Best Places to Buy Plants Online: Prices, Shipping Costs, and Guarantee Terms Compared

Fact-Checked By: Maya Whitfield, Senior Travel Editor at WakaAbuja

I have ordered plants online more times than I care to admit, and I have learned the hard way that a pretty website means nothing if the plant arrives dead. Most “best of” lists tell you where to shop. They do not tell you what happens when your $60 monstera shows up with a broken stem, or that “free shipping over $75” can still mean a handling fee.

This guide compares 12 online plant retailers on the three things that actually matter: real prices, real shipping costs, and what their guarantees actually cover.

Jump to: How we compared | Quick comparison | The 12 retailers | Avoiding dead plants | FAQ

Key takeaways

• The Sill charges $10 flat-rate shipping and offers free shipping on orders over $99, with a 30-day replacement guarantee.
• Bloomscape offers free shipping over $125 and replaces dead plants within 30 days.
• Léon & George includes a 45-day guarantee and free lifetime plant doctor support, but their plants and pots are priced at a premium.
• Costa Farms sells through Amazon with free Prime shipping and prices ranging from $17 to $48 for small to large plants (check current rates on Amazon).
• Leaf & Clay ships bare-root succulents and offers a 30-day quality guarantee with store credit, refund, or replacement options.
• Nature Hills offers a 45-day Growing & Glowing Guarantee with free replacement, store credit, or full refund.
• Never order tropical plants during freezing weather without checking the retailer’s winter shipping policy first.

How did we compare these online plant retailers?

I built this comparison around four factors that determine whether an online plant order goes well or ends in frustration. First, real prices: I looked at actual product listings, not just “$ to $$$” symbols. Second, shipping costs and thresholds: the difference between $10 flat-rate shipping and free shipping over $125 adds up fast. Third, guarantee terms decoded: a “30-day guarantee” can mean a free replacement, a store credit, or a refund, and those are very different outcomes. Fourth, honest trade-offs: what each retailer does not do well, which most lists skip entirely.

I have personally ordered from three of these retailers and relied on verified customer reviews and official policy pages for the rest. Every price figure below is hedged because prices change constantly. Always confirm the latest rates directly with the retailer before you buy.

Quick comparison: price, shipping, and guarantees at a glance

Here is the side-by-side breakdown that most “best of” lists never give you. Use this to filter down to two or three retailers, then read the detailed entries below for the full picture.

What are the 12 best places to buy plants online?

Below are the retailers I recommend, organized by what they do best. Each entry includes what to buy, real price context, shipping and guarantee terms, and one honest trade-off.

1. The Sill—Best for beginners

The Sill is the retailer I recommend to friends who have never bought a plant online before. Their website is clean, their plant descriptions are accurate, and their guarantee terms are clear. Small plants start around $35 to $50, and shipping is $10 flat-rate unless your order exceeds $99, at which point it is free. If your plant arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, they replace it for free with photo proof.

Trade-off: Their selection is curated rather than exhaustive. If you want rare varieties, you will need to look elsewhere.

2. Bloomscape—Best for statement plants

Bloomscape specializes in larger plants that anchor a room. Their Bird of Paradise Luxe is listed at $199, and their Beginner Bundle starts at $99 (check current prices). Free shipping applies to orders over $125. Their 30-day guarantee replaces dead plants at no cost.

Trade-off: The free shipping threshold is high. Smaller orders pay full shipping rates.

3. Léon & George—Best for premium design

Léon & George is the most expensive option on this list, but they deliver a complete package: hand-selected plants, designer pots, a preserved moss finish, and a 45-day replacement guarantee. They also include free lifetime access to their Plant Doctor service, which is genuinely useful for beginners. Their shipping decisions are weather-based, meaning they will delay your order rather than risk cold damage.

Trade-off: Prices start around $60 and climb quickly. This is not a budget option.

4. Costa Farms (via Amazon) — Best for fast, affordable delivery

Costa Farms is a 60-year-old Miami nursery that sells through Amazon, which means Prime shipping applies. Prices range from $17 to $48 for small to large plants (check Amazon for current rates). A Reviewed.com tester reported that plants arrived well-packaged with heat packs in cold weather, though a larger Bird of Paradise arrived with a broken branch.

Trade-off: Customer service through Amazon can be inconsistent. Some reviewers report difficulty getting refunds for plants that decline after the 30-day window.

5. Leaf & Clay—Best for succulents

Leaf & Clay specializes in succulents and ships them bare-root, which means less soil mess and lower shipping weight. They offer a 30-day quality guarantee where you can choose store credit (plus 10 percent), a refund, or replacement plants. Succulent packs start around $8 for bundles (check current rates).

Trade-off: Returns are not accepted on live plants. You must contact them within 48 hours of delivery with photos to claim a store credit.

6. Nature Hills Nursery — Best for trees and outdoor plants

Nature Hills carries a wide selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Their 45-day Growing & Glowing Guarantee offers three remedies: free replacement with complimentary shipping, store credit, or full refund. They also offer winter order protection that extends coverage through May 1.

Trade-off: Their focus is outdoor plants. Indoor houseplant selection is limited compared to specialists.

7. Bloombox Club—Best for plant subscriptions

Bloombox Club offers subscription boxes with free shipping, plus flat-rate shipping on one-off orders. Their UK site charges a £13.95 flat rate for shop orders and delivers within 7 working days. They offer refunds or exchanges for damaged plants if you contact them within 3 days with photos.

