Pre-Orders

🌱 Pre-Orders at Nelson Plant Guy

A note from us + everything you need to know

This pre-order model is something we’ve been thinking about for a long time.

At its heart, this is about looking after the grassroots of the hobby — because when the grassroots aren’t cared for, the hobby starts to fade. Plants, like communities, don’t thrive when everything is inaccessible, rushed, gated, or treated as disposable.

We’re going back to our roots — the values that built Nelson Plant Guy in the first place: community, accessibility, transparency, and genuine passion for plants. That’s why this latest launch is available to everyone.

Our loyal customers are still incredibly important to us and will continue to receive their perks — because long-term support matters. But we also believe that every customer is more than a transaction number. Every order represents someone who loves plants just as much as we do.

This pre-order offer isn’t about hype or quick turnover. It’s about sharing the journey, growing plants the right way, and making sure this hobby stays healthy and welcoming for years to come.

For the NPG team, this is still very much a passion — and we’re glad to have you along for the ride and welcome to the team 🌿

Pre-Order Q & A

What is a pre-order?
A pre-order lets you secure a plant before it’s ready to ship.

Your plant is grown on by us first — not rushed — so it’s healthy, settled, and ready for its next home when it leaves us. Think of it as reserving a spot in the grow room while we do things properly 🌱

Why do pre-orders take longer?
Because good plants take time — there’s no shortcut for that 😊

Many of our pre-orders start as tissue culture or very young starter plants. They need time to be deflasked, acclimatised, and grown on so they’re strong enough to travel and thrive once they arrive with you.

We ship plants when they’re ready, not just because the calendar says so.

Why are pre-orders cheaper?
Pre-orders help us:
• Purchase plants in bulk
• Plan numbers accurately
• Use grow-on space efficiently

Those savings are passed on to you in the pre-order price, without cutting corners on plant health.

When will my plant be dispatched?
Dispatch dates are estimates only.

Plants are shipped:
• When they’re established and healthy
• In the order pre-orders were placed, as stock becomes ready

Some plants grow faster than others — even within the same release — so dispatch timing can vary. That’s just plants being plants.

Will I get updates while I wait?
Yes! Honestly, this is one of the most fun parts of the whole process 🌿

We love sharing the journey and will post updates via email and our social media channels whenever there’s something meaningful to report.

Because plants grow at different rates, individual plant updates aren’t always possible, but we’ll keep you in the loop wherever we can.

If a plant doesn’t meet our internal quality standards at the time of dispatch, outcomes such as a replacement, refund, or store credit will be offered in line with our Pre-Order Terms & Conditions, which outline what’s considered acceptable for fulfilment.

Can I choose my plant?
Where possible, yes.

If there are multiple plants available in a release:
• Buyers are offered selection in order of purchase
• Selection may be via photos, descriptions, or allocated grades
• If your first pick isn’t available when it’s your turn, we’ll offer the next best option

If no suitable option is available, a replacement, refund, or store credit will be offered in line with our Pre-Order Terms & Conditions.

What about variegation?
Variegation is often a slow reveal — especially in young plants.

We won’t send plants with low-grade or commercially unviable variegation. If a plant doesn’t meet our internal standards at dispatch, it won’t leave us, and you’ll be offered a replacement, refund, or store credit.

Every plant is unique, and part of the fun is watching that character develop over time 🌱

Can I cancel my pre-order?
Pre-orders can’t be cancelled for:
• Change of mind
• Impatience
• Reasonable grow-on delays

If we genuinely can’t supply your plant, you’ll always be offered a replacement, refund, or store credit, in line with NZ consumer law.

What happens if the weather is bad?
Plants really hate extreme weather — and yes, we know waiting for your plant can feel just as painful 😅

If conditions aren’t plant-friendly (heatwaves, cold snaps, or wild weather), we may delay shipping to protect your plant. If that happens, we’ll always tell you why. An extra day or two is much easier to handle than a stressed plant turning up on your doorstep.

How are plants packed for shipping?
Plants are securely packaged with care, with preventative measures in place for possible courier delays and changing weather conditions along the way.

Our focus is always on plant health, not speed — we’d rather your plant arrive happy and ready to grow than rushed and stressed.

What if my plant arrives looking a bit sad?
Please get in touch within 24 hours of delivery, even if the issue feels small.

