Shipping policy

Rare Plant Fairy Shipping Policy

Thank you for choosing Rare Plant Fairy. We take great care in preparing, packaging, and shipping every plant so it arrives healthy and ready to thrive. Please review our full policy below.

1. Shipping Overview

We ship live plants year-round with careful attention to weather conditions, courier timelines, and plant safety. Our team monitors temperatures daily and adjusts shipping schedules when needed to protect your plants.

2. Processing Time

Order Fulfillment:
Most orders are processed within 7 business days. During high-volume periods such as holidays or special releases, processing times may be extended.

Weekly Shipping Schedule:
We ship Monday through Wednesday. Orders placed after 5 pm Tuesday typically ship the following Monday to avoid weekend delays in unconditioned warehouses.

Order Confirmation & Tracking:
You will receive an order confirmation email after checkout, followed by a tracking email once your order has been packed. Delivery estimates begin when the carrier picks up your package.

3. Packaging & Weather Safety

All plants are packaged securely using materials that stabilize the plant, reduce movement, and protect it during transit. Insulation, heat packs, or cold packs are added as needed at no additional cost.

Plants larger than 8 inches in diameter may be shipped without pots or bare root for safe transport.

We monitor temperatures at our Detroit facility and at the destination. If conditions pose a risk to live plants, we hold shipments temporarily until it is safe to ship.

4. Shipping Methods

We ship via UPS, FedEx, or USPS depending on destination and speed. Rates are calculated at checkout based on weight, size, and location.

Standard / Ground Shipping (3–7 business days):
Ideal for hardy plants and mild climates.

Expedited Shipping (1–3 business days):
Recommended for sensitive or higher-value plants and for locations with extreme heat or cold.

5. Route Package Protection

Route Package Protection is optional and can be added at checkout. We highly recommend adding Route, as it provides the fastest and most reliable coverage for loss, theft, or damage during transit.

When Route is purchased, claims are handled directly through Route with a fast and hassle-free process.

Orders without Route are not automatically covered. While we always do our best to support our customers, our ability to replace or refund an order without Route is limited and evaluated individually, as carriers do not reimburse us for transit issues.

Choosing Route ensures your order is fully protected from the moment it leaves our facility.

6. US Shipping

We ship to all 50 states and US territories.
We cannot ship to PO Boxes due to transit delays and courier restrictions.

7. International Shipping

We ship internationally where regulations permit. All international destinations outside of Canada require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the USDA.

Phytosanitary Certificate Fee:
A flat $80 USD fee applies to all international orders except Canada.

Canada:
Canadian orders ship in batches every 3–4 weeks. A $50 flat fee covers the phytosanitary certificate, duties, and shipping.

Other Countries (including EU countries):
International regulations vary widely. All non-Canada destinations are individually reviewed to determine whether shipment is possible and what requirements apply.
Please email hello@rareplantfairy.com before placing an international order so we can assist you.

8. Receiving Your Plants

Please bring your package indoors promptly upon delivery. Unpack your plants carefully and allow them to acclimate for several weeks before repotting.

For a detailed guide on what to expect, you can read our blog post:
What to Expect When Your Plant Arrives

9. Shipping Delays & Damage Policy

Carrier Delays:
We will assist with tracking and communication if your shipment is delayed, but carrier delays are outside our control.

Damaged Plants:
If your plant arrives damaged, email hello@rareplantfairy.com within 24 hours with clear photos of:

• the plant
• the box
• the packing slip

We will review the situation and determine the best next steps.
Please note that minor cosmetic imperfections (bent stems, bruised leaves, etc.) may occur and are not considered damage.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about your shipment or need support, please reach out to hello@rareplantfairy.com.
We’re here to help.