Has anyone ever ordered houseplants online? If so, where?

Hi.
I want to order some specific type of houseplants. When i looked locally I could not find them and to be honest the places I went seemed very steep in price. They are "trendy" "cutesy" areas if you know what I mean! ;)

I don't know anyone around here either to ask.

Thanks.

It's a slow time of year for house plants to be bought/sold, even though people have house plants all year. Stores often devote the space they use for those to seasonal items at this time of year. It's dangerous to take tropical plants out into the cold to get them home over the next few months (as well as mail them in a box to cold places.) Many stores attempt to sell what they have before winter so they don't have to tend them until spring.

Sorry, no suggestions for an online retailer, although I know there are good ones, just encouragement that you should see more house plants in stores that sell them in the spring, whether BBS's or nurseries/garden centers. Others I'm sure will suggest online retailers for you.

There are lots of online sellers but your best bet is local - usually bigger, cheaper, and you can inspect it in person. If you cannot find it locally then you have to do a web search with the plant in mind but before you spend a lot of money, do check the seller out first or just buy as little as you can to gauge how good the service and quality is. You can also shop on eBay for plants and there are some excellent sellers and there will be some terrible ones as well. The terrible sellers usually don't last too long though since word spreads and people avoid them like the plague.

Are there any plant nurseries in your area? Start there. The big box stores are sometimes good but like purple said it is usually in the warmer times of the year. Most are preparing for Christmas now including cut trees and other novelties (poinsettias will be hitting the stores soon, Christmas cactus, Norfolk Island pines (avoid these), rosemary trees, and amaryllis to name a few).

Paros--

Have you checked your local Home Depot or Lowes?
Both have extensive Houseplant depts. year round-and there is, usually,
a good selection. From small pots to huge floor size pots.
However--check the plants over for bugs--carefully.
They usually comefrom Florida--jammed into trucks--and many are field-grown.

What plants are you looking for, exactly? Can you list them here?

Gita

Thank you everyone.
Purpleinopp - I hadn't thought about the fact of tropical plants in the cold. I live in the Northern US so I will keep it in mind. I'll check in the Spring too _ I wasn't really realizing about houseplants being seasonal but this makes sense now that you mention it!
hcmcdole - Yes , there are many nurseries around, I may just need to go a bit further than I have to check them out. Maybe some of them can special order plants also. There are specific plants I want is the problem, but I can visit some and maybe they have ideas also. Thank you.
Just curious about avoiding Norfolk Pines? Oh my gosh, Christmas trees already? Autumn is over? :( Thanks for your help!
Gita, yes, I kind of avoid the big stores for that very reason, several experiences buying houseplants there on sale an then having other plants infested with bugs. :/ But I'll have a look.

These plants were described on a TED talk as being really good for helping an indoor environment:

" Areca palm, Mother-in-Law's Tongue and money plant.

"Areca palm is a plant which removes CO2 and converts it into oxygen. We need four shoulder-high plants per person, and in terms of plant care, we need to wipe the leaves every day in Delhi, and perhaps once a week in cleaner-air cities. We had to grow them in vermi manure, which is sterile, or hydroponics, and take them outdoors every three to four months. The second plant is Mother-in-law's Tongue, which is again a very common plant, and we call it a bedroom plant, because it converts CO2 into oxygen at night. And we need six to eight waist-high plants per person. The third plant is money plant, and this is again a very common plant; preferably grows in hydroponics. And this particular plant removes formaldehydes and other volatile chemicals."

This is the TED talk....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VKRZ0pT9pQ
Thanks Gita! It was lovely to see these responses! I will also have a look at Ebay & check reviews. Is it possible to grow house plants from seeds? Cheers everyone! :)

This message was edited Oct 29, 2014 4:46 PM

DavesGarden has a section called GardenWatchdog http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/ that has reviews of mail order nurseries.

PS: I don't think too much of that Ted talk speaker - not scientific.

