The 9 best places to buy indoor plants in 2024 (2024)

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Best overall: The Sill

The Sill lives up to its high reputation with its extremely secure delivery with double bubble wrap packaging, wide plant variety, 30-day replacement policy, and easy-to-follow plant care guide that comes with each delivery, earning its spot as the best overall site to buy plants online.

For testing purposes, The Sill sent me their small snake laurentii plant, a parlor palm, and two gorgeous, minimal Hyde planters. It arrived within a week in top-notch shape, carefully wrapped and packaged, hydrated with no fallen leaves or dry soil.

One unique attribute I loved that's included in The Sill's delivery was a scannable barcode to the plant care app, Greg. After taking a picture of your plant, the app gives you expert advice and insight specifically tailored to your plant, such as when to water, light and fertilizer needs, and more. The Sill also goes the extra mile by offering free workshops online and in-person, whether you're a green thumb in training or a certified plant expert.

And if you're looking for a small plant to place in your low-lighted office or a large, easy-care plant to add to your living room, The Sill has an excellent selection of palms, ferns, snake plants, succulents, and more – all categorized by light needs, size, benefits, and pet-friendly options. The company also has a section for gift ideas to celebrate any occasion, including orchids, bouquets, gorgeous misters and accessories, plant subscriptions, and more.

Read more about our experience in our review of The Sill.

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Best curated: Bloomscape

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Best for beginners: Plants.com

Plants.com is perfect for plant newbies. The site is very user-friendly and doesn't have an overwhelming amount of plants to scroll through. And if you don't know much about the different plant types, you can even shop by care level and light. Although I love plants, I wouldn't say I'm an expert, so I knew I needed to get something that's easy to care for. I decided to pick a plant under the beginner-friendly tab and decided to opt for Plants.com's money tree.

My plant came wrapped and securely packaged within four days of placing my order. The money tree arrived healthy, with damp soil and no bent or fallen leaves. Included in the order was a money tree care instruction card listing the plant's light, water, and tending needs. It even breaks down to the specifics of what the plant likes and doesn't. Having this card to reference is extremely helpful, especially for beginners. And like the Sill, Plants.com partners with the plant care app Greg, offering more insight, tips, and watering reminders specifically catered to your plant.

Along with beginner-friendly resources, Plants.com has a nice variety of plants for many budgets, pet households, celebratory occasions, and more. And if you're looking for the best astrology gifts, they even have plants based on zodiac signs.

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Best for large plants: PlantVine

From a rare alocasia elephant ear to a uniquely shaped whale fin sansevieria, PlantVine is home to over 200 large and 80 extra large exotic houseplants – the largest amount and variety out of all the plant brands we've tested.

Within four days of ordering, I received one of PlantVine's best sellers, the whale fin sansevieria. The brand hand-picks its plants from nurseries and sends customers a photo of the plants' condition and appearance before shipping. Outside of PlantVine's impressive variety of large plants, I found their photo proof before shipment to be a unique and helpful attribute. A lot of damage can happen during the delivery process, plus it was also nice to see what my personal plant looks like outside the site's generic pictures. On top of the photo proof, PlantVine also offers a 45-day replacement guarantee, but unlike the other brands we've tested, customers have to pay for return shipping and handling.

Along with having the best large and extra-large plants, PlantVine also has many medium-sized plants with pet-friendly and outdoor plant options. I found the site less easy to navigate than others, making it a bit difficult to browse and shop the different categories. So, you must have patience and enough time to scroll to fully digest the site. There are a lot of options to sift through.

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Best low-maintenance plants: Easyplant

Whether you're not the best nurturer when it comes to plants, or you're a busy plant parent who's always on the go, Easyplant takes care of all the plant maintenance for you with its self-watering system. Yes, you read that correctly. A plant that waters itself. You only have to add water once a month. This is my second Easyplant, and the pot's self-watering construction and technology still blows my mind.

Easyplant has many plant options and comes in sizes small, medium, large, and huge – each planted in minimal, subdued-colored ceramic pots with an attached water reservoir that only needs to be filled once a month. As someone who tends to overwater, I found this to be very helpful.

