FAQ
Plain answers to the questions sellers ask us most about tissue culture plants, ordering, delivery and claims.
What is plant tissue culture?
Plant tissue culture is a way to grow many plants from a few cells of one plant. The cells are placed in a sterile jar with a gel that holds water, sugar and nutrients. Under controlled light and temperature they multiply into small plants called plantlets. Our laboratory partners do this work, and we sell the finished plantlets wholesale to sellers in the United States.
What is a tissue culture plantlet?
A plantlet is a young plant that has just come out of the sterile jar. It has leaves and roots but has never lived in soil or open air. It needs about 21 days of acclimation before it looks and behaves like a normal potted plant.
Why do sellers buy tissue culture plants instead of cuttings?
Three reasons. The plants are clean, with no pests and no soil, so they clear inspection easily. They are uniform, so a tray of 50 looks like 50 of the same plant. And rare or variegated varieties can be produced in quantity, which keeps the wholesale price low.
What does in vitro mean?
In vitro means grown in glass. It describes a plant that was grown inside a sterile container instead of in soil. Every plant we sell was grown in vitro by a laboratory partner.
Who grows the plants Plants Without Borders sells?
Our laboratory partners grow them. Each product shows the collection it ships from: Hong Kong, Foshan, Hainan, Fujian, Bangkok, Macau, or Zhongshan. We do not name the individual lab.
What is the difference between Seller's Choice and Grower's Choice?
Seller's Choice ships from the Hong Kong collection. Grower's Choice ships from every other collection. The two grades have different claim rules, which are written on our Refund policy page.
What is the minimum order?
It depends on the plant. Every product shows its minimum, from 1 plant up to 500 plants. You can filter by minimum using the MOQ collections in the menu.
How does ordering work?
Add plants to your cart and submit your list. We check stock with the laboratory partner, remove anything that is out of stock, and send you one invoice. You pay the invoice and your plants ship in the next arrival window. There are no credit terms.
When will my plants arrive?
Arrival windows are published on our Shipping and Order Windows page. Your order ships in the first window after your invoice is paid.
Why do plantlets need to be acclimated?
Inside the jar the plantlet lived at 100 percent humidity with no wind and no pests. Outside, the air is drier and the light is stronger. Acclimation lets the plant grow thicker leaves and real roots over about 21 days. Skipping it is the most common reason a plantlet dies.
Why are my plantlets wilting or melting after delivery?
A wilting or melting leaf in the first week is almost always a humidity drop. Put the plantlets back under a humidity dome or in a closed clear tub, out of direct sun, and open it a little more each day. A melted leaf counts the same as a yellow leaf for a claim, so photograph it right away.
How do I file a claim?
Record an unboxing video before you open the box, then take a photo of each affected plant. Send both to us within the claim window on the Refund policy page. If the plant is in stock we reship it. If not, we credit you.
Do you sell to the public?
No. We sell wholesale to sellers only. Open a wholesale account to see volume pricing. Sign in with the email you order with and we send you a code, no password.
Still have a question? Contact us, or read our guide to tissue culture plants for sellers and the first 21 days of acclimation.