Since they can survive for extended periods of time without water and are typically extremely hardy, succulents and cacti are excellent mail-order plants. Professional nurseries routinely and without many issues export their plants across the nation and beyond the world.
Sending succulents and cacti over the mail is a secure and simple way to move your plants from one place to another, whether you’re moving and need to deliver your collection to your new home or you want to share your love of succulents with a distant friend.
How can I find affordable succulents?
If you don’t buy succulents from the appropriate source, you may experience issues. Because succulents can be pricey, you don’t want to purchase a plant that is injured or infected. Success with succulents depends on knowing where to acquire them. After purchasing a starting set, you can learn how to re-grow your succulents so that you will always have an abundance of your own.
Ikea
Unbelievably, Ikea has an excellent range of reasonably priced succulents. They have sold me many succulents that had young succulents sprouting from the sides. BONUS! The plants have been strong and their pricing are excellent. One more good reason to love Ikea! Additionally, while you are there, look at their pots as well. They provide some extremely adorable and inexpensive solutions.
Amazon
What can’t you purchase on Amazon? It turns out that you can purchase some really awesome succulents on Amazon! You may have a vast selection of succulents delivered to your door for less than $2 per plant plus prime shipping. If you’re just getting started and unsure of which variety you want to work with, this is ideal!
The Succulent Source
I’ve only heard great things about the Succulent Source. The succulent selection at this family-owned business is incredible. Every conceivable size and shape. Even the youngsters help the succulents grow! I adore it. Go now and look them up.
Be sure to adhere to the care recommendations after you have your succulents. Check out these typical explanations for why your succulents are dying if you start to experience any problems. Also, if you manage to get your hands on one of those fantastic succulent species, check out this too-cute for words concept for an indoor succulent garden!
When ought I to purchase succulents?
Although they enjoy the heat, succulents actually grow more slowly in the summer. It can be challenging for newcomers to water them during the intense summer heat.
Winter presents additional challenges for people who are new to cultivating succulents because the frigid temperatures can harm or even kill them.
You will discover that most places have a better selection and healthier plants if you shop for succulents in the warmer (but not the warmest) months because there is a higher turnover of them then and the supply is always fresh.
Succulents grow best in the spring and fall, so now is an excellent time to buy them. It offers you a chance to become accustomed to their care before the onset of either the extremely hot or extremely cold weather.
A succulent can survive in a box for how long?
All plants studied could survive for two weeks without showing any significant signs of stress, albeit by day 10, I could notice a loss of color. Since most succulents will still look the same after seven days, we attempt to provide plants to our customers as quickly as possible.
Succulents would continue to develop after 14 days, but they would probably start to sag. The plant would start to stretch outward from the center in search of light, the leaves would get bigger and farther apart, and overall it would become more delicate.
Many succulents would begin to die after approximately a month with no light at all. The same is true for sun-loving succulents grown inside without enough sun (5+ hours), such as Echeveria or Graptopetalum species.
Why do succulents cost so much?
A succulent’s scarcity, maintenance expenses, therapeutic benefits, and aesthetic value are some of the elements that might make it pricey.
Rarity of Succulent
A very rare succulent will cost a lot of money to buy. There is limited rivalry among vendors because there are few stores in the USA that sell succulents. A succulent can be sold for a greater price and still make money if it is in short supply.
High maintenance cost
Succulents can occasionally take a very long time to grow. The more money and energy spent on a plant, the longer it takes for it to flourish. The plant may also require further feeding and pruning. The price of the succulent may increase as a result of these reasons.
Aesthetic Value of The Succulent
A succulent could cost more if it has a wonderful appearance that can improve the aesthetic of a space. These hardy plants are excellent for use as décor because they can be eye-catching and lovely. A succulent may fetch a greater price in the market if it is in demand because of its aesthetic value due to increased demand.
Medicinal importance
Succulent varieties with medical potential include salo, yucca, and aloe vera. Yucca has particular phytonutrients that can be helpful in alleviating arthritic pain and inflammation. Additionally, digestive system inflammation can be treated with aloe vera.
Because plants help speed up the healing of wounds and treat eczema, succulents are frequently found in hospitals. Succulents have been used to treat a number of medical conditions, including coughing.
Must I purchase succulents online?
