How to Ship Live Aquarium Plants

Aquarium enthusiasts are always on the look out for high quality fish, aquarium plants, and decorations. With the growing number of aquarium plant sellers using ecommerce and online auctions to find buyers, shipping aquarium plants has become more popular. To keep customers happy, the plants must arrive alive and healthy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Weather reports
• Aquarium plants
• Plastic bags
• Paper towels
• Sturdy shipping box
• Newspaper

1. Research the temperatures of your location and the location the plants are going to. If the temperatures are very cold, it might be a good idea to wait to ship the aquarium plants. If the package is left outside, the plants will die.
2. Inform the customer that they must be there to accept the package. Aquarium plants left on the porch in the hot sun or cold winter winds will die.
3. Remove the aquarium plants from the tank and prepare them for shipping. Remove all dying leaves. Be sure not to damage any roots or the stem of the aquarium plant.
4. Get a considerably length of paper toweling wet. Do not squeeze out much of the excess water. Lay the lower end - the root end - of the plants on this paper toweling and carefully wrap it loosely around the bottom end of the plants. You can wrap the leaves some as well.
5. Slide the plant and paper towel into one of the plastic bags. Use a bag that the plant fits in without bending or squishing. You do not want to damage your plants before they get to the buyer's house.
6. Seal or tie off the top of the bag without trapping air inside the bag. Slide the bags into the box or padded envelope and fill in all remaining spaces with packing material. Reducing the plants' movement will help them ship without damage.
7. Send the box or package out with Priority Mail. Telling the post office clerk to stamp them "Fragile" is a good idea, but not usually necessary. Careful packing and quick shipping should ensure the aquarium plants arrive safe and sound.