How We Ship Plants Safely in Winter

Winter Shipping at a Glance

• Most houseplants are sensitive to cold temperatures since they originate from warm climates.

• Cold damage can show up as mushy, dark-black, or wilted leaves.

• Some plants can recover with a little pruning, warmth, and proper care.

• We use insulation, heat packs, and weather monitoring to ship your plants safely all winter long!

We know ordering plants in winter can feel a little risky—after all, no one wants a frozen fern or frostbitten Ficus. But rest assured, we take extra steps to make sure your plants arrive safe, warm, and ready to thrive—even when the temps outside dip low. From heat packs to insulation and weather monitoring, we’ve winterized our entire shipping process to help your green friends make the journey from our greenhouse to your doorstep in great shape.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how cold damage can happen, what it looks like, whether your plant can bounce back—and how we carefully pack and ship your order to help prevent cold stress in the first place.

What Does Cold Damage Look Like on Houseplants?

Most houseplants come from tropical or subtropical regions, where temperatures stay warm year-round. So when they’re exposed to temperatures below what they can tolerate, even if it’s not quite freezing, cold damage can happen. If you suspect cold damage, look for limp, darkened, or mushy spots—kind of like frostbite for plants. Sometimes it’s limited to a few leaves or stems, but in more severe cases, prolonged exposure can cause widespread damage or even kill the plant entirely.

An example of minimal cold damage—just a few leaves affected. The plant is healthy and will recover with new growth.

Can Plants Recover from Cold Damage?

Yes! The good news is, plants are resilient. If your plant experiences mild cold stress in transit, don’t worry—many bounce back once they’re back in a warm, stable environment. Remove any mushy or discolored leaves, move your plant to a warm spot with bright light, and give it time to recuperate. If the plant needs water, try watering with slightly warm (not hot!) water to gently warm the roots. If the damage isn’t too far along, it should be able to recover with new growth. But if the plant is fully mushy or rotten, sadly, it likely won’t recover.

How Do You Ship Plants Safely in Cold Weather?

This winter, orders headed to chilly destinations will ship with our winter packaging: a cozy sleeve and 72-hour heat pack (or two, for larger plants) that act like little plant parkas for transit. In especially cold conditions, we may hold your order until it’s safe to ship. We know waiting isn’t easy, but it’s worth it to have your plants arrive happy, healthy, and ready to settle in. Any other items in your order will be held as well, so everything comes around the same time.

Some plants just aren’t built for the cold though so we temporarily pause shipping on certain cold-sensitive varieties, like the Fiddle Leaf Fig and Polka Dot Plant, that are more likely to suffer in transit. It’s one of the ways we prioritize plant health and quality! Once temperatures warm up, you’ll see those plants return to the site—happy, healthy, and ready for their new homes.

If your order is affected by a weather delay, we’ll notify you by email. And if your plant happens to arrive looking worse for winter wear, please contact us right away. Send photos to our support team, and we’ll send a free replacement or issue a refund.

A little warmth goes a long way—this is what our winter heat packs will look like in the box.

Are Some Plants More Cold-Tolerant During Shipping?

While most houseplants prefer warmer temperatures, a few varieties are surprisingly tolerant of cooler conditions. Snake Plants and ZZ Plants are both hardy picks that can handle temperatures in the mid-40s°F, especially if kept on the dry side. Spider Plants are also fairly resilient and can bounce back from occasional cold drafts. Even the Peruvian Apple Cactus, though it loves sun, can tolerate dips into the 40s°F or lower as long as it stays dry and protected from frost. Remember, none of these plants love the cold, they’re better equipped to handle it than most tropical varieties, and make great choices for winter shipping or chillier corners of your home.

We’ve Got You (and Your Plants) Covered 

Cold weather doesn’t have to put your plant plans on pause. At The Sill, we’ve thoughtfully adapted our packing and shipping process to help your plants arrive safe, warm, and healthy—even in the chilliest months. Whether you’re treating yourself or sending a gift, you can shop with confidence knowing we’re keeping a close eye on the forecast so your green friends show up ready to thrive, not shiver.