Is buying plants online a good idea?

[FishHugger]

I'm considering buying plants online due to the limited variety at my local fish stores. They often come with unwanted hitchhikers like snails or algae.

I'd love to hear about your experience with online plant purchases - size, quality, pricing, and how well they adapt to your tank.

Are there any online retailers you'd recommend, or ones you've had a poor experience with and wouldn't buy from again?

[WildFins]

I've had a really positive experience with buying plants on Etsy. The quality is consistently good, and shipping is generally quick. When issues have arisen, which is rare, the sellers have always been responsive and helpful. I've never had a truly disappointing experience with an Etsy plant purchase.

[Breezey]

I've had an amazing experience with marcusfishtanks.com. The plants arrived quickly and were super healthy - nice and green. No snails or weird stuff on them, which is a huge plus. I've had some of these plants for 4 years now and they're still thriving, really prolific. I'm actually ordering from them again right now.

[cichlidgirl22]

I'm sharing this since it's relevant to the conversation - I actually run a shop on Etsy, BigKahunaAquatics. If you're interested in checking out some great deals on aquatic plants with free shipping, I'd appreciate you taking a look. I've got a pretty wide variety of plants available and I'm always adding new ones to the mix.

[Bisco]

I've had several excellent experiences with Aquariumplants.com, their service has been top-notch.

[WildFins]

I've had a great experience with cichlidgirl22's shop on Etsy. Not only do they offer competitive prices, but they also provide free shipping. Their selection is impressive and constantly updated. I'd definitely recommend checking them out.

[FishHugger]

Thanks so much for the recs, I'm really looking forward to checking them out.

[WildFins]

One thing to keep in mind when ordering plants online is the weather. Cold weather can be a problem, and while many sellers offer insulated packaging and heat packs for an extra fee, their effectiveness can be a bit of a gamble. If you're expecting a cold snap, it might be better to wait. I'm lucky that I work from home, so I can usually grab a delivery as soon as I get the notification. If you're not in a similar situation, you might want to consider having your package held at the post office for pickup.

[sandhog]

I usually opt for online plant purchases.

[BadgersSong]

I've become a big fan of online plant shopping. My go-to spot is Buceplant.com - don't let the name fool you, they've got a massive selection beyond just buces. I'm always on the hunt for rare plants for my unique biotopes, and they usually have exactly what I need. The quality is top-notch, customer service is great, and prices are pretty reasonable.

I've also had surprisingly good experiences buying plants on ebay. The bonus mystery inverts I often get with my ebay purchases are a fun little surprise - but if that's not your thing, you might want to look elsewhere.