Trade-off: Subscription orders are the focus. One-off shop orders carry higher shipping costs.

8. Terrain—Best for people who want to pot their own plants

Terrain sells plants mostly unpotted, which is ideal if you already have planters you love. Shipping starts at $8 for orders under $50. If a plant arrives damaged, dead, or unsatisfactory, they will replace it or refund it within 48 hours of delivery.

Trade-off: You need your own pots and soil, which adds to the total cost.

9. Greendigs—Best for filtering by plant feature

Greendigs lets you filter plants by light level, hanging ability, low-maintenance, and pet-friendly status. Prices start around $29, with a ZZ plant at $55 in a 7-inch pot (check current rates). Their guarantee walks you through a revival process, and if the plant does not improve within seven days, they replace it for free.

Trade-off: Selection is smaller than larger retailers.

10. Lazy Gardens—Best for cacti and rare succulents

Lazy Gardens carries cacti and succulents starting around $7 (check current rates). They issue refunds, exchanges, or store credit for damaged items within 72 hours of delivery.

Trade-off: Shipping rates depend on location and method, so costs vary.

11. Horti—Best for affordable plant subscriptions

Horti offers plant subscriptions starting around $20 per month, with individual plants from $18 to $30 (check current rates). They replace damaged plants free of charge within three days of delivery.

Trade-off: The three-day window for damage claims is short compared to competitors.

12. The Little Botanical—Best for stylish houseplants in Europe

The Little Botanical is a UK-based retailer with a stylish, easy-to-navigate site focused on houseplants. While I could not confirm their exact shipping rates from the available sources, they are frequently recommended by UK gardeners for their curated selection.

Trade-off: Shipping is primarily UK-focused. International availability is limited.

How do you avoid a dead-on-arrival plant?

The single biggest risk with buying plants online is ordering at the wrong time of year or from a retailer that does not protect against weather damage. Here is how to minimize that risk.

Check the winter shipping policy before you order.

Léon & George uses live weather data to decide whether to ship or hold your order. If temperatures along the route are too cold, they will delay shipment rather than risk damage. Costa Farms adds heat packs to winter orders. Not every retailer does this. If you are ordering tropical plants to a cold-climate address between November and March, check the policy first. If the retailer does not mention winter protection, wait until spring.

Understand what “guarantee” actually means.

A “30-day guarantee” can mean three very different things. The Sill replaces damaged or dead plants for free within 30 days with photo proof. Leaf & Clay offers store credit, refund, or replacement, but you must claim within 48 hours of delivery for transit damage. Bloomscape simply replaces dead plants within 30 days. Before you buy, find the guarantee page and read the fine print. The difference between a replacement and a refund matters if you decide you do not want another plant of the same type.

Start with smaller, hardier plants.

Larger plants are more likely to arrive with broken stems or damaged leaves because they are harder to pack securely. A Reviewed.com tester reported that a large Bird of Paradise from Costa Farms arrived with a broken branch, while smaller plants arrived in perfect condition. If you are ordering online for the first time, start with a snake plant, ZZ plant, or pothos. They handle shipping stress better than delicate tropicals.

Unbox immediately and document everything.

Live plants can decline quickly in a box. Unbox as soon as your order arrives. If there is damage, take photos of the packaging and the plant before you dispose of anything. Most guarantee claims require photo evidence, and Leaf & Clay specifically asks you not to discard the packaging because the carrier may request its return.

What mistakes should you avoid when buying plants online?

I have made most of these mistakes myself. Each one cost me money, time, or a dead plant.

Do not order tropical plants in winter without checking the policy.

This is the number one mistake. Tropical plants cannot survive freezing temperatures in transit. If the retailer does not offer heat packs or weather-based shipping delays, do not order between November and March unless you live in a warm climate.

Do not assume free shipping means no cost.

The Sill offers free shipping over $99 but charges a $10 flat rate below that threshold. Bloomscape offers free shipping over $125. If your cart is $90, you are paying shipping. Add a small accessory or a second plant to cross the threshold if you were planning to buy more anyway.

Do not miss the claim window.

Leaf & Clay requires damage claims within 48 hours of delivery. Horti requires claims within three days. Bloomscape and The Sill offer 30 days, but that is not universal. Mark the delivery date on your calendar and inspect your plants that day.

Do not expect a refund if you change your mind.

Live plants are perishable goods, which means most retailers do not accept returns for buyer’s remorse. Leaf & Clay states clearly that all orders are final and cannot be cancelled once fulfillment begins. Bloombox Club notes that plants are excluded from the right to cancel. Only order a plant if you are committed to caring for it.

Do not ignore the pot situation.

Some retailers ship in a nursery grow pot, some in a decorative pot, and some bare-root. Léon & George ships in designer pots with preserved moss. Leaf & Clay ships succulents. bare-root. Terrain ships most plants are unpotted. Know what you are getting so you can have a pot ready when your plant arrives.

Frequently asked questions about buying plants online

Plan your plant shopping: platforms we trust

If you are outfitting a home, office, or rental property with plants, these platforms can help you compare prices and find deals. I use them when I am planning a larger purchase or looking for accessories to go with my plants.

WakaAbuja does its best to keep all information accurate at the time of publishing. Prices, policies, and availability change regularly. Always verify with official sources before you travel. We are not liable for errors caused by outdated information. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.