Shipping can be hard on live plants. The longer they are in transit the more stressed they can become. We make a point to select, wrap and package our plants with the utmost care, but time, heat, humidity and sometimes rough handling during shipping can take a toll on these plants. The following instructions and tips should help you properly transition and acclimate your new plants to their new home and your garden.
Leafy, Potted Plants (Perennials, shrubs, grasses, trees, etc.)
- Open the carton and remove the pants as soon as they arrive.
NOTE: In some cases you may want to carefully cut the sides of the box down in order to remove your new plant/s without damaging the plant or hurting yourself on any sharp spines or thorns the plant may have.
- Carefully remove all packing material, paper, tape etc. (Our packing peanuts are biodegradable)
- Inspect your plant/s carefully. Any damaged or broken stems or leaves can be trimmed off at this point. TIP: Don’t discard the bamboo stake, if it has one, you may want to use it later.
- Water plants immediately, by setting the pot directly into a tray, pan, bucket or sink filled with clean fresh water. This way, the plant roots can absorb all the water they need. Leave them soaking for 2-3 hours, up to 24 hours max. (Leaving them in water longer than 24 hrs. can be detrimental to the roots.)
- Once plants are rehydrated, start the hardening off process.
NOTE: If the plant/s have wilted or brown top foliage even after soaking, prune the plant back to just below the wilted or stressed leaves or stems. This action will limit the stress, help the plant recover and to grow back more quickly once they get rooted.
TIP: Lower, mature leaves that start turning yellow is usually a sign of too much water, which means plant roots should be allowed to dry out more between waterings.
Hardening Off Period
Hardening off plants prior to planting is an important process to give them the time they need to become properly acclimated to their new location and environment. The entire process typically takes about 7-10 days, but can be variable depending on the plant variety, your location and the weather. No matter where you live, we know that our nursery environment is different than what your environment is. To prevent stress on your new plant and potential transplant shock, follow these simple steps:
- After plants have been properly rehydrated, place the potted plant in a protected, semi-shade location, free from wind, intense sun, freezes, or any hungry critters.
- As long as temperatures are mild, you can leave plants outside overnight, however, if there is a threat of frost, bring them inside prior to sunset. Better safe, than sorry. When possible, keep plants up off the ground.
- Harden plants this way for at least 3-5 days. Water them as needed. As they become stabilized you can introduce them to more sunlight each day. For shade-loving plants, continue to protect them from full sun.
NOTE: Gradual introduction to direct sunlight is best for Aloes, Agaves, Cacti, Yucca and succulents as well.
- Once plants are adequately hardened off you can plant them into the garden, landscape or transplant them into a permanent decorative pot. Savvy gardeners will set potted plants in the garden location where they intend to plant them for a few additional days to observe them to ensure the chosen location is an ideal place to plant.
For planting & care, read our blog: 4 Proper Planting Steps for step-by-step instructions and valuable planting tips.
**Blogs & photos by Daniel S. Goodspeed, without use of AI. No photos or blog info may be reprinted or reproduced without permission or consent of the author, Happy Valley Plants™ or its subsidiaries.**