Money plant? Are you talking about Lunaria? You can get seeds if this is the case and sow them in spring outdoors and they should bloom for you the following year. If you lived in the south, I would sow them now since they like cool weather to germinate. You will have money plant from then on. I hope they are hardy for your area.

Norfolk Island Pines come in a cute little size wrapped up just for Christmas. In a few years you have a 7 to 8 foot monster that you must bring indoors for winter. It takes up a lot of room, topples over if not in a very heavy pot, can drop needles and branches and is not a great "houseplant". That is my opinion but I think most folks can't keep one alive that long. Same goes for giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) as it can become very large in a few short years. I sacrificed all my NIP over the years and my one and only giant BOP to Jack Frost.

Cut trees are not in the big stores - yet, but they have cleared spaces for their arrival. They usually get them in before Thanksgiving so the ones who feel the need to be the first on the block can get them and have them up before Thanksgiving.

I buy many plants from the big box stores without incident. Often get some quality plants at Walmart every year - houseplants and some perennials for a lot cheaper than the nursery. Lowes and Home Depot as well. The biggest problem I see is what you described early on - not a lot of choices but you never know what will show up so I go every week or two during the growing season. I got several very well grown hostas at Walmart this year for half the price of anywhere else as an example. Very large well grown begonias at Lowe's (from Australia stock) and a cool looking crepe myrtle (Black Diamond series). I got some really nice succulents from Home Depot (agave and aloe) plus some hydrangeas I've been looking for the last couple of years. Give it a try - you might like it.

I was chatting with a guy near Detroit and he had a favorite nursery in his area but I don't remember the name. I would have to go through old email to find the name since I haven't heard from him in over a month like he dropped off the face of the earth.

Vestia---

The Money Plant (not what you thought, Butch) is available in the Big Box stores.
I work in a Home depot in the garden dept., and I have seen them come in around 3' tall.
It is considered a "Novelty plant"...like the "ZZ plant" was. Now you don't see it much.
I,e seen really tall Snake Plants (aka Mother-in-law's Tongue). And--Yes!
You can cut one of the sheaths (leaves) of a Snake Plant into sections and root them
I am sure it would be very slow--but it is doable.

And--by the way--most LOW LIGHT plants are great at cleaning the air.
Like--the Peace Lily (Spathophylum)....Spider Plants...Pothos...etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study

http://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/photos/15-houseplants-for-improving-indoor-air-quality/bamboo-palm-chamaedorea

And another one-- http://www.ourhouseplants.com/guides/50-plants-that-clean-the-air

Ans another one--- http://www.englishgardens.com/10-best-clean-air-house-plants


Vestia--You have a lot of reading to do!!!

Gita (NO! i am NOT from India!--I am from Latvia)

Vestia,
You don't? Darn. I thought it sounded pretty amazing - but it's kind of funny because the amount of plants per person is so much you may as well just put your bed outside. It's NASA - Don't they know everything? ;
I just looked at the Watchdog & that's excellent to know! That would save hours of trawling through the internet trying to suss out companies. Thank you! I haven't read the next two posts so I'll do that now. Back in a mo.

hcmcdole,
Oh now I know which trees you mean. Yes I've killed one myself and felt really bad. It was a nice idea to buy a live tree but it doesn't really work. I recall that mine dried up even though I kept watering it.

(Sorry- this is just a ramble )I lived in London for awhile and they put the Christmas trees in sand - they didn't understand at all why I was talking about water and sugar and such. I had to spend a fortune at a big department store to get a tree stand that held water. I felt too awful to put it in sand. :( Even though I've ultimately killed the tree. People in London thought I was slightly mad. :) But they loved me, I know they did.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens)
Mother in law's Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Money plant (Epipremnum aureum)

This message was edited Oct 29, 2014 8:12 PM

Okay hcmdole,
You've convinced me to give the big stores another go. You've obviously done very well. I love succulents too. & oh, Detroit? I practically grew up there - I would have like to be in touch with someone like that.

