Where to Buy Houseplants Online
Shopping for plants online makes it easy to find rare specimens or have mature plants delivered to your door. However, buying living things sight‑unseen requires some extra care. Here are tips for choosing reputable retailers and ensuring your new plant arrives healthy.
What to look for in an online plant seller
- Healthy plant guarantee: Choose companies that offer refunds or replacements if a plant arrives damaged or doesn’t survive the first week.
- Transparent shipping practices: Reputable sellers ship plants early in the week to avoid weekend delays and use heat or cold packs during extreme temperatures. They also clearly state the shipping method and packaging used.
- Specialization: Nurseries that specialize in houseplants or certain genera (such as succulents, aroids or air plants) are more likely to offer expertly grown, properly labelled plants.
- Customer reviews: Read verified customer reviews and look for feedback about plant quality, packaging and customer service.
- Local options: Many local garden centers now sell online and deliver within their region. Purchasing locally reduces transit time and supports small businesses.
Popular categories of online plant retailers
- Boutique houseplant shops – Curated collections of trendy plants, often including rare aroids and variegated varieties. Examples include The Sill, Plant Proper and Rooted. These shops typically offer care instructions and stylish pots.
- Large online nurseries – Companies like Costa Farms and Bloomscape carry a wide selection of common and specialty houseplants. They usually ship in nursery pots with care cards.
- Specialty succulent and cactus vendors – Sellers such as Mountain Crest Gardens or Leaf & Clay focus on succulents and cacti, offering individual plants and curated bundles.
- Marketplace platforms – Etsy and Facebook Marketplace allow individual growers to sell plants directly. When buying from individuals, check seller ratings and ask for photos of the actual plant.
Wherever you shop, be mindful of the time of year—avoid shipping during heat waves or freezes—and unbox your plant promptly to reduce stress. Once it arrives, quarantine it away from your other houseplants for a week and inspect for pests before introducing it to your collection.
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