buy houseplants from indonesia, import live plants from indonesia

Buy Plants from Indonesia Online

Buy plants from Indonesia online today and make use of every sources you have to make the best out of these tropical plants. With the ease of the presence of so many platforms offering vendors to sell every products, live plants would be available in the category of home & garden.

Indonesia is considered as one of many homes to diverse tropical houseplants popular today. Platforms like Etsy and Ebay are largely used by the Indonesian plant sellers to display their products.

Obviously, every sellers have their solid terms and conditions. Be sure to always read them first before placing your orders. This will ensure that you will have the best experience in online shopping.

Here are some recommendations for buying plants online from Indonesia:

  1. Research the Plants

Before making a purchase, research the specific plants you want to buy online from Indonesia. Consider factors like their care requirements, size at maturity, and whether they are suitable for your location and climate.

One of the most common but easily prevented problem is the different names of each plants. Indonesians may have different names than what your sources say. Always ask for pictures of the specific plants to purchase.

Asking for pictures would also determine whether the sellers are legit or randomly taking pictures from online sources which is not a good thing.

Second but very important factor is the fact the plants you will be buying online from Indonesia are most likely tropical plants. And you are more likely to live in 4-season countries. Different countries generally have different climates. It’s better to choose most suitable plants to your climate.

  1. Choose Indonesia Reputable Online Nursery

Select an Indonesian reputable online nursery or Indonesian plant retailer. Look for customer reviews and ratings to gauge their reputation. Some well-known online Indonesian plant sellers would have abundant or at least few good number of reviews either on their websites or the social media.

Generally, their social media are well stated in their websites. Just follow the link and surf deeper to their social media accounts.

In Instagram, there’s the feature “Highlights”, Indonesians commonly save whatever it is important there. Testimonials, reviews, documentation of packages or shipments in the highlight feature.

Reviews may also in the form of unboxing videos of previous shipped packages. There are tons of nice online plant buyers who are willing to spend some time recording their unboxing videos then send them to the vendors. These are generally kept for a vendor’s reputation. Ask or look for these for better details of that vendors’ shipping procedures.

You want to know further on their shipping procedure; packaging, SOPs, treatment before shipment.

  1. Check Shipping Policies

Review the website's shipping policies to understand delivery times, costs, and whether they ship to your location. Some plants may have specific shipping restrictions due to agricultural regulations.

This measurement; you must do so both to your government and the vendors’ government. In terms of seller’s government, you don’t literally reach out to their governments. That would be too much of a work. You may as well not getting replies.

Simply ask the vendors. I’d say, an importer such as yourself would research in the local social media platforms whether Indonesia can send plants to your country or whether your country accepts live plants shipment from Indonesia.

If either country denies live plants shipment but shipped anyway, then the package will not be able to clear customs then rejected.

  1. Inspect Photos and Descriptions

Ensure that the website provides clear photos and detailed descriptions of the plants they offer. This will help you make an informed choice.

Most if not lots of Indonesian live plant sellers offer live plants and shipped randomly. While photos or videos are only for reference. This is understanding since live plants in Indonesia are abundant.

There are vendors who would offer exact same plants, this would be clearly stated on that particular post. So, just make sure you read the description and title of product.

  1. Read Reviews

If available, read customer reviews to get a sense of the quality and condition of the plants others have received from the seller.

Might as well your most popular local forums for the matter. We notice that importers such as yourself would upload live plant imports and share the experience in many forums. See if you could find a particular vendor being mentioned by some other importers.

  1. Understand Return and Refund Policies

Familiarize yourself with the seller's return and refund policies in case your plant arrives damaged or doesn't meet your expectations.

This is probably one of the most misunderstanding aspects in importing live plants online from Indonesia. Especially but not limited we speak different language. There are just a bunch of misconception or misunderstanding going on and please be patient.

We will try our best to discuss each of every possible frequently asked questions in regards to the return and refund policies.

  • Return Policy

For reasons such as not meeting your expectations or arrived damage, generally a return is an option. However, for most Indonesian live plants sellers online  do not offer such option. One of the main reasons is the obvious one; the plants are most likely to be dead while being travelled back to Indonesia.

Remember that plants are considered as “perishable items”. Need you to fully understand the definition of such term please follow the link. For fair understanding for both parties.

Second reason is that it would require the vendor a different permit; import permit. Having the right to export do not mean that exporters possess the import permit. It requires a different procedure to obtain such permit and 99% Indonesian exporters do not have the import permit. Meaning, it would be automatically destroyed by the customs when the packages arrived in Indonesian border.

  • Accepting Returns

For vendors such as ourselves indonesiaplants.com, okanoka.com and gianttropicalnursery.com accept returns. Each have respective policies, please follow the links to further read them.

  • Refund Policy

Refund is always provided to some extent.

