When Does Home Depot Mark Down Plants? Plant Clearance Guide

Where to find clearance plants

Most Home Depot garden centers have a spot for plants that need to move: a clearance cart, a back corner or a few marked tables. Plants end up there because they're past their bloom, a little dry, or the season is ending. Ask a garden associate where yours is.

When does Home Depot mark down plants?

Plant clearance follows the seasons, and every store handles its own:

• Late spring and early summer, after the big planting rush.
• Late summer, when annuals are past their best.
• Fall, when perennials, shrubs and trees are cleared before winter.

See the seasonal clearance calendar for the rest of the year.

Which clearance plants are worth buying

• Perennials. They often look rough at the end of the season but come back next year.
• Shrubs and trees. Healthy roots matter more than a few brown leaves.
• Houseplants that just need repotting and water.
• Bulbs and seed packets at the end of their season.

Skip plants with mushy stems, a sour smell, pests or roots circling out of the pot.

The 1-year plant return rule

Home Depot's published return policy gives perennials, trees, roses and shrubs a 1-year return window. Keep your receipt. That makes clearance perennials and shrubs a lower-risk buy. Read can you return clearance items at Home Depot?

Tips for saving clearance plants

1. Water them as soon as you get home.
2. Repot or plant within a few days.
3. Trim dead growth, not healthy stems.
4. Give them shade for a few days before full sun.

Clearance plant checklist

Before you buy, check:

Best plants to rescue

• Perennials like hostas, daylilies and coneflowers, which come back next year.
• Shrubs like hydrangeas and boxwoods with healthy roots.
• Houseplants like pothos and snake plants that recover easily.
• Fruit trees and roses at the end of the season, if you can plant soon.

Annuals on clearance are fine for a quick pop of color, but they won't come back next year.

Ask about the schedule

Garden associates often know when the next round of plant markdowns is coming. A friendly question can save you a trip.

Garden center clearance beyond plants

The garden center also clears pots, soil, tools, hoses and outdoor decor. PennyLoot scans Outdoors & Garden and every other department at the Home Depot stores near your ZIP. Check your ZIP on the home page, and see patio furniture clearance and grill clearance for the rest of the outdoor season.