best online plant retailers in canada

[powerin]

Looking for some Canadian online plant retailers, specifically ones that specialize in floating plants. Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks.

[coltin]

I'm not too familiar with online plant sales in Canada, but I think @boomer and @graye might be able to offer some insights when they're online - they're from that area if I recall correctly.

[boomer]

I've always stuck to local aquarium stores for my plant needs. Most of my plants were acquired back in the late 1990s and have been reproducing regularly ever since. I wouldn't dream of ordering plants from outside Canada - the border delays are a nightmare, and even if they do make it through, it's a hassle. And let's not forget, it's just as tricky sending plants from Canada to the US. The risk of invasive species is a major concern these days.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look into finding local aquarists with plants to sell, trade, or give away. Check if there's a local fish club in your area - I know there are at least two in Vancouver, and I actually picked up my chain swords from one of them back in the 90s.

[graye]

Like @boomer, I've also had luck with local clubs for plant purchases - some dating back to the 1990s, while others are more recent. A local New Brunswick aquarist I've dealt with has been struggling to source floaters, and I managed to get some pricey Riccia from her that's finally taking off. Her prices are fair, but I've noticed that plants that were affordable pre-pandemic have retained their higher prices. Tracking down Najas and guppy grass proved to be a real challenge for me. While I can't recommend any online sellers, I can say that common floaters seem to be consistently missing from stocklists when I've tried to acquire them. As for importing from the US or overseas, I'd advise against it - import laws are strict and difficult to navigate, especially when it comes to plants, unlike fish which are relatively easier to bring in.

[adapros]

I think Kijiji could be a good resource to find people in your area selling plants. Narrowing down the location would help with that - are you looking for sellers in a specific province or region in Canada?