There are no dumb questions — early contact lets us help straight away and often prevents small issues from becoming big ones. Prevention is always better than cure.

Some minor transit stress (like a bent leaf or a bit of yellowing) is completely normal and usually settles quickly.

Should I repot my plant straight away?
Short answer: nope 🙂

Your plant has just travelled and needs time to:
• Acclimatise to its new environment
• Adjust to light, temperature, and humidity

We’ll provide care instructions to help your plant settle in comfortably before any changes are made.

What if I’m unsure about care?
Please ask 💚

Is this covered by NZ consumer law?
Yes — always.
Nothing in our pre-order process limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

In short:

There are no dumb questions — especially when it comes to live plants. If something’s unclear, message us. We’re doing this as transparently as possible, and we’re always happy to talk things through.

Pre-orders are for plant lovers who value patience, transparency, and doing things properly. If that sounds like you — welcome to the journey 🌿

 

🌿 Nelson Plant Guy — Pre-Order Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 6 January 2026

These Pre-Order Terms & Conditions apply only to products listed as Pre-Order on the Nelson Plant Guy website. By placing a pre-order, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the conditions below.

1. What a Pre-Order Is

A pre-order secures a plant before it is ready for dispatch.

Pre-order plants are typically supplied as:

  • Tissue culture plantlets, or

  • Young starter plants that require deflasking, acclimatisation, and grow-on time.

Pre-ordering allows us to:

  • Purchase plants in bulk, reducing costs that are reflected in pre-order pricing

  • Plan numbers accurately and allocate grow-on space

  • Take the time required to grow plants on properly rather than rushing them to sale

2. Plant Size & Appearance

  • You will receive a starter plant in the pot size stated in the product listing.

  • Images shown are reference images only unless explicitly stated otherwise.

  • Mature plant photos are provided to illustrate expected form or variegation style, not size or exact appearance at dispatch.

  • Each plant is unique. Size, colour, leaf shape, and growth habit will vary.

3. Variegation & Genetic Stability

  • Variegation may not express immediately, particularly in young or tissue-cultured plants.

  • Expression can change as the plant matures and is influenced by environment and care.

  • Reversion or instability is a known risk and is not considered a defect unless stated in the listing.

  • A plant is not guaranteed to be variegated unless explicitly stated.

Quality Control Commitment
If a plant sold as variegated displays low-grade or commercially unviable variegation at dispatch, it will not be fulfilled.

In this instance, a replacement, refund, or store credit will be offered at our discretion.

4. Dispatch Timeframes, Order Fulfilment & Plant Selection

  • Dispatch dates are estimates only.

  • Plants ship when ready, not to a fixed calendar date.

  • Orders may be fulfilled in the order they were placed as plants become ready.

Where multiple plants are available:

  • Selection is offered in order of purchase where practical

  • If no suitable option is available, a replacement, refund, or store credit will be offered

5. Updates & Communication

Updates may be shared via email and/or Nelson Plant Guy social media channels.
Individual plant updates are not guaranteed.

6. Payment & Pricing

  • Full payment is required at the time of purchase.

  • Pre-order pricing reflects early commitment and grow-on care.

  • Pricing is locked in at purchase.

7. Cancellations & Refunds (Pre-Orders)

  • No cancellations for change of mind.

  • Pre-orders cannot be cancelled due to reasonable grow-on delays.

Where no specific dispatch date is agreed, delivery will occur within a reasonable timeframe as required under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

If supply is not possible, a replacement, refund, or store credit will be offered.

8. Shipping, Packaging & Risk

  • Plants are securely packaged with preventative measures for delays and weather.

  • We monitor weather conditions and may delay dispatch if required for plant safety.

  • Risk transfers once the parcel is handed to the courier.

9. DOA, Transit Stress & Early Intervention

  • Issues must be reported within 24 hours of delivery.

  • Minor transit stress does not constitute DOA.

  • Early communication helps prevent further damage.

10. Customer Care Responsibility

  • Plants must not be repotted immediately.

  • Allow time to acclimatise.

  • Care instructions will be provided and should be followed.

11. Consumer Guarantees Act (NZ)

Nothing in these terms limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

12. Acceptance of Terms

By placing a pre-order, you acknowledge and accept these terms.

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