This message was edited Oct 29, 2014 8:18 PM

Paros---

Sorry! I thought the asker was Vestia!
Need to pay more attention! Gita

Gosh Gita, thank you for all the links. I will look at them all. I love spider plants and am more familiar with them. Wait, who said Gita was from India? You're from Latvia? Okay, low light plants. That helps a lot. Thank you very much all of you. You've given me lots of information and resources to look at. I will do my homework now and let you know what I discover.

I've never heard Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) called money plant before - very interesting on the names and guess I can learn something new every day (teach an old dog new tricks).

Yes, do try the big box stores in summer. Never know what you will find.



Here is Black Diamond Crimson Red crepe myrtle from Lowe's, wished I had not passed up this $20 tropical hibiscus at Lowe's, a couple of begonias and a Thai Aglaonema from Lowe's as well this summer, the other begonias and a couple of hardy hibiscus from Lowe's, and a few houseplants from Walmart (about $5 or less) this spring. I could show you the elephant ears and succulents from HD but I think you get my drift.

I have always found Logees a good place for mail order plants. Look online and see what they offer. Customer service is excellent. Their prices are not cheap but selection and quality are very good. Have purchased from them in colder weather without problem.
Good Luck,
Jim

Paros---I will explain.....

You mentioned Dehli and having ti wipe the plants every day in your Post above.
Dehli is in India--right?
The name "Gita" is very well known in India--she is a kind of a Goddess.
(Can't spell this correctly)--as in the "Baghavad Gita " ...

That is why I said i am NOT from India....does it make sense now???

Gita

Hi Gita,

Oh I see what you are referring to. I'm so sorry Gita - that was the quote of the man in the TED talk. Those were his exact words on that talk - it is from the transcript. I quoted that section because that is where he names the plants and their uses. He happens to be from India and it was (happenchance?) that that was the case.

I'm the last person to presume anything about anyone! I've lived in both the USA and London so I know people from everywhere. I also taught children in London from many different countries so I don't ascribe any name to any place. I'm so sorry if it appeared that way. If you click on the link I put you can hear this man saying those words - I happened to catch that TED talk and found it interesting.

Please forgive me if it appeared I had made any kind of assumption - honestly i would never.
I'm also very grateful for your kind help.

This message was edited Oct 30, 2014 1:16 PM

hcmcdole

Those are absolutely gorgeous plants! Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures. You've definitely made me rethink the big stores. I see it's just a matter of checking them out, going periodically to see what's new, taking a look at the soil....which is the case with the greenhouses or anyone selling plants really.

Thanks,
I'll have a look at our local places on the weekend.

Thank you Jim. Your help is most appreciated. I will have a look at Logees today. I don't mind paying a bit more if something is worth it! That's great to know. I'll report back. Thank you!

Paros---

There is absolutely NO NEED for you to apologize to me for anything....
I never take offense at things said on DG--unless they are intentionally hurtful.

SO--Where are you from? Your name "paros".....I cannot connect to anything.
maybe Greek? Of course--it is a user name..so may not be your real name.

Funny you live in Livonia. Livonia used to be a, now almost extinct, part of
NW Latvia and a part of Estonia. The Livonian language is practically dead--
but I have heard that there are still a few small settlements in this region
that are trying to preserve it.
You could Google Livonia and see all their beautiful handiwork and old-style jewelery.
Their armor and clothing as well as their woven goods.

It is always so sad when a total culture dies with no one left to carry on.
Latvia and Estonia are especially vigilant to try to preserve all things "old".
It seems to be the trend now as most inhabitants have NO clue.
Museums are being built and donations of artifacts collected. That is encouraging!

I do not know much more about this culture.

Now--back to houseplants.......

There are Garden dept's and then there are Ggarden dept's in BIG BOX stores.

Look for the quality of care of their plants. Are they watered? or--half dead and
crowded--displayed haphazardly? Are they fresh and well maintained?

