Plants are not something people usually buy online. But now there is a shifting trend towards it. With more and more people preferring to not go to stores in person, it is perhaps also time to try buying plants online. If you are skeptical about it, here are the things you can consider for a seamless experience.

Look for a reputed online store.

The most important step when buying plants online is to find a reputed seller. Utilize simple location-based online searches to find a good store near you. You can use keywords such as plants store near me to find a list of websites selling plants in and around your area.

Going through the search results in the first page itself may offer you good leads. This is a good place to start when you decide to buy plants online.

Check the websites and online reviews.

Check the websites one by one to find a store you like. Check the ‘about us’ section to know more about them and their business. Businesses with home-based small nurseries may offer more personalized services. Small indoor nursery businesses may be able to offer more care to each plant and ship them with care as well. Big businesses may have more inventory but less personalized services. So, choose as per your preference.

Read the shipping information carefully. Reputed businesses will list information about their shipping policies in detail. The same applies to their refunds and returns policies. It may not be a good idea to buy from a seller that doesn’t offer either or has sketchy policies about these matters.

Once you have the name of the businesses, you can also check online reviews about them. You may find comments on their social channels left by satisfied or disgruntled customers. You can also check home or interior forums for such reviews.

Place the order properly.

Pictures of products may look different on the websites. You may have ordered a big dense plant. But to your surprise may have received a short baby plant. Check the product description carefully to avoid such issues.

Read the description of the plant, its size, and care instructions. If it comes in a pot, read about its description as well. If you don’t find such information with the plant image, it is best to avoid such stores. If you are unsure about a plant, you can call the store or email them with your query. It is best to seek more information to order the right plant than waste money on one that you don’t want.

You may also want to read up on a plant (if you have no idea about it) before buying it. Some plants require little care and can thrive with just a bit of effort. Others may require intensive care and lots of pruning and repotting. So, order as per your preferences. Once you know what caring for specific plants entails, it will be easier for you to place an order for them.

Your local store may also offer you the option for store pickups. If you can utilize it, it is best to do so. You can cut down on the shopping time by choosing the products online and simply picking your order. You may also cut down on the shipping charges this way.

Ensure timely refunds or returns.

In case, you need to return an item, ensure that you do so in a timely manner. Returns and refunds have a time limit. So, be diligent with it.

If the issue is with the shipping or their courier partner, you may want to follow up on the same as per the store’s policies.

Follow the care instructions.

You might receive care instructions from the seller. If so then follow them to ensure the plant is alive and well after you open the package. The seller is not required to furnish this information. So, you will need to know the care steps for a plant beforehand.

Read about how to repot the plant or how much water it needs. Place it in the shade or sun as needed. In short, take care of the plant as per its specimen and you are good to go.