How to Ship Potted Plants
Tip
Ship the potted plant at the beginning of the week to avoid the possibility that it will be left in a shipping center over the weekend if you ship it later in the week.
Inform the recipient you are sending the potted plant and recommend that it be opened immediately upon receipt.
Shipping potted plants is not as complicated as it may seem. Instead of ordering from a local florist or an online florist, you may handle the task yourself. Properly preparing the plant for travel will ensure its safety during shipping. Check with a local flower shop or university extension about restrictions against shipping certain potted plants to other states.
Obtain a healthy plant in a plastic flower pot from a nursery or home improvement store. If you already own the plant you are shipping, transplant it to a plastic flower pot that will not break during transit.
Water the plant thoroughly the day before you ship it so the soil will stay moist. Allow it to drain well to avoid drainage inside the shipping box.
- Shipping potted plants is not as complicated as it may seem.
- Instead of ordering from a local florist or an online florist, you may handle the task yourself.
Wrap the plastic pot in newspaper and place burlap over the plant's foliage. Place the newspaper-wrapped pot inside a plastic grocery bag. Tie the handles of the bag around the stem of the plant.
Secure the flower pot inside of the shipping box with a cardboard corrugated divider. The shipping center should have these available for purchase. The divider will lock the pot in place at the bottom while the plant will be situated on top. This will prevent movement of the plant during transit.
- Wrap the plastic pot in newspaper and place burlap over the plant's foliage.
- Tie the handles of the bag around the stem of the plant.
Place the divider inside of box with the flower pot at the bottom. Add bubble paper or packing peanuts inside of the box to fill any remaining space and add extra protection.
Close the box and secure it with packing tape. Address it appropriately to the recipient. Ship it overnight for fast delivery.
