New Plant Parent Guide
When a plant arrives in the mail, open the box somewhere calm, lift the plant out gently, look it over, and set it in good indirect light. Check whether the soil is dry before you water. Do not repot or fertilize for the first couple of weeks. A few drooping or yellowing lower leaves after days in a dark box are normal and usually improve within a week once the plant has proper light.
That is the whole plan. Here is how to do it well, and why each step helps.
Three Things to Do First
1. Unbox it, photograph it, and look it over
Open the box away from direct sun and vents. Slide the plant out gently, remove any packing material, and keep it in its nursery pot. If there is a heat pack in the box, it is safe to throw away once you unbox.
Before you do anything else, take a photo of the plant as it came out of the box. Why it matters: if something arrived wrong, we ask you to message us within 48 hours of delivery with a photo of the plant as it came out of the box, before repotting. You can read the details on our 48-hour guarantee page.
Then look closely at both sides of the leaves, the stems, and the soil surface. University of Minnesota Extension recommends examining new plants thoroughly and isolating them from your other plants for one to two weeks so any pest problems have time to show up. Keep the newcomer a little apart from your collection while you watch it.
2. Give it steady, good indirect light
Choose a spot that is bright without harsh direct sun on the leaves, away from heating vents, doors, and drafts. Then leave it there. Why it matters: the plant has just spent days in the dark and needs steady conditions to recover. Iowa State University Extension notes that abrupt changes in light can cause scorching or leaf drop, so avoid moving it straight into strong afternoon sun. Not sure how bright a spot is? Our guide to bright indirect light shows how to test it.
3. Check the soil before you water, and hold off on repotting and fertilizer
The top of the soil may be dry, damp, or shifted after the trip. Push a finger about two inches into the soil. If it feels dry, water thoroughly and let the excess drain. If it is still damp, wait. Why it matters: a plant that has just traveled is not ready for a bigger change. Our Help page says to wait at least two to four weeks before repotting, because repotting on arrival stacks a second shock on top of shipping. University of Missouri Extension adds that newly purchased plants have been well fertilized in the greenhouse and seldom need more for a few weeks. Our guide on whether to repot a new plant right away covers how to know when it is time.
What Is Normal in the First Week
- A few lower leaves drooping or turning yellow after days in the dark
- Soil that has shifted or feels dry on top
- A slight lean or stretch toward the light as the plant adjusts
- A quieter plant that does not seem to grow for a week or two
Judge recovery over several days rather than hour by hour. Our Help page says minor drooping or yellowing of lower leaves typically improves within a week with proper light.
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Damage you can see on arrival: broken stems, crushed leaves, or a soft, mushy base. Take a photo before you touch the pot and contact us within 48 hours of delivery.
- Yellowing or drooping that spreads instead of settling: if it is moving up the plant after a week or more, check the soil moisture and the light.
- Wet, sour-smelling soil: hold off on watering and check that the pot drains.
- Tiny insects, webbing, or sticky residue: these are signs of pests. Keep the plant apart from others.
Plant care is not foolproof, and even a well-packed plant can look tired for a few days. The goal is to give it steady light, a careful check of the soil, and time.
Your First-Week Checklist
- Open the box in a calm spot away from sun and vents
- Photograph the plant as it came out of the box
- Inspect both sides of the leaves, the stems, and the soil
- Toss the heat pack if there is one
- Place the plant in good indirect light
- Check the soil before watering
- Skip repotting and fertilizer for a couple of weeks
- Keep it apart from your other plants for one to two weeks
Next Step
Once the first week goes well, you can start learning your plant's rhythm. If you are looking for an easy plant to start with, browse our beginner-friendly plants.
Sources: University of Minnesota Extension: managing insects on indoor plants, University of Missouri Extension: Caring for Houseplants, and Iowa State University Extension. Arrival and claim details are from the California Tropicals Help page.