Disadvantages of Buying Plants Online
Online plant shopping has advantages and disadvantages.
Delivery May Be Too Long
There may be a delay in ordering if the company does not maintain proper inventory management. Online shopping can be frustrating if you have an important purchase to make and you don’t want to spend the extra money for overnight delivery. It would take patience to purchase things online.
Missing Out on the Shopping Experience
Our senses play a large role when selecting an item when doing traditional shopping. If we are able to see the plants, touch them, and smell them, we are more likely to buy them. We will also be able to hear firsthand how to take care of them from the experts at the local nursery.
Fraud and Scams
Your credit card details may be compromised when you shop online. Some online payment methods are not as secure, and with the growth of cybercrimes, it might be dangerous to entrust your information.
You may also come across scam artists who claim to represent a legitimate company and try to offer you something they don’t actually have. This is why researching before spending money is of vital importance. Listed above is a list of reputable companies with hundreds of thousands of satisfied clients.
There are no disadvantages to online plant shopping, especially when the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The safety of consumers is definitely increased by alternative methods of payment, such as cash-on-delivery and escrow.
How Do the Plants Get Shipped?
I’m sure if you are considering getting a plant from an online source, you’re probably wondering how this will be shipped and how safe it will be for the plant. Because of the boom in the eCommerce industry, shipping plants are quite common nowadays, but you would need to package them carefully or prepare them beforehand.
Plant Preparation
A plant that is resilient doesn’t need too much fuss; it just needs to be packed like it is already. It is also important that the plant isn’t overwatered. Due to the lack of light in transit, almost any moisture left in the soil may lead to root rot or fungal growth.
Packing
In addition to size, the plant’s sensitivity is also considered by companies when packing it.
The space can be filled with crinkle paper to keep the plant still while the leaves are protected. For plants that are quite sturdy, minimal packing cushion is needed. Put more sensitive plants into paper bags or bubble wrap, followed by packing peanuts or crinkle paper. The packing peanuts protect the foliage from damage during shipment. For cactus or succulents with thorns, most would place packing peanuts directly on their foliage for protective purposes.
You should also pack the box well with packing peanuts or crinkle paper in order to ensure that your plants do not move during transport. A pot is often bubble wrapped, especially if it is of a breakable material like pottery or terracotta.
Labelling
One of the most essential parts of the shipping process is labeling. This way, the courier knows exactly what they’re carrying and can treat the item with care. Most companies will stick a “Live Plant” sticker on the outside of the box, making sure that the shipping company knows it needs to be handled carefully. A sticker to indicate how the box should be held is also recommended. A simple “this side up” sticker can ensure that the plants don’t roll around in their soil and packing cushion during the trip.
Shipping jobs with the US Postal Service and tons of private shipping companies offer similar or even better shipping services. If your supplier offers you the option of picking your mode of delivery, it is best to choose the one that does the delivery quickly and that is within your price range.
Tips When Ordering Plants Online
Before you spend hundreds of dollars on plants, here are some tips you should be aware of before clicking on the checkout button.
Read Customer Reviews
A happy customer is the best form of advertisement. With hundreds or thousands of satisfied customers, a reputable company is confirmed to be credible and is known for its high-quality products. You can learn a lot about a company by looking at good reviews and even bad ones.
Check the Fine Print and Return Policies
For you to know what to expect when you receive your plant, you need to understand the details of the site. Some companies depict their product differently through images on their site while specifying in the terms and conditions that seedlings are what you get.
If you order plants from a good provider, the staff should be able to offer a warranty or a return policy. Make sure to inquire about this before placing an order.
Prepare a Space for Your Plant
You should prepare for your plant’s arrival by making sure that the growing zone is large enough for it. In addition, you will also need to take into account the temperature and humidity of the environment when ordering plants.
Do Your Research Properly
It doesn’t hurt to look at additional websites since most have an overview of a plant’s requirements and how to work them. The best way to keep the plant is to grow it in optimal conditions.
Check Other Sites and Compare Prices
Be sure to compare and contrast prices before making a decision; do not buy the first plant you see. The best way to find the best deal would be to scout online for promotion codes, discounts or free shipping. In this way, you will get the most out of your purchase.
What are the Best Plants for My Home?
Choosing the right plant depends on your preference and availability. If you have no time for it, plants you have to water daily may not be ideal for you.
So you don’t have to waste time making a decision, we have listed some of the best plants to use to help relieve stress.
- Aloe Plant (Aloe vera) Gel within aloe plant leaves is known for its healing properties. It soothes burns and cuts, and its presence alone can improve air quality in your home. As heavy chemicals build up in the air, the plant serves as an indicator that the amount has reached a lethal level. The yellowing of the leaves will indicate this.
- Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) Research conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1989 suggests that the rubber plant is a powerful air purifier that can be beneficial for any home. Air purifier plants grow in cooler climates and thrive in dimly-lit spaces, requiring essentially no care.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) Peace lilies beautify the space and are very easy to care for. They thrive in cool, shady spots and are known to reduce the number of pollutants in the air significantly. If you don’t have the time to spend fully on the care of a plant, but want to maximize the aesthetics of your space, this would be a good option for you.
- Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) A snake plant does not require much care. It does not require a lot of water and light to survive. These plants are slim and would easily fit into any interior. They act as carbon dioxide absorbers during nighttime hours and also release oxygen during those hours. They can be beneficial to a person’s sleep if they’re in the bedroom.
- Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea spp.) NASA’s list of best air-purifying plants includes the bamboo palm at the top. Studies using the same species have proven positive in improving air quality. The species is quite effective in clearing benzene and trichloroethylene, receiving a purifying score of 8.4. If you are quite busy, this plant might not be ideal for you, since it would require a lot of care. Bamboo Palms prefer indirect sunlight, and they need to be watered constantly.
- Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) Plants like the philodendron are perfect for beginners. They just require a little sunlight and watering. These plants are easy to care for, so they tend to last longer than other plants. They are also great for absorbing toxins like xylene.
- Dracaena (Dracena spp.) In a favorable environment, they reach a height of fifteen feet, despite being mainly used for decoration. The plants are handy and colorful, they remove air pollutants like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene well. The grow well in abundant light, moderate watering.
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) These plants are commonly used in kitchen spaces to clear fumes and hazardous chemicals from the air. They are especially effective against formaldehyde. In addition, Golden Pothos are one of the plants that removes the most CO2 from your home. They can be grown in hanging pots for their leaves to grow out of, and they don’t require much attention. Dim lit places and cool temperatures are adequate for its care.
You have dozens of options available to you if you plan to invest in a small indoor garden. No matter whether you pick up your plants from your local nursery or order them online, do your research beforehand.
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