Ordering plants online and having them shipped directly to your home is a common and reliable method for acquiring new greenery. This practice has grown significantly, transforming the local nursery experience into a highly accessible national market for horticulture enthusiasts. Modern e-commerce platforms and specialized shippers have developed sophisticated logistics to handle these delicate, living products. This industry provides consumers with an enormous variety of species that may not be available at local garden centers.
Types of Plants Available for Online Ordering
The range of plants successfully shipped is extensive, covering nearly every category of flora, though the preparation varies based on the plant’s form.
Potted and Flowering Plants
Potted houseplants, such as succulents, cacti, peace lilies, and pothos, are the most frequently shipped items. They are typically sent in their growing containers with the soil secured. Smaller plants, often in three or four-inch pots, are preferred for shipping due to their lower weight and smaller size, which minimizes transit damage. Flowering plants and even delicate orchid varieties are regularly shipped, utilizing specialized packaging that protects their fragile blooms and stems.
Dormant and Bare-Root Items
Seeds, bulbs, and corms represent the easiest items to ship because they are naturally dormant and possess minimal bulk, requiring only basic protective padding. Bare-root plants, which include dormant perennials, shrubs, and trees, are also highly shippable. Their roots are cleaned of soil, wrapped in a moist medium like peat moss or shredded paper, and sealed in plastic. This bare-root method is effective because the plant is in a state of suspended growth, reducing its need for light and water during transit.
How Plants Survive Transit and Shipping
Preparation and Securing
A plant’s survival during the shipping process relies on meticulous preparation by the nursery or retailer to mitigate physical damage and environmental stress. Before shipping, plants are given a deep soaking and allowed to drain, ensuring the soil is moist but not saturated, which prevents rot and excessive weight. The soil surface is then secured, often by covering it with packing paper or a cardboard collar, preventing the growing medium from spilling out of the pot during transit.
Packaging and Climate Control
Physical protection is managed through custom-designed, crush-proof cardboard boxes, which are frequently double-walled for rigidity. Rigid cardboard retainers are placed inside the box around the pots to lock them in position, preventing movement that could snap stems or bruise leaves. To buffer against temperature fluctuations, especially in cold weather, retailers may include specialized heat packs that release warmth slowly over several days. Expedited shipping services are typically used to minimize the period of darkness and stress, often limiting transit time to just two or three days.
Essential Care Steps After Delivery
Once the package arrives, the immediate priority is to unpack the plant carefully and inspect it for any signs of damage or pests. Gently remove all packaging materials, including any tape or paper securing the soil, and assess the overall health of the leaves and stems. Any yellowed, broken, or severely damaged foliage should be cleanly pruned away with sanitized shears, allowing the plant to redirect its energy toward new growth.
The following steps should be taken immediately after inspection:
- Check the moisture level of the soil by inserting a finger about an inch deep. If it feels dry, provide a gentle but thorough watering until the water runs out of the drainage holes.
- Place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect light for an acclimation period of one to three days to mitigate “shipping shock” from the sudden transition from darkness.
- Avoid placing the new plant directly into intense sunlight or near sources of extreme temperature, such as heating or air conditioning vents.
- Hold off on any stressful activities like repotting for at least two weeks.