  1. Check Plant Health

When your plants arrive, inspect them carefully for any signs of damage, disease, or pests. Contact the seller promptly if you notice any issues.

Complain as much as you want but it is obvious that vendors would assume that every buyers have the necessary knowledge of their purchase. If not, why would they import live plants from Indonesia?

So, just be honest and accept the fact that you may or may not get what you wanted. Just remember that live plants are perishable items.

Some common “loss” when importing plants online from Indonesia are:

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Stem/s snapped
  • Browning/ black leaves
  • Rotten roots
  • Rotten stems (there’s a probability that the plant is dead depending how it looks. Send proof to your vendors and ask for best solution)

For all those conditions except the last one (rotten stems), 60% to 90% you’re not going to get refunds nor replacement. Unless you find some nice Indonesian live plant sellers who would replace those plants. Commonly it would be done in your next purchase.

We indonesiaplants.com accept such measures.

  1. Provide Adequate Care

Follow the care instructions provided by the seller to ensure your new plants thrive. This may include information on watering, sunlight, soil, and temperature requirements.

A term used for caring imported plants would be “acclimating imported plants”. This is a term commonly used among live plant importers when acclimating their imported live plants.

Buy Wholesale Indonesia Plants Online

Buy wholesale indonesia plants online for better pricing. While it may be true that the cost of plants when purchased as retail are much lower than when purchased locally, buying plants as wholesale is not a bad idea.

It is the term used when you are buying one type of plant but in bulk/ many quantity for lower price.

Indonesian plant vendors are aware of such idea. We offer variety of live plants sold as wholesale. Refer to the first discussion above before placing your order.

Probably an addition to that would be to consider to only import a certain number of plants packed in one package. You may want to consider to only stuff 50-100 plants in 1 package. To stuff plants more than that would be a bit problematic since every packages would be going through your local inspection.

Depending on the finding during the inspection, your plants may be destroyed. This happens rarely but if it does happen to you then you’ve hit yourself a jackpot.

Best Place to Buy Plants from Indonesia

Best place to buy plants from Indonesia would be from Java. That should be your first priority or second. Since most live plant exporters from Indonesia are located in Java Island.

We Indonesians are aware in the presence of live plant exporters. And therefore, there would be always abundant stock of tropical plants in Java Island. Though we do propagation manually by hands and not TCs, the process may take longer but worth the health of the plants.

Plants propagated by hands are without a doubt healthier compared to propagated from tissue culture.

Indonesia Plant Export

Indonesia plant export has been going on for a very long time. Every officials and parties are aware of them therefore we are aware of every regulations enforced.

Indonesia is known for its rich biodiversity and is a significant exporter of various plants and plant-related products. Plant exports from Indonesia can include a wide range of items, from ornamental plants and flowers to agricultural products, spices, and medicinal herbs. The export of plants and plant products is subject to regulations, including permits and inspections. If you are interested in exporting plants or plant-related products from Indonesia, here are some key steps to consider.

The procedures are very similar to our first discussion above but we’ll go over those that are different:

  1. Determine what specific plants or plant-related products you intend to export. This could be live plants, seeds, cut flowers, agricultural products, or other plant-based goods.
  1. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and requirements for exporting plants from Indonesia. This may include obtaining permits from Indonesian authorities, meeting phytosanitary standards, and complying with international trade agreements and import regulations in the destination country.
  1. Identify the target market or country where you intend to export your plants. Each country may have specific import regulations and requirements for plant products.
  1. Reach out to the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture or other relevant government agencies to get information on the necessary permits, quarantine procedures, and export documentation.
  1. Phytosanitary Certification: Ensure that your plant products meet phytosanitary requirements. This typically involves inspection and certification by authorized Indonesian agencies to verify that the plants are free from pests and diseases.
  1. Export Documentation: Prepare the required export documentation, including a phytosanitary certificate, packing list, and invoices. These documents are essential for customs clearance in both Indonesia and the importing country.
  1. Decide on the shipping method for your plant products. Consider factors such as the type of plants, shipping costs, and the time sensitivity of the delivery.
  1. Customs and Import Regulations: Be aware of the customs and import regulations of the destination country. This includes import permits, taxes, duties, and any restrictions on the import of plant products.
  1. Packaging and Labeling: Ensure that your plant products are properly packaged and labeled to prevent damage during transit and to comply with any labeling requirements of the importing country.
  1. Build Relationships: Establish relationships with potential buyers, distributors, or partners in the target market to facilitate the export process.
  1. Quality Control: Maintain quality control and ensure that your plants are in good condition when they leave Indonesia and upon arrival in the destination country.
  1. Logistics and Shipping: Coordinate the logistics of shipping, including selecting a reputable shipping company and ensuring proper transportation conditions for the plants.

