Plug Plants Size Guide

We sell a wide range of basket and bedding plants. Available in three different plug plant sizes: standard plug, jumbo plug and garden ready plug.

See how they compare…

SmallPlug Plants – Pro Plugs

Ideal for getting ahead of the game, these are trays of small plants that can be planted into pots straight away, then growing on for 4-5 weeks before planting out. They will arrive in nursery fresh condition inside a sturdy blister pack.

Plug plants offer great value for money! They usually come in the largest pack sizes and are often available in mixes and collections. They are Perfect for getting ahead. 

Plugs Plants & Jumbo Plug Plants – Larger

Larger sized plug plants that will arrive slightly more established than plug plants. We advise growing them on in pots for 3-4 weeks before planting into hanging baskets and containers.

Jumbo plugs are more robust than standard plug plants. They come in larger pack sizes than garden ready plug plants and offer a good balance between value and ease!

Garden Ready Plug Plants – Very Large

For an ‘of the moment’ choice or simply for convenience, Garden Ready Plugs need no growing on whatsoever. They are very large plugs or ‘tray plants’ that are more established and robust than both standard and jumbo plugs. Plant them directly into baskets, containers, beds and borders and they will not take as long to flower or fruit.

Often offered in larger pack sizes than potted plants, they offer great value for money. With maximum convenience, they are perfect if you don’t have space for potting on smaller plug plants.

For mixed collections, the blister packs or ‘mini-greenhouses‘ will have a label on the outside listing the individual varieties inside, and referring to the embossed “A, B, C” etc. on each cell of the packaging.

What Are Plug Plants?

The majority of plug plants will be annual plants to create seasonal displays in flower beds, borders, hanging baskets and pots.

Upon Receipt of your Plug Plants

Unpack plugs immediately, and stand them in water for an hour. They may be slightly dry, or look a bit yellow – this is quite normal after they’ve been in the dark for a couple of days and they’ll quickly recover. Put them somewhere light, airy and not too hot or cold, to help them acclimatise to life outside the greenhouse.

Potting On Plug Plants and Jumbo Plugs

When potting on (“pricking out”), handle plugs carefully – even though they’re tougher than they look! For small plug plants in trays, push them out using a suitable small instrument through the hole in the bottom of each cell – e.g. a “dibber” or a pencil.

Pot on using our Windowsill Planters or Shuttle Trays with 9cm Pots, using good multipurpose compost like our Premium Professional mix. This will allow them to grow healthy rootballs before you plant them out.

Give your plants a good water initially, then only when the top compost starts to dry. Don’t leave them standing in water.

Planting Out Garden Ready and Grown-On Plugs

If you are planting directly in to flower beds, prepare the ground well by removing weeds and digging in some compost. If your soil isn’t already rich, just ass some well-rotted manure if your soil is not already rich.

For beds, borders and containers, plant your plugs approx. 20cm (8″) apart to allow them room to grow. We recommend using our Easy Fill Hanging Baskets for the very best hanging basket displays – see how easy they are to use with our handy video >

Plant 1 grown on plant through each planting hole, using good quality compost and our excellent SwellGel & Feed.

Feed using a high-potash feed such as McDermott’s Finest Fertiliser for Flowers & Fruits, to encourage flowering. Dead-head when flowers fade to encourage more flowers.

Important: Only plant out spring bedding after the last frosts – e.g. late April/early May

Sweet Peas

Grown in a net pot – this enables the roots to develop and is just the right size to enable safe effective shipping. Each pot has been multi-sown to contain a minimum of 4 plants. You can either plant directly into the ground with the pot, or gently tease the plants out of the pot and divide them, planting each into a separate 9cm pot.

Sweet Peas require a support system to climb up – use posts and wire, canes and twine or netting. When three or four pairs of leaves have developed, ‘pinch out’ an inch or so of the growing tips This will encourage lateral shoots to break leading to much bushier more productive plants.