The benefits and drawbacks of shopping online are virtually the opposite of those of shopping locally, as you would have imagined.
A benefit of internet shopping is having access to a greater selection of succulents. Due to the expertise of the dealers, there are also better specimens. You don’t even need to leave the house to shop because the plants are delivered right to your door!
The drawbacks of ordering plants online include the inability to select your specimen, the possibility of plant damage during transportation, and the higher cost.
Now, this isn’t really a drawback, but frequently, plants ordered online may come slightly unclean. Simply brush the soil away using a gentle brush. If you had an air compressor, that would be excellent because I also use one. However, avoid using canned air! The leaves of the succulent will be harmed.
How should I handle succulents after delivery?
It’s crucial to treat plants that have been stressed during shipping. Succulents are recognized for being among the lowest-maintenance plants, yet they sometimes struggle to survive a long journey and arrive in poor condition. As a result, it’s crucial to provide them with the right care so they can recuperate from the transit shock. What then should you do after your succulents arrive?
Unboxing your succulents as soon as you can should be your first step. Allowing your succulents to breathe some fresh air is the first step in helping them recuperate as they have been kept in a small area without sunshine for a long period. Your plants should be placed in open spaces with some filtered sunlight. Avoid being in the sun.
Examining the state of your succulent plants is the next stage. Here are some various situations that may be helpful.
Scenario 1: When your succulents arrive with dry and bare root
In this situation, you are free to plant it in a porous container with well-drained soil. They’re in a really fragile state right now, so take care not to hurt their roots. After you’ve finished repotting your succulents, place them in indirect sunlight and don’t water them for around two to three days. Give them a good soak after watering until water drips from the drainage hole.  
Don’t forget to gradually adapt your succulent to the sun over the course of two to three weeks.
Scenario 2: When your succulent arrive potted in dry soil
Place your succulents in shade and wait for at least two to three days before watering them if the dirt in the pot is dry. When the soil is fully dry, deeply water the plants to ensure that the roots can absorb enough water. Once more, acclimate your succulent to the illumination in your house gradually.
Scenario 3. When your succulents arrive with wet and bare root
The succulent should be placed in an open area and left there for a minimum of two to three days to allow the roots to air-dry. Your succulents can then be re-potted in suitable containers with an excellent drainage hole.
Before watering your succulents, let the soil drain completely. Don’t forget to soak them well until water drips from the drainage hole. Introduce your succulent to your home’s lighting conditions gradually.
Scenario 4. When your succulents arrive potted with wet soil
Check the condition of the succulents’ leaves and roots after they are potted with damp soil.
Take the succulent out of the pot and carefully look for any signs of root rot if the succulents exhibit any overwatering symptoms, such as swollen and yellow bottom leaves.
 
- If the stem and roots appear healthy, they may have been somewhat overwatered. Before re-potting a succulent in a pot with adequate drainage and cactus soil, try to remove the damp soil from the succulent roots and let them air dry for a couple of days. Don’t water for at least 3 more days. Please keep in mind that before adding any additional water, make sure the soil is totally dry.
- Depending on how terrible the plant condition is, you should behead your succulents if you observe the roots and stem becoming black. Once you have eliminated all of the rotting components, allow the cutting or succulents to air dry thoroughly for at least three days. Replant them in a pot with appropriate drainage and freely draining soil once they have developed a nice callus. Before you water them once more, wait another 2-4 days.
You can leave the succulent in the nursery pot if it appears healthy and has compact, firm leaves. Only water the succulent when the soil is fully dry. Repot the succulent if you’d like in a suitable container. Introduce your succulent to your home’s lighting conditions gradually.
How should I care for my new succulent?
After purchasing a succulent, be sure to repot it with soil and potting mix that are beneficial for succulents. I would recommend that you shouldn’t wait longer than two weeks before repotting it. (1 week, for sure).
DOs
Here are some things you should do when you receive your houseplants in the mail, before we move on to the DO’S.
It’s crucial to understand how to care for your plants because the number of people ordering houseplants online has skyrocketed and many producers are struggling to keep up with demand.
Although some plants are more delicate than others, it is important to stick to these guidelines.
UNPACK IMMEDIATELY
If you’re ordering in the cooler months, proceed with extreme caution. Keep track of the nursery’s location and the local weather during the shipment time. It might not always be a smart idea to place an order during the winter.
