If you’re anything like me, you probably assumed Target’s in-store prices would be the better deal — no shipping, no waiting, and less hassle. But what I discovered shocked me: many garden items are significantly more expensive in-store than they are online. In some cases, the difference was more than 50%. Here’s a closer look at the biggest pricing gaps I found in the Target Garden section.
Garden Republic Salsa Starter Grow Kit
This salsa garden grow kit was $30.49 in-store and only $24.99 online — a $5.50 difference, or 22% more in-store. For a giftable kit that already leans on the pricey side, that extra cost can really sting, especially if you’re picking up more than one.
Fiskars Bypass Pruner
This Fiskars Bypass Pruner was priced at $21.99 in-store, while online it was just $16.99 — a $5.00 difference, or about 23% more expensive in-store. This noticeable price markup makes you rethink want to add it to your online cart instead.
Back to the Roots Mini Mushroom Kit
This was the most jaw-dropping example I found. In-store, it was priced at $18.99, while online it was only $8.99 — a $10.00 difference, or a shocking 53% markup. That’s not a small change — that’s paying double for the same box just because it’s sitting on a shelf.
Back to the Roots Organic Kitchen Herb Garden
This herb garden kit rang up at $19.99 in-store but was just $14.39 online — a $5.60 difference, which is 28% more in-store. That’s a significant increase for a compact grow kit.
Miracle-Gro Kids My First Flower Garden Kit
This fun kit for kids was $16.69 in-store and $13.99 online, making it $2.70 more, or 19% higher if you buy it in person. That extra cost stings when you’re buying for multiple kids.
Threshold Gardening Tool Set
This sturdy three-piece set was $31.00 in-store, while online it was listed for $25.00 — a $6.00 difference, or 24% more if you buy it in person. For a basic tool kit, that markup feels especially steep.
Mud Puddle Society Plant Markers
In-store, these plant markers were priced at $5.99, while the exact same item was listed online for $4.99 — a $1.00 difference, or 17% more in-store. For such a small item, the markup feels unnecessary, especially when you’re buying multiples to label all your garden beds.
Fiskars Lightweight Hand Pruner
The Fiskars Lightweight Hand Pruner was listed at $30.49 in-store and $26.99 online, showing a $3.50 difference, or about 13% higher in-store. The in-store price is steeper, making it worth comparing prices before buying. Every penny saved counts!
Mud Puddle Society Garden Statue
This small decorative statue was $8.59 in-store, compared to $6.99 online — a $1.60 difference, or 23% higher if you buy it off the shelf. I don’t appreciate how the in-store price is inflated!
Strawberry Shortcake Decorate and Grow Starter Kit
This Strawberry Shortcake grow kit is $36.99 in-store and $29.99 online — a $7.00 difference, showing a 19% markup. This is especially frustrating for parents on a budget!
Back to the Roots Wellness Planter Grow Kit
This compact wellness planter costs $12.19 in-store and $9.99 online — a $2.20 difference, or 22% markup. It’s another subtle price bump, but it adds up quickly when you’re buying several types of kits.
Mud Puddle Society Frog Planter
Priced at $8.59 in-store and $6.99 online, this whimsical frog planter showed a $1.60 difference and a 23% price hike in-store. The quality doesn’t change based on where you buy it, so it’s frustrating to see such a consistent markup across this product line.
Garden Republic Pizza Making Grow Kit
Identical to the salsa version, this kit costs $30.49 in-store and $24.99 online, another $5.50 or 22% price gap. Target clearly marks these kits up across the board in-store, and shoppers probably never notice unless they double-check online.
Back to the Roots Mushroom Grow Kit
This standard mushroom kit was $17.69 in-store and $16.99 online, just a $0.70 difference, or about 4% more in-store. Not the worst offender, but still another example of unnecessary price inflation.
Threshold Gardening Tool Set
This two-piece Threshold Gardening Tool Set was $18.00 in-store and just $10.50 online during a sale (regular price $15.00). Even without the discount, that’s still a $3.00 difference — or 20% more — if you buy it in store.
Back to the Roots Pink Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit
This pink-themed mushroom kit version was $15.89 in-store and $12.99 online — a $2.90 difference, or 22% more in-store. It’s definitely a better deal to buy it online.
Modern Sprout Seed Ball Kit
Here’s where it gets weird. In-store, this item was $18.29, while online it was $10.49 on sale (regular price $14.99). That’s still a $3.30 difference compared to the regular price — a 22% markup — and a full $7.80 difference if you catch it on sale, which is a whopping 42% more in-store.
Peanuts Paint and Grow Starter Kit
This adorable Peanuts-themed gardening kit was $36.99 in-store, compared to $29.99 online — a $7.00 difference, or 19% higher. It’s disheartening to see the higher price just for being on the shelf.
Modern Sprout Humble Bee Pollinator Seed Starter Kit
In-store, this pollinator-friendly seed kit was $7.39, while online it was only $5.99 — a $1.40 difference, or 23% more in-store. Small garden tools and eco-friendly kits shouldn’t come with a surprise premium just because you picked them off a shelf.
Threshold Plant Gardening Tool Set
This Threshold Plant Gardening Tool Set was $18.00 in-store and $15.00 online — a $3.00 difference, or 17% more expensive on the shelf. Another case where a quick online search could save you money. Check out 19 New Target Items Under $5 You’ll Use All Summer Long