The Home Depot Plant Return Policy: Time Limit, Requirements Detailed

Short Answer

You can return most plants to The Home Depot within 90 days of purchase. However, perennials and landscaping plants are eligible for return for a full year, and some plants may have a shorter return window at the store’s discretion. To make a plant return, you’ll need your receipt/proof of purchase, the plant (if possible), and a valid ID. For more about returning plants to The Home Depot, see below.

The Home Depot Plant Return Policy

The Home Depot allows customers to return most plants within 90 days. Perennials (i.e., plants expected to live longer than two years), trees, shrubs, and tropical plants have a longer return window — The Home Depot will accept them within up to one year of purchase.^[1]^[2]

We called The Home Depot stores in New York and Georgia and found that some plants may have a shortened 30-day return policy. This is generally reserved for smaller house plants like tulips, but store associates may be lenient.

To make a return, bring the plant (if possible), proof of purchase, and a valid ID to your nearest store. If you’ve lost the receipt, store associates may be able to look up your purchase. If the store accepts your return, you’ll usually receive a refund to your original form of payment.^[1]^[2]

If you purchased live plants online (including holiday trees and wreaths) and they arrived damaged or dead, you can contact The Home Depot’s customer service department at (800) 430-3376 within three days of delivery and the company will ship you a replacement for free. Note that this does not apply to cut flowers or floral arrangements.^[1]

Exceptions

We were told that The Home Depot’s plant return policy isn’t unconditional — a store manager can refuse your plant return or exchange for any reason. If you bring in a dead plant to return or attempt to return a plant outside of its standard return window and the store accepts your return, your refund may be in the form of store credit.^[2]

Another exception to the standard plant return policy is any Bonnie plant used with Miraclo-Gro soil or plant food. The Home Depot guarantees that if your Bonnie plants don’t produce a harvest during the growing season (March through October), you’re entitled to a refund for both the plant(s) and the Miracle-Gro within 12 months of purchase.^[1] Bring your Bonnie plant and receipt showing a Miracle-Gro purchase within three days of the plant purchase to your local Home Depot store location to get a refund.