Buying plants online can be just as simple and rewarding as other types of online shopping. However, there can also be greater risks involved. Here are some expert tips for buying plants online to help you get the best deals and the healthiest plants:
Consider location & season
One of the first things to learn about a potential online plant purchase is where it'll be shipping from. While online shopping makes it easier for people in more remote areas or less favorable climates to buy plants, buying from a source that's too far away might pose issues for your shipment. The longer a plant is in transit, the more potential there is for damage.
It's also important to be mindful of the season when ordering plants online. Many online retailers won't ship during the winter, or will offer extra "winter insurance" for heated delivery. Even if a plant is coming to you from somewhere nearby, shipping in below-freezing temperatures can be lethal.
Know what to expect
Each plant is unique, which is part of the fun of buying them. However, it also means you won't always get a plant exactly like an online photo. Many retailers are careful to include multiple shots of the same plant or many examples, but it's essential to know what you buy will not be perfectly identical to what's on a website.
However, it's reasonable to expect the seller to advertise truthfully. Familiarize yourself with their return policies and other customer service options in case you receive a badly damaged or significantly different plant than the one you ordered.
These are just some of the most important tips for ordering plants online. Keep an open mind but understand your options, and you'll have the best possible online shopping experience.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
