How Live Plant Shipping Works

Shipping a living plant is very different from shipping a typical package, and understanding the process helps set the right expectations when your order arrives. Here's how it works.

 

How Plants Are Prepared for Shipping

 

Before shipping, plants are typically watered appropriately, secured in their containers to prevent soil spillage, and packaged with protective material to cushion stems and foliage during transit. Fragile branches may be wrapped or braced to prevent breakage.

 

Why Some Leaf Drop Is Normal

 

It's common for plants to drop some leaves during shipping due to the stress of darkness, temperature changes, and movement. This is usually a temporary stress response rather than a sign of a dead or dying plant, and new growth typically appears within a few weeks once the plant settles into its new environment.

 

Temperature Considerations

 

Shipping windows are generally chosen to avoid extreme heat or freezing temperatures that could stress or damage plants in transit. Tropical plants are especially sensitive to cold, so shipments are typically timed around seasonal weather patterns.

 

Transit Time Matters

 

Shorter transit times generally mean less stress on the plant. Most live plant shipments are sent using expedited shipping methods to minimize the number of days a plant spends in a box without light or fresh air.

 

What to Expect on Arrival

 

Your plant may look slightly different than in photos immediately after shipping, possibly with some drooping leaves or minor yellowing from transit stress. This typically resolves within one to two weeks of proper care in its new location.

 

Why Packaging Looks the Way It Does

 

The soil is often secured with material to prevent shifting, and the container may be wrapped to keep it upright and stable. This packaging protects the root ball, which is the most important part of the plant to keep undisturbed during shipping.

 

Getting Started

 

Understanding what to expect makes unboxing your new plant a lot less stressful. Browse our full plant selection to find your next addition to the garden.