Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We've answered some of the most common questions we receive below. If you can't find the answer to your question, please email us at support@wellspringgardens.com. We are an exclusively online business and our top-notch customer service is provided online, which gives you the quickest, most accurate answers to your questions. We will get back to you generally within 24 hours or less.
Live Plants
Are your plants organic?
Are your plants organic?
No. Our plants are not certified organic. While you can buy certified organic live plants online in the U.S., shipping them is strictly regulated. The USDA and state agriculture departments enforce regional quarantine laws to stop the spread of invasive pests. In certain restricted areas or for specific plant varieties, regulations may mandate chemical pest treatments that would violate USDA National Organic Program standards. When that happens, a plant can lose its organic status or simply cannot be legally shipped to that state without treatment.
Are your plants GMO-free?
Are your plants GMO-free?
Yes, our plants are GMO-free. All of our plants either exist in nature or were created via cross-pollinating, a process that occurs naturally in the wild also. None of our plants have had genes spliced, injected or were otherwise lab-invented.
How are your plants produced?
How are your plants produced?
We grow our plants through a variety of methods including by seed, tissue culture, cuttings and grafting.
How big are your plants?
How big are your plants?
Expect your plant to measure 3-8-inches tall upon arrival. If it's bigger than that, consider it a bonus.
We are the baby plant, AKA starter plant, company. We sell small plants so you can raise them to maturity under your green thumb.
99% of plants we send come in a 3-inch-deep, 2-inch-wide pot that holds 4.90 fl oz/145.0 mL of soil.
What are the white flecks/pellets in my plant's soil?
What are the white flecks/pellets in my plant's soil?
Contrary to popular belief, those white flecks are not plastic. Perlite is actually a form of obsidian, which comes from volcanic glass. It's used in soil to create spacing to allow water to enter and exit freely, allowing roots to capture just the right amount of moisture.
Why does my order not include care info?
Why does my order not include care info?
Your order actually does include care info. The plastic bag and any included fliers have general planting information that applies to all plants. Specific care info can be found on our online knowledge base.
What do I do if I see an insect on my plant?
What do I do if I see an insect on my plant?
We carefully inspect and treat each individual plant before shipping.
Insects can come from anywhere, anytime. But luckily it's not the end of the world for your plant. Just temporarily put your plant outside away from your other collection and then take a cotton swab with a little neem oil — a safe and organic oil that helps combat pests — and touch each insect with it; this will help remove and kill the bug as well. If you don't have any neem oil on hand, you can even use a little vegetable oil mixed with water.
Once you know the insects are all gone, it’s safe to bring it back together with your other plants.
When should I plant?
When should I plant?
Springtime is usually the most ideal time for planting. The warmth of the season and the longer daylight hours will help your plants thrive.
Should I plant in a pot or in the ground?
Should I plant in a pot or in the ground?
Repot first. Because your plant is a baby (AKA starter plant), we recommend first growing out in a slightly larger pot (1 to 2 inches in diameter greater than your plant's current size) to increase your chances of success. Then transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom.
What size pot should I use?
What size pot should I use?
Choosing the correct pot size for your plant can be tricky because it’s not a science and differing opinions abound, but we hope you find the following guidelines helpful:
Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches in diameter greater than your plant currently is. Transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom. Be sure to size up gradually, instead of using a pot that’s way too big, to ensure your plant’s roots get the right amount of moisture and nutrients.
If you’re planning ahead to see what the ultimate pot size will be once your plant reaches full maturity, one rule of thumb is to plan a half gallon per foot of height. For example, if you’re growing a tree that can grow up to 10 feet, plan for around a 5-gallon pot eventually.
We encourage you to do some research to find what will work best for your specific plant, goals, and space.
Do yellowing or browning leaves mean my plant is dying?
Do yellowing or browning leaves mean my plant is dying?
All plants have leaves that turn yellow or brown, but they also grow new ones. It's what makes them non-artificial, living organisms.
Luckily browning/yellowing are communication signs from the plant that it needs something: time to recover from being in a dark box with no light, a little more water, a little less water, some nutrients found in fertilizer, etc.
So pay attention and listen to your plant's needs. Our online knowledge base can help you pinpoint what your plant is asking for.
And don't stress about a couple lost leaves. It's part of the life cycle. If desired, trim off whole or partial leaves to get rid of unsightly foliage, but don't forget to address your plant's needs, too.
Will this plant grow in my area?
Will this plant grow in my area?
Yes. You can grow any plant indoors as long as you can provide the proper light, water, etc.
If you plan to grow outside, check the USDA hardiness zone for the plant (included in each of our plant's descriptions). Then find out your zone by Googling, "Your city + USDA hardiness zone." If the plant's zone and your zone match, growing outdoors will be a breeze.
If the plant grows outside your zone, you're still in luck: You can grow it in a pot and bring it indoors during cold weather or provide other winter protection, such as mulching and covering.
Shipping
Do you ship plants plastic-free?
Do you ship plants plastic-free?
No. All our plants ship in a very lightweight plastic pot, which is necessary to keep your plant intact and to reduce shipping fees. Shipping in a renewable pot would increase the weight of the shipment and actually have a greater environmental impact.
We also include a very thin plastic sleeve with each plant, which holds the soil in place, protects the foliage and helps maintain soil moisture. Paper bags simply cannot do what plastic bags can. Yes, we could use paper with a wax coating, but they can't be recycled, while plastic bags can.
As needed in the winter, we may also insulate your plant with plastic material to ensure it arrives alive.
What mail service do you use?
What mail service do you use?
We ship orders using OnTrac, UPS and the US Postal Service. For an additional fee, you can choose to have your order shipped via UPS at checkout.
Can I exchange an item instead of returning it?
