What to Look out for When Buying Plants Online

The Internet truly is amazing! You can find whatever you need – you can even order and buy plants online. Indeed, even nature is available to you in the virtual world.

But is purchasing greenery online a better option than just visiting your local market or nursery in person? At Windy Willows, we cater to both online and in-person customers and are happy to share our thoughts on the matter.

Buying Plants Online versus Shopping Directly at a Nursery

Before we can dive into the nitty-gritty of how to optimise your online plant shopping experience, let’s consider the differences between shopping online and directly from a nursery.

First and foremost, buying plants at a physical location does come with the benefit of viewing the product in person. Most online stores do provide images of the items they have on offer, but it can still be difficult to spot the details, like the size, or condition of the plants. It is also more difficult for an unreliable establishment to hide poor-quality products if you physically visit their store.

A website can provide you with information, but it cannot necessarily answer your questions swiftly. At a nursery, the staff are readily available to answer any questions you may have and can point you in the right direction of what you need. All of this can make your decision-making process that much easier.

How to Buy Online Plants

That is not to say, however, that buying your plants online is not an excellent option or that it cannot benefit you. Online shopping can be extremely convenient. You just need to know what to look out for.

1. Be aware of all the costs. When most of us shop, we tend to be aware of how much we have to spend and what the prices of our preferred products are. This is just as important when shopping online, if not more so. Be aware of the product prices, but also take into account any extra costs. For example, how much will the delivery cost? To avoid overspending, also try to keep track of any items that may be on sale and be on the lookout for discounts on offer.
2. Be aware of the size. If you live in a smaller space, you probably won’t want a plant that takes up your entire living area. As such, you need to be aware of the differing sizes of the products you’re looking to purchase. On the Plant Selector section of our website, we include the height of the individual plants and even include the spread radius. That way, you know exactly what will arrive at your door when you buy that Indoor Areca Palm, for example.
3. Be aware of the plant’s needs. Before you take a plant home you will need to be sure that you can offer an environment in which it will be able to thrive. So, check how much sun and water your new plant may need. It may even be a good idea to learn about proper plant care. That way you’ll know if you should add any other products to your cart while you’re at it.
4. Be aware of delivery terms and conditions. Since you will probably be getting your items delivered (that is the most convenient aspect of online shopping, after all), you will want to know how the store’s delivery service operates. Make sure that they deliver in your area, for starters. At Windy Willows, we deliver in the Gauteng area when you do your online shopping with us.

If you’re looking to purchase some new plants online today, then contact us and we will gladly assist. Otherwise, start your shopping right away, because it is just that convenient.