Shipping plants can seem daunting, but with some planning and preparation, you can get your plants to their destination safely and in good condition. Here are some tips on how to properly ship plants:

Choose the Right Shipping Method

The shipping method you choose will depend on the type of plant, distance it needs to travel, and your timeline.

USPS

For mailing plants domestically in the US, USPS is often the most affordable option. Use Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail services which include tracking and generally deliver within 1-3 days. Make sure to package plants according to USPS guidelines.

FedEx & UPS

For expedited shipping or international deliveries, FedEx and UPS offer fast transit times and tracking. Choose Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air services. Package plants with plenty of cushioning to prevent damage during transport.

Local Courier

For local plant deliveries, consider using a bike courier service. They can hand deliver plants quickly without the plants sitting in a truck or warehouse for days. Just be sure to package carefully.

Pick the Right Shipping Box

The box you select will keep your plants safe on their journey:

• Strength – Choose a sturdy, reinforced box that won’t crush easily under other packages. 1-3/16″ corrugated cardboard is best.
• Size – The box should be only slightly larger than the plant so it doesn’t shift around. Allow 2-3″ on all sides for cushioning.
• Leak proof – For soil plants, line boxes with plastic to prevent soil spills. Or use boxes marketed as leak-proof.
• Insulation – For shipping sensitive tropicals, look for insulated boxes. You can also line regular boxes with foam or insulation sheets.
• Double box – For extra protection, place your packaged plant in an outer cardboard box with additional cushioning.

Protect Delicate Plants

Take measures to protect fragile plants and prevent damage:

• Brace and support tall flowers by tying stems to bamboo stakes or sturdy cardboard.
• Wrap thin or woody stems with paper to cushion them. Avoid using plastic which can cause rot.
• For large leafy plants, gently gather leaves and tie together to prevent crushing. Don’t bind too tightly.
• Use rolled up newspaper or packing paper to securely hold plants in place and prevent shifting.

Water Plants Before Shipping

• Water plants thoroughly 1-2 days before shipping. This will hydrate them for their journey.
• Take care not to overwater and make sure soil is just slightly damp, not soggy wet. Excess water can cause rot and leaks.
• For potted plants, water until it drains freely from the bottom then let excess drain before packing.
• Most plants can go 7-10 days without water. Succulents and cacti may go longer. Just don’t ship bone dry plants.

Pack with Care

Pack plants with plenty of cushioning to prevent jostling and keep soil contained:

• Use packaging peanuts, bubble wrap, newspaper, or packing paper to surround plants and fill empty space.
• For potted plants, cover soil with plastic before using light padding like newspaper to prevent leaks.
• Place padding under and between plants to cushion shocks and drops during shipping.
• Don’t pack too tightly or crush delicate foliage and flowers. Allow some room for plant movement.

Seal Boxes Securely

• Close boxes with strong shipping tape designed for packages. Reinforce seams for added security.
• For leak protection, tape around edges and cover drainage holes on bottom of pots with duct tape.
• Write “LIVE PLANTS” and “KEEP REFRIGERATED 34-65°F” on boxes containing tropicals or plants that wilt easily.

Time Shipping Carefully

Avoid shipping plants during extreme weather conditions:

• Don’t ship in high heat over 85°F or freezing temps below 34°F which can damage and wilt plants.
• Prevent cold damage by using insulated boxes, heat packs, and scheduling deliveries to avoid sitting over weekends.
• During hot weather, ship plants overnight and avoid Fridays through Mondays. Schedule so plants don’t sit in hot warehouses over weekends.
• Cool weather between 60-70°F is ideal. Plants with wilty foliage ship best in fall, winter, and early spring.

Special Shipping Requirements

Some plants have additional shipping needs:

• Tropicals – Wrap pots in insulation or packaging foam to prevent cold damage. Warm plants to 70°F before shipping.
• Bare root & dormant plants – Pack roots in slightly damp sphagnum moss or newspaper. Don’t let roots dry out.
• Aquatic plants – Wrap roots or rhizomes in wet newspaper or paper towel, sealing in a plastic bag.
• Cacti & succulents – Let dry 1-2 weeks before shipping. Pack in dry newspaper without watering.
• Bonsai trees – Secure soil and protect branches. Never ship newly repotted trees.

Get a Plant Delivery Confirmation

To ensure your plants arrive in good condition:

• Always get tracking info and an estimated delivery date so you can alert the recipient.
• For local courier deliveries, ask for email or SMS notifications when plants are delivered.
• Give specific instructions on where plants should be left if no one is available to accept the package.
• Ask recipients to notify you right away if plants arrive damaged or in poor condition.

With proper preparation, packaging, and handling, you can ship plants safely. Just take care to minimize shocks, prevent crushing, include padding for protection, and keep plants hydrated. Follow these tips, and your plants will arrive healthy and ready for display!

How to Receive Shipped Plants

You eagerly await that box of beautiful new plants delivered right to your door. But before bringing them indoors and finding a spot to display them, it’s important to properly unpack and care for newly shipped plants. Follow these tips for receiving and acclimating mailed plants:

Inspect & Unpack Carefully

• Examine boxes for any leaks, moisture damage, holes, or crushing before opening.
• Use scissors versus knives to carefully open boxes and avoid damaging contents.
• Unpack each plant slowly and gently to check for broken stems and foliage.
• If plants arrive dry, immediately water root balls thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Don’t water dried out leaves which can promote rot.

