Unboxing your new Plants!
How to Unbox Your Shipped Plants
There's nothing quite like opening a box of new plants. They've travelled (potentially across provinces) to reach your home, and while we package every plant with care, they have still experienced several days in a dark box. It is completely normal for them to look a little tired after their journey.
This guide will help your plants settle in quickly and give them the best possible start.
1. Open Your Package Right Away
As soon as your package arrives, bring it indoors and open it.
Plants continue to breathe while they are in the box. The sooner they are unpacked, the sooner they can begin recovering from shipping.
Carefully remove any packing material without pulling on leaves or stems. If a plant seems tightly secured, gently cut away the tape or packaging rather than forcing it free.
2. Inspect Your Plants
Take a few minutes to look over each plant.
You may notice:
- A few yellow or damaged leaves
- Slight drooping
- Dry potting mix
- Soil shifted during transport
- Bent leaves or stems
These are all common signs of shipping stress and usually improve within several days.
If you notice significant damage that concerns you, take clear photos before making any changes to the plant.
3. Give Them a Drink
Check the soil with your finger.
If the top inch feels dry, water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot.
If the soil is still moist, wait another day or two before watering again.
Avoid keeping the soil constantly wet, as stressed plants are more susceptible to root rot than underwatering.
4. Skip the Repotting
It can be tempting to move your new plant into a decorative pot immediately.
Instead, allow it to adjust to its new home for at least 1 to 2 weeks before repotting.
During this time, the plant is focusing on recovering from shipping stress. Repotting too soon adds another layer of stress that can slow recovery.
5. Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Place your plant in a bright room with plenty of indirect sunlight.
Avoid:
- Hot south-facing windows without filtering
- Direct afternoon sun
- Dark corners
Bright, indirect light helps the plant recover while reducing additional stress.
6. Keep Temperatures Comfortable
Tropical plants prefer temperatures between 18°C and 27°C.
Avoid placing them near:
- Heating vents
- Air conditioners
- Exterior doors
- Drafty windows
Sudden temperature changes can slow recovery.
7. Increase Humidity
Shipping often dries plants out.
Help them recover by increasing humidity.
You can:
- Use a humidifier
- Group plants together
- Place the plant in naturally humid rooms with adequate light
- Avoid misting as your primary humidity method. Misting only raises humidity briefly and can sometimes encourage leaf spotting.
8. Hold Off on Fertilizer
Do not fertilize immediately after arrival.
Wait about 3 to 4 weeks before applying fertilizer.
The plant is recovering from shipping and does not need extra nutrients until it begins actively growing again.
9. Expect an Adjustment Period
It is perfectly normal if your plant:
- Drops one or two leaves
- Looks droopy
- Stops growing temporarily
- Develops a yellow leaf
This adjustment period can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
As long as new growth eventually appears, your plant is settling into its new environment.
10. Quarantine New Plants
If you already own houseplants, keep your new arrivals separate for 2 to 3 weeks.
Although every effort is made to grow healthy plants, quarantining new arrivals is considered a best practice for any collection.
This gives you time to monitor for any unexpected pests or issues before introducing them to the rest of your plants.
When Should You Contact Us?
Please contact us if your plant arrives with:
- Severe cold or heat damage
- Broken stems affecting the main plant
- Extensive leaf loss
- A plant that does not begin recovering after following this guide
- When contacting us, include:
- Photos of the unopened package (if applicable)
- Photos of the plant
- Your order number
This helps us assess the situation quickly and find the best solution.
Your Plant's Journey Has Just Begun
Every tropical and houseplant plant goes through a brief adjustment after shipping. With some patience and the right care, most plants will recover quickly and begin producing healthy new growth.
Remember, don't judge your new plant by its first few days. Judge it by the new growth it produces over the coming weeks.
Thank you for trusting us at Riverdene Garden Centre to help grow your indoor jungle! We're always happy to answer questions and help your new plants thrive.