Who Gives A Fish Forums

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

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.

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.

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.

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?