How to ship live succulents: succulent packing and shipping guide

Hey, fellow succulent lovers! We're known for our love of gardening here in the U.S. Whether it's sunny California or New York City with its diverse climate, it's super cool to have a few budding succulents in the house.

Sometimes, we want to share our carefully cultivated succulents with distant friends or sell some extra plants online. But did you know that there are a lot of rules about packing and transporting succulents, and if you don't do it the right way, your succulents may get "injured" during the trip?

Don't worry, today I'm going to teach you how to properly pack and transport succulents, so that they arrive safely at their new home.

Pre-preparation: equipment and succulents

Necessary supplies.

1. Sturdy cardboard box: Choose the correct size for your succulents, and ensure the box is in good condition with no holes or tears. 
2. Packing materials: You will need materials to cushion and protect the succulents during transportation, such as bubble wrap, foam pellets, newspaper, or shredded paper. 
3. Tape: Use packing tape to seal the carton firmly. 
4. Labels: Print or handwrite clear labels with the shipping address and special instructions. 
5. Scissors and markers: These tools will be helpful when cutting packing materials and writing labels.

Handling Succulents

• Cleaning and tending: Examine each succulent carefully and gently remove any dead leaves, flowers, and dust from the leaves with a small pair of tweezers. If you find any bugs or signs of disease, take care of them first, so they don't "spread" to other succulents. 
• Pruning: You can prune some overgrown or damaged roots appropriately. After pruning, let the wound dry in a ventilated place for a few days to avoid infection.
  Packing Succulents 

Packing Succulents 

Now that your succulents are prepped, it's time to start packing them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Wrap the succulents: Wrap each succulent individually with bubble wrap. Be careful not to break succulents with dense leaves; for succulents with long stems, wrap them first in newspaper or paper towels, then in bubble wrap. After wrapping, use tape to gently fix it.
2. Into the cardboard box: Put the wrapped succulent into the cardboard box. If there are many succulents, separate them with newspaper or foam pellets to avoid crushing each other. For added protection, you can also put some cushioning material at the bottom and around the carton.
3. Fill in the gaps: To prevent the succulent from wiggle-ing around in the carton, fill the gaps with more cushioning material. You can crumple up a newspaper into a ball or fill the gaps with foam pellets.
4. Seal the carton: Seal the carton with tape to ensure a strong seal. For extra stability, put a few extra strips of tape on both the top and sides of the carton.
5. Label it: Finally, stick the written label in a conspicuous position on the carton so that the courier will know precisely what is inside and will handle it with care.

Choose the right mode of transportation.

Choosing the right mode of transportation is key to ensuring that your succulents arrive at their destination in good condition. There are several factors to consider when choosing a shipping method: 

• Shipping time: Although succulents can survive without watering for a few days, it is best to choose a shipping method that will deliver them as quickly as possible, with preference given to options that offer next-day or two-day delivery service. 
• Shipping costs: Shipping costs will vary depending on the weight and size of the package, as well as the shipping method you choose. Compare the costs of different shipping options to find one that fits your budget. 
• Shipping companies: Many shipping companies, including the United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and United Parcel Service (UPS). Each company has advantages and disadvantages, so research and choose the shipping company that best meets your needs. 
• Shipping insurance: Consider purchasing shipping insurance if your succulents are lost, damaged, or stolen in transit. This will give you more peace of mind that even if something goes wrong, you will be compensated accordingly.

Once you've sent your succulents, it's essential to track the shipment's progress to ensure they arrive at their destination on time. Most shipping companies offer online tracking services through which you can monitor the shipment of your package. Be sure to keep the tracking number safe and check the status of your package regularly.

If you notice delays or other problems with the shipping, contact the shipping company immediately to resolve the issue. When the person receives the package, remind them to open and inspect it immediately. Don't worry if you find a small amount of leaves falling off; this is common in shipping, but if there is severe damage to the flesh, discuss a solution together. 

Suggest that the recipient put the freshly received succulent in a ventilated and cool place for 1 - 2 days, do not water it immediately, and do not expose it to the sun. Please wait for the succulent to adapt to the new environment, then care for it as usual. In this way, your succulent can grow beautifully in your new home!