Can I exchange an item instead of returning it?
Yes, exchanges are available for most products within 30 days of receipt. Simply let us know the item you’d like to exchange for, and we’ll guide you through the process.
I put in the wrong address. Can I change it?
I put in the wrong address. Can I change it?
Be quick about it! We can change order addresses, but we can't update it after a shipping label is produced.
Did you send me the wrong plant?
Did you send me the wrong plant?
We are proud to say that our order accuracy hovers at right about 99.5%. Mistakes are rare due to our careful and thorough processes and double-checking. However, if we made a mistake, please send a picture of what you received so we can send you the correct order.
If you think you might have received the wrong variety, please check the pot label to ensure it says the correct plant name. Each plant at Wellspring Gardens is individually labeled immediately upon receipt at our facility because correct species labeling is of utmost importance to us and our customers. Because of our fastidious dedication to correct labeling, we can assure you that the variety is as labeled.
Even if your plant doesn't look like you expected, please note that baby plants' looks change as they mature with their distinctive characteristics developing more prominently with age. For example, elephant ears may start out with green leaves that darken into a rich black as they mature. Another example is how fig leaves start out rounded and develop their characteristic lobes a little later.
If in doubt, email us a picture of your plant and the pot label so we can verify.
What destinations do you ship to?
What destinations do you ship to?
We ship to all 48 contiguous states + Puerto Rico (sorry Alaska and Hawaii).
There are stringent regulations with shipping live plants and fertilizers outside of the country, therefore we do not ship internationally.
Where do your plants ship from?
Where do your plants ship from?
100% of our plants ship from our greenhouse in Lakeland, Florida.
Fertilizer orders can come from our greenhouse or any number of our third-party logistics partner's warehouses throughout the United States.
Can you hold my order?
Can you hold my order?
Sure! Whether it's for cold weather or you're going to be out of town for a few days, just leave us a note at checkout with your desired hold date, and we'll ship it later.
When will my order ship?
When will my order ship?
Within 1-2 business days. Our typical shipping schedule is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
How do you ensure my plant arrives alive in the winter?
How do you ensure my plant arrives alive in the winter?
We ship all throughout the year. We check temperatures and decide on methods to increase chances that your plants will arrive happy and healthy, such as heat packs and insulation. There is no extra charge--it's part of our Arrive Alive guarantee. If your order doesn't reach you alive and well due to our best efforts to work with Mother Nature, email us a photo of your entire plant, from top to bottom, and please include the original pot and packaging in the photo if possible. Our support team will review to assess your plant’s needs (recovery time, hydration, fertilization, replacement, etc.)
Where will my order be delivered?
Where will my order be delivered?
The most common delivery spot is straight to your mailbox. (Yes, your mailbox is large enough to receive most orders from us. We're the baby plant company after all with plants ranging from 3 to 8 inches.)
Other common places to check are your front door, garage, etc. And don't forget to check with other individuals at your residence who may have received the package but forgot to tell you.
Careful tracking can help you locate your package quickly so you can begin caring for your plant promptly when it arrives.
Why does my order say it's been delivered but I haven't received it?
Why does my order say it's been delivered but I haven't received it?
First, don't forget to check the mailbox. (Yes, most orders are small enough to fit in your mailbox--We're the baby plant company after all.)
If it's not in your mailbox, please give it a couple days. The way USPS does tracking sometimes confirms delivery a day or two in advance. 9 times out of 10, you will receive your package within a couple of days.
Will you reship if I provided the wrong address?
Will you reship if I provided the wrong address?
No. Please note that addresses are auto-populated in our system from what is provided by our customers at checkout. We don't type any addresses manually, so the address provided is the address shipped to. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee delivery for incorrect addresses.
Returns and Refunds
How does the 30-day Arrive Alive Guarantee work?
How does the 30-day Arrive Alive Guarantee work?
We guarantee your plants for 30 days after arrival. If you have questions or concerns, email us a photo of your entire plant, from top to bottom, and please include the original pot and packaging in the photo. Our support team will review to assess your plant’s needs (recovery time, hydration, fertilization, replacement, etc.)
You may be eligible for a free one-time replacement if the plant you purchased is designated for your USDA hardiness zone & you have provided proper care, nutrients, & water.
To receive a full refund/replacement, you may be asked to return and will need to send back these original components:
- The plant itself
- Its original pot
- The packaging
If you’re considering returning your plant, DO NOT repot it or plant it in the ground. Failure to include the original components will result in a restocking fee of 50-100% of the order value.
Can I return a live plant order?
Can I return a live plant order?
Yes. We are confident you will be happy with your order though if you review all the advertised images and description. And we hope you do because two trips through the mail significantly stress a plant, decreasing its chances of survival. However, if you need to return, please note how to receive a full refund/replacement:
To receive a full refund/replacement, you must send back these original components:
- The plant itself
- Its original pot
- The packaging
If you’re considering returning your plant, DO NOT repot it or plant it in the ground. Failure to include the original components will result in a restocking fee of 25-100% of the order value.
Can I get a refund because I'm disappointed in the size of my plants?
Can I get a refund because I'm disappointed in the size of my plants?
No. We refund based on the health of the plant, not on the size upon arrival. We purposefully ship plants when they're small, and we make every effort to let customers know during the purchasing process that they can expect their plants to be 3–8-inches tall. If you feel your plant is under the range, please contact us with a picture of your full plant in the original pot and with the packaging pictured. Each plant is carefully and individually selected, but we will review your image to double check.
Can I return a fertilizer order?
Can I return a fertilizer order?
Yes. We are confident you will be happy with your fertilizer order, especially as you watch your plants grow over time. However, if you need to return it for some reason, return it unused in the original packaging for a refund.
