Shipping Succulents: How to Care for Succulents After You Buy Them Online

Succulents are a popular choice for indoor gardening and can be shipped to your home from a variety of locations. However, the shipping process can be hard on these delicate plants, and it is important to give them proper care to help them recover.

Unpack and Check for Damage

Upon receiving your succulents, unpack them immediately and check for any damage. If the plants have been shipped bare root, without soil, it is important to pot them with soil as soon as possible.

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Provide Bright, Indirect Light after Shipping

Place the succulents in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight right away as this can cause sunburn. Instead, slowly acclimate them to more and more light until the ideal amount of light is reached. Succulents can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, but bright indirect light is best for them to thrive.

Enlighten yourself with all there is to know about succulents and light here: How Much Light Do Succulents Need?

Allow Soil to Dry Out Slightly Before Watering

Succulents store water in their leaves, so they do not need to be watered frequently. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering. This will help prevent over-watering, which can lead to root rot.

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Wait Before Fertilizing

Wait a week or two before fertilizing the succulents. This will give them time to adjust to their new environment and establish themselves before adding any extra nutrients.

Grow your knowledge about fertilizing succulents here: Succulent Fertilizer

Monitor for Stress or Disease After Shipping

Keep an eye on the succulents for signs of stress or disease and take action as needed. Succulents may take a little time to adjust to their new environment and may appear wilted or dry upon arrival. This is normal and they should recover with proper care.

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It’s important to remember that succulents shipped in a box with no light will likely go into a dormant state. During the shipping process, succulents will lose some of the moisture stored in their leaves, which can cause them to appear wilted or dry. They may also experience some stress from the change in environment and handling during shipping. But with the proper care, they should recover in a few weeks.

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So, just to recap: 

First things first, you should open the box right away and let the plants breathe. After that, it’s time to inspect them. If you find any unwanted pests, you’ll want to isolate those plants from the rest and treat them. You can either spray them with soap and water or just clean them and keep an eye on them.

Next, you should remove all the damaged leaves. When I say “damaged,” I’m not talking about the dry and crispy leaves, but rather the translucent leaves at the base of the plant. These are no good because they mean the storage cells of the plant are destroyed and moisture is leaking into the surrounding tissues. If you leave these damaged leaves attached, they can progressively destroy the rest of the healthy plant.

Third, you’ll want to air-dry the plants, but if you live in a very humid location, you’ll need to find a well-ventilated area for them. It’s best to avoid direct sunlight and air-drying indoors, as it can worsen any damage the plants incurred during shipment.

Finally, after three days, it’s time to plant your succulents in a fast-draining soil mixture. The soil should be moist to dry, but not wet. And remember, don’t water them right away!

Hope these tips help you take good care of your new succulents!

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