Everything you need to know before your plants land on the doorstep. Still have a question? Email us at hello@thoughtfulpricks.com.
Why do your plants ship without soil?
We ship our plants as cuttings or bare-root, meaning the soil is removed before packing. It sounds surprising the first time, but it's the standard for shipping cactus and succulents, and it's better for the plant. Bare-root plants travel lighter, arrive cleaner, and face far less risk of rot, mold, or pests than a plant sloshing around in wet soil for three days. Your plant arrives ready to pot up or root, and we include instructions for exactly that.
What do I do when my plant arrives?
Unbox it promptly and let it breathe. For a rooted plant, pot it in a fast-draining cactus mix and wait about a week before the first light watering, which gives any disturbed roots time to settle. For a cutting, let the cut end stay dry and callused, then set it in dry mix to root.
How long until my order ships?
We prepare orders within 2 to 5 business days. Each plant is cured and packed by hand. If extreme heat or cold is moving through, we may hold your order a few extra days to ship it safely, and we'll email you if that happens.
Where do you ship?
To all 50 states. All live plants ship bare-root, with no pot or soil, which keeps them cleaner and lighter and reduces the risk of rot and pests in transit. We don't ship live plants to U.S. territories or internationally at this time.
It's cold where I live. Will my plant be okay?
Yes, and you do not have to do anything about it. When cold weather could reach your plant in transit, we include a heat pack at no charge. We watch the forecast for your address, not just the calendar, so you are not left guessing whether it is cold enough to matter.
If it is colder than a heat pack can handle, we hold your order and email you rather than risk it. We would rather ship a week late than replace a frozen plant.
What if my plant arrives damaged?
Email us within 48 hours of delivery at support@thoughtfulpricks.com with your order number and a few clear photos. We'll make it right with a replacement or a refund. Full details are in our Refund & Live Arrival Policy.
Do you guarantee the exact plant in the photo?
For most listings, your plant will closely match the photos in size and character, though every plant is an individual and will vary a little. When we're selling a specific, one-of-a-kind plant, you'll find it in The Specimen Room, photographed exactly as it will ship.
Are these cold-hardy? Can I plant them outside?
It depends on your climate. Each plant page lists its cold tolerance and USDA zone guidance. Many of our cacti are happy in the ground in warm, dry regions and do best in a pot you can move indoors where winters are cold. We grow in Riverside County, California, so we always note what to expect in colder or more humid places.
How are your Trichocereus sold?
All of our cactus, our Trichocereus included, are grown and sold strictly as ornamental botanical specimens, valued for their form, color, and architecture in the garden and the collection. We make no representations beyond their value as ornamental plants.