Shipping and Fulfillment Guide
Yes, we ship. Nationwide.
Plant Detectives ships plant material across the United States, with different fulfillment options depending on plant size, order size, destination, and shipping method. Because we are shipping live nursery material, our process is built around protecting plant health first.
Some plants can ship through standard carriers such as UPS or FedEx. Larger material requires a private freight quote. Local delivery may also be available for customers near our nursery in Chester, New Jersey.
Standard Shipping
Standard shipping is available for plants in containers up to 5 gallons, depending on the plant, size, shape, and order quantity. These orders typically ship through standard carriers such as UPS or FedEx, and available shipping rates can be calculated during checkout.
Each plant is packed carefully to help protect the root system, foliage, branching, and overall structure during transit. Our goal is to get your order out quickly, but we will not rush live material into poor shipping conditions simply to meet a speed expectation.
We typically ship standard orders Monday through Wednesday. This helps prevent plants from sitting on a truck or in a warehouse over the weekend. If your order is placed later in the week, it will usually ship the following Monday, assuming the material is ready and weather conditions allow.
Please keep in mind that our plant material is grown and stored outdoors. We do not ship wet material, so fulfillment may be delayed by rain, heavy moisture, extreme temperatures, or other adverse weather conditions. These delays are intentional. A short delay at the nursery is often better than sending stressed or wet plant material into transit.
Freight Shipping for Larger Material
Most plant material larger than a 5 gallon container, with a few exceptions, must ship through a private freight company. This includes larger container plants, many specimen trees and shrubs, B&B material, and oversized orders that cannot safely move through standard carriers.
If you are interested in larger material, please email us with the following information:
- Plant name or plant list
- Size requested
- Quantity needed
- Delivery address
Once we have that information, we can request a freight quote and follow up with the cost and available shipping details.
Freight shipping is more involved than standard shipping and is usually more expensive. In most cases, freight starts in the low hundreds of dollars and increases based on distance, plant size, order size, truck access, and delivery requirements. As long as you understand the potential cost before requesting the quote, we are happy to check freight options for you.
Freight can be a strong option for larger plants, screening material, specimen pieces, and professional landscape orders, but it is not always the most cost-effective choice for a single oversized plant. If the quote does not make sense for your project, there is no obligation to move forward.
Local Delivery
For customers near our nursery in Chester, New Jersey, local delivery may be available for select orders. This is often the best option for larger plants, bulk orders, B&B material, or items that are difficult to ship through standard carriers.
Local delivery availability and pricing depend on the order size, delivery distance, plant material, access conditions, and scheduling. We can deliver to homes, job sites, nursery yards, and other approved drop-off locations when the site is accessible and safe for unloading.
If you are unsure whether your order qualifies for local delivery, contact us before placing your order and we can help review the best option.
Fulfillment Timing
We do our best to fulfill orders as quickly as possible, but plant orders are different from standard retail shipments. Every order must be pulled, inspected, prepared, packed, and scheduled in a way that protects the material.
Fulfillment timing may be affected by:
- Weather conditions at our nursery
- Rain or wet plant material
- Extreme heat or cold
- Carrier schedules
- Order size
- Plant size and handling requirements
- Freight availability
- Seasonal order volume
If we need to delay shipment to protect the quality of your plants, we will always prioritize safe arrival over speed.
Fulfillment Timing
We aim to ship all standard orders within 24 hours of receipt. However, we’re shipping living, breathing material, so we sometimes delay fulfillment during periods of extreme heat, cold, or heavy rain to protect plant health in transit. We’ll always prioritize safe arrival over speed when weather is a concern.
A Note About Inventory
We work hard to keep online inventory accurate, but Plant Detectives is an active nursery serving retail customers, online customers, landscape professionals, and commercial accounts. On occasion, an item listed online may already be reserved, tagged, damaged, sold, or otherwise unavailable by the time your order is reviewed.
If that happens, we will contact you with the best available options. Depending on the situation, we may be able to offer a suitable substitution, locate the material through our grower network, adjust the order, or issue a refund.
For Contractors and Landscape Professionals
Plant Detectives regularly works with landscape professionals, designers, contractors, municipalities, and other trade customers sourcing plant material for larger projects.
If you are working from a plant list, bid list, landscape plan, or project schedule, send us the details and we can help review availability, sizing, substitutions, freight options, and delivery logistics. Larger orders may be shipped by freight, delivered locally, picked up at our nursery, or coordinated through a custom fulfillment plan depending on the material and destination.
Shipping Q&A
How do I know if my order qualifies for standard shipping?
Most plants in containers up to 5 gallons can ship through standard carriers such as UPS or FedEx, depending on the plant and order size. If standard shipping is available for your order, rates will appear during checkout.
When will my order ship?
We typically ship standard orders Monday through Wednesday to reduce the risk of plants sitting in transit over the weekend. Orders placed later in the week will usually ship the following Monday, assuming the material is ready and weather conditions allow.
Why has my order not shipped yet?
Plant material is grown and stored outdoors, so fulfillment can be affected by rain, wet foliage, saturated containers, heat, cold, or other weather conditions. We do not ship wet material. If holding the order for a short period gives the plants a better chance of arriving in good condition, we will delay shipment.
Can larger plants be shipped?
Yes, larger plants can often be shipped, but most material larger than a 5 gallon container must move by private freight. This includes many larger trees, shrubs, evergreens, B&B plants, and oversized container material.
How do I request a freight quote?
Email us with the plant name, requested size, quantity, and delivery address. Once we have that information, we can request a freight quote and follow up with the cost.
How much does freight shipping cost?
Freight shipping varies by distance, plant size, order size, truck access, and delivery requirements. It is usually more expensive than standard shipping and often starts in the low hundreds of dollars. We will provide the quote before anything is finalized.
Do I need to be present for freight delivery?
In most cases, yes. Freight deliveries usually require someone to be present to receive, inspect, and unload the material. Delivery details will be coordinated in advance.
What if my order includes both small and large plants?
If your order includes both standard-shipping items and larger freight items, we will determine the safest and most practical way to ship the order. In some cases, the order may be split. In others, it may make more sense to include everything on one freight shipment.
What condition should I expect my plants to be in when they arrive?
Plants may show minor signs of transit stress, especially during periods of seasonal temperature swings. This can include light wilting, shifted soil, or minor leaf drop. In most cases, plants recover well after watering, planting, and a short acclimation period.
If your plant arrives with serious damage or you are concerned about its condition, contact us promptly with photos so we can review the issue and help determine next steps.
Can you ship plants not listed online?
Often, yes. Plant Detectives works with a broad network of growers and suppliers. If you are looking for a specific plant that is not listed on our website, send us the plant name, size, quantity, and delivery location. We can review availability and let you know what options may be possible.
Can you deliver directly to a job site?
Yes, when the order and location allow. We can ship or deliver to homes, job sites, nursery yards, staging areas, and other approved locations. Please let us know about access limitations, unloading conditions, delivery windows, or site-specific requirements before the order is scheduled.
Our Shipping Approach
Shipping live plants requires a little more care than shipping ordinary products. Plants are affected by weather, handling, timing, moisture, temperature, and time in transit. That is why we review each order with the material itself in mind.
Our goal is simple: get healthy plants to you in the safest and most practical way available. Sometimes that means standard shipping. Sometimes it means freight. Sometimes it means waiting a few extra days for better conditions.
We will always work to move your order efficiently, but we will not sacrifice plant quality just to move faster.