Online plant buying has increased dramatically in the last decade, changing how gardeners find everything from common varieties to rare specimens. However, the digital world of plants requires some "green knowledge" to ensure you get healthy, thriving additions to your garden.
The online plant shopping experience has evolved considerably, with many established online retailers demonstrating in-depth expertise spanning over 25 years. Leading online plant retailers like Bakker cultivate their own stock in professional nurseries, and some grow more than a million plants from scratch.
Even serious (hobby) gardeners and garden owners can now confidently buy plants from home because top-tier suppliers official certifications and environmental labels such as the MPS or RHP labels. This environmental and quality certification isn't just paperwork—it helps consumers and buyers avoid common pitfalls that can occur when purchasing plants online.
Success in buying plants online begins before you click "Buy." Plants first need the right conditions at the garden center to thrive, and the soil's pH level has a significant impact on survival rates. To give just one example, rhododendrons thrive in acidic soil (pH 5.1-6.0), while lavender prefers alkaline conditions (pH 7.1-8.0). Experienced gardeners, by the way, avoid buying plants in full bloom and instead opt for smaller specimens in spring or autumn.
This article was written in collaboration with experts from Bakker . It shows what experienced gardeners look for when buying plants online, from selecting reputable retailers to caring for newly delivered plants.
How to choose a trustworthy online plant retailer
A thriving garden also depends on choosing the right online plant retailer. This image is for illustrative purposes and was generated using AI.
"The clearest path to the universe leads through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir, naturalist, author and founder of the Sierra Club.
A thriving garden also depends on choosing the right online plant retailer. Experienced gardeners look beyond pretty pictures and thoroughly check each retailer's qualifications before placing their trust in them.
Check if a retailer grows their own plants.
Savvy gardeners prefer retailers who grow their own stock. These nurseries can track each plant's journey and maintain strict quality standards. Many trusted online garden centers operate their own growing facilities, with some managing over 30 acres of plants under expert care or working very closely with growers. Retailers who grow their own plants or have close partnerships with growers are also more likely to use environmentally friendly methods, such as peat-free cultivation and minimal plastic packaging.
Retailers with their own plant nurseries or close cooperation with growers are more likely to use environmentally friendly methods such as peat-free growth and minimal plastic packaging.
Be wary of suppliers who ship products from unknown sources. You could end up introducing pests or diseases into your garden if you don't know where your plants come from.
Look out for quality certificates.
Plant certifications protect you from introducing unwanted pests and diseases into your garden. The Plant Healthy accreditation stands out as the most respected certification. It is a DEFRA supported program that recognizes only growers with the highest standards in plant health and biosecurity.
This certification requires providers to:
A detailed independent assessment over several months
Strict protocols for monitoring pests and diseases
Complete traceability systems for plants
Annual audits to maintain certification
Internationally recognized quality seals regarding environmental compatibility and the quality of substrates used are the MPS and RHP labels .
MPS (“Milieu Programma Sierteelt”) is a quality label that examines and neutrally evaluates the environmental sustainability and best practices of horticulture. Participating companies commit to regulating their use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, electricity, waste, and water, thus committing to sustainable production. Over 3,500 producers in nearly 50 countries already participate.
RHP is a quality seal for substrates, certifying the impeccable quality of the raw materials used in the production of potting soil. The RHP quality seal (Trade Regulation for Potting Soil) is a recognized mark of quality and guarantees the highest reliability, safety, and quality while simultaneously protecting the environment.
Read customer reviews and ratings
Customer feedback tells you the most about a retailer's reliability. The best online plant suppliers typically have Trustpilot or Trusted Shops ratings above 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on several hundred, or ideally over a thousand, verified reviews.
In the reviews, pay attention to comments about:
Plant condition upon delivery
Packaging quality
Customer service response times
Plant condition after several weeks
High ratings on various platforms, especially from trade journals, also indicate consistent quality. Look for nurseries and growers where more than 80% of customers rate the plant quality as "good" .
Things to consider before placing your order
A smooth online plant buying experience also depends on understanding and matching the conditions of your own garden and the characteristics of the plants. You'll see better results if you know what to look for before placing an order.
The difference between thriving plants and failures almost always lies in this preparation.”
Understand the conditions of your garden
Every gardener needs a complete picture of their garden's surroundings before buying plants online.
The following factors make a significant difference:
Soil type and pH value (acidic, neutral or alkaline)
Sun exposure throughout the day (full sun, filtered shade or partial shade)
Local climate and winter hardiness zone
Looking at your neighbor's garden is a great way to get clues about what might work in yours. Plants that thrive next door suggest similar soil conditions. A simple pH meter will give you a clear picture of which plants could flourish in your soil.
Check the size, spread, and growth habits of the plant(s).
Online retailers typically offer a variety of pot sizes, which affect the maturity of the plants and how quickly they establish themselves. You'll find 9cm pots with young plants, 1-2 liter pots with fresh perennials and small shrubs, and 3-5 liter pots with mature shrubs.
Plants from online shops are generally smaller than those found in garden centers. The pot size mentioned in the product descriptions helps to set realistic expectations. Information on plant height and width helps prevent overcrowding and incorrect placement.
Read the full product description
Product descriptions are your ideal guide when buying plants online. Attractive offers should show the following:
Full botanical name (not just common names)
Detailed care requirements
Growth habits and needs
Clear details about plant maturity
The best online plant retailers provide complete information on hardiness zones, mature sizes, and care instructions. Keep in mind that professional stock photos show plants at their best – your delivery may look different.