You may also inquire when new shipments arrive and go shopping on those days.
Don't ask an Associate--as we do not have anything to do with arrival of--
merchandising--culling or discarding of any plants--NOR marking any plants down
if they are not perfect. Nor able to tell you when something is going on sale.
There are companies that are 100% in charge of bringing in the plants and doing
all the above.
HD does NOT OWN one single plant! They all belong to the providers.
You could think of it as--HD having all the plants and shrubs and trees on consignment.
Even X-Mas trees and pumpkins....

Did you all know that?????????? So--don't get upset with s garden associate!
She cannot make any decisions re the above.
BUT--she IS responsible for the maintenance of every single plant.

If you would come to our HD--you would see what a well cared for Garden Dept. looks like.
I only work PT, but I sure know my job! And--we have the world's most awesome manager!!!

Gita

GIta-
Your message made me smile! Paros - no it's not my name, and yes it is because I visited all the Greek Islands as well as some inland places and adored it. I wish I was there now. Oh my gosh it is so beautiful. Paros was a favorite island that I spent time on. The blue sea, the kitties, the outdoor rooftop restaurants where you cook your own kebabs on hot marble. I don't even know why it popped into my mind when making my user name - maybe it's calling me back! REAL Greek yogurt and honey. It's perfection.

I was born in Michigan but had one Swedish grandma and one Czechoslovakian one. I don't feel I belong to any one place now though - I believe I am a free spirit and it was trying to follow the norms that kept getting me down. My other happy days were spent climbing all over Scotland and meeting fellow wanderers.

I love all that info you've given about Livonia. I'm going to look that up. I was always fascinated with Mesopotamia and half forgotten places of great character. It IS sad if this culture of Livonia is not thriving. I do know other cultures and languages where they have seemed to turned the tides to preserve languages - but it takes effort. I didn't even like it when they got the European currency & was glad the British didn't. ( I lived there at the time.) I'm sure the Romans never thought they could disappear. I never even knew where the name Livonia Michigan came from. (I grew up in Plymouth, Mi.- that's kind of an obvious one) I like researching stuff.so this can be on my list. :)

So HD does not own the plants. No, I never ever knew that! I will be extra courteous to the associate & not ask her those questions. I will be looking at the plants though. I'd love to see your garden department! I bet it's beautiful and lush!

Oh & back to the Livonians. I love woven goods and learned how to spin wool a few years ago. I really want to learn how to weave too. So I'll be interested to see what Livonians weave.

This message was edited Oct 31, 2014 6:24 PM

SVEIKS! (hello in Latvian)

Well, Paros----What would be your real name?? Age?

Sounds like you have traveled the World. I love "free souls"...I find it easy to talk
to people that are that way--mostly, they are not prejudiced or judgemental.
Does it count if I, at least in my mind, am a "free soul"?
Got more and more so in my old age. I am now 77+
....
I still work PT at the HD., I live alone (DH walked out 22 years ago for another woman). I garden. I like to do crafts, and I spend wayayy too much time on this darn computer.
But--look at all the people I meet? Even if it is a nebulous, virtual friendship. Love it!

You can start (at the link )on Livonia--and read you head off. Not just about Livonia,
but also the Baltic countries--Latvia, Estonia (Tere!=Hello), Lithuania (Labas!=Hello) as we were all sort of, intertwines back in the Middle Ages.

You should go visit these countries--it will blow your mind away. SOO beautiful--
with the centers of the capitals still surrounded with 4' thick stone walls with turret windows
to shoot from. Narrow cobblestone streets, etc.
This is only in the touristy center of the capitals--or "The Old City" as they are called.
The castles are awesome too--even if crumbling with time. Flowers and gardens everywhere...

When you "get into" reading all the stuff below--take a segue ad look into Latvia as well.

I just goggled "Livonia"--and found this on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livonia

Hmmm..I should bookmark it so I can read up a bit as well.


How far from the Topic of this Thread can i GET? MY APOLOGIES
WAIT! This is YOUR Thread--so it is OK....right?

