For those who are succulent addicts as myself, shopping for plants is an exciting treat. The thrill of finding the perfect specimen is always something to look forward to. Usually after browsing around the nursery, one may find several more beauties to take home that they weren’t planning on buying, but couldn’t resist either the uniqueness, variety or price of the plant. This special experience is difficult to replicate for an online shop. Sometimes the listings may not show the actual item because there are multiple available, and shipping costs aren’t always ideal. There are advantages though to shopping both in your local nursery and online.
Nursery
Selection
One of the most exciting parts about going to the nursery is getting to see all the variety that is available. Sometimes nurseries can be stocked up on hundreds of different types of plants and succulents, which can make it both exhilarating and daunting at the same time if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Online shops may limit what they offer online due to ship ability, or companies simply may not make enough on the plant to make it worth shipping. If you like to handpick your plants and the hunt is something you look forward to, then shopping at your local nursery is always a great way to go.
Price
It’s true that you may find great deals at your local nursery. Retail and wholesale nurseries are two very different markets though, and I will get into that on another blog post. To have an online shop, one must take into consideration the fees required to keep the website updated as well as shipping costs to send out even a single plant. If nurseries don’t ship product via postal service, they can spend their time and money on growing more stock. Just as any business though, there has to be some kind of markup to make a profit. Buying at your local nursery may end up saving you in the long run, depending on what’s available and if you’re able to find the plants that you’re looking for.
Online
Convenience
If you don’t live near a nursery or have a limited selection of plants in your area, then buying online is a great way to add to your collection. A few months ago I ordered several different Mangave online because I couldn’t find them anywhere near me. I found it easier to just purchase them online rather than play detective and try to hunt them down. The ease of browsing through a website and adding to your cart can save you time, and if you have to drive far to a nursery, could also save some money in travel costs. Most people like the simplicity of ordering online, and they don’t even have to leave the house to do it!
Variety
It is impossible for nurseries to carry every single plant or succulent available. They will sell what grows best in their climate, what sells best, and what are easily accessible if they need to buy something in. Unless they specialize in rare and exotic species, you will most likely find what is most common and easy to grow for that specific area. We are now seeing an influx of online shops selling succulents and now it’s easier to find those rare varieties or special favorites without having to drive to every nursery around to find it. Every shop offers something unique, so take into consideration what is available to you online.
Deals
You are more likely to find special deals or coupons when shopping online. I can’t speak for every nursery out there, but it isn’t too common that you will find special discounts or deals at nurseries unless you are a wholesale buyer or they are running a special on certain overstock items. There may also be discounts during holidays, but those are mostly found at retail nurseries. Online shops are constantly giving discounts and deals to drive customers to their site. Take advantage of these deals because you just may find the plant you wanted at a much better price than you would pay at a nursery.
Which is best for you?
I’ve seen many people living in coastal areas, for example, who have easy access to all of the prime spots for succulent shopping and can get almost any plant they want. The weather is optimal for succulents in these areas and nurseries will be filled with them. However, not everyone is so lucky to be able to drive a few minutes away and stock up on succulents. If you can’t get to your favorite nursery and if you enjoy the convenience and ease of shopping online, then I would suggest loading up your cart and taking advantage of what these online shops have to offer.
Check out my shop to see what’s available at the moment.