Steve’s Leaves is an online nursery specializing in rare and unusual tropical houseplants, shipping nationwide from greenhouses in Texas. The nursery is a significant source for enthusiasts seeking exotic Aroids or unique Begonia hybrids. This review assesses the product quality, the efficacy of the shipping process, and the protection offered by customer service policies to help potential first-time buyers make an informed decision.
Plant Quality and Variety
Steve’s Leaves is known for its extensive collection of Begonias and Aroids, including genera like Philodendron, Anthurium, and Monstera. The nursery offers over a thousand varieties of tropical plants, often featuring exclusive, in-house hybridized Begonia cultivars. This specialization caters strongly to collectors searching for species beyond common garden center offerings.
Plant health is generally positive, with many customers receiving robust specimens that exhibit good growth habits. Plants are typically grown in a peaty soil mix that promotes rapid initial development in the controlled greenhouse environment. However, this moisture-retentive substrate can become problematic in lower-humidity home environments, sometimes necessitating immediate repotting to prevent root rot.
While most plants are healthy, the size of the plant relative to its price can occasionally be a point of contention. Pricing is generally competitive compared to other specialized online rare plant retailers, but the overall cost climbs quickly due to their rare stock. High demand means popular items are frequently sold out, though a waitlist system is available for specific exotic specimens.
Shipping and Packaging Effectiveness
The logistical challenge of shipping live, delicate plants requires specific packaging techniques to ensure survival. Packaging from Steve’s Leaves is frequently described as thorough and careful, demonstrating an understanding of plant anatomy. Delicate-leaved plants, particularly Begonias, are often stabilized using small bamboo stakes to prevent leaves from snapping during transit.
Soil containment is managed by wrapping the pot and soil surface, often with plastic or paper, preventing the growing medium from spilling and damaging the foliage. Insulating materials and heat packs are implemented seasonally, depending on the destination climate, to protect tropical specimens from temperature extremes. Shipping times are generally fast, with many domestic orders arriving within two to three days.
Despite the careful approach, packaging effectiveness is not universal, and transit issues occasionally occur. While most customers report minimal soil spillage and healthy arrival, some instances of insufficient packaging have resulted in plants arriving with broken leaves or as Dead on Arrival (DOA). Packaging success largely depends on the specific plant’s hardiness and the handling efficiency of the third-party carrier.
Customer Service and Purchase Policies
Understanding the company’s guarantee policy is important when purchasing live plants online. Steve’s Leaves maintains a Dead on Arrival (DOA) policy for plants damaged beyond recovery during shipping. When a plant arrives deceased, the company typically requests photographic evidence of the damage to process a claim.
Historically, customer service was highly regarded, offering prompt responses and a replacement plant or credit for confirmed DOA cases. However, reports indicate that while the cost of the plant is usually refunded, original shipping fees are not always included in the reimbursement. Recent customer feedback suggests a potential decline in service responsiveness, with some individuals reporting defensiveness when claims are filed.
The mixed experience suggests the resolution process can vary, and buyers should document any issues immediately upon arrival. Steve’s Leaves remains a strong source for experienced collectors willing to accept the inherent risks of shipping live plants. For plant beginners, the combination of sometimes-small starter plants, challenging peaty soil, and varying customer service makes it a retailer best approached with caution and realistic expectations.