I will post 5 pictures from my trip there in 2008. I have so many--hundreds!
I went there, with my sisters, to enjoy their HUGE Song Festival
which comes along every 5 years. Latvians from all over the World
converge in what can only be called a Cultural Orgy. And--young and old--
we all still speak the Latvian language.

SO--enjoy...will try to give you a sampling... Gita

1--Opening of the Festival parade....each person proudly wearing the dress
of their home region. Each has specific dress. It lasted 3 hours!

2--The Grand Opening Concert. Yes! That is PONE, conglomerate Choir,
in the hands of ONE director. All the individual Choirs, from wherever, have been
practicing the same songs for a long, long time--and then they all come together,
have a few rehearsals, and sing as one. This Choir had over 2000 participants.
They had a Closing Concert--just as big--but more casual--as the audience
often just sang along.

3--Embassy Row. So many of the buildings have now bee refurbished--it blows you away!
Many were let go--and decrepit. Now it shines with the glory of what once was.
Riga (Latvia's capital) has the largest # of Art Neuvo (sp) buildings in al of Europe.

4--That's ME--by one of the vertical massive flower plantins in a courtyard.

5--This picture makes me cry.....
I LOVE..LOVE old cemetaries! So different from the flat, unadorned ones here--where
people can walk all over grave sites. Not in our Countries--Grave sites are sacred
and very well maintained. Flowers are put at the graves, and the ground is raked clean.
These mossy graveshav no family members left to keep it up--not for decades, as many
of us fled our Countries to escape the imminent Soviet occupation in 1944.
People gathered what was essential to have, took their children and grandparents,
locked the door to their house and left forever--never to return. Tens of thousands
of people did this to seek a better life--leaving all their things behind. I was then 7.
Love the moss...time has adorned these graves. No flowers needed.

Have to find you some castles and ruins....

1--2--some old Castle ruins

3--Entrance to the National Cemetery of Riga. A most sacred place!
So well maintained you will not find even a weed. I love the old, monuments...
I could wander through this cemetery for hours...

4--Flowers for sale--everywhere....especially outside the cemetery entrance.
5--Typical narrow street in the "Old City'.

See--now you have to take a Tour of latvia!
They all speak English there--so don't worry. Maybe not the old grammys...

Best to you! Gita

I've ordered a lot of plants online. I've never had any trouble, but I know people who have. Don't order from overseas even if the price is very tempting. There is a good chance they'll end up in the U.S. Customs Dept. incinerator.

EBay is a good source. Read seller feedback before ordering. Amazon has a few sellers. I just got a lovely Sansevieria from Hirt's on Amazon. Many plants are fine to ship this tome of year since they don't actually sit out in the cold except during loading and unloading. For delicate plants, many sellers will add heat packs during very cold months.

Check the garden center at Walmart. Our Walmart is still getting plants in, but they're marking a lot of things 50% off. All their houseplants are in the garden center, but that isn't true of all Walmart stores. I got a 4' tall, 2-gal Sansevieria trifasciata for $12 a few months ago. Same plant is on sale now. Our local nurseries are also still carrying houseplants. I do a Google search for local nurseries, then make calls when I'm after something specific.

All plants turn CO2 to O2 during photosynthesis. At night, when they aren't photosynethesizing, they use oxygen, just like animals. When a plant is considered a "clean air" plant, it's because it removes toxins like formaldehyde, not CO2 since any plant will do that. For CO2 removal, fast-growing plants will use more than slow-growing plants. I don't know the mechanism of formaldehyde removal, so I can't help you there.

If you want some very fast-growing, easy care green spider plants, I have loads of rooted pups. I'll send you a handful for the cost of mailing them. They're considered "clean air plants" by NASA. Send me a note through this site ("D-mail"), then be patient because I sometimes go quite a while without checking back here.

You know, I started a variegated spider plant form seeds. I didn't think it was the same plant when I asked for the seeds. A seed trading forum, and when it grew it was just like the ones you buy from Walmart or any of them. Had the little plants growing on the stems etc. I was really amazed at it. Thought you would use those little plants to start new ones.