During especially cold months, reputable nurseries may stop shipping plants that can’t handle the cold and occasionally will add include warming packs as a precaution.
Make sure to track your shipment, and if you won’t be home for a while—especially if it’s bitterly cold or scorching hot outside—have someone pick up your box and bring it inside to protect your plants from further shock or even death.
Your plants shouldn’t freeze or cook in the box before you get home, for sure.
As soon as you can, carefully unpack each of your plants. Remove all packaging materials used to protect the plant during transportation, including plastic, tape, shredded paper, and other items.
WATER IF DRY
Next, use your finger to feel the earth around your plant. The ground is it dry? If so, water it thoroughly and then drain any extra water. Don’t water if the surface seems damp.
REMOVE DEAD OR BROKEN LEAVES
Remove anything that was damaged during shipping; in some situations, you can even utilize it to spread the disease. Dead or dried leaves should be removed.
INCREASE HUMIDITY
Although it’s not strictly necessary, doing this can ease your new plant’s transition to your household. particularly if you have a plant that requires a lot of humidity to grow.
Plants may come with a humidity dome or clear plastic tent. Cover the plant with the plastic bag, possibly supporting it with a few bamboo sticks placed within the pot. You might want to wait about a week before removing this.
To maintain a high humidity level, you can even place your plant in an aquarium that is empty and covered with a clear cover.
If you don’t want to employ the plastic tent method, there are various ways you can increase humidity for your plants.
DON’T #1: REPOTTING TOO EARLY
I frequently witness folks making this HUGE error. As soon as they get it, they dash outside to repot their plant.
When a houseplant arrives in the mail, you should just give it a break and not be the one to take care of it “that you want to be an active plant parent. It’s sometimes wise to leave things alone.
Take care when you receive your plant because it may have been entirely dark inside the box during shipping for days.
Repotting a houseplant should be done at least two weeks in advance. Your plant will have time to adapt as a result “gain some strength by getting out of the box. Don’t exacerbate the stress a plant may be experiencing from repotting!
And when you DO repot, make sure to follow the right repotting protocols because your houseplant’s health depends on it!
If your plant is pot-bound after two weeks and needs to be potted into a larger size, only go up ONE pot size. No bigger, as doing so could result in your soil remaining overly damp and causing you serious issues (especially if you don’t provide your plant with enough light).
DON’T #3: PLACING INTO BRIGHT LIGHT TOO EARLY
This is another crucial error that many individuals commit. Any plant you acquire should also be placed directly in front of a window without any direct sunlight for roughly two weeks.
Even though your plant enjoys the sun, you still need to give it some time to harden off. Give it time to acclimate “Before exposing it to direct sunlight, give it a few weeks of brilliant indirect light.
You want to gradually increase your light because it has been in a dark box for a while; avoid direct sunlight for two weeks. The ideal window is one that doesn’t get direct sunlight but seems bright.
You run the risk of igniting your houseplant if you don’t do this. Of course, you won’t need to worry if you want to place your plant in a location with NO direct sunlight. I’m referring to hardening off any sun-loving plants.
This is comparable to when someone gets sunburned. You will burn quickly if you suddenly go on a beach vacation and spend the entire day in the sun after spending the entire winter indoors. You will fast roast if you don’t get a base tan!
provide your plant with its “base tan before putting it in a window with sunlight! If your plant need direct sunlight, gradually introduce higher light.
DON’T #4: WATERING IF SOIL IS ALREADY MOIST
Do not water the soil again if the soil’s surface feels moist. Some plant parents feel that the more they do, the better off they will be, therefore they try to be overly busy.
Defy the urge to indulge! Less is sometimes better. With very few exceptions, you should avoid watering again until your soil’s surface has dried off.
DON’T #5: PLACING INTO AN AREA WITH DRAFTS
This following piece of advice should always be tried, but it’s especially important if you just got a new plant in the mail.
Keep your plant away from drafty windows and doors, heating and cooling vents, and other places where there are frequent cold or hot drafts.
Calathea and other common houseplants, among others, abhor the cold and will immediately protest. If your plant is too close to the vents, it could do serious damage.
Additionally, placing your plants close to a heating vent could soon burn the foliage. Stay away from these areas.