Buying Houseplants Online
Surf the Net for Plant Bargains at Online Nurseries
It used to be that if you wanted to buy a houseplant, you had to go the store. Now all you have to do is surf the web!
There are many places online to buy houseplants. Most large nurseries have websites these days, and there are some, such as Logees, that specialize in houseplants. Online florists such as 1800Flowers are another place to find plants, and of course there's EBay. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Nursery Websites- These are a great place to find unusual houseplants. Most large nurseries offer a decent selection of houseplants along with their annuals and perennials. Look for ones that have a professional looking website with lots of pictures and clearly described shipping and refund policies. Beware of sites that only accept checks or money orders as payment.
Online Florists- While they do offer a fairly decent selection of plants, they do so at a steep price, thanks to the decorative planters and wrappings they add to each plant. Add shipping to that, and you'll find it's not worth it at all.
eBay- eBay is a great place to find houseplants. A recent search turned up over 1700 listings for houseplants of all kinds! You can even get houseplant seeds there. But before hitting that Bid or Buy Now button, make sure you read the listing over very carefully. It's important to be sure of exactly what you're buying.
Check the shipping charges and return policy. Finally, make sure you read the sellers feedback, both what he's received and what he's given to others. This will give a clear view of any problems and how the seller handles them. There are some real bargains to be found on eBay, but you need to be careful and know how the site works.
No matter where you buy plants online, there are a few things to be aware of. First, avoid buying plants online during the winter months if you live in a cold climate. Houseplants and frigid air do not mix. If you do buy in the winter, expect higher shipping charges, as responsible sellers will ship plants in a special insulated box or with heat packs to keep them from freezing.
Make sure you have your order shipped to a location where it won't be left on the porch all day. The same is true when ordering in the warmer months. It doesn't take long for plants to cook when left in a mailbox or on a porch in 90 degree heat.
When you get your plants, make sure to open them right away. They'll most likely need to be watered right away, and in some cases, they'll need to be potted up. Many sellers, especially on eBay, ship plants bare root to save on shipping costs. There's nothing wrong with this, as long as they are packaged up correctly. Finally, solate your new plants for a week or two, to make sure there are no insect surprises.
The Internet is full of rare and unusual houseplants for sale, as well as some real plant bargains. Proceed with caution and remember the helpful tips above, and you're sure to come out a winner!
