If you’ve ever been to a Trader Joe’s, you undoubtedly remember the botanical display at the front of the store. With fresh cut carnations to bright, starry lilies and seasonal plants such as poinsettias and Easter lilies, it’s hard to imagine Trader Joe’s ever NOT having fresh flowers and plants in their store.
Unlike most other grocery stores, which usually restock their perishable items every week or perhaps twice a week, Trader Joe’s restocks its fast-moving items such as plants, flowers, and produce daily.
Read on to learn more about Trader Joe’s plants, what kinds of plants it has available throughout the year, and Trader Joe’s restocking policy regarding its fragrant foliage.
Introduction to Trader Joe’s
Based out of Monrovia, California, Trader Joe’s is a grocery chain that was founded in 1967 and now has more than 560 stores throughout the United States.
They specialize in fresh food that tastes great and have an extensive and affordable selection of organic and specialty food items such as vegan, kosher, and specialty dairy- and grain-free products.
Aside from fresh and tasty food items, Trader Joe’s also sells flowers and plants – which are practical and decorative home decor items.
What better way to brighten up the dreary days of winter than with a bright bunch of poinsettias in a pot? Or celebrate Easter without a lovely pot of Easter lilies to place in your sunroom?
Trader Joe’s Plant Selection
While many of Trader Joe’s plants are seasonal, there are some that are generally available year-round. Some of the potted plants available at Trader Joe’s include but aren’t limited to:
- Cacti (year-round availability)
- Succulents (year-round availability)
- Chrysanthemums (seasonal, fall)
- Tulip bulbs (seasonal, spring)
- Poinsettias (seasonal, November/December)
- Herbs – basil, rosemary, lavender, etc.
- Ferns (available year-round)
- Mini evergreen trees (seasonal, winter)
- Calla lilies (available year-round)
- Lilies (seasonal, spring)
Trader Joe’s Restocking Practices for Plants
Flowers and plants are considered fast-moving items at Trader Joe’s, and as such, they are restocked daily depending on demand.
On the off chance that not many people bought plants on a certain day, then the store will take note and opt not to restock the plants the next day to avoid overstocking.
This daily restocking practice of all perishable and fast-moving items – such as produce, dairy, plants, and flowers – isn’t commonly implemented by most grocery store chains, and ensures the freshness and availability of products.
Tips for Finding In-Stock Plants at Trader Joe’s
The potted plants in stock are going to vary widely based on your location. After all, the plants available at a Trader Joe’s in January in Miami are not going to be available at a Trader Joe’s in Minnesota.
However, the best way to find out whether the plant you want is in stock or still available is to ask a store associate. The store associates at Trader Joe’s have a reputation for being outgoing, friendly, and eager to answer the customers’ questions.
If you don’t see a pot in stock that you had spotted just a few weeks before, ask a store associate – it may just be that the plant you seek wasn’t popular enough to remain on the shelves, or moved quicker than anticipated and will be back on shelves the following day.
Trader Joe’s website is another way to find which plants are in stock, and their in-store magazine – The Fearless Flyer – provides an inside look on which products are seasonal, which are upcoming, and which are about to leave the shelves for the season.
If the plant you seek is seasonal, you should ask a store associate when they’ll begin stocking a certain seasonal plant.
The best time to come to Trader Joe’s is early in the week (Monday – Wednesday) between 8 am – 10 am. This is when you’ll see some of the new seasonal products.
Alternatives for Finding Plants
If you have your heart set on a certain type of plant and Trader Joe’s doesn’t have it in stock, a few things you can do are:
- Visit a neighboring grocery store that receives its flowers and plants from the same source
- Sprouts, Home Depot, and Walmart are some of the best alternatives for potted plants
- Grow your desired plant yourself from seed – though this requires time, resources, and specialized knowledge that you may or may not possess
- Order the plant online – there are several websites that sell plants, including many companies that sell local, ethically sourced plants and flowers.
- Visit a local nursery or greenhouse
Even if you don’t find the plant you wanted, keep your mind and eyes open as you shop. You might even discover a new favorite to add to your windowsill!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Days Does Trader Joe’s Get Plants?
Trader Joe’s restocks its plants daily, depending on demand. Faster-moving plants will be restocked more often than their slower-moving counterparts.
Where Does Trader Joe’s Get Its Plants From?
Trader Joe’s receives its flowers from Flores El Trigal in Colombia. This flower farm is located outside of the city of Medellin and consists of over 20,000 acres dedicated to growing the flowers you see at Trader Joe’s, Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and more.
The flowers are harvested daily and flown overnight to Miami, Florida, from where they’re priority shipped throughout the country the next day.
Should You Buy Plants From Trader Joe’s?
Yes. Trader Joe’s has affordable and fresh flowers and plants at a price and selection that can’t be beat.
They are also ethically sourced, with the Flores El Trigal farm in Colombia (which provides flowers and plants to Trader Joe’s, as well as several other retailers in the US) treating its workers under fair, ethical conditions with subsidized childcare, according to The Oregonian.
Final Thoughts
It isn’t hard to see why Trader Joe’s is such a popular place to buy cut flowers and potted plants.
With prices and selections that can’t be beat, as well as sustainable growing practices, Trader Joe’s is among the best grocery stores at which to buy potted plants.
