The 6 Best Places to Buy Plants Online Right Now

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These are the best places to buy plants online to enjoy better indoor air quality, improved health outcomes, greater productivity, and a more stylish home.

Bringing plants into your indoor environment is any easy way to improve your overall well-being. From their air purifying qualities to their visual appeal, plants come with a long list of benefits, and most are science-backed. There is certainly something special about the experience of shopping for houseplants in person, but not all of us have the time, transportation, or a good selection nearby. Fortunately, buying plants online can be just as fun and therapeutic as going to a nursery. So, in this guide I’ll introduce you to the best places to shop and share my latest research on indoor plants for every occasion.

Quick Links: Best Places to Buy Plants Online

The Benefits of Indoor Plants

Better Indoor Air Quality

A growing body of scientific evidence suggests the air in our homes can be more polluted than the outdoor air of the most industrialized cities. And when you factor in estimates that we spend roughly 90% of our time indoors, the case for improving air quality becomes even more compelling¹. Much of the air pollution in our homes is a result of “off-gassing” from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants – including formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, ammonia, and trichloroethylene have been linked to a long list of adverse health risks, ranging from headaches and lung irritation to liver damage and cancer².

The good news is that studies conducted at NASA show plants are highly effective natural air filters for VOCs. In fact, NASA’s research suggests that under the right conditions, indoor plants can remove up to 87% of dangerous air contaminants³.

Best Indoor Plants for Cleaning Air

So what are the best plants for cleaning air according to NASA? Well, here are some of the top performers from NASA’s Clean Air Study. The study suggests that having at least one per 100 square feet yields the best natural air filtration results. Some of these plants are unsafe if digested, so double check before purchasing if you have pets or young children.

• Snake Plants (also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”) are an air purifying powerhouse for benzene and formaldehyde. They don’t need much sunlight or water to thrive, so they are perfect for bathrooms, bedrooms, and even hallways. At night, snake plants convert CO2 into oxygen, which is a proven sleep aid. This is one of the reasons we recently got a snake plant when updating our bedroom design for better sleep. The Sill is my favorite online plant store for snake plants. They come pre-potted in a variety of modern planters; you can customize your plant height as well.

• English Ivy is another heavy hitter that soaks up household VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. It’s a hardy plant that comes with low light and watering needs, and it adds and brings an elegant touch to any room. We keep one of these in our living room, where it dramatically hangs from a high wall fixture. Surprisingly, Amazon Plant Store is a great place to shop for English Ivy.

• Peace Lily is one of the most popular air purifying plants because of its powerful detoxifying properties and low maintenance needs. With droopy stems, they literally tell you when they need to be watered. Keep this between us: I have a bit of a black thumb, but I’ve have had zero problems with ours! Pretty in Green gets straight 5-star reviews for these beauties; it’s one of the best online plant stores for Peace Lillies.

• Golden Pothos (also known as the “Money Plant”) is a champ at neutralizing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. It also happens to be one of the easiest indoor plants to take care of, so naturally I have one, too. The Golden Pothos plant from UrbanStems is perfection. It’s named after Coco Chanel. It’s gotta be great, right?

Spider Plants, Dracaena, and Philodendrons are also exceptional at neutralizing toxins. Bloomscape has one of the best selections if you want to buy these plants online.

Enhanced Sense of Well-Being

According to studies, plants improve our overall sense of well-being. When added to hospital rooms, they can accelerate the recovery rates of surgical patients, many of whom request less pain medication and get discharged sooner than patients who do not have plants in their rooms⁴. Because they release roughly 97% of the water that they absorb, indoor plants increase indoor humidity levels, too. Researchers in Norway have shown they can decrease the incidence of dry skin, colds, and sore throats⁵. So, if you live in a dry climate, plants can be especially beneficial. Finally, many owners experience a deep sense of accomplishment from taking care of their indoor plants. There is something special about channelling your energy to help another living organism to thrive.

Greater Productivity

Numerous studies confirm that plants can skyrocket productivity. In fact, researchers at the University of Cardiff conclude that plants in the office improve productivity by 15% and significantly increase workplace satisfaction and self-reported levels of concentration⁶.

Another study found that college students have higher attendance rates and are 70% more attentive when taught in classrooms that have plants7. If you ask me, these findings make a pretty strong case for adding more greenery to your work environment.

Should You Really Buy Plants Online?

It’s clear that indoor plants aren’t just beautiful; they are beneficial for the body and mind. But is a good idea to buy plants online – even from some of the best places? Nothing can beat the experience of shopping in-person at a nursery, but depending on your circumstances it isn’t necessarily your best bet. Buying plants online does have unique benefits, most notably convenience, a wide product selection, and guidance in plant care.

• Convenience: When buying plants online, you aren’t limited to store hours and can enjoy the convenience of shopping at home. There is no traffic, public transportation, or scheduling involved. Everything is on your your time. That’s a huge bonus.
• Wide Selection: Ever make the trek to a retail store only to be disappointed with the selection? When you buy plants online, you get the benefit of a browsing a much wider selection of options, so you end up with the best plant for you and your home.
• Support in Plant Care: The best online plant stores also supplement your purchase with detailed instructions on caring for your plant. A few even offer generous return windows (up to a year!) if your plant doesn’t thrive and you desire a refund.

Reviews: Best Stores to Buy Plants Online

So what are the best places to buy plants online? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. Some indoor plant delivery services play up affordability and convenience, while others offer premium shopping experiences and unique community perks. Here is what you need to know about the top-rated online plant nurseries, so you

The Sill Potted Plant Delivery Service

The Sill is the ultimate online destination for modern plant enthusiasts. The gorgeous website is easy to navigate, categorizing plants by light and watering needs as well as gardening skill level. Plants from The Sill come in a variety of stylish pots, which you can customize by color, shape, and style. You’ll even get a heads up if a plant you’re eyeing isn’t pet friendly. They take all of the guesswork out of finding the perfect plant for you.

