The reality is that you have to set your expectations when you shop for plants online. It could be similar to playing a lottery since you will not guarantee to get the jackpot. The sales for indoor potted plants and succulents that are found on the cabinets have skyrocketed in recent years. The demand is increasing, and many businesses are going online to stay in the competition.
With people’s awareness of the benefits that plants provide to their households, it’s not surprising that many of them wanted one. The demand is very strong, and the prices are low. However, there may not be enough supply.
The pandemic has resulted in many people finding convenience in shopping online. With vaccines going on, others are returning to shopping in person. The stock photos you see on a website may not perfectly match reality. Another thing that many retailers have in short supply right now is good manners.
The majority of the consumers are polite and lovely. However, others may not realize the difficulty of handling a massive influx of orders, and they want to do their jobs and continue doing business. If you’re going to purchase plants online, the following is helpful advice and some pet peeves that will help you out. Here’s some of them:
The Ficus Audrey isn’t What You Saw on Social Media
In Real Life: The plants would need a lot of care and time to grow. If you’re new to this hobby, you may have the urge to demand bigger plants, but the current supply might not be enough. Others are expecting a 9-foot fiddle-leaf fig for their very first pot, but these are going to take a lot of time to grow. Most people are encouraged to manage their expectations and start with more manageable batches.
Before purchasing the stunning foliage that you see on Instagram, you may want to try and care for one to see if everything goes well. If you don’t have the green thumb, you just need plenty of patience before you see your efforts getting paid.
A pro tip is to start with a four-inch pot. Bring lots of patience and watch that lily begin to acclimate into your home. When it starts to grow and thrive, you know that you’re doing an excellent job. Read more about the factors that will make your garden grow in this url.
Businesses aren’t Usually Going to Share their Plant Sources
In Real Life: The wholesalers and retailers are often flooded with aggressive buyers because of today’s enormous demand for houseplants. Others are even fighting for flats of plants in the area in the community. Some are unwilling to share their distributors because it took decades to find decent ones. Customers may go directly to the suppliers instead of purchasing on websites, which can threaten the employees’ livelihood.
Rock-Bottom Prices aren’t Usually the Thing
These plants will indeed cost less when you purchase them at big-box stores, but rock-bottom prices aren’t usually a thing with many business owners. Many of the big-box wholesalers in your area may offer you discounted rates and meager prices. This is because you’re essentially paying for the service levels and expertise of the florists present in these stores.
A pro tip is that you don’t necessarily begrudge the owners when they offer you their prices. Some of them are just breaking even to compete.
Bringing Bug-Infested Planters to the Store
You might notice that there are pests and bugs around the leaves of your plants. Most shop owners are often more than happy to provide you with a diagnosis and a solution for your problem. However, bringing the planter itself will affect the other species in a nursery or store. Be considerate about bug infection and if possible, call first or send a picture before coming in.
Cut a small section of the diseased plant and securely wrap it inside a plastic bag. Take photos and show them to the owner before carrying the entire pot into the shop. A consultation at the curb far from the others may also help. Learn more about possible pests and diseases here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plant-pests.
About the Generous Return Policies of Online Shops
Some owners who were asked not to be identified said that their customers often returned a dead plant that’s drenched with water. When they were told that it might be because of overwatering, others would deny it and say they didn’t water the soil for weeks.
A pro tip is never to abuse the return policy of any online store or shop owner. Others genuinely want to make their customers happy, but if this continues, they might decide to put a new policy in place, and the rest of the customers’ experience will be ruined.
The Rare ZZ Won’t Usually Look too Nice in your Apartment
One of the culprits of the growing demand in household and indoor plants on windows is Instagram. You may have seen the Raven ZZ be trendy, and they look great as accents in a contemporary apartment. The problem is that they are often challenging to find and are very slow to grow.
A tip is to research and see the availability of a specific species before you set your sights on it in the first place. Varieties like Monstera deliciosa are slow growers, so they are expensive. Others are not even available in your state, and they are restricted from entering your country.
