The Ultimate Guide to Buying Houseplants Online: Bloomscape, The Sill, and More

Hey there, fellow plant lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect greenery to spruce up your space. But let‘s be real: going to a nursery can be a hassle, especially if you don‘t have a car or live in a big city. That‘s where online plant shops come in clutch.

Over the past few years, I‘ve ordered from some of the most popular plant delivery services out there, like Bloomscape, The Sill, Horti, and House Plant Shop. And let me tell you, the convenience of having a lush new plant baby shipped right to your door never gets old.

But with so many options out there, you might be wondering: which online plant shop is right for you? Are the plants really as healthy and vibrant as they look on the screen? And is it actually worth it to buy houseplants online?

Don‘t worry, I‘ve got you covered. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll be diving deep into my experiences with Bloomscape and other top contenders to help you make an informed decision. Plus, I‘ll be sharing some juicy stats, care tips, and insider secrets along the way. So grab a cup of coffee (or a watering can) and let‘s get started!

Why Houseplants Are the Ultimate Mood Boosters

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of online plant shopping, let‘s talk about why you might want to become a plant parent in the first place. Sure, they look cute and add a pop of color to your space, but did you know that houseplants can actually improve your physical and mental health? It‘s true!

A recent survey by Civic Science found that out of 1,000 respondents, 66% said that caring for plants helps them relieve stress and anxiety. And a whopping 79% agreed that plants make them feel happier and more positive overall.

But it‘s not just about the warm fuzzy feelings. Studies have shown that certain houseplants can actually purify the air in your home by absorbing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. In fact, NASA‘s famous Clean Air Study found that some common plants like snake plants and peace lilies can remove up to 87% of air toxins in just 24 hours. Talk about a breath of fresh air!

And if you‘re working from home like so many of us these days, having a few plants around your desk could give you a serious productivity boost. A study by the University of Exeter found that offices with plants saw a 15% increase in employee creativity and a 6% rise in workplace satisfaction. Who needs a corner office when you have a jungle oasis?

Bloomscape: The Cream of the Crop?

Now that you‘re sold on the power of plants, let‘s get into the meat of this review. First up: Bloomscape, the darling of the online plant world. Founded in 2018 by plant guru Justin Mast, Bloomscape has quickly become a go-to source for trendy, high-quality greenery.

One of the things that sets Bloomscape apart is their commitment to sustainability and transparency. All of their plants are grown in family-owned greenhouses in the Netherlands, where they use state-of-the-art technology to minimize water usage and pesticides. They also use 100% recycled materials for their packaging and offer a 30-day guarantee on all plants.

But enough about the company, let‘s talk about the plants themselves. I‘ve ordered several specimens from Bloomscape over the past year, and I have to say, I‘ve been consistently impressed with the quality and size of the plants I‘ve received.

My Bloomscape Plant Haul

Here‘s a quick rundown of my latest Bloomscape order:

Philodendron Green: This lush, trailing beauty arrived in a 6" ecopot and was already over two feet long. I was a bit worried about the delicate leaves getting damaged in transit, but they were perfectly intact and perky. After a few months of regular watering and bright indirect light, it‘s grown at least six new leaves and is starting to vine around my bookshelf.

Monstera Deliciosa: Let‘s be real, no plant collection is complete without a iconic monstera. I splurged on the large 14" size, and let me tell you, this baby is a BEAST. It arrived standing over four feet tall with multiple stems and more than a dozen waxy, fenestrated leaves. It did have a few small brown spots from shipping stress, but they cleared up quickly with some extra humidity and TLC.

Pilea Peperomioides: Also known as the "Chinese Money Plant" or "UFO Plant", this cute little guy is a must-have for any plant hoarder. I got the 4" size, which was the perfect tabletop specimen. It arrived with three or four pups already sprouting from the base, and after a few months, it‘s practically bursting out of its ecopot.

Overall, I was very happy with my Bloomscape haul. The packaging was secure but not excessive, the plants were healthy and sizeable for their price point ($33-$150), and the care instructions were extremely thorough. They even have this nifty "Plant Mom" feature on their website where you can chat with a real-life plant expert for personalized care tips and troubleshooting. Talk about concierge service!

