When researching the best places to buy plants, we considered the type of plants they offered, the delivery options, variety and price points, and their return policy. We also looked at the customer service perks they offer such as how easy the website is to maneuver and how knowledgeable the staff is. Our top picks include Bloomscape, for its easy-to-use website and plant quiz that can narrow your search down; and Horti, for its subscription service that gives plant rookies the confidence to own and care for their plants. Here are the best places to buy plants. If you’re buying to gift someone, you can get suggestions by occasion, such as housewarming; or price, starting at less than $75. You also can search for plant care accessories, a wide variety of plants, and plant stands and pots in modernistic designs. They ship throughout the continental U.S., offering free shipping on orders over $100; otherwise, shipping is calculated depending on your order. If you have questions, you can get a quick and satisfying reply. Their online chat representatives are typically quick to reply. Note that they don’t accept returns, but they have a 30-day guarantee and stand by their promise that every plant arrives in good health. They do not take returns, but if you receive a defective item, take a photo within 3 days of receiving it and email details. If you follow care instructions and the plant dies within 15 days, it can be replaced as well. They encourage you to become part of the Horti family on social media and join their plant family. Their plants are comparatively priced, and they offer free delivery on most products. We like that you can shop by lighting conditions on the site; that way, if you have a spot in your house you know doesn’t get any sun, you can filter to those options only. The Sill has a 30-Day “Customer Happiness Guarantee,” and they replace your order if plants do not arrive in happy, healthy condition. (Photos of the damage are required for the replacement to be issued.) Their site has a gift guide, subscription options, and a curated home and decor section. If taking care of plants isn’t your thing, they have a good section of faux plants. They have a 30-day guarantee and happily send you a replacement plant if it arrives in less-than-perfect condition. Orders over $100 ship for free; standard delivery is a 2-day transit time. You also can pay for overnight delivery if you happen to forget a birthday or want to send a housewarming gift. Although Lowe’s doesn’t specialize in plants and offers a lot of other products, their in-store garden experts are knowledgeable and can assist you with any questions. They refund any perennial within 1 year of the original purchase date. Any other plants fall under the 90-day return policy. You can join the Plant Club—a four-pack succulent subscription—and you can cancel anytime before the 6th of each month. Shipping is included in the subscription fee, and with its cute packaging, this makes a great gift or a way to treat yourself. They do not offer returns on live plants, but if you are dissatisfied with your product, reach out to them and they do what they can to make it right. We really like that you have the option to click on your state and get recommendations for best-selling products in your area. Plus, to ensure that your plants arrive in good condition, Nature Hills holds your order if temperatures in your area are extremely cold or high. (On your order confirmation, you see your purchases ship within 7-10 days, weather permitting.) Their site has a blog with #ProPlantTips, where you can find lots of articles on how to care for and protect your plants. We recommend creating an account to place an order; that way you can track it. They ship nationwide, but make sure you select your delivery date and location when you log in and they show you available options. (If you are located in New York City or the District of Columbia, they deliver via bicycle or car courier and offer next-day delivery.) Your order arrives in a nice package, which is also why we love them as a gift option. The shipping charge changes depending on location and how quickly you need the order. They offer delivery throughout the continental U.S. If you create an account, weekday delivery is only $15. They also have subscription options that include shipping, and you save 30 percent on the product. Returns vary by seller, so be sure to read what they offer before purchasing. We also suggest reading reviews; it’s the best way to vet the online shop. Delivery timelines depend on your location and the seller’s location. Etsy casts a wide web, and the seller could be overseas. You can order online for delivery or curbside pickup, or shop in-store. Pricing is affordable and they always have sales going on. They sell pots and planters, but if you seek a modern look, you may want to look elsewhere. The seller guarantees the healthiest and happiest plants: lovingly grown, hand-selected, and carefully packed from the nursery to the customer. Their vision is for every plant to have a name, building a bond between people and plants. Lively Root says they are committed to sustainability and inspiring modern gardeners to create their own green spaces.
Delivery
Plants need to travel and arrive at your doorstep in good shape. Check to make sure the retailer delivers to your area, and if so, how long the plant may take to arrive. (Certain plants may not withstand extreme temperatures.) Some retailers offer free shipping, while others charge a fee. Many offer to waive shipping charges if the order meets or exceeds a dollar figure.
Return Policy
Most online plant retailers don’t accept exchanges or returns except for plants arriving damaged. Understand the retailer’s return policy—generally listed on its website—before you order. To exchange a damaged plant, you most likely need proof of purchase, perhaps a photo, a copy of your receipt, and must satisfy the return window considerations (generally, a matter of days). Big-box stores are usually more lenient with returns compared with the smaller specialty shops. For such stores it may be easier to return plants in person than through the mail.
Customer Service Options
If you prefer shopping for plants online, you may find it necessary to discuss plant care or other issue. Many retailers have online chat capability, where you can talk with a person in real time. Others prefer to answer questions via online forms, and some accept phone queries. If contact is particularly important to you, shop online at a big-box store website and make your purchase in person, where you may be able to talk with knowledgeable staff.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Deanna McCormack, a contributor for The Spruce, who has years of experience testing home and outdoor products. She is a passionate plant owner and regularly shops online for plants for gifts, her office, and her home. To narrow down the best places to buy plants online for this article, she reached out to contacts in the industry and made selections based on what they suggest to look for: variety, care, and maintenance information, customer service, plant health, and ship times. Each retailer packages their plants a little differently, but the goal remains the same: Keep the plants alive. Usually, perennials are usually shipped by removing the container and wrapping the soil in plastic to keep it moist. If the plant is in a planter, it’s in a cardboard box, often with bubble wrap and a plastic bag that wraps around the soil. Small, unpotted plants are often individually boxed in cardboard, with the soil wrapped in shrink wrap to keep moist, and plastic air pouches for added care.