Allow Time to Acclimate

Plants need time to transition without shock going from dark shipping environments to their new home:

• Place new arrivals in a shaded spot at room temperature out of direct sun and heaters for 2-3 days.
• Let plants rest before repotting, fertilizing or moving them to permanent locations. Don’t prune or shape right away.
• Observe plants for signs of shock like wilting. Water root zones thoroughly if needed while avoiding wetting foliage until acclimated.

Watch for Pests & Diseases

Check new plants closely for any hitchhiking pests:

• Examine tops and bottoms of leaves and along stems for insects like aphids, scale, mealybugs or spider mites.
• Scan for signs of fungal issues like powdery mildew or leaf spots which may emerge after shipping stress.
• Isolate and treat any infested plants before placing them alongside your existing plants.
• Consider spraying new plants with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap as a preventative treatment.

Provide Ideal Conditions

Once acclimated, tailor care to each plant’s preferences:

• Consult plant tags and descriptions for recommended light, water, temperature, and humidity needs.
• Move tropical plants to warm, brightly lit rooms with ample moisture and humidity.
• Give cacti and succulents sunny, dry spots and wait until soil dries before watering again.
• Place balcony and patio plants outside only after nighttime temperatures stay above 55°F.

With careful unpacking, observation, and ideal growing conditions, your new plants will quickly bounce back from transit stress and thrive!

Shipping Plant Cuttings & Propagation

In addition to full plants, it’s also possible to successfully ship cuttings for plant propagation to friends, family, and tradespeople. Here are some tips for shipping healthy, viable plant cuttings:

Select Proper Cuttings

Choose cuttings wisely to give them the best chance of rooting after shipping:

• Take cuttings first thing in the morning for highest water content.
• For succulents, cut sections of stems and leaves that root easily like echeveria, graptopetalum, and sedum.
• Pick herbaceous foliage cuttings from tender new growth like coleus, pothos, philodendrons, and basil.
• Take hardwood cuttings from woody shrubs and trees when dormant after leaves drop in late fall and winter.

Prepare & Pack Cuttings

• Use a sharp, sterile razor or pruners to make a clean 45° angle cut just below a node or leaf.
• Optionally dip in rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage quicker root growth after planting.
• Wrap the cut end in damp paper towel, newspaper or moss, sealing it in a perforated plastic bag.
• Pack cuttings upright and gently cushion with paper towel to prevent crushing delicate leaves and stems.

Ship Promptly

Take steps to get cuttings to their destination quickly before they dry out:

• Ship early in the week to avoid cuttings sitting over weekends.
• Select expedited 1-3 day shipping like Priority Mail Express so cuttings aren’t in transit too long.
• Provide tracking info so recipient can immediately unpack once delivered.
• In hot climates, shipping overnight is best. During cool weather 2-3 days is usually okay.

With proper selection, preparation, and fast shipping, cuttings arrive ready for rooting in soil, water or moss!

Shipping Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants shipped without soil offer an affordable way to mail order many perennials, vines, shrubs and trees. Here are some tips for successfully shipping and receiving bare root plants:

Ordering Tips

• Order bareroot stock during dormancy in late winter or early spring before plants break dormancy.
• Select healthy 1-2 year old plants over older specimens which establish better. Look for non-desiccated roots.
• Request plants be shipped as soon as dug from the field for shortest time out of soil.

Packing Bare Roots

Suppliers should:

• Hold plants in cold storage just above freezing after digging until shipping.
• Gently wash soil off roots to examine condition. Trim any broken or dead roots.
• Sort roots neatly and pack in moist sphagnum moss or wood shavings to protect fine root hairs.
• Wrap roots in plastic or foil to retain moisture. Ensure adequate ventilation.

Shipping Bare Root Plants

To protect bareroot plants in transit:

• Ship early spring or early fall when temperatures are cool, ideally between 40-50°F
• Select expedited shipping method to avoid prolonged time in boxes without soil.
• Label boxes with “Live Plants”, “Keep Refrigerated” and “This Side Up”.
• Pack with insulation or refrigerant gel packs if shipping during hot weather.

Receiving and Planting

Upon arrival, unwrap and inspect roots immediately:

• Look for broken or damaged roots and trim if needed. Healthy roots will be firm, not mushy.
• Place roots in a bucket of tepid water for up to an hour upon arrival to rehydrate.
• Plant as soon as possible in prepared soil, spreading roots carefully. Water in well.
• Prune canes back by a third to reduce demand on roots until established.

With proper shipping and aftercare, bareroot plants will quickly adapt and flourish in your garden!

International Shipping Regulations

Shipping plants internationally involves navigating customs regulations that vary by country. Here are some key steps for compliant international plant shipping:

Understand Import Restrictions

Research the destination country’s import requirements and prohibited items:

• Many prohibit entry of soil, compost, leaves and living organisms that could harbor pests and diseases.
• Some restrict certain fruit, vegetables, seeds, bulbs, and plant materials like cut flowers and foliage.
• Check for needed phytosanitary certificates from the Department of Agriculture for plant imports.

