Online plant shopping has moved from novelty to normal. A 2026 consumer survey cited by Alibaba found that 73% of U.S. houseplant buyers purchase at least one plant online annually, but roughly 40% report damaged, mislabeled, or root-bound plants from unvetted sellers.
The best places to buy plants online now offer curated selections, expert-backed care resources, and safe shipping guarantees. Purchasing plants online provides access to thousands of unique varieties, protective packaging, and expert support that local brick-and-mortar nurseries cannot always match.
Introduction
Online nurseries are popular because customers can browse from home, compare sites, read care instructions, and have live plants delivered to the door. The best online plant stores cater to different needs, ranging from stylized indoor decor and rare collector specimens to budget-friendly bulk ordering.
Various online retailers specialize in indoor houseplants, rare tropical varieties, specialized outdoor gardening gear, trees, shrubs, perennials, and succulents. Online nurseries often target homeowners seeking high-quality plants and expert advice for outdoor living space enhancements.
How We Chose the Best Online Plant Retailers
We looked at:
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Plant quality and whether plants arrived healthy, fresh, and in perfect condition
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Packaging, including whether each box prevented soil spillage and protected delicate stems, leaf edges, flowers, and foliage
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Variety, since online plant retailers often provide trees, shrubs, perennials, and succulents for diverse needs
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Guarantees, because many online plant retailers offer a satisfaction guarantee that lets customers return plants if they are not happy within a specified period, typically around 30 days
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Care support, since many online plant retailers provide care instructions with shipments to help customers acclimate new plants
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Expertise, because comprehensive plant care guides and direct access to plant experts are common among top online nurseries
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Shipping coverage, weather controls, and value
It is important to verify a site’s arrival policy before purchasing plants online. Extreme weather conditions can affect plant transit; sellers may provide climate-controlled shipping options to mitigate this risk. Plants ordered online can arrive in varying conditions, with some showing cold damage or pests, which can affect health and appearance upon delivery.
Best 8 Online Plant Retailers for 2026
1. Yardwork
Yardwork is a California-focused nursery specializing in landscape plants, mature trees, privacy screens, succulents, and expert services.
Why It Stands Out
E-commerce in the horticulture industry includes services like soil testing, consultations, and yard design, and Yardwork brings those into one company for homeowners upgrading a yard or new home.
Best For
California homeowners planning a major garden, office courtyard, or outdoor living space with expert guidance.
Key Strengths
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Expert soil testing and yard design consultations
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Mature trees, evergreen trees, olive trees, desert trees, privacy trees, shrubs, and perennials
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California residents may benefit from free shipping on orders over $600 when purchasing plants online
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Plants can be shipped direct or coordinated for larger projects
Possible Limitations
Yardwork is primarily California-focused, and higher prices reflect mature plant quality. If you need a $20 new houseplant for a small room, another shop may fit better.
2. Nature Hills Nursery
Nature Hills is an established national nursery with a wide outdoor catalog.
Why It Stands Out
Over 4,000 perennials, shrubs, and trees can be found in online plant catalogs, enhancing outdoor landscaping options. Nature Hills is especially useful for native plants and landscape trees.
Best For
Customers seeking native plants and established specimens across the U.S.
Key Strengths
Native plants are naturally adapted to local soil and climate conditions, which allows them to establish faster and require less water than non-native species. Using native plants in landscaping supports local ecosystems by providing habitat and food for native pollinators, butterflies, and birds. Native plants typically require less maintenance and are more resilient to local pests and diseases, reducing chemical interventions.
Possible Limitations
Nature Hills is less focused on houseplants, and seasonal shipping restrictions may apply in harsh weather. Its Growing & Glowing Guarantee is strong, but always read exclusions.
3. The Sill
The Sill is a trendy houseplant retailer with a modern aesthetic.
Why It Stands Out
It makes a potted plant feel like decor, whether you want snake plants, a rubber tree, ficus, or a canopy plant for low light near a sill.
Best For
Urban plant parents buying a gift, first order, or easy-care new plant.
Key Strengths
The Sill offers curated houseplants, planters, and care content. Plant subscription services often provide customers with a new plant each month, making it a unique gift option that continues to surprise and delight recipients.
Possible Limitations
Prices can be higher. Cold weather can still stress tropical plants, though The Sill explains its cold-weather packaging.
4. Bloomscape
Bloomscape focuses on houseplants and education.
Why It Stands Out
Its care model helps beginners understand light, humidity, watering, and new growth.
