Shipping Live Plants: Complete Guide for Growers & Sellers

Shipping live plants requires special handling, timing, and compliance with agricultural regulations. Here's how to do it successfully.

Challenges of Plant Shipping

Key concerns:

Temperature extremes: Heat and cold damage
Transit time: Plants deteriorate quickly
Packaging needs: Protection without crushing
Regulations: USDA, state, and international

Legal Requirements

USDA Regulations

Certificate	When Required
Phytosanitary Certificate	International exports
State permits	Certain plant types
APHIS permit	Regulated plants
Endangered species	CITES permit

State Restrictions

Some states restrict incoming plants:

California: Strict agricultural inspection
Arizona: Citrus restrictions
Florida: Citrus and palm restrictions
Hawaii: Most plants prohibited

Prohibited Plants

Cannot ship across state lines:

Noxious weeds (state-specific lists)
Endangered species without permit
Soil (generally prohibited)
Certain fruit trees

Carrier Options

USPS

Service	Recommended?
Priority Mail	Yes (2-3 days)
Priority Mail Express	Best (1-2 days)
Ground Advantage	Risky (3-5 days)
First-Class	Small plants only

USPS allows live plants:

Must be properly packaged
No soil restrictions (domestic)
Cannot be fragile or perishable marking

UPS

Service	Recommendation
Ground	For hardy plants
2nd Day Air	Better survival
Next Day Air	Best for delicate plants

UPS considerations:

No guarantee for live goods
Heat/cold not controlled
Must withstand normal handling

FedEx

Service	Use Case
Ground	Hardy, dormant plants
Express	Live, growing plants
Express Saver	Moderate urgency

FedEx policies:

Ships plants as general cargo
No special live plant service
Consider declaring value

Packaging for Survival

Root Protection

Shipping Method	Root Treatment
Bare root	Moist paper/sphagnum
Potted	Secure pot, protect soil
Tissue culture	Sterile container

Moisture Management

Duration	Moisture Method
1-2 days	Moist paper towels
3-4 days	Wet newspaper + plastic
5+ days	Gel crystals or moss

Temperature Protection

Cold weather:

Insulated boxes
Heat packs (40-72 hour)
Newspaper insulation
Ship early in week

Hot weather:

Insulated containers
Cold packs (carefully placed)
Ship early in week
Avoid Friday shipping

Boxing Technique

Wrap roots/pot securely
Secure plant in box (paper, packing peanuts)
Prevent movement and crushing
Add breathing holes (small)
Include care instructions
Mark "LIVE PLANTS" on exterior

Timing Considerations

Best Days to Ship

Ship Day	Arrive	Risk Level
Monday	Tue-Wed	Low
Tuesday	Wed-Thu	Low
Wednesday	Thu-Fri	Medium
Thursday	Fri-Sat	Higher
Friday	Sat-Mon	Highest

Seasonal Considerations

Season	Concerns	Adjustments
Spring	Rain, variable temps	Monitor weather
Summer	Heat damage	Cold packs, faster shipping
Fall	Cooling temps	Generally good
Winter	Freeze risk	Heat packs, delay if severe

Plant-Specific Tips

Succulents & Cacti

Remove from soil (bare root OK)
Let callus before shipping
Wrap in paper
Can tolerate longer transit

Tropical Plants

Keep warm (heat packs)
Maintain humidity
Ship express only
Monitor temperatures

Orchids

Secure bloom spikes
Protect roots and leaves
Adequate humidity
Express shipping recommended

Vegetable Starts

Ship young plants
Protect tender stems
Express shipping
Hardening off info

Cost Considerations

Shipping Cost Factors

Factor	Impact
Speed	Faster = higher cost
Weight	Soil adds weight
Size	Larger boxes cost more
Insulation	Adds weight and cost
Heat/cold packs	Additional expense

Pricing Strategies

Strategy	Description
Flat rate	Set price, you absorb variance
Calculated	Actual cost passed to customer
Free threshold	Free shipping over $X
Bundled	Include in plant price

Customer Communication

Before Purchase

Ship days (Mon-Wed)
Transit time expectations
Temperature hold policies
Bare root vs potted

Order Confirmation

Expected ship date
Tracking will be provided
Weather delay policy
Unpacking instructions

After Delivery

Unpack immediately message
Acclimation instructions
Transplant guidance
Guarantee/replacement policy

Live Arrival Guarantee

Standard Policy Elements

Unpack within 24 hours

Photo any damage immediately

Contact within 48 hours

Replacement or refund offered

Weather delay exceptions

Handling Claims

Damage Type	Resolution
Dead on arrival	Full replacement
Partial damage	Partial refund
Weather delay	Customer contacted
Carrier damage	Claim filed

atoship Plant Shipping

Ship plants successfully:

Rate comparison: Find fastest affordable option

Weather alerts: Know destination conditions

Tracking: Real-time monitoring

Insurance options: Protect shipment value

Label templates: "Live Plants" marking

Conclusion

Shipping live plants requires proper packaging, timing, and carrier selection. Use express shipping for delicate plants, protect against temperature extremes, and communicate clearly with customers. atoship helps you compare shipping options and find the best rates for plant shipments.