You're probably not getting outdoors as much as you used to, which makes it even more tempting to bring some verdant greenery into your home so that you can continue to practice social distancing while gazing at some pretty leaves. Thankfully, there are still a few local businesses that will gladly deliver houseplants to your doorstep—in fact, it's a service that's in more demand than ever before.
"The last couple weeks have been super busy," Plants Delivered Chicago owner Andy Robledo told us while picking up his latest batch of deliveries. "When the lockdown happened I was gonna shut down operations and not do anything, but I had requests coming in and friends reaching out in the business community that needed some help with delivery."
While the supply chain for house plants has been impacted by shutdowns throughout the country, Robledo says that customers have been patient and willing to wait for popular plants like bamboo palms and fiddle leaf fig trees. "The feedback I've gotten from people is that they love having beautiful things in their home when they're trapped at a work from home desk for eight hours a day," he said.
Whether you're alone in your apartment and are looking for something green to take care of or you just want to add some foliage to your decor, these three Chicago businesses can hook you up with potted friends that will bring you joy for years to come (don't forget to water them occasionally).
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Plants Delivered Chicago
Delivering plants in his truck (and often accompanied by his dog, Gerald), Robledo brings rubber plants and fiddle leaf fig trees to homes in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. He offers contactless delivery for a flat rate of $25 (you can score free delivery if you spend $200 or more) and donates 25 percent of his profits to the Great Chicago Food Depository. Robledo has also started offering what he calls a "curbside plant shop," allowing customers to look through a selection of plants in the back of his truck while he stands six feet away. You can set up a curbside appointment via the Plants Delivered Chicago Instagram account by sending a message that includes your address and a wish list of plants.
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Plant Shop Chicago
Albany Park's Plant Shop is closed due to the "stay-at-home" order, but the business is still offering deliveries on Wednesdays. Just submit your order online, select delivery, provide your phone number and you'll be texted when the succulents, ZZ plants or Dracaena trees you ordered are deposited on your doorstep between 1 and 5pm the following Wednesday. You can also snag additional pots, soil and plant food to take care of your leafy friends while you're cooped up inside.
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Chalet Nursery
Based on the North Shore near Wilmette, Chalet Nursery has been slinging plants for more than a century and is still offering delivery while Illinois is under lockdown. Offering free delivery on orders of $50 or more across the North Side (as far south as the Loop and as far west a Oak Park), you can stock up on rattlesnake plants, goldfish plants, English ivy and other indoor greenery.
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