pleasure 😊

[@SmallSnailMarie]

Another plant you can do this with is pothos and philodendron types (: A little node with one leaf can turn into a beautiful plant, found one on the floor at Walmart for a beautiful marbled pothos and its now growing long and fabulous!

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yes! I was thinking of doing another video with houseplants like that! Glad to hear about your pothos, such a pretty, easy-care plant

[@Miguelsbigbro]

@@FreePlantsForeverI’m trying to grow a curtain out of a golden pothos I bought from Lowe’s a few years ago. I found that the cuttings grow well in water with a small amount of grow big fertilizer. I’m also growing one near the shower and plan to have it cover the wall

[@Nurtureddreams815]

I did the same thing at a Walmart store. Unfortunately, the propagation didn’t go well. Maybe because I didn’t have the right part to start rooting. I’ll definitely be looking for more, as I always do, at other stores, too. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 👍🏽

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yeah, I find it can sometimes be a numbers game, you just have to keep trying and eventually some will start to work. Good luck!!

[@Nurtureddreams815]

Yes, I will continue trying. Thanks 🌱

[@topnetworkersgroup]

Ok. Unsure who raised you. Come on now sista you know why it didnt work for you! They only let other white people do this. Not us.

[@Nurtureddreams815]

@@topnetworkersgroup I did ask the associate who worked there. She okayed it for me to get them. She was interested in trying to start gardening, too.

[@dmariewalker6880]

One thing an associate at Walmart told me when I asked about some plants on a roller shelving if they were marked down, she said “no those are to be thrown away “, she told me she couldn’t mark any of the Bonnie plants down. However she did mark down 2 other plants for me. Doesn’t make sense to throw away plants, instead of marking them down to sell.

[@omaam1005]

Hi, yup at a Lowes in my area, a plant worker was cutting up plants and had them on the floor. I saw him working with the plants and I most certainly did ask him and he said yes without hesitation. I have no fear asking for a discount for damaged plants IF I want it or asking for plant trash left on the ground IF I want it. Ask. Says the world's LORD AND SAVIOR and it shall be given. And if it won't be given there are other stores where it may well be an even better score depending on one's value. Have a blessed weekend!

[@Random_847]

Folks just need to be rational and respectful. Unfortunately not everyone is even capable of that. You did a great and thorough disclaimer, anyone that has a problem with it, well that’s their problem not anyone else’s. Thank you for sharing this ❤ my husband loves propagating his own plants 🌱

[@bluegirl4079]

I am in awe of you! Turning something that will just be discarded into a living, thriving plant is being a good steward of the earth. It's thrifty, too. I think for the most part asking permission is a good idea.

[@golditaz5728]

I have just found your channel and in less than two minutes of watching I hit the subscribe button and the bell 🔔. I’m looking forward to see more of your videos and watch them whenever I get a chance. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.💜 have a great day!💐

[@FreePlantsForever]

Thank you so much!

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

Both times I did this, I was watching my “mini me” for the weekend (my 6 year old niece that is OBSESSED with all of the plants on my little farm)-I didn’t do it intentionally while she was with me, but looking back…I definitely think she gave me an unfair advantage on collecting “plant droppings”. 🤣 But then again- at the box chain garden centers, I don’t think they care, or would’ve said “no” regardless. 🤷‍♀️ But if you have access to adorable wee ones-it definitely won’t hurt your chances of the stores letting you have their plant droppings!🤣👍

[@FreeAmerican-mm2my]

Glory Hole?

[@Lisamakes]

I live just outside of Barcelona, and I have found lots of plants on the ground after local gardeners have been by. I now have some cute agaves, a Purple Heart, bougainvillea, jasmine and asparagus fern!

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's excellent! I'd love to hear how your bougainvillea did, I've heard they can be difficult to transplant/propagate.

[@Lisamakes]

@@FreePlantsForever I just have the bougainvillea in water and it’s definitely sprouting roots. We shall see from there!

[@OffGridInvestor]

I am in a house on a farm owned by the family since 1863. It has many things that were planted in the 1920s. Including a Jasmine that grows up on the roof every year and a red rose that does the same. Also a big fig tree. When I moved in 12 years ago, the rose and fig tree were both essentially dead or dying. I cut them back and they blasted ahead. Fig does 3 flushes a year and two of those will give me 60 figs if the birds don't get them first.

