Is it safe to buy a bonsai online?

A few days ago, I received an email that I read twice. It was from Francesca, who had recently received a bonsai sent by us. She didn't write to me about a problem, but to tell me a story. And to thank me. Today, I want to thank her here, in front of all of you.

What happens when a bonsai is shipped without care?

Before getting to know us, Francesca had bought a bonsai from another website. I'll let her tell you how it went:

It had arrived in a box buried under polystyrene packing peanuts. The box didn't say which way up to keep it or that it was fragile, so the courier threw it off the truck.

And then came the unboxing:

It took me a while to see a little leaf emerge, buried under the polystyrene packing peanuts, and I felt awful! You should have seen the condition it was in, poor thing!

After an experience like that, the most natural reaction is to stop trusting:

Honestly, I let some time pass before daring to buy online again.

I understand. A bonsai is a living plant with years of work behind it: its roots, pot, soil and canopy must travel securely and protected. When that doesn't happen, trust is lost, and regaining it isn't easy.

Why a supermarket bonsai is not the same thing

Francesca also told me why she decided to try again:

There is no one near me who sells bonsai, except for a few ginseng bonsai in supermarkets, so I made up my mind and finally found you!

There is nothing wrong with those plants, but in large-scale retail they often spend weeks in poorly lit environments, with irregular watering and no one who knows how to care for them. A bonsai needs someone to look after it before the sale and someone to prepare it properly when it is shipped.

How we prepare a bonsai for shipping

We don't do anything extraordinary. We carefully handle the small things every time, because they are what make the difference between a bonsai that arrives in good condition and one that arrives suffering:

• Plant checked before dispatch: we check the canopy, roots, and soil moisture, which must be right for the journey - neither dry nor soggy.
• Pot and root ball secured: the pot is wrapped in paper and held in place with a cardboard support, so the soil does not shift and the trunk does not sway.
• No polystyrene on the plant: we use paper and cardboard, which protect the canopy without suffocating it.
• Custom-sized and clearly marked box: we indicate the correct orientation and that the contents are fragile, so the person handling the package knows what they are handling.

Thank you, Francesca

I told you about my bad experience because I wanted you to know how much I appreciated your work.

Francesca, thank you for giving us a second chance after an experience that would have discouraged anyone, and thank you for taking the time to write to us. Messages like yours remind us why we work this way: with passion and commitment, from the smallest details to the biggest ones. We hope your bonsai will be with you for a long time, and that we will see you again soon.

Frequently asked questions about buying bonsai trees online

Is it safe to buy a bonsai online?

Yes, if the seller prepares the plant properly: the pot and soil firmly secured, packaging made of paper and cardboard, and a box marked with the correct orientation and that the contents are fragile. Before purchasing, check how the store describes its shipping process.

What should I do as soon as I receive the bonsai?

Open the package immediately, carefully remove the paper, check the soil's moisture, and place the bonsai in a bright spot away from radiators and drafts. Let it acclimatize for a few days before pruning or repotting.

Is a bonsai a good gift?

It's a gift that lasts over time, as long as you choose a species suited to the recipient. For an apartment, indoor bonsai such as Ficus retusa are among the easiest to care for.

Giulia
Giulia's Gardens