Preparation
Plants can easily make a house feel like a home, but having to carry a collection of greenery back from a local nursery can be a major struggle. If you find yourself in this predicament, plant delivery services offer a far more convenient way to get plants to your doorstep. While the possibility of a live plant getting damaged in-transit is an understandable concern, most plant delivery companies take additional measures to ensure your shipment arrives safely. But it isn’t just protective packaging you’ll want to consider when shopping for plants online.
The best plant delivery companies have a wide variety of plant types suited for any home or garden, and some even ship them for free. Additionally, available plants may change according to your zip code and season, allowing you to get the freshest plants. Some companies also offer monthly plant subscriptions that are perfect for avid green thumbs, while other companies promise same-day plant delivery or specialize in specific plant types. No matter your preference, expect to be sent a quality plant when you order from one of these plant delivery companies.
Best Overall: Lively RootBest for Succulents: Mountain Crest GardensBest for Plant Subscriptions: The House Plant BoxBest for Outdoor Plants: The Home DepotBest for Cheap Plant Delivery: Leaf & ClayBest for Plant Pots: Urban StemsBest for Same-Day Plant Delivery: FloomBest for Free Shipping: The SillBest for Plant Seeds: Urban Organic GardenerBest Variety: House Plant Shop
Whether you’re decorating your home, maintaining a garden, or sending a gift to someone who loves plants, Lively Root’s outperforms other plant delivery services on our list. Though you can find a large selection of plants from any online plant shop, Lively Root’s is particularly diverse. Because it sources its plants from nurseries all over the US (including its own in San Diego), you can order unique varieties for as little as $12.
Lively Root’s free shipping minimum may be $59, but discount bundles for multiple plants let you get more bang for your buck. Plant enthusiasts can also sign up for one of Lively Root’s quarterly subscription services which specialize in easy-care, pet-friendly, and rare plants. In addition to houseplants and subscriptions, the service also offers seeds, decorative pots, and outdoor plants, making it a one-stop shop for all your plant delivery needs.
The price you pay when ordering plants online depends primarily on the type and size of the plant. Succulents from Mountain Crest Gardens, for example, start around $12, while The Home Depot’s outdoor trees can cost up to $200. Generally, the bigger or rarer the plant, the more it’s going to cost. Shipping is sometimes included with total cost, but some plant delivery services may require a minimum order amount to qualify for it. However, if you sign up for a subscription to receive plants on a recurring basis, you’ll instead pay a flat rate every time you get a delivery.
No matter what plant delivery service you order from, it’s likely you won’t receive a freshly watered plant. While you might assume extra wet soil would ensure your plants arrive in the healthiest condition, in rare cases it can lead to root rotting. When your plant arrives, the soil will likely be dry, so you’ll need to water it as soon as you take it out of the box.
After a post-delivery watering, potted plants can be watered according to whatever watering schedule suits their species. In the case of bare-root plants like those received from Mountain Crest Gardens and Leaf & Clay, they’ll need a week of moistening and a good two-hour soak before they’re ready to be permanently planted.
Unless you’re getting a bare-root plant, a plastic nursery pot is usually included with a delivered plant. Some companies like The Sill offer upgrades like terracotta or ceramic pots at an additional cost, while some services like The House Plant Shop include a care guide with one-time orders.
We researched nearly 30 plant delivery companies, comparing factors like prices, delivery policies, plant variety, and customer service. Services that had low prices and multiple customer service communication lines were awarded extra points during our scoring phase. In addition to this, services that offered free shipping, same- and/or next-day delivery, and nationwide availability received higher marks. Any services that specialized in a particular category such as seeds, outdoor plants, and planters received their respective superlatives on this list.
