Why Monday Is the Only Day We Ship
Live plants leave our shop on Mondays only. The reason is straightforward: a plant that ships Monday arrives mid-week, giving it the best chance of clearing depots and reaching you before the weekend. A package sitting in an unheated depot from Friday to Monday in a Canadian January is a very different situation, and not one we are willing to risk.
If you place an order later in the week, we hold your plant in our care until the following Monday. It stays warm, watered, and looked after until it is ready to travel.
What Goes Into Every Winter Package
Cold-weather orders go through a deliberate packing process before they leave Hanover. The steps are not complicated, but each one matters.
- We check the forecast for both Hanover and your destination before packing.
- Plants are wrapped in insulated bubble wrap to hold warmth during transit.
- A 72-hour heat pack is included to maintain a safe temperature inside the box.
- The package is sealed snugly to block drafts while still allowing enough airflow to prevent condensation buildup.
When temperatures are mild rather than frigid, we sometimes reduce the insulation layer. Excess bubble wrap in mild weather can trap moisture and cause more harm than good, so we adjust based on actual conditions rather than following a fixed formula.
The Winter Shipping Surcharge
While winter shipping is on, a surcharge is added automatically at checkout to cover the heat pack and the insulation described above. Standard packaging is not designed for sub-zero transit, and we would rather be honest about that than send a plant out unprotected.
There is nothing for you to remember to add: during the cold-weather months the surcharge simply appears as its own line on your order. For the current amount, see our shipping rates.
What to Do When Your Box Arrives
Resist the urge to tear the box open the moment it lands on your doorstep. Bring it inside, set it somewhere at room temperature, and let it rest for a few hours before unwrapping. This gradual adjustment helps the plant recover from any temperature fluctuation it experienced in transit.
Once it is unpacked, place it in gentle indirect light and hold off on watering for a day or two. The plant has been through a journey; a quiet settling-in period makes a real difference.
Shipping Across Canada
We ship Mondays to addresses across Canada. Whether you are in British Columbia, Quebec, or anywhere in between, the same Monday-only schedule and winter packing process applies. If you are local to Bruce County or Grey County, the shop is a 30-60 minute drive from most surrounding towns, or you are welcome to order online and have your plants shipped instead.
Our rare aroids and the rest of our full shop are available year-round. Cold weather is not a reason to pause your collection. It is just a reason to pack carefully, and that part is on us.
