Houseplants instantly add interest and life to indoor areas, whether you want to add a burst of green to a bookshelf, workstation, or empty bedroom corner. Thankfully, it’s now really straightforward to buy indoor plants online, so you can avoid going to a local nursery where the variety may be restricted, wrestling a plant into the rear of your car, or carrying it on the train. If you’re hesitant to buy a live thing online, you should know that online houseplant vendors employ cutting-edge packaging and shipping techniques to make sure that their products arrive in excellent condition and are prepared to flourish in your home. Most sellers offer comprehensive care instructions for your plant after you purchase it, while some retailers offer guarantees. Therefore, you will be able to care for a healthy plant even whether you’re a first-time houseplant owner or didn’t have a green thumb.
The purchasing process can differ amongst online plant stores, depending on what you’re looking for. Some offer the option of filtering by price, size, sunshine requirements, and watering requirements. Similar to this, you can search appropriately if you have a specific worry, such as poor light, a curious pet, an energetic youngster, or a busy schedule that requires frequent travel. There are several options available when it comes to picking a style you prefer for houseplant containers, including terra cotta, metal, and eco-friendly plastics.
These are the best websites to buy indoor plants online, regardless of whether you’re searching for a drought-tolerant Jade or a tropical plant that flowers.
Dobies
Dobies first opened its doors in 1894. Initially only serving the Chester region, it now ships its seeds, bedding, bulbs, fruit plants, and trees throughout the entire United Kingdom. It’s an online garden center that operates with a very straightforward, no-frills philosophy. The website’s ‘Plots, Tips and Advice’ page is jam-packed with helpful blog pieces on cultivating and taking care of a wide range of various plants.
Is it a smart idea to purchase plants online?
The following are a few benefits of ordering plants online:
- You have far more choice with online nurseries. This could introduce you to a whole new gardening world!
- It’s a fantastic way to find what you’re looking for.
- Online stores frequently offer good bargains like free delivery, buy one get one, etc.
- You won’t have to deal with lugging plants and dirtying your automobile when they are delivered to your door.
When purchasing plants online, there are, regrettably, a number of drawbacks to take into account:
- For the size of the plant you receive, ordering plants online is significantly more expensive than buying them locally.
- Online plant purchases are frequently MUCH smaller than those made in a nearby nursery. Most of the time, especially in the first year, you will be considerably satisfied with the size and performance of the plant(s) you buy locally.
- You might have to wait a while to receive your order because shipping is not always immediate. Cancellations and backorders are also frequent.
- There is always a danger that plants won’t survive or be damaged during transportation, no matter how careful the nursery is.
- An online plant nursery is not necessarily trustworthy just because it has a refund policy (read more here).
Read Plant Labels
Although not the end all be all of plant care, plant labels are a good place to start. Think at how well they’ll match your space in terms of light and upkeep according to the label (watering, fertilizing, etc). Plants that require little maintenance or little care are indicated on some tags. Some could require a little more work.
Check the Plant
I frequently find the plant I want at the nursery and don’t realize anything is wrong with it until I get it home! It pays to carefully inspect the plant to determine its state. Is it browning or wilting?
Stay away from any plants that have significant damage or that appear to be in poor health. When you bring plants home, they will have a lower chance of surviving if they already appear unwell.
Check the Soil
Most nursery plants come in pots that they can use for a while without having to be replanted. But it is worthwhile to examine the plant at the soil level. The plant might require repotting if there are numerous visible roots or if it appears to be root-bound.
You shouldn’t let this deter you from buying the plant. Just something to be aware of so you can prepare a fresh pot and soil for it.
Check for Pests
Sadly, some plants can have a little extra life inside of them. It’s still a good idea to check before you bring your new plants home, even though I can’t guarantee they won’t have pests if you can’t see them. Look for any damage, such as holes or discolored leaves.
Check the plant for any small, moving objects or signs of pests, such as minute webs.