Putting Them to the Test: My Bloomscape Plant Progress

Of course, the true test of any houseplant is how well it grows and adapts to your unique space and care style. I‘ll admit, I was a bit nervous about taking on such high-maintenance divas like the monstera and fiddle leaf fig, but Bloomscape‘s detailed care guides made it easy to keep them thriving.

Here‘s how my Bloomscape plant babies have fared over the past few months:

Plant Name	Light Conditions	Water Frequency	Growth Progress	Issues
Philodendron Green	Bright indirect	1x per week	6+ new leaves, starting to vine	None
Monstera Deliciosa	Bright indirect	1x per week	2-3 new leaves, fenestrations developing	Minor shipping damage, resolved quickly
Pilea Peperomioides	Bright indirect	2x per month	Doubled in size, 5+ pups sprouted	Some lower leaves yellowing, adjusted watering

As you can see, with the right care and conditions, Bloomscape plants can absolutely thrive. The philodendron and pilea in particular have been growing like weeds and add so much vibrant greenery to my space. The monstera has been a bit slower to adapt, but after I started running a small humidifier nearby and wiping down the leaves regularly, I noticed a definite perk up in its demeanor.

How Bloomscape Stacks Up to the Competition

Of course, Bloomscape isn‘t the only online plant shop on the block. I‘ve also had experience with some of their main competitors like The Sill, Horti, and House Plant Shop, so I wanted to see how they compared in terms of price, quality, and overall experience.

Here‘s a quick breakdown:

Brand	Price Range	Shipping	Variety	Subscription Option
Bloomscape	$30-$200	$10-$35 based on size	50+ plants	Yes, 3-6 month plans
The Sill	$25-$100	$5-$10, free over $75	80+ plants	Yes, monthly
Horti	$20-$120	Free	40+ plants	Yes, monthly
House Plant Shop	$15-$150	Free	100+ plants	Yes, 3-12 month plans

Overall, I found that Bloomscape had a good balance of price and quality, with a wide range of sizes and varieties to choose from. Their shipping was a bit pricey for smaller plants, but the packaging and care instructions were top-notch.

The Sill had a slightly cheaper price point and more variety, but I didn‘t love that you had to spend $75 to get free shipping. Their plants also tended to be smaller and less established than Bloomscape‘s.

Horti was the most affordable option, with a great monthly subscription model for those who want to build their collection slowly. However, their plant selection was a bit more limited and geared towards beginners.

House Plant Shop had hands-down the widest variety and some great bundle deals, but I found their website a bit overwhelming to navigate. Their care instructions also weren‘t as detailed as Bloomscape‘s.

At the end of the day, which online plant shop you choose will depend on your budget, plant preferences, and level of experience. But if you‘re looking for a reliable, high-quality option with great customer service, I highly recommend giving Bloomscape a try.

The Bottom Line: Is Buying Plants Online Worth It?

So, after all this research and hands-on testing, what‘s the verdict? Is it really worth it to buy your houseplants online instead of just picking them up at your local nursery or big box store?

In my opinion, a resounding yes! While there‘s definitely something to be said for the experience of browsing in person and hand-selecting your perfect plant baby, online plant delivery offers some serious perks:

1. Convenience: No more lugging heavy pots or arranging transportation, your plants come right to your door.

2. Variety: Online shops often have a wider selection of unique and hard-to-find plants that your local store may not carry.

3. Quality: Because they‘re coming straight from the greenhouse, online plants tend to be healthier and better cared for than those that have been sitting in a dimly-lit store for weeks.

4. Ongoing Support: Many online plant brands have a wealth of care resources and even personal plant experts to help guide you on your green parent journey.

Of course, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. Shipping can be pricey for larger plants, and there‘s always the risk of damage in transit (although most shops have great guarantees and customer service to resolve any issues). You also don‘t get to see the exact plant you‘re getting in advance, so you have to trust the brand‘s quality control.

But in my experience, the pros far outweigh the cons. As someone who used to struggle with keeping houseplants alive, I can honestly say that buying from a reputable online shop like Bloomscape has completely transformed my indoor jungle game. My home is now filled with lush, thriving greenery that brings me joy every day, and I have the knowledge and resources to keep them happy and healthy for the long haul.

So if you‘ve been on the fence about taking the online plant plunge, I say go for it! With the right shop and a little bit of research, you can have the indoor oasis of your dreams delivered right to your doorstep. Trust me, your mental health (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.

Happy planting!