Best For
New plant parents who want support after plants are delivered.
Key Strengths
Many plant subscription services include care instructions with each delivery, helping customers properly care for new plants and ensuring a higher survival rate. Subscription services for plants are becoming increasingly popular because they serve novice owners and experienced gardeners looking to expand collections.
Possible Limitations
Bloomscape is mainly for houseplants, not outdoor trees or season long color beds.
5. Rooted
Rooted is a value-oriented houseplant retailer.
Why It Stands Out
Its filters by light, humidity, pet safety, and care level make it easier to find the perfect plant.
Best For
Customers who want affordable houseplants that arrived green and ready to thrive.
Key Strengths
Rooted is good for comparing potted options, ceramic planter bundles, and organic potting mix. Filtered searches by location on online marketplaces can help reduce transit times for plant deliveries.
Possible Limitations
As with other plants shipped by mail, inspect for spider mites and loose soil.
6. Leaf & Clay
Leaf & Clay is known for succulents and unusual varieties.
Why It Stands Out
It appeals to collectors chasing rare plants, rare succulents, and compact greenhouse treasures.
Best For
Succulent collectors and customers comparing specialty sellers like rare plant fairy, steve’s leaves, and orange lake nursery.
Key Strengths
Large variety, clear descriptions, and many options for collectors who want rare foliage or a bloom-ready specimen.
Possible Limitations
Succulents can suffer if packaged too damp or shipped during cold weather, so do not wait to open the box.
7. Lively Root
Lively Root focuses on vibrant, healthy plants.
Why It Stands Out
It is a solid option for customers who prioritize root systems and fresh presentation.
Best For
Houseplant buyers who want attractive plants for a home, room, or office.
Key Strengths
Good range of popular houseplants and competitive pricing for the quality received.
Possible Limitations
Packaging and moisture can vary, so recommend checking the plant the day it arrived.
Quick Comparison of the Best Online Plant Retailers
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Retailer |
Best For |
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Yardwork |
Large landscape projects with expert consultation |
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Nature Hills Nursery |
Nationwide tree and shrub selection |
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The Sill |
Trendy houseplants and urban plant parents |
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Bloomscape |
New plant parents wanting education and support |
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Rooted |
Budget-friendly houseplants with reliable quality |
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Leaf & Clay |
Succulent collectors and rare varieties |
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Lively Root |
Healthy houseplants with strong root systems |
How to Choose the Right Online Plant Retailer
Choose Based on Plant Type Needed
Houseplant specialists are best for indoor foliage, humidity guidance, and stylish planters. Landscape nurseries are better for trees, shrubs, perennials, flowering trees, seeds, and outdoor structure. If you want privacy fast, choose a nursery that can sell mature specimens and fast-growing privacy trees rather than tiny starts.
Choose Based on Geographic Location
Local expertise matters, and working with a plant nursery near you can help match species to your microclimate. A California yard has different soil, sun, and water needs than a cold-climate garden, so choosing retailers that understand regional conditions and offer California-focused tree selections is helpful. Extreme heat or freeze can delay shipping, and good retailers will pause orders when conditions are unsafe.
Choose Based on Experience Level
Beginners should choose retailers with guarantees and care instructions. Advanced gardeners may prioritize rare selection, cultivar accuracy, and whether a plant is expected to size up by next year, especially when investing in specific varieties like fruitless olive trees for clean, elegant structure, citrus trees for homegrown fruit, or iconic options such as the California pepper tree.
After any new plant arrives, inspect undersides of leaves for pests. Inspecting new plants for pests, especially on the undersides of leaves, is crucial to prevent infestations in your home. Quarantining new plants for at least a week is advisable to monitor for pests and ensure they do not affect other plants in your home. Repotting a new plant in fresh soil is recommended to ensure it is in the correct growing medium and to prevent issues like being root-bound.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Choose Yardwork if you are planning a larger landscape project and want expert guidance.
Choose Bloomscape if you are new to houseplants and want comprehensive care support.
Choose Nature Hills if you need landscape trees and shrubs shipped nationwide.
Choose Rooted if you want quality houseplants at competitive prices.
Final Thoughts
The best places to buy plants online depend on your goal: instant privacy, a rare collector specimen, a low light plant for your office, or a full yard makeover.
For California homeowners, Yardwork is the strongest fit when you want mature trees, soil insight, and design help in one place. Before you shop, check the guarantee, shipping season, and quarantine plan-then choose the retailer most likely to help your plants thrive for real life, not just for delivery day.