I received the marble pothos (currently sold out), which came intact in winter packaging with heating pads and a thick felt material covering. Since I live in the Midwest with frigid winter temperatures, the winter packaging is something I was highly thankful for and what made Easyplant stand out from the other plant brands.

These plants are a bit pricier, but with free shipping and a plant life of up to 18 months, it's worth every penny. And if you're not happy with your plant or its health and appearance aren't thriving, Easyplant has a 90-day plant health guarantee and will send you a replacement or full refund.

Read our full Easyplant review.

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Best safe for pets: Plants for Pet Parents

Pet-proofing your home? Plants for Pet Parents is a plant brand dedicated to green thumbs with canines and cats. Having a section of pet-friendly plants for your fur babies is one thing, but an entire online plant store takes out all the guesswork Plants for Pet Parents has over 100 non-toxic houseplants approved by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.) and unique pots and planters from local artisans to hold and display your plants.

I received three small house plants: the Peperomia 'Hope,' the Spider plant 'Bonnie', and a braided money tree. They came slightly damaged with a few bent stems and fallen leaves, but after a few days and some watering they were like new. I wasn't quick to knock off points, being that these plants were packaged securely and probably were transported in all types of ways. But, unlike the other brands tested, the plants are delivered without any planters besides their growing pot. I later found out the planters shipped separately from artisans and small businesses. I didn't receive the planters until two weeks later, but the fun and unique metallic and bubble designs made up for the delay. And even my non-plant lover partner complimented them. Plus, it always feels good to support small businesses.

The site also features many quirky gifts and plant supplies such as moisture meters, plant food, fertilizer, and more.

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Best for low-light plants: Lively Root

Lively Root is an excellent option if you're looking for the best plants that'll flourish even in low-light conditions. With dozens of gorgeous succulents, ferns, and tree plants, you don't have to sacrifice options because of low-light areas. The company sent me their lemon button fern over a month ago, and it's still thriving in my low-sunlight city apartment. It's the perfect plant store if you want to add some greenery to your bathroom, kitchen, or office that may not get the most UV rays.

The plant brand takes pride in sustainability with its recycled paper packaging and eco-friendly pots. When I first opened my box, I was shocked to see my plant securely packaged inside a mini drawstring cloth bag, which you can save and reuse. Lively Root includes a scannable plant care guide and a cute complimentary reusable shopping bag.

Each plant comes in an eco-growing pot, but you can upgrade to baskets and customizable planters.

Like UrbanStems, Lively Root has an entire section on gifting, giving you plant recommendations based on occasions and recipients. But Lively Root goes a step further and offers a list of plants based on the city your giftee resides in. It also lets you browse according to the care, water, and light needs as well as size and room type.

Lively Root's shipping rates are a bit on the pricier side, starting at $9 for standard and $45 for rush, but with their quality in plants and sustainable practices, if it's in your budget, I think it's worth the buy. Especially if you're not in a rush to receive your plant.

Worth a look:

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Best for gifting: UrbanStems

UrbanStems is known for its gorgeous giftable arrangements and quick delivery. It's also one of the best flower delivery services we've ever tested. And although the brand offers the best fresh florals, don't underestimate its small selection of indoor plants and vibrant orchids.

One special attribute of UrbanStems is its same-day and next-day delivery, with same-day delivery available in select cities such as New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. However, I live in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it took me nearly a month to receive my Demeter plant. I highly recommend ordering your plants ahead of your desired delivery date. The long delivery was a bit frustrating, but I received the plant on the exact date the company told me I would before ordering.

My Swiss cheese plant arrived perfectly with double bubble wrap and brown shipping paper. One thing I appreciate about UrbanStems's plant delivery is the soft moss-like packaging laid over the soil, making for a mess and spill-free delivery.

UrbanStems's website is easy to navigate and is sectioned by product and celebratory occasions, making it one of the best plant places for gifting.

Read our full UrbanStems review.

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Best full-service: Léon and George

Léon & George is a luxury online plant delivery store that ships nationwide and internationally. And if you're new to plant parenting or unsure how to best care for your plant, Léon & George offers complimentary lifetime support from plant doctors, giving you personalized care instructions for your new piece of indoor greenery.

