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Maryland Department of Agriculture
Updated:

Review our dos and don'ts for purchasing plants online.

Do

  • Ask if the facility holds a current nursery or plant dealer license, if not a wellknown established business. When was their last inspection? 
  • Ask if plants being sold to them are on site. If not, where are the plants coming from? Were they grown there? How long have they been there? Did they receive paperwork with the plants upon arrival? 
  • Ask who/what they refer to before shipping to other states that have exterior quarantines in place? 
  • Check Maryland’s current invasive plant list to make sure you are not purchasing one. 
  • Check National Plant Board site for quarantines/regulations and invasive lists in Maryland and other states. Also refer to states’ regulatory authority websites for more information about current quarantines, etc.
  • Check the local market for your purchase.
  • Check the plant when it arrives for problems and save all shipping material if something is found. Report regulated pests to the appropriate authority. 

Don't

  • Assume the facility is familiar with Maryland or other state/federal laws and regulations.
  • Remove tags or discard receipts or paperwork received with your plant(s).