Avoid buying plants in full bloom.
Experts advise buying young seedlings instead of plants in full bloom.
Smart gardeners skip planting plants that are already in full bloom. Plants that are about to flower or are in tight bud develop stronger roots because they aren't busy producing flowers. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the flowering period for longer after planting.
How your plants should be packaged and delivered
The right shipping approach can mean the difference between receiving healthy, thriving plants and sad, wilted disappointments. People with a green thumb and some online shopping experience know exactly what to look for when their Bakker plants arrive.
What good packaging looks like
Quality plant packaging goes beyond mere appearance—plants need it to survive. The best online plant retailers use specialized materials designed for shipping living organisms.
Suitable packaging is characterized by the following properties:
Shipping boxes that can breathe and retain moisture with protective films and substrates.
Soft netting or biodegradable paper, which is ideal for smaller plants
Strong, supportive pieces of cardboard that prevent plants from moving too much.
Additional layers of insulation when the weather becomes extreme
Professional retailers know how to balance plant safety with proper air circulation depending on weather conditions. Cold-weather shipments require extra insulation, while summer shipments need packaging that allows the plants to breathe without overheating.
How quickly should the delivery be?
Plants should arrive at the customer's address within 2-3 days of leaving the greenhouses. Some hardy plants can last up to a week in sturdy packaging, but faster delivery is preferable. Reputable retailers ship plants on weekdays and avoid weekend delays.
Signs of poor handling during transport
These warning signs should attract your attention:
Soil scattered outside the pots
Outer packaging that appears damaged or cracked
Plants with broken stems or badly damaged leaves
Plants showing signs of stress from temperature extremes
The best online plant sellers have perfected their shipping methods in recent years, so that unpleasant unpacking experiences for the customer are now rare.
Caring for your plants after delivery
The arrival of new plants marks the beginning of an adaptation phase. How you handle these new additions during these first few days significantly determines their success. A few tips from professionals will help you skillfully avoid common pitfalls.
Allow your plant to acclimatize before repotting it.
Shipped plants need some time to acclimatize after unpacking. Therefore, it's best to wait a while before repotting them.
Your first instinct might be to repot your new plants immediately – but don't. Plants need time to adjust to their new environment after the stress of shipping. Experts recommend leaving plants in their nursery pots for at least six weeks. Disturbing the roots too early can harm your plants and often leads to problems in the first few weeks. The root system should be allowed to stabilize naturally in your home before any changes are made.
Check for symptoms of transport shock
Most plants go through what experts call "travel or transport shock"—meaning a slight "disorientation" as they adapt to new environments.
Common symptoms include:
Hanging or slanting stems
Yellow leaves or leaf drop
Slower growth rates at the beginning
Don't worry: These reactions won't last long. Some bent leaves or slightly drooping stems are normal after transport. Your plant isn't dying – it just needs time to adjust.
Tips on watering and lighting during the first week
Checking soil moisture before watering is crucial – overwatering poses a far greater threat than underwatering during this acclimatization phase. Soil irrigation works best for plants that are very dry.
Place your new plant in bright, indirect light and avoid harsh direct sunlight, which could stress a plant that is already adapting.
When to contact customer support
Take photos of your plant's condition upon arrival before making any changes. Contact the seller immediately if you notice serious problems such as mushy roots or excessive wilting due to waterlogged soil. Most reputable retailers will respond within 24 hours.
A few words in conclusion
With this short guide, we want to show you how experienced gardeners make well-considered decisions instead of buying impulsively. Feel free to follow their example 🙂
Beautiful catalog images can be deceiving, and plants often arrive in smaller pots than expected. This should be taken into account when setting your expectations. Reading the product descriptions and checking the mature sizes will also help avoid disappointment and overgrown gardens later on.
Patience will be your best friend and guide after delivery. Plants need time to recover from their shipping journey. Drooping leaves and stems usually mean the plant is adjusting to its new home, rather than showing signs of problems. Most plants recover well with the right location and careful watering during their first week.
Buying plants online allows you to discover varieties that local stores might never carry. Home delivery and the excitement of unpacking living treasures can now turn even skeptics into plant-buying enthusiasts. Many gardeners start with a "small trial order" that can quickly expand to dozens of plants.
These expert tips should help you grow healthier and more beautiful plants. Happy gardening!
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
Section for garden design, outdoor decoration, garden design, garden sculptures and landscape architecture.
In today's time, the topic of garden design and landscape architecture is gaining more and more importance. More and more often, the garden is considered an extension of the living space, which is why outdoor decoration also plays an important role.
But the garden should not only be visually appealing – it should also be functional and provide the residents with a place to relax or spend time outdoors with friends and family.
A successful garden design can help meet these demands. However, it's not just about choosing beautiful plants or setting up suitable furniture.
Rather, a comprehensive plan must be created in which all elements are harmoniously interconnected.
Currently, garden sculptures of various kindsare particularly popular as garden art: Whether modern sculptures made of metal or classic stone figures – they set special accents in the green environment and can thus become a focal point for visitors.
So, if you want to redesign your outdoor area or are simply looking for inspiration, you are in the right place!
In our section you will find numerous ideas on the topic of garden design as well as tips from experts on how to implement your own ideas.
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