Léon & George is pricier than other brands we've tested, but its premium ceramic pots, quality hand-picked greenery from local growers, and lifetime support make up for it. On top of the store's 24/7 plant support, the company offers a 45-day replacement guarantee for damaged, non-neglect plants, making this by far the best full-service plant store. No matter the trouble you run into while caring for your plant, you can be confident you'll receive support.

From small, pet-friendly ferns to extra-large olive trees. Léon & George has a large array of plants to fit your lifestyle. And if you want to pot your plant yourself, unlike the other stores we've tested, you can buy a potless plant and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.

Read our full Leon and George review.

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What to look for when shopping for plants online

David Jones, store manager of St. Louis plant shop, Bowood Farms, shares everything buyers should consider when shopping for plants online, with product guarantee being the first thing.

"If shopping online, find out if the business has any kind of return policy or quality guarantee before purchasing," says Jones. He also highly recommends finding out if the business is reputable and legitimate. Fortunately, we've vetted all the companies detailed in this guide.

After making sure the plant brand has a return policy and a product guarantee, the next thing to consider is your home's light level and your personal plant desires.

"When purchasing plants, people need to know the area they are buying for," says Jones. "What direction does the window face, and how much light does this area receive during the day? How far from the windows will the plant be? What size do they want the plant to mature to, and do they want low-maintenance or higher-maintenance plants?"

Jones says pets and children should also be considered when shopping for plants. "If plants and children will be present, people will need to do their research for plants that are non-toxic. Different plants have different watering needs and need to be cared for accordingly," says Jones.

Matthew Halloran, a plant advisor at Bowood Farms also details that most times, the plant you buy online isn't going to look exactly the same in person as it does online. "Keep in mind plants are imperfect," Holloran says. "Typically, the picture you see is not the plant you will receive. It will probably be a bit different."

Shopping for plants online may seem like a gamble, especially when delivery scares exist. However, it's important to shop from a plant store with a replacement guarantee or, even better, a photo proof before shipment, like PlantVine.

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How we chose the best places to buy plants

When choosing the best places to buy plants I put each brand to the ultimate test and narrowed my list down by the following:

Delivery experience: Buying plants online can be a hit or miss; it solely depends on how well the brand's packaging is and if it's strong enough to withstand a bumpy delivery process. When receiving the plants, I paid close attention to how well the plant was wrapped and packaged, if there was any plant damage, if products were shipped separately, how long it took to receive the second part of the order, and how long it took to receive the order.

Specialties: Each plant brand I tested has specialties, whether the specialty is in low-light plants, pet-safe plants, succulents, or gifts. Once I tested each plant brand and found its unique attributes, I could then narrow down what each online plant store was best for.

Guarantee policies: Returns and replacements are crucial when you can't see or touch a live plant in person before buying. Having a guarantee policy was important when choosing the best places to buy plants, especially with the potential damage that can come during shipment. Many brands I reviewed had at least a 30 to 90-day replacement guarantee on damaged plants with a photo for proof.

Delivery area: When deciding on the best places to buy plants online, I chose the most accessible brands. Most online plant stores in this roundup deliver to all 48 contiguous states, with Léon & George available nationwide and internationally.

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FAQ about buying plants online

What types of plants can you buy online?

From non-toxic pet-friendly plants to low-maintenance, online plant stores often have just as much variety as a local plant shop, and with categories devoted to care level, light, and water needs, it can be less overwhelming for beginners to find a plant best suited to them. Many plant types and sizes are available online, such as palms, succulents, air plants, ferns, orchids, and more.

Will plants arrive healthy?

Yes, reputable plant brands like the ones we reviewed arrive healthy. Online plant stores ship their plants in secured double-wrapped packaging, such as bubble wrap and thick shipment paper, to ensure your plants arrive in top-notch shape.

Although plant stores do their best to package your plants securely, delivery scares happen, and your order can arrive damaged. This is when a brand's product guarantee and return policy are handy.

Can you buy plants online year-round?

Yes, you can buy plants online year-round. Many plant stores have packaging depending on the season, such as winter packaging with heating pads and thermal, aluminum wrapping to keep plants warm during transit. Some companies, however, will not ship to certain zipcodes if the temperature is below a certain threshold.