Your plant just arrived.
Here’s what to do next.
Whether your plant came through the mail or home with you, start with observation. Its QR care guide is your reference for the needs of that particular plant.
First, unpack and look
Remove packing carefully and support the pot and stems. Take a photo of the plant and packaging if something looks damaged. Keep the label and QR code. Contact support@plantsbynick.com with your order details and photos if you have an arrival concern.
Choose its first spot
Use the plant’s light requirements to choose a stable location away from drafts and hot glass. Avoid moving a shade-grown plant straight into intense sun. Keep it separate from established plants while you watch for pests or other problems.
Check before you water
Shipping time does not tell you whether the plant is thirsty. Feel the medium and check the pot’s weight. Water only when the plant’s guide and actual moisture level call for it, then let excess drain.
Give it time to settle
If the pot and medium are functioning well, avoid an immediate cosmetic repot. Hold off on fertilizer while the plant is stressed. Do not remove healthy foliage just to make it look tidier. A broken pot, persistent saturation, or suspected rot needs attention rather than a fixed waiting period.
During the first week
Check leaves, stems, and moisture without repeatedly moving the plant. Compare with your arrival photo. An isolated damaged leaf may stay marked, so watch the condition of the rest of the plant and new growth. Worsening wilt, spreading damage, soft stems, or visible pests deserve a closer look.
Your quick checklist
Unpack · inspect · find suitable light · check moisture · keep the QR code · ask when unsure.
For tissue culture, bare-root plants, corms, or other propagation material, follow the instructions for that stage rather than this potted-plant checklist.
Further reading: UMN’s spring care guidance and UMN’s indoor pest guidance.