Consider Plant Size
Both buying tiny and huge plants has advantages and disadvantages. Smaller ones have always been my preference because they are less expensive and have a lower danger of dying.
The fact that larger plants are frequently more mature means that they are typically more hardy than smaller ones, which is something to keep in mind. This indicates that they have a higher propensity to tolerate environmental changes, unfavorable circumstances, or even inexperienced proprietors.
If a small plant dies on you, the risk may be lower. But many small plants have just been planted from tiny propagation socks, so they are still very much in the development stage. They consequently react to changes more delicately and sensitively. Additionally, smaller plants may be more vulnerable to environmental changes and eventual death.
Whether to purchase smaller or larger plants is up to you. But keep in mind your investment, your level of self-assurance, and your house.
Compare the Plants
If there are several plants of the same variety, you can pick your favorite from the bunch! Always keep in mind that being tall isn’t always the greatest option. Count the number of separate stems or stalks a plant has in addition to how lush or full it is.
Unusual or quirky forms may be present in some plants. They can also make an area more interesting.
Are plants more affordable online?
As was already noted, purchasing plants online can be more expensive than doing it in-person, particularly if you’re shopping for trendy plants. But if you purchase large amounts of trees or shrubs or batches of plants, you might be able to negotiate a little reduction with internet merchants on the price of the goods or transportation. However, if you’re having trouble finding a certain plant and paying a premium to have it delivered to your home, it might be worthwhile to you. If you do your homework and discover fair prices for the plants you choose, the decision ultimately boils down to how much you value that particular plant.
Which indoor plant is the rarest?
These gorgeous plants are probably already known to a serious plant enthusiast, but I’ll list my top ten. All of the plants on this list are rare collector’s goods. There is no set order for the plants.
Variegated Monsteras
The monstera is undoubtedly already well-known to everyone, but in the past two years, the variegated varieties have really taken off. There are two varieties of variegated monsteras: Borsigiana and Deliciosa. But I’ll cover that in a different essay.
Currently, there are four different variegated monstera types that are in high demand. These are Monstera Thai Constellation, Monstera Sport, Monstera Albo Variegata, and Monstera Aurea Variegata.
Monstera Albo Variegata
The Monstera Albo Variegata is the most prevalent of all of them. Several growers are already producing this in Belgium and Holland. The majority of the white variegated monsteras sold in Europe are produced by these growers. Prices for a plant with a few leaves are quite costly because of the slow growth of this plant and the great demand. These plants cannot currently be tissue cultured due to the natural fault of variegation.
Monstera Thai Constellation
Several growers in Holland are presently cultivating the Monstera Thai Constellation plant. However, they have very few. You correctly guess where the Thai Constellation is from: Thailand. They have been grown in tissue culture for many years in Thailand. Thailand is unable to provide the quantity of plants that farmers in Europe and the USA are requesting because to the huge demand. As a result, prices in Thailand and other nations throughout the world are exorbitant. It’s been said that growers in the US and Europe have successfully created Thai Constellations in their own tissue culture labs. In order to satisfy the market and bring down prices, it is waiting for the growers to release significant quantities of these plants.
Monstera Aurea Variegata
Aurea in Latin means “gold” hence the plant has a slight golden tint. Monstera Aurea is perhaps one of the most sought-after variegated monsteras. As you can see, this plant has lovely gold/yellow variegation on its leaves; in my opinion, it is extremely gorgeous! There is currently no large-scale production of these plants. These plants can only be obtained through cuttings in private collections or from plants developed from seeds with an extremely low likelihood of developing this kind of variegation.
Monstera Sport
This Monstera is peculiar; the plants’ variegation seems to be green or pale yellow. It is frequently known as Monstera sport. These plants are not mass-produced, just as the Monstera Aurea Variegata. These can only be obtained by taking cuttings from already-existing plants.
Philodendron White Princess
Through cutting, The Philodendron White Princess has been present in private collections for a while. However, this year they arrived on the market as whole, large potted plants. They have gotten easier to locate even though they are still rather difficult to discover.
