How to acclimate mail-order plants after they arrive so they survive and thrive

Do plants bought online need watering when they arrive home? Where should they be placed? Should they be repotted right away? Don't worry - just keep the following 4 key points in mind, and your newly acquired plant will survive smoothly and grow more and more vigorously.

1. When the parcel arrives, open it and inspect it immediately

Once the parcel is delivered, try to pick it up the same day. After 3 - 4 days of long-distance transport in a sealed box, the plant has had no light and no fresh air. If it stays cooped up in the box for too long, the roots cannot breathe normally and will rot, causing the root system to die. At the same time, the leaves may also dry out, turn yellow or rot.

Therefore, after picking up the parcel, open it at once and carefully check the condition of the plant: see whether the leaves are plump and free of damage, and whether the roots are healthy, so that you can spot problems in time and take action.

2. During the acclimatisation period, never repot or fertilise

In most cases, the plant you receive is growing in its original nursery pot. These original pots may be of poor quality and not especially attractive, but for now you must resist the urge to repot.

A plant that has just been bought and brought home has not yet adapted to its new environment and is still in the acclimatisation stage. Repotting at this point can easily damage the plant's roots. Once the roots are damaged, they cannot properly absorb water and nutrients, and the plant dies from an inadequate supply. It is recommended to keep it at home for 1 - 2 weeks, and once the plant is growing steadily and healthily, carry out the repotting. In addition, do not fertilise the plant during the acclimatisation period, because at this stage the roots are relatively fragile and poor at absorbing fertiliser, so feeding may instead cause fertiliser burn.

3. Keep the air moving and water sensibly

During transport the plant spends a long time in a closed environment with no access to fresh air, so its vitality is somewhat reduced. First, feel the potting soil with your hand: if the soil feels dry and the leaves are wilting, water thoroughly right away.

When watering, follow the principle of "little and often" to avoid pouring too much at once, which causes waterlogging and root rot. For the specific watering method, you can visit my homepage to read the detailed notes. Afterwards, place the plant in a cool, well-ventilated spot. Note that you should not put the plant in a draughty spot, to avoid strong wind blowing directly on it; otherwise the plant may lose water too quickly and its growth will suffer.

4. Avoid strong light and increase light gradually

A plant that has just arrived home is fairly delicate and poor at adapting to a new environment. If you put it straight out in the sun, it will easily wilt from dehydration.

For ordinary foliage plants, it is best to place them first in a semi-shaded environment for 1 - 2 weeks, letting them gradually get used to the light conditions of the new environment. For sun-loving flowering plants, you can keep them in semi-shade for about 1 week, and then, according to how the plant is actually growing, gradually increase the duration and intensity of light.

In short, as long as you master these care tips and tend your plant attentively, a newly acquired plant will make it through the adjustment period smoothly and grow strong.