How To Ship Potted Plants – Tips and Guidelines

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Last Updated on December 30, 2021 by

If you are going to ship plants, you need to know how to ship potted plants do’s and don’ts to help you do it the right way. Plant sharing is a hobby that most gardeners love. This helps in the exchange of knowledge and a collection of different species to care for.

Shipping potted plants by mail requires careful packaging and preparation of the plant for travel. Some gardeners mail their plants across the country. To do this successfully, you must choose the fastest method for your plant to travel.

Check if it legal to send your plants because some areas have limitations and laws. Knowing how to ship potted plants and how to box them will give you a rich trading experience on your gardening journey.

Guidelines to Follow on How to Ship Potted Plants

Live potted plants mailed successfully through the mail depend on a few important points. They include,

  • Careful packing
  • Acclimating the plant
  • Sending it with enough water to survive the days on transit
  • Insulation for plants that send out during the hot or cold weather season

You may use the U.S postal service or any other shipping companies that will meet your needs. You will learn how to package them to avoid leakages and allow the plant to arrive in good condition.

There are Four Critical Guidelines on How to Ship Potted Plants 

Understand the Shipping Restrictions for Plants within US

Before you prepare the plants, get information on the shipping restrictions. These vary from plant to plant and state to state. First, know what type of plant you are shipping and where you are shipping it to.

Every state in the U.S has different shipping restrictions for flowers and plants. Check out the United Stated Department of Agriculture to know if they allow or prohibit the plant you want to ship.  Also, conduct a proper research before figuring out how to ship it.

The other main restrictions are pests and disease control. Certain plants may be subject to quarantine on their arrival. This is to determine if they are carrying danger of pest or disease. Do not assume anything, do all the research you need to do well in advance.

Restrictions for Shipping Plants Internationally

If you want to ship plants from the United States, you will need to follow restrictions as per the destination. There are prohibitions for certain plants and seeds according to the destination. You will also need to get all the appropriate customs declarations and forms filled.

Restrictions for Shipping Plants Internationally

Agricultural imports and exports have different rules and regulations that must be observed. Every country has organizations that observe such matters with strict measures. Before shipping internationally, be sure to have all the information in this regard.
A phytosanitary certificate is a must-have. This is an official certificate that is required to ship plants and other regulated products. It is issued by the Department of Horticulture or food or agriculture o the exporting country.

If you are doing this for business, you might need to get a shipping permit.

Prepare Shipping and Handling Labels

You will need to have a standard shipping label that contains basic information about the shipping products, the sender address, and the courier code. Use handling labels to explain what contents are being carried so they are handled the right way.

If you don’t label your potted plants as perishable items, there is a chance that the package will be handled improperly to the point of damage.

Get handling labels like live plants, Perishable, Please deliver fast, etc. They will let the handlers know how to handle your plants and when they can be delivered. Do not forget to label your shipment!

Check out Can you Grow Cucumbers in a Pot

Use Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are specific boxes used for packing plants. With these boxes, you can set with or without the pot. It is easy to pack your plants in these boxes.  

If you are sending many small plants to one address, you can use corrugated partitioned boxes. These partitions are horizontal, diagonal, or vertical depending on the type of plants you are sending.

You can also get plant shipping boxes specifically made for your plants if you ship often. If you are a small business or a start-up, the boxes could be an expensive affair. You can assemble your own shipping boxes by using regular boxes and partitions. Remember to secure them with high-quality tape.

Use Corrugated Boxes

Conclusion

With this import information, you can now go ahead and choose a shipping company of your choice. And voila! You have your potted plants shipped with ease!

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