Unfortunately, the selection at The Sill is limited to mini, small, and medium-sized plants. So if you’re looking for an indoor tree, other sites may be a better match. However, if you’re going for something compact yet eye-catching, The Sill is definitely worth a peek. There is a lot to love about The Sill, but my favorite offering is their plant subscription service. It’s an effective pick-me-up if you’re the kind of person who like surprises. I have also found it is a big hit as a gift for hard-to-shop-for friends and companions.

The Sill’s mission is to inspire confidence in the next generation of “plant parents.” So, every plant arrives with a simple care card and direct access to a team of houseplant experts. For a small fee, you can also become a member to score 10% off orders and access to special live community events. Even if you aren’t a paying customer, The Sill wants you to succeed in “plant parenthood.” They offer a free and comprehensive resource center with care tips and inspiration. It’s worth a look, especially if you’re a beginner.

Amazon Plant Store

I was pleased (but not surprised) to find an expansive selection of plants on Amazon. Not just little ones; we’re talking indoor trees, too! Whether you’re dressing up your patio, planting a garden, or sprucing things up inside your home, chances are that Amazon Plant Store probably has what you’re looking for. Is there anything Jeff Bezos can’t do?

Amazon Plant Store is a select group of nurseries vetted by Amazon to sell plants online. Each one has their own specialty offering, but Costa Farms and Shop Succulents are hands down my favorites. Beyond the vast inventory and familiar shopping experience, the biggest benefit of Amazon Plant Store is customer service. Unfortunately, live plants aren’t eligible for returns. However, you are more likely to get a refund if you are unsatisfied with your purchase than you are at other places that sell plants online (except UrbanStems).

If this isn’t your first plant rodeo and you’re just looking convenience, Amazon Plant Store is hard to beat. You get low prices, fast shipping, and exceptional customer service. But for these benefits, you give up perks of other online plant stores, such as a premium unboxing experience, advice from plant experts, or membership to a like-minded community.

UrbanStems High-End Plant Gifts

The popular flower delivery service, UrbanStems, is fairly new to selling plants online. Their offering skews towards meticulously-arranged bouquets, but for modern plant decor or small plant gifts, it’s also a top contender. The site is curated like an upscale boutique, showcasing hand-picked planters that perfectly match each plant. There is a story and a name behind every item, too, so buying plants online feels like a high-end experience.

You’ll pay a little more at UrbanStems, but plants come with free shipping and an industry-leading Happiness Promise. That means, if you’re unhappy with your order for any reason, UrbanStems will replace it or give you a full refund. No questions asked.

UrbanStems also offers plant subscriptions, which can be customized for frequency and duration. At this time, subscriptions are limited to bouquets, but if you dig farm fresh flowers and exclusive discounts (up to 20%), be sure to check out this unique offering.

Pretty in Green Air Purifying Plant Store

If you’re like me, you’ll be on the hunt for the best air purifying plants, and no online store has a better selection than Pretty in Green. It’s a husband and wife team, based in California, who has shipped over 20,000 healthy plants to happy customers.

All plants from Pretty in Green come in 3D printed BioPots made from corn. They are affordable, very carefully packed, and grown with love in a custom blend of organic soil. As far as buying air purifying plants online goes, there aren’t too many downsides to Pretty in Green. Just keep in mind that it’s a small family-run business, so you don’t get a big customer service team, like you would with Amazon or other direct-to-consumer stores.

Terrain

I have long been an Anthropologie fan and was excited to discover their sister company, Terrain. It’s more a collection of nature-inspired home goods than an online nursery, but Terrain does have an assortment of small houseplants and live flowers that are worth a look. For the avid gardener in your life, consider one of their seed and grow kits. I have always thought Anthropologie does gifting well, and these kits are no exception.

The live houseplants are nice, but in my opinion plant accessories and decor are where Terrain shines. If you choose to get an un-potted plant from Amazon Plant Store, I highly recommend looking into their wide selection of woven baskets and stylish planters.

Bloomscape

For large indoor plants, especially tall trees you wouldn’t want to carry, you won’t go wrong with Bloomscape. The founder comes from five generations of greenhouse growers and spent decades studying the horticulture supply chain and plant health in shipment.

Like other websites on this list, Bloomscape makes buying the best plant easy with a user-friendly online interface and robust resource center. Plants are categorized by size, growing difficulty, light and water needs, pet safety, and air filtering properties. They even have a dedicated section for office plants, featuring low maintenance plants for a brighter work day. One of my favorite offerings by Bloomscape is the pre-styled plant collections, which include three visually distinct but complementary plants with similar care needs. They are a total time-saver and make a nice gift for the budding plant lover in your life.

All Bloomscape plants arrive in customizable ecopots made with 80% recycled plastic that was harvested from the ocean. They are also backed by a 30-day guarantee. Although, the guarantee is only valid for a replacement.

That’s my current list of the best places to buy plants online. What plant website did you choose, and are you happy with your purchase?

Sources: (1,2) Environmental Protection Agency: Indoor Air Quality Guide, (3) NASA: Interior Landscape Plants for Air Pollution Abatement, (4) Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine: Ornamental indoor plants in hospital rooms enhanced health outcomes of patients recovering from surgery, (5) University of Norway: The Effect of Interior Planting on Health and Discomfort among Workers and School Children, (6) University of Cardiff: The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments.