Newly Received Plant Care
Greetings, and thank you for your support!
Important!
When receiving plants in the mail, they need to be brought into mild environmental conditions immediately after delivery to avoid potential heat or cold damage!
Your newly arrived plants are likely to be a bit stressed from their journey. Shipping can cause dehydration, leaf wilt, or shock. Placing them directly into dry air, full sun, or intense wind will only make things worse—sometimes even killing the plant. During travel, plants essentially “shut down” and need time to wake up and adjust. That’s why it’s so important to reintroduce them to growing conditions slowly and carefully. In the guide below, you’ll find tips to successfully acclimate your plants to their new environment.
Important! With every step in this guide, it is imperative that you monitor your plants very frequently for any wilting or leaf color changes after each increase in environmental intensity—it can happen fast! If your plant starts to wilt, immediately return it to the previous intensity it was handling well, and try placing it in a slightly milder spot next time.
Please note: This is a general guide and not plant-specific, but it works well for most soft-stemmed tropicals and houseplants. Please also note that succulents like Kanna or San Pedro prefer drier air and can rot if kept too humid.
Step 1: Planting
- If in a root plug, plant your specimen in a small pot with well-draining soil, then water it in thoroughly—or alternatively, place it into the hydroponic medium of your choice.
- Ensure the plant is placed in mild growing conditions, such as room temperatures and gentle lighting. Avoid increasing environmental extremes until the plant is fully recovered from shipping.
Step 2: Help Your Plant Adjust to the Air
- If your plant is wilting in open air, even in mild environments, cover it with a humidity dome, a clear bag, a cut plastic bottle, or whatever works to raise the humidity, and follow the instructions below.
(The following steps are very important if your plant needs to be adjusted to open air!)
- At least twice daily (preferably 3–4 times), follow these steps in order:
- 1. Lift the cover off the plant.
- 2. Gently waft the cover near the plant to encourage air exchange and evaporation.
- 3. Place the cover back over the plant.
- Each day, add small holes to the cover (or adjust air vents) to gradually introduce drier air. You can also increase the amount of fresh-air exchange by repeating steps 1–3 more frequently.
- After several days, remove the cover completely and observe your plant closely. If it wilts, replace the cover and try again later. Once it remains strong without humidity assistance, you’re ready for the next step.
⚠️ Never place a covered plant in direct sun! It will overheat quickly. Keep recovering plants at stable room temperatures (70–80°F / 21–27°C).
Step 3: Gradually Adapt Your Plant to Stronger Light and Higher Temperatures
- Once your plant has adjusted to open air, begin light acclimation by slowly increasing light intensity.
- If moving your plant outdoors, start in a heavily shaded area with very little to no direct light.
- Once you see that your plant is doing well in an area after being there for a few days, expose it to slightly stronger light—such as early morning or late afternoon sun.
- Gradually extend the exposure time each day. If your plant wilts, move it back to lighter shade and try again the next day.
- Once it can handle a full day of sunlight in its intended final spot without wilting, it is fully adapted. If it continues to wilt after about a week of trying, your environment may be too intense—try partial shade or filtered light instead.
Step 4: Watering and General Plant Care Tips
- Always use soil appropriate for your setup—indoor potting mix for houseplants, outdoor mix for patio plants, etc.
- Choose the right pot size: too large can hold excess water; too small can dry out too quickly and may cause root congestion.
- Ensure good drainage. Never let a plant sit in standing water—except for species that prefer “wet feet,” like kratom.
- Water slowly and thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. In general, wait until the top layer of soil dries slightly and the pot feels lighter before watering again. For succulents, allow the soil to become nearly dry; for tropicals, keep it evenly moist.
- Always water after transplanting to help settle the soil around the roots.
Step 5: When to Contact Us
Please contact Bounty Botanicals immediately after delivery if your plants appear damaged or unhealthy. Include photos showing their condition upon arrival. If you wait too long (3 hrs after delivery) or attempt recovery before reaching out, we must assume gardener error and cannot honor our “happy plant arrival” guarantee. That said, don’t hesitate to ask questions—we’re always happy to help.
Step 6: A Few Final Notes
Some plants may drop leaves during shipping due to stress. This can be normal, and new leaves will grow in. Patience and gentle acclimation are key to success.
With a little care and gradual adjustment, your new plants will bounce back beautifully and thrive in their new home.