Obtain Export Permits

Your local Department of Agriculture can provide forms required for plant exports:

• Complete a Shipper’s Export Declaration for exports over $2500.
• Acquire a phytosanitary certificate verifying plants are pest and disease free.
• Get CITES permits for shipments of threatened or endangered species.

Properly Pack & Label

• Thoroughly clean plant materials including washing all soil off roots, stems, and leaves.
• Disinfect packing materials and ship in new boxes.
• Label exterior of boxes with type and quantity of contents along with origin.
• Mark boxes clearly as “Plants & Plant Products” and indicate if they are bare root.

Plan Delivery Logistics

• Use overnight or expedited 2-3 day shipping to avoid plants sitting in customs over weekends.
• Provide tracking number and required import documentation so recipient can arrange customs clearance.
• Have shipments clearly marked as “Urgent – Live Plants” and stamped “Keep Refrigerated”.

With proper preparation, documentation, labeling and expedited shipping, you can successfully move your plants globally. Just work closely with suppliers, carriers, and recipients to ensure smooth import and delivery.

Tips for Shipping Aquatic Plants

Aquarium hobbyists often buy exotic aquatic plants online that must be shipped while still healthy and hydrated. Here are some pointers for successfully shipping aquatic plants:

Prepare Plants for Shipment

To prevent rot, dry out plants before packing:

• Remove plants from aquatic environment 1-2 days prior to shipping and rinse thoroughly.
• Gently shake off excess water and spread out to air dry for 12-24 hours.
• Leaves should feel dry while plant crowns and roots remain moist but not sopping wet.

Package Carefully to Prevent Drying

Protect plants from total dehydration during transit:

• Wrap moist roots or rhizomes in several layers of damp paper towel or newspaper.
• Place plants in a perforated plastic bag or between sheets of dampened paper towels.
• Use insulation, liner or packaging foam inside boxes to maintain humidity.
• Write “Live Aquatic Plants – Keep Moist” on the box exterior.

Ship Quickly

Choose fast shipping to minimize time in dark, dry conditions:

• Select 1-3 day delivery options like USPS Priority or FedEx 2 Day. Avoid prolonged journeys over 5 days.
• Ship early in the week to prevent packages sitting idle over weekends without light and moisture.
• Alert recipient so plants can be unpacked and rehydrated promptly after arrival.

Provide Care Instructions

Let recipients know how to transition plants back into an aquarium:

• Advise gradually acclimating plants back into water over a few hours to prevent shock.
• Recommend giving plants shade from intense light as they recover from shipping stress.
• Offer plant care tips for successful adjustment and growth like proper lighting, CO2 levels, and supplements.

With careful handling and expedited shipping, aquatic plants can arrive safely at their underwater destination!

Shipping Terrarium Plants

Tropical terrarium plants require special care when shipping to ensure they arrive healthy and ready for display in glass enclosures. Here are some tips for properly mailing plants for terrariums and closed containers:

Select Hardy Low Light Plants

Choose resilient plants suited for closed environments:

• Target slow growing varieties that won’t quickly outgrow a terrarium.
• Look for tropicals that tolerate low light and high humidity like ferns, pilea, peperomia, fittonia, and mosses.
• Avoid potted specimens and cuttings that prefer brighter light and dry soil which may rot in closed cases.

Take Special Packing Precautions

Prevent rot and starve off fungi and molds:

• Allow plants to dry out more before shipping to discourage fungal or bacterial growth in transit.
• Disinfect pruning tools and thoroughly clean leaves to remove potential spores and pathogens.
• Pack plants in paper versus plastic bags or wraps that can cause moisture build up and decay.
• Add silica gel packs to absorb excess moisture and prevent condensation while shipping.

Provide Post-Delivery Instructions

Advise recipients on best practices for introducing new plants:

• Recommend isolating and observing new plants for 1-2 weeks before integrating to check for emerging issues.
• Suggest using charcoal in arrangements to filter air and prevent bacterial or fungal growth.
• Offer tips for maintaining ideal humidity without overly wet soil that can cause root rot.

With clean plant materials, breathable packaging, and proper terrarium conditions, shipped plants will thrive on arrival!

Shipping Seedlings & Sprouts

It takes careful handling to ship fledgling seedlings and sprouts that are still delicate and establishing roots. Here are some tips to successfully mail seedlings:

Time Shipping Carefully

Aim for cool, moderate temperatures when seedlings ship best:

• Avoid shipping during hot summer months when heat can wilt and shrivel young plants.
• Plan shipments for early spring and fall when temperatures are mild across most regions.
• Ship overnight or early in the week to avoid deliveries sitting through hot weekends.

Pack to Prevent Jostling

Seedlings need cushioning from bumps and shocks in transit:

• Use insulated boxes to maintain even temperatures, especially for tropicals.
• Wrap larger seed tray inserts in bubble wrap to avoid crushing tender stems.
• Place sheet of cardboard above and below containers to prevent movement within boxes.