1. How plants reach you
A-SCAPE plants are ordered from the supplier’s warehouse. They are not held as ready stock in the shop: the order goes on to the grower or wholesaler and from there to you. For that reason delivery can take up to 14 business days. A live plant is a living product, so delivery time also depends on weather and season.
Before ordering, check the description and growing data on the product page. If you order several plants, keep them in one order so you receive everything at once and can plant them at the same time. Delivery and payment terms are on the delivery page and the general terms.
2. Frost: what it does to plants
Aquarium plants are tropical and love warmth. At air temperatures below 0 °C a live plant can freeze in transit, and after thawing the leaves break down. In cold weather (forecast below 0 °C) we may postpone dispatch of plants and will let you know. On such days, please choose a convenient parcel locker.
So in winter it is not a good idea to order plants at the last moment, for example before a party or before adding fish. Leave a margin and time the order so that plants arrive to a warm window and not in the middle of a long cold spell.
In autumn and spring there is often a slight frost at night even if the day is warm. Even so, autumn is generally easier than midwinter. If the parcel arrives in the cold, do not leave it outside or in a car: bring it indoors at once.
A practical tip: watch the weather forecast for your area and write to us if you know a cold spell is coming. Then we can tell you whether dispatch may be postponed. Also choose a way of receiving the parcel that lets you pick it up quickly, so it does not wait in the cold.
3. Unpacking and the first hours
Unpack the parcel as soon as you receive it, even if you are not ready to plant yet. In the package plants have little light and air. Remove the packaging carefully, rinse the plants in lukewarm water and cut off loose leaves that were damaged in transit.
Dip a potted plant in a container of water for a short while before putting it into the aquarium. Crumpled leaves do not mean the plant has died. Several species, for example Anubias barteri var. nana and Microsorum pteropus, are tough and tolerate transport well.
If needed, you can keep the plants in lukewarm water in a bright place until planting, but no longer than a couple of days.
If the parcel holds several plants, take them out one by one so that delicate stems do not break. Keep the plants away from direct sun and heaters, because even a warm windowsill can be too hot for a weakened plant.
4. Acclimatisation in the aquarium
After planting, plants need a couple of weeks to settle in. Many plants are grown out of water, and in the new underwater environment old leaves can fade while new ones grow. This is often called plant melt and it is a common transition.
Keep the temperature as in the aquarium in general, do not move the plants straight away and give them peace. Add a water conditioner during water changes and use the normal light period, about 8 hours a day. Yellow leaves are covered in a separate guide.
If a plant looks weak in the first days, there is no need to change anything at once. Cut off only clearly damaged leaves and watch the new growth.
5. Rights, damage and contact
The terms of sale state: “The right of withdrawal does not apply to goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly, including live plants and animals.” So before ordering, think about whether delivery time and season suit you.
If the parcel arrives damaged or the plants are clearly harmed, take photos and write to us as soon as possible. We will look at the situation under the law. We do not promise details in advance: each case is reviewed separately.
Season and ordering
| Period | Risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spring, summer | Small, but in the warmth the parcel can overheat | Unpack at once and keep in the shade |
| Autumn | Slight frost possible at night | Bring the parcel indoors, do not leave outside |
| Winter, below 0 °C | A live plant can freeze | Dispatch may be postponed, time the order |
| Delivery time | Up to 14 business days from the supplier | Do not order at the last minute |
| Unpacking | The plant is tired in the package | Unpack, rinse, dip in water |
| First weeks | Old leaves fade | Do not move, trim only damaged ones |
Checklist
- Order plants early, not at the last moment
- Allow for delivery up to 14 business days
- In frost, dispatch may be postponed
- Unpack the parcel at once and bring it indoors
- Rinse the plants in lukewarm water
- Remove only damaged leaves
- Give the plants a couple of weeks of peace
- If damaged, take photos and write to us
Products for this guide
| Plant | Height | Light | CO2 | Growth | Difficulty | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anubias barteri var. nana | 5–15 cm | — | — | — | easy | on rock or wood |
| Microsorum pteropus | 15–30 cm | low | low | slow | easy | midground |
| Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green' | 10–30 cm | low | low | medium | easy | midground |
| Echinodorus 'Reni' | 15–30 cm | low | low | medium | easy | midground |
| Hygrophila difformis | 20–30 cm | low | low | fast | easy | background |
Size, light and CO2 demand are manufacturer data; real results depend on your aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
How long does plant delivery take?
Plants are ordered from the supplier’s warehouse and delivery can take up to 14 business days. In winter, dispatch can be delayed because of frost.
Can I return live plants?
Under the terms of sale the right of withdrawal does not apply to goods liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly, including live plants and animals. The exact wording is on the terms page.
What if the leaves look limp?
Rinse the plants in lukewarm water, dip them in water and plant. Limp leaves often recover within a couple of days, although old leaves may fade.
Is it better not to order plants in winter?
Not necessarily, but time the order ahead. In milder weather you can order as usual; in frost we may postpone dispatch and will let you know, so leave a margin.