For serious plant aficionados, their lovely white speckled leaves are instantly recognizable.
Philodendron Melanochrysum
This climbing philodendron is most likely the most sought-after one for 2020. Undoubtedly one of the rarer indoor plants. Its leaves are the ideal shade of dark green. When you have the Melanochrysum blooming in an area with a little bit greater humidity, it is a fairly simple Philodendron to cultivate inside. This philodendron’s leaves can grow to be enormous! Some plants in private collections and botanical gardens have leaves that can reach lengths of more than one meter!
Fortunately, this year has seen an increase in the availability of these plants due to extensive manufacturing in Holland; this trend is likely to continue in 2021.
Philodendron Gloriosum
Another stunning performance! The Philodendron Gloriosum is renowned for its enormous velvet leaves with stunning white veining that resemble a large heart. As you can see, these plants have a very high rate of growth. If you manage to get your hands on one, give it a good pot to crawl in since this Philodendron likes to crawl over climb.
The mother plants of this Philodendron are now being worked on by numerous growers in Belgium and Holland. As a result, this plant will be more widely available in the upcoming years.
Anthurium Veitchii
Anthurium the king, This year, there was a big increase in demand for this uncommon houseplant because so many individuals searched for it. No wholesale grower has offered them for sale as of yet. This year, you could only have acquired one by importing the plant yourself or purchasing it from a private grower or collector.
This Anthurium is desired for its magnificent look and lovely ruffled leaves. This plant’s interesting fact is that it can grow without soil. Due to its epiphytic nature, it prefers to grow in sphagnum moss. These plants can be found in the wild growing among trees, on cliff faces, or on moss-covered walls. The leaves can potentially reach a height of almost one meter!
Anthurium Warocqueanum
One of the most well-liked anthuriums for 2020 is the Queen. Unfortunately, garden centers do not now carry it, however it is occasionally accessible online. Originally from Colombia, this plant is currently grown in several South American nations as well as Asia. These plants may only be obtained by either importing them from there or purchasing one from a private European collector.
The velvety leaves of this anthurium contribute to its popularity. An anthurium with velvet leaves? Yes! It’s beautiful and deserving of desire. Its appearance is similar to something you may see in a fantasy film. Just look at how lovely everything is!
Monstera Adansonii Variegata Archipelago
One of the most costly Monsteras and likely one of the most sought-after unusual houseplants in 2020. Although the variegated Monstera adansonii originated in Japan, it is now found in many collections across Europe. In 2020, a single leaf cutting with good variegation will cost you roughly $1500, yes, you read that right. Because they are so uncommon, these plants are not currently being cultivated in large quantities. Due to the unstable variegation, the plants cannot be grown in tissue culture. Cuttings are the only method for reproducing these plants.
This plant will undoubtedly still be very valuable in a few years, but as more and more individuals acquire one, its value will inevitably decline.
Monstera Obliqua Peruvian Form
This is unquestionably the most unique and uncommon of the Monsteras, and for the most of people, the holy grail of rare houseplants. When you are collecting monsteras, this is undoubtedly on your top wishlist. Originating in Peru, but now present in numerous collections across Europe. The plant can only be purchased from a collector. This plant can easily cost you a few thousand euros in a cutting.
Philodendron Pink Princess
A PURPLE PLANT? Yep! It does exist, but they are still uncommon. Fortunately, because many producers are diligently attempting to multiply their mother plants, there will be a greater supply of these in 2021.
This is a true eye-catcher for any plant collector. When guests come around, they will all notice the plant in your living room.
Variegated Syngonium
This year, the popularity of variegated Syngoniums really took off; there are so many distinct varieties that it’s nearly overwhelming. It comes in a variety of colors, from white to pink. For instance, take a look at this variegated Syngonium. Since Syngoniums are simple to grow, there will be much more of them in 2021.
For 2021, a lot of producers are currently raising a lot of mother plants of the variegated sygonium. Look at this expanse of white Syngonium with varying colors.