Shipping & Delivery
Ground Shipments
Standard Ground Shipping
Most packages ship via FedEx ground carrier and will be delivered in 3-7 business days. For orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, & the Virgin Islands, please contact us for shipping rates.
Note: at this time, we are not shipping outside of the United States.
Shipping rates are as follows:
| Product Total | Shipping Cost |
|---|---|
| $0.00 - $98.99 | $9.95 |
| $99.00+ | Free Shipping* |
*Free Shipping applies to standard ground shipping orders where the order subtotal is greater than $99. Additional handling may still apply on some bulky or heavy items. Those charges will be noted on the product page when the item is selected. Plants, snails, and tadpoles have a flat rate shipping fee of $19.95 for all items purchased in total. These items are excluded from receiving Free Shipping on orders over $99 but will count toward the $99 threshold for other products. Gift certificates do not count towards the $99 free shipping threshold.
Motor Freight (LTL) Shipments: Oversize or heavy items that cannot be sent by traditional package delivery will be shipped via a motor freight carrier. You will be notified at the time of the order. After the carrier receives your order, they will contact you to schedule a delivery time. Typically, carriers require a minimum four-hour window for delivery. An adult older than 18 must be present and available to sign for the delivery. Shipments that are refused for reasons other than documented damage may incur a return shipping fee.
Priority Ground Shipping
Orders submitted by 3 PM ET, will ship the same day (Monday - Friday) for delivery within 1-5 business days by selecting Priority Shipping for $12.95 during checkout. Note: $12.95 is not in addition to the $9.95 charge for orders under $99. If an order with Priority Shipping is made after 3 PM ET, it will ship the following business day.
Priority Shipping will not apply to any portions of your order containing Live plants, snails and tadpoles, fish, or Motor Freight Items. Please see the delivery details for those shipment types. Additional handling on oversize or heavy items may still apply and will be noted in your cart. For orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, & the Virgin Islands, please contact us for shipping rates.
Second Day and Next Day Shipments
If faster service is needed, please call us at 866-766-3435.
Damaged Shipments
Please inspect your delivery before signing your delivery receipt. Signed delivery receipts prove that your shipment has arrived "complete and without damage." In the unlikely event that you receive a damaged shipment, you may refuse the shipment without penalty.
Back Ordered Items
Some items may not be available when an order is placed. We strive to keep items in stock, but occasionally backorders happen. If a shipment will be delayed due to an item that is back-ordered you will be notified via phone or email. Any items that are in stock will be shipped to you as normal. Backordered items will be charged to your card at the time of order placement and shipped to you upon receipt in our warehouse. For order inquiries, please contact us toll-free at 866-766-3435.
Live Koi
Shipment Details
Live Koi orders will ship separately from all other items.
Domestic & Japanese Koi - Shipments will arrive as follows:
- Orders placed Monday will arrive on Thursday
- Orders placed Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday will arrive the following Tuesday
- Orders placed Friday, Saturday or Sunday will arrive the following Wednesday
Damaged or Incorrect Shipments
Live Koi are placed in heavy gauge poly-bags, inflated with pure oxygen, and then put into cushion air-lined boxes. Please inspect your order upon arrival. If you are missing fish, were shipped the wrong package or if any of the Koi appear dead, please contact us on the day of delivery.
Caring for Koi Upon Arrival
For more information on preparing your pond and introducing new fish, please click here to read the "How to Introduce New Fish" article.
Live Plants, Snails & Tadpoles
Shipment Rates
All plants, snails, and tadpoles have a flat rate shipping fee of $19.95 for all items purchased in total. These items are excluded from receiving Free Shipping on orders over $99 but will count toward the $99 threshold for other products.
Shipment Details
To ensure live goods arrive safely orders containing plants, snails and tadpoles may arrive in separate shipments based on your hardiness zone. When the weather is appropriate for your zone, orders will ship within 1-2 weeks. Once shipped, your order will be delivered with Fed Ex shipping to a physical address. See below for estimated shipping times and use the Hardiness Zone Finder for your area.
Hardiness Zone Shipment Schedule
| Climate Zone | Tropical & Hardy Plants |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mid to End of May |
| Zones 4, 5, & 6 | Beginning to Middle of May |
| Zones 7 & 8 | Beginning to Middle of April |
| Zone 9 | Beginning to Middle of February |
| Zones 10 & 11 | Beginning to Middle of January |
| Climate Zone | Water Lotus Plants |
|---|---|
| Zones 4 & 5 | Beginning of May |
| Zone 6 | Middle of April |
| Zone 7 | Beginning of April |
| Zone 8 | Middle of March |
| Zones 9 & 10 | Beginning of March |
| Climate Zone | Snails & Tadpoles |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mid to End of May |
| Zones 4, 5, & 6 | Beginning to Middle of May |
| Zones 7 & 8 | Beginning to Middle of April |
| Zone 9 | Beginning to Middle of February |
| Zones 10 & 11 | Beginning to Middle of January |
Plants, snails, and tadpoles ship directly from the nursery and may arrive separately from other portions of your order. Due to the nature of living goods, we may have a limited inventory of specific plants. Prices are subject to change without notice.
We suggest pre-ordering all live plants. Pre-orders will be released in accordance with the climate zone where they are being shipped. This ensures plants will be safe upon arrival. If an ordered plant is unavailable at the time of shipment, a "like plant" of equal or greater value will be substituted by the grower with no prior notice. You may request to have your items shipped during times when shipments are being held due to high heat with the understanding that you will waive any warranty for items that perish during shipment. All snails ordered in June - August are not guaranteed to arrive alive due to high temperatures. Order at your own risk.
Damaged or Incorrect Shipments
Please inspect your order upon arrival. If you are missing items or were shipped incorrect items please contact us within 24 hours. Plants, snails, and tadpoles have a 14 day Live Goods Guarantee. If, within 14 days of receiving your items they appear to be dead, please notify us as soon as possible. This guarantee does not cover any associated shipping costs, as they are not refundable.
Caring for Plants, Snails, and Tadpoles Upon Arrival
Upon arrival, your plants may not appear lush. They may need a little water, sunlight, and fertilizer to perk up, so immediately put your item(s) into the water and follow the planting instructions included with your order. For the purpose of shipping, mail-order plants generally come in one of three ways; bare root (only root and little or no foliage), as a bunch (several stems or groupings of the plant), or as a net pot (roots with some foliage). Please note that all plants are shipped alive and with a strong root base.
To prepare for your plant arrival view our Planting Guide and visit our Learning Center for more information on how to introduce and care for your aquatic plants or snails in your pond.