plant exchanges, a good plan to buy cheaper?

Clinging to the ramparts in Hennebont (Morbihan), plants are everywhere. Every year, more than 5,000 visitors come to take advantage of the good deals at the plant market. The prices are attractive: up to three times cheaper than in specialized stores. A couple leaves this year with 20 tomato plants, for 36 euros. Didier Hercouët has been coming here to sell 300 varieties of vegetable plants for 15 years. He has seen the number of gardeners increase and observes “a renewal of the generation”.

Garden centers still popular

Does buying at plant exchanges really do your wallet any good? For a climbing rose bush, it costs 45 euros on the market, compared to 60 euros in stores.

The price is up to twice as expensive in brands, which they justify by the services provided to customers. “If you have the slightest problem during the year, don’t hesitate to come back and see us, bring the plant with you, we’ll see what we can do”, explains Céline Lefrançois, department manager. Despite the success of plant exchanges, garden centers remain the favorite places of the French for their plant purchases.