[@incredifunk]

I've been prop lifting for years. My favorite is going to a place with established plants such as a fun park, or even a botanical garden and helping yourself to a few pinch cuttings

[@MarkSoliday]

I dig it. Never considered looking for these little treasures.

[@tammibolender3785]

My home Depot does not care, I do buy a lot of stuff from them, and I don't hurt the plants. My local garden center starts thier own veggie plants and when they feel it is too late to sell them (time for fall stock) they eventually give them away. They also have the rescue table for things that are done for the year, but, if planted, can come back next year, these things are super cheap. Things that have over wintered, like bushes, etc, get put on sale for 50% off the next year to make room for new stock. These are all great options for reduced price or free plants. You can talk to a manager at your big box store about walking through and picking up dropped leaves, etc.

[@cascadianroots]

I did a tiny little proplift today... The first one ever. Why'd it feel so naughty but so exciting at the same time🤭🤫 I'm not sure I'll be doing it frequently, but the healthiest ones I might be comfortable taking home with me.💚

[@di4085]

What I sometimes do is at a local Big Box place their plants have been severely dried out. So I take it upon myself to water some of the clearance ones. I can't stand it when I see plants in such poor condition and not being watered until the next rain.

[@maripusin1]

I am so glad I ran into your video just came back from Walmart and found 4 succulent leaves that were already starting to grow that were on the side of all the other plants I purchased 2 but got 4 baby ones. I am so excited to see them growt thank you so much for your tip

[@JillianNorwood]

New subscriber. I love starting new plants from cuttings. I often take cuttings in early spring from everything in my garden and stick them right in the soil next to the mother plant. The spring rains allow many of them to root without fuss producing a plant I can move to another area in my garden.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Amazing! That's how I managed to grow my garden as well. Plus the plants love to be cut back in the spring.

[@mortyrickerson6322]

In my experience i believe you would get a much higher propogation rate if you add just a slight amount of water to your dry bin everyday or every other day but honestly just a misting is enough. Also just using clay pebbles or rocks since cuttings need very little nutrients and just need to focus on regrowing roots before you put them in nutrient rich media. Cheers eitherway for the awesome content! 👌

[@SouthCountyGal]

Thanks for this comment. I was wondering about watering, for indoor propagation. I recently started doing this with succulents, but so far nothing gleaned from HD has succeeded. I do, however, have about 30 night-blooming cereus plants from one leaf a friend gave me five years ago. Perhaps I am a one-trick gardener.

[@mortyrickerson6322]

@@SouthCountyGal hope it helps! As long as youre persistent I'm sure you'll branch out to other varieties 😊 Gotta learn from both our successes as well as learn from our failures. Happy growing 🌱

[@heirwithjesus]

Had no idea where u were about to take me with this video…but when U said “When I find a big piece of plant on the ground…” I chuckled because the plant people community are unique folk(myself being apart of it) 😂😅

[@chelseaclerke3582]

I do this all the time! I don't have as good of a selection or conditions in Canada but I've got 3-4 succulent leaves laying on a sand and soil mix that I found around the pots of water logged succulents at Walmart a few weeks ago along with leaves from my own succulents and 1 of the Walmart ones has started rooting, no idea what it is but it's going lol. My favourite part was that mixed propagation pot, that is genius, I'd have to do it indoors but I'm going to make one of those, it makes a lot of sense for a procrastination queen like me lol.

[@FreePlantsForever]

Nice! I always enjoy the surprise of seeing what I end up with when I'm not sure what I have in the first place. As a fellow procrastination queen I salute you! 🙌

[@BrittanyS143]

We need all these stores to just have a free stand but ONLY when there closed so there's no issues of stealing the non free plants!! This can be a great idea to help out sooo many people and the earth!!!

[@FreePlantsForever]

I love that idea!

