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FAQ

Plant Care

What growing medium do you use?

Most plants are grown in soilless mediums such as pure sphagnum, sphagnum and perlite mix, pure perlite, and pon.

What conditions do you grow under?

Our indoor nursery is kept at 75% humidity and 75F year round. All plants are kept under full spectrum LED lights on a 12 hour cycle. The intensity of light received by each species is modulated by adjusting the number of lights and the distance from the light source.

What to do when my plant arrives?

Carefully remove the wrapping and slowly let the plant adjust to life outside of a box. If the medium is bone dry, water it lightly. If the medium feels damp or wet, allow it to dry for a few more days. Place the plant in an area with good airflow and low light and allow it to gradually acclimate to the appropriate lighting conditions needed. Refer to this blog post for more information:

https://www.rareplantfairy.com/blogs/news/what-to-expect-when-your-plant-arrives

What soil mix do you recommend?

At our nursery, we grow 99% of our plants in soilless medium. For some of our very large mother plants, we use promix, orchid bark and perlite.

How do I water plants grown in sphagnum moss?

We pack our sphagnum moss very tightly in the pot which allows the moss to absorb a lot of water and also allows it to dry quickly. Simply pour water from the top of the pot, filling the pot to the brim. Wait and allow the moss to absorb the water.

Store Information & Policies

Do you offer local pick up?

Yes! Just select Local Pick Up at checkout and you can pick up your order during our office hours.

Pick-Up Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 10 am – 5 pm
Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm

Orders must be picked up within 30 days. After that, the order will be cancelled and a 10% restocking fee will apply.

Can I shop in person?

Yes! You can shop in person at our storefront at 1111 Bellevue Street.

Store Hours:

Friday: 3 pm – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm

Come browse plants, check out new arrivals, and hang out with the team.

What are "Fairy Rewards"?

Fairy Rewards is our loyalty program where you can earn points by shopping with us or completing special actions. You can spend your points on free plants, discount codes, RPF gear, free shipping vouchers and more.

What is "Grower's Choice"?

Grower’s Choice means you’re getting one of the strongest, most consistent plants from our current crop. These varieties grow reliably well for us, and every plant is handpicked by our growers and checked for quality before it’s packed. Instead of choosing a specific plant from a photo, you receive one that matches the size, color, and overall look shown in the listing — chosen by the people who know the plants best.

What payment methods do you accept?

For online sales we accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Shop Pay, credit card, and debit card. In-store shoppers can pay via PayPal, Venmo, credit card, or debit card.

What is your return or cancellation policy?

We do not accept returns or change-of-mind refunds. Cancellations are subjected to a 10% restocking fee.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes. Upon checkout you are able to selcted installment payments through a third party service.

Do you offer wholesale?

We’re currently revamping our wholesale program and will be relaunching it in Spring/Summer 2026. If you’re interested in carrying our plants, we’d love to keep you in the loop.

Please create a customer account and join our Wholesale Waitlist. When the new program launches, we’ll reach out with details, requirements, and early access to apply.

If I submit a wholesale application, do I still have to create a customer account?

Yes. The wholesale application does not automatically create a customer account. Wholesale applications are reviewed by our team. If wholesale access is granted, the corresponding customer account is tagged as such. When logged in, wholesale qualified customers are able to access the Wholesale —> Shop Wholesale section of the webiste.

Shipping Basics

Where do you ship from?

All plants ship directly from our nursery located in Detroit, Michigan.

What shipping methods do you use?

We ship with UPS, FedEx, or USPS depending on your location and selected speed. For full shipping options, see our Shipping Policy.

When will my package ship?

Most orders are processed within 7 business days. We ship Monday through Wednesday to prevent weekend delays. You will receive a tracking email as soon as your order is packed.

Why is my plant order delayed?

Your order may be delayed due to public holidays, bad weather, natural disasters or courier delays. We are working hard to send your order out as soon as possible.

Do I need to purchase heat packs and insulation?

Heat packs and insulation are complimentary! We will do what is necessary for your plants to arrive safely.

Can you ship to California?

Yes, we are certified to ship to all 50 states.

Can you combine shipping for multiple plants?

Absolutely! As long as the name and shipping addresses on the orders match and we have not shipped your existing order, we can combine your orders in one box.

Can you hold shipping until a certain date?

We can hold shipping for up to 2 weeks. Simply write in the notes when you check out.

Do you guarantee live arrival of all plants?

We pack every plant with care and monitor weather closely, but once a package is in transit we can’t control carrier handling or conditions. For guaranteed coverage, we strongly recommend adding Route Package Protection at checkout. Route covers loss, theft, and any plants that don’t survive the journey with a fast, hassle-free claims process.

If Route isn’t added, orders are not automatically covered, and any support we offer is handled case by case.

Weather & Winter Shipping

Do you ship during extreme cold?

We do not ship when daytime temperatures are below 27°F at our Detroit nursery or at the destination. Your order will be held automatically until it is safe to ship.

Do you use heat packs or insulation in winter?

Yes. We use 72-hour, 96-hour, or 120-hour heat packs depending on conditions. All packaging is checked individually before shipping.

Can I upgrade to faster shipping during cold weather?

Yes — we recommend upgrading to Next Day Air during winter to shorten transit time and reduce plant stress.

Can UPS hold my package for pickup?

Yes. Once you receive your tracking number, you can request a UPS Hold at Location. This prevents your plant from sitting in an unconditioned delivery truck.

More winter guidance is available in our Shipping Policy.

Route Package Protection

Should I add Route Package Protection?

Yes — we highly recommend it. Route is the fastest and most reliable way to protect your order from loss, theft, or damage during shipping. If anything happens in transit, Route offers a quick, no-questions-asked resolution so you can get a refund or replacement right away.

If Route is not added, orders are not automatically covered, and any support we can offer is handled case by case since carriers don’t reimburse us for transit issues.

For worry-free shipping and guaranteed coverage, Route is your best option.

What if I didn’t purchase Route?

If Route is not added, orders are not automatically covered.

We still try our best to help, but replacements or refunds are evaluated individually.

Full details are under Route Package Protection in our Shipping Policy.

U.S. Shipping & Delivery

Do you ship to all 50 states?

Yes. We can ship to all states and U.S. territories.

Can you ship to PO Boxes?

No, we are unable to ship to PO Boxes due to courier restrictions.

International Shipping

Do you ship to Canada?

Yes. Canadian orders ship in batches every 3–4 weeks with a $50 flat fee that includes the phytosanitary certificate, duties, and shipping.

Do you ship internationally outside of Canada?

Sometimes. All other international destinations — including the EU — are individually reviewed depending on regulations and feasibility.

Are there additional fees for international orders?

Yes. International shipments outside of Canada require an $80 phytosanitary certificate.

Please email hello@rareplantfairy.com before placing an international order.

You can find all details under International Shipping in our Shipping Policy.

When Your Plant Arrives

What should I do when my plant arrives?

Unpack immediately, check moisture, place in indirect light, and allow your plant to acclimate before repotting.

For the full guide, read:

What to Expect When Your Plant Arrives

Why does my plant look stressed or droopy after shipping?

Shipping can temporarily affect leaves due to changes in temperature, humidity, and light. This is normal and usually resolves during acclimation.

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