Exporting plants from Indonesia, as with any international trade, can be a complex process. It's crucial to work closely with relevant authorities and agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and to maintain the quality and health of the plant products throughout the export process. Additionally, seeking guidance from experienced exporters or trade associations can be beneficial.

Import Plants from Indonesia

Indonesia is an incredibly biodiverse country with a wide range of native plants due to its tropical climate and diverse ecosystems, which include rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and more. The country's plant life consists of a variety of species, some of which are unique to the Indonesian archipelago.

Not all plants can be imported by you or exported by the Indonesian exporters, but  mostly can. Check out these guys.

  1. Rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii): Known as the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia is native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. It has a distinctive foul odor and can measure up to three feet in diameter.
  1. Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum): This giant flower, also known as the "corpse flower," is native to the rainforests of Sumatra. It is famous for its enormous size and unpleasant odor.
  1. Bali Orchid (Paphiopedilum spicerianum): This orchid species is endemic to Bali and is highly prized for its unique appearance and elegant flowers.
  1. Durian (Durio spp.): The durian is a well-known tropical fruit tree native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. It's infamous for its strong odor, which people either love or find repulsive.
  1. Sandalwood (Santalum album): Sandalwood trees are known for their aromatic heartwood, which is used to produce sandalwood oil. They are found in several Indonesian islands, such as Timor and Sumba.
  1. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): The clove tree, native to the Maluku Islands (Spice Islands), produces aromatic flower buds that are used as a spice.
  1. Rice (Oryza sativa): Rice is a staple food in Indonesia, and various varieties of this grain are cultivated throughout the country's rice paddies.
  1. Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera): Coconut palms are widespread along Indonesia's coastal areas and are a vital source of food and various other products.
  1. Banyan Tree (Ficus benjamina): Banyan trees are often found throughout Indonesia, and they are revered in many local cultures. They have aerial roots and can grow to be quite massive.
  1. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): This ornamental plant, known for its distinctive bird-like flowers, is grown throughout Indonesia for its aesthetic appeal.
  1. Mangrove Trees: Indonesia has extensive mangrove forests along its coastlines, which include various mangrove tree species that play a vital role in coastal ecosystems.
  1. Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes spp.): Indonesia is home to many species of pitcher plants, which are carnivorous plants known for their unique pitcher-shaped traps.

The past few years though, the demand have not been for these plants. Mostly plant lovers would seek for these plants in the family of Araceae or Aroids. They are categorized in the family of flowering plants that includes a wide variety of species, many of which are known for their distinctive and often striking foliage.

Aroids are found in various parts of the world, but they are most diverse in tropical and subtropical regions including Indonesia. This family includes both ornamental plants and species with economic importance.

Common general features of Aroids are:

  • Foliage: Aroids are known for their unique and often elaborate foliage. Many aroids have large, glossy leaves with interesting shapes, textures, and patterns.
  • Inflorescence: The flowers of aroids are typically small and inconspicuous. What is often mistaken for the flower is a modified leaf structure called a spathe, which surrounds a spadix, where the actual flowers are located.
  • Aromatic and/or Edible Species: Some aroids are grown for their edible parts, like taro (Colocasia esculenta) and dasheen (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Others, like the edible aroids in the genus Amorphophallus, produce tubers with starchy or corm-like structures.
  • Ornamental Plants: Many aroids are grown for their attractive foliage and are popular as houseplants or in ornamental gardens. Examples include the peace lily (Spathiphyllum), anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum), and elephant ear plants (Colocasia and Alocasia species).
  • Climbing or Trailing Habit: Some aroids, like pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and philodendrons (Philodendron species), are popular for their vining or trailing growth habits and are commonly used in hanging baskets or as indoor decor.

Notable Aroids are such as:

  1. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa): Known for its unique, perforated leaves, monstera is a popular houseplant.
  1. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum): This North American native is recognizable by its hood-like spathe and spadix, resembling a "Jack" inside a "pulpit."
  1. Zantedeschia (Calla Lily): These elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers come in various colors and are popular in floral arrangements.
  1. Philodendron: This diverse genus includes many popular houseplants with various leaf shapes and sizes.
  1. Aglaonema: These are easy-to-care-for houseplants with attractive foliage patterns.
  1. Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant): Syngoniums are appreciated for their arrowhead-shaped leaves and are popular as houseplants.
  2. Alocasia: Known for their large, heart-shaped or arrowhead-shaped leaves, Alocasia species are often grown for their ornamental value.
  1. Anthurium: These aroids are famous for their colorful, heart-shaped spathes and are often called "flamingo flowers" or "laceleaf."

Aroids are cultivated and appreciated for their unique and often visually striking foliage. They come in a wide range of sizes and forms, making them suitable for various growing conditions, from indoor houseplants to lush outdoor gardens in tropical and subtropical regions. Some aroids are valued for their economic importance, while others are cherished for their beauty and unique appearance.

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