[@lauriegordon5591]

People are making way to big of deal about this.... All you have to do is ask! Our home depot has carts full of plants in the back of the store... These plants are out of season damaged ect.... I have even went up to the cashier and asked for a discount on plants that were damaged, they said yes! They sweep up these leaves and through them out all the time! I am actually impressed at how she values PLANT LIFE she seems to be an awesome person! Wish you the best with your babies!❤

[@ourv9603]

There was a story in our local paper about a guy who gets off reviving sick & dying plants. One day, he was in his local Home Depot garden center and saw the employee pitch a plant into the trashcan. He went & asked if he could have it & the garden mgr said 'YES'. That MGR told him it was their practice to weed out the sick & dying plants every Saturday. So, He then got into the habit of stopping in every Sat morn & he was given a whole bunch of plants to revive free of charge. Way Cool. ALSO, When you drive down the strret in the commercial warehouse district, if you see a beautiful plant you like, stop & take a cutting. !

[@OffGridInvestor]

There's an old collapsed little farm house in the next town up the road. They're ripping it fields next to it and putting drainage in for a new estate. I suspect it will be demolished in a couple of months. It's the easiest way to get to the supermarket and avoid all the other traffic in the main entrance as this house is at the other end of the road that the new shopping centre is on. I never really noticed before, thought it was just a few random bushes, but the original garden has been abandoned and now it's in full flower. I will go jump the fence and check things out tomorrow because they will likely all get the bulldozer when the house does. Might be some stuff worth getting cuttings or digging up the self seeded stuff. Australia is chronic for different kinds of plums besides rivers, but I'm overloaded with plums already. 4 different types, one tree taller than my house

[@davidannabellecasper494]

I noticed years ago that they throw a lot of good plants 🪴in a dumpster that are still good and usually they just need some water. They keep the pots to get credit with the bar code and the growers take the hit .If you get caught dumpster diving, you get charged with shoplifting though !

[@KimberFarms]

The pots are kept because they are returned to the grower to be recylcled or melted down to make hangers for Walmart. The grower "taking a hit" depends on the contract with the store. Yes, you can be charged with shoplifting because it's simply not your property.

[@FreePlantsForever]

I know, it's awful. I've similarly asked HD as well as a vendor there for a plant that was in the bin and they said they had to destroy it. Such a waste!

[@KaterinaGasset]

It is also a liability issue to dumpster dive on commercial properties. Thus, the rule that it is considered shoplifting.

[@KaterinaGasset]

@@youresoakinginit2113 Gross!

[@lynnclendenin2988]

I look at the clearance plants to get great flower pots!

[@FreePlantsForever]

Yes! Exactly what I did here... you can find real bargains!

[@lizetteolsen3218]

Totally applaud your work to re-home those that would be trashed. Highly recommend people make friends with staff and manager. I got some fantabulous deals on a gliding 2 seater and a crystal chandelier. These were 'wants' not needs. For the glider, I waited until end of season (Aug). It had been marked down (originally $399). I offered the manager $25 to take off the inventory since it would cost a whole lot more to ship back. SCORE! For the chandelier, I watched it like a hawk for months and months as it was marked down. In the end offered shipping costs ($87) for a piece that started at $499. Never hurts to ask--the worst case scenario is 'no'. But to my mind, win-win, store was able to save shipping costs and still move the stock. Barter is always welcome. For garden plants, I also go frequently--I have had the garden staff 'gift' me sad plants or herbs knowing I can do something with them other than trash.

[@jesseaubin]

A lot of cemetaries have a discard piles of all the flowers left behind. My mom used to make weekly rounds to local cemetaries and brought flowers back to plant at the house

[@quizzicalbrow8744]

I did this once. A huge snake plant leaf was on the ground and I took it to the register and asked them if I could keep it since it was laying on the ground. I propagated it and it’s doing well! 🌱

[@FreePlantsForever]

That's great to hear! Snake plant are a great one to propagate (especially if you have the patience... they're slow!)

[@youresoakinginit2113]

I was so surprised to see a Snake Plant (also known as "Mother-In-Law-Tongue") propagation technique on You Tube. I'm gonna have to try it. Only I'll legit BUY the plant, bc I know I'll screw it up!! If I have the whole plant I can keep trying!😊

[@Izsmelfie]

One of my favorites to propagate! So rewarding.