Preparing Your Cacti for Safe Shipping: Our Store's Process

At our store, we take great care to ensure your cacti arrive healthy and ready to thrive in their new home. Shipping live plants like cacti requires special preparation to prevent damage during transit. Here's how we handle the process, step by step.

The Importance of Drying Out Before Shipping

Before we ship any cacti, we let them dry out completely—usually a week or two after repotting or watering. This step is crucial as it puts the plants into dormancy, making them more resilient and stable during transit. Wet cacti are at risk of rot from excess moisture, or etiolation, where they stretch out and become weak due to improper conditions. To speed up the drying process, we often use a fan for better air circulation.

We always check for firm, dry soil and trim any soggy roots before packing. We also skip watering entirely until the cactus reaches its destination. Sometimes we have plants that are already shipping-ready (bare-root or pre-dried), but if they are currently potted, they will need to go through this drying process to ensure they're in the best possible condition. All plants are shipped bare root to minimize weight and maintain dryness during transit.

Post-Delivery Care: Waiting for the First Watering

Once your cactus arrives, we recommend waiting four to seven days before the first watering. This allows any cut or damaged roots to form proper calluses, which heal them up and prevent bacteria from entering when you do water. Skipping this wait could lead to infections or other issues, so patience is key!

Our Packaging Method

To further protect your cacti, we wrap them snugly with materials that soak up any stray moisture, acting like a desiccant. This helps maintain the dry environment needed for safe travel.

That's how we ship cacti from our store—prioritizing plant health every step of the way. If you have any questions about caring for your new cactus or our shipping process, feel free to reach out!