Shipping Policy

Effective date: January 2026

Light Bio is committed to delivering healthy, vibrant plants to you in the most efficient and convenient way possible. We align our shipping schedule with the optimal planting times for each USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. The schedule outlined below provides anticipated starting shipping dates for each zone. You will receive a notice via email before your plant is ready to ship.

FULFILLMENT TIMING

Please note that these dates are when shipments begin to your area; based on your order in the fulfillment queue, it may go out later than that.

WEATHER DELAYS

We monitor temperatures across the country daily. We reserve the right to hold shipments if extreme heat or cold is forecasted in your area or along the transit route to ensure your plant arrives healthy.

PROCESSING TIME

Orders placed after the designated shipping dates for your zone may take 2–3 weeks to process. A tracking number will be sent to your inbox once your order is ready to ship. If your order has not shipped out yet after that, please email us at hello@light.bio and we'll help you out!

ORDER DEADLINE

To ensure your plants arrive before the peak summer heat, the final day to place orders for Spring Sale deliveries is June 14th.

Shipping Schedule by Zone 

Orders are shipped according to the schedule above to ensure plants arrive during the ideal planting window.

Shipping and Arrival Care

To prioritize the health and vitality of your plants, orders are typically shipped via UPS 2-Day Delivery. This quick turnaround ensures your plants spend minimal time in transit.

IMPORTANT: While a signature is not required, we strongly recommend tracking your package closely. Light Bio is not responsible for plants damaged by prolonged exposure to the elements (heat, cold, or wind) after they have been marked as "Delivered" by the carrier.

Immediate Care Steps Upon Arrival

To ensure your plants thrive, please follow these steps IMMEDIATELY upon delivery:

• UNBOX RIGHT AWAY: Move the package indoors and remove plants from all shipping materials.
  
  
• CRITICAL FOR PLANTS IN CERAMIC POTS: Remove and discard the brown protective paper covering the soil surface. This paper is only used to keep soil in place during transit; leaving it on will prevent the plant from breathing and receiving water.
  
  
• UNDERSTANDING THE LINER: Your petunia is grown in a professional Ellepot (a thin, mesh-like compostable liner) around the root ball. Do NOT remove this thin liner, as it protects the sensitive root system.
  
  
• TEMPERATURE CHECK: Ensure the plants are kept in a temperate environment (65–75°F). Keep them away from cold drafts or direct heat vents.
  
  
• PROTECT THE ROOTS: Do not remove the compostable liners. Plant the liner directly into the soil to protect the sensitive root system.
  
  
• HYDRATE: Give them a light watering with plain water (no fertilizer yet) to help them settle.
  
  
• ACCLIMATE: Place them in a bright area (such as a greenhouse or well-lit room), but avoid direct midday sun for the first 24 hours.
  
  
• FIRST FEEDING: Begin using Light Bio Petunia Nutrition on the 3rd day after arrival.
  
  
• RESTORE THE GLOW: It is normal for plants to appear dim or experience a temporary loss of glow immediately upon unboxing. Because they were in a dark shipping box for several days, their metabolic momentum slowed. Give your plants several days of sunlight to fuel their energy; their bioluminescence will return as they recover from shipping stress.  

Returns and Plant Health 

It's important to note that plants find shipping a bit tough. NORMAL TRANSIT STRESS includes temporary wilting, temporary loss of glow or dimness upon arrival, slight soil displacement, minor yellowing or spotting on older leaves, bent leaves, and small tears that do not affect the main stem or root system. Plants in this condition will fully recover after a few days of routine watering and care.

• FINAL SALE: Due to the nature of our products, all sales of plants are final and non-returnable.
  
  
• SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE CLAIMS: If a live plant arrives substantially damaged or non-viable on arrival, you must email hello@light.bio within 72 hours after delivery.
  
  
• TECHNICAL THRESHOLDS: For this policy, "substantially damaged" means damage that materially affects viability, such as a broken main stem, crushed crown, severe heat or cold injury, a dried root ball, mold, or a package visibly crushed in transit.
  
  
• DOCUMENTATION: Please include your order number, clear photos of the plant(s), and clear photos of the box and shipping label.
  
  
• CARRIER DELAYS & ACCURACY: Light Bio is not responsible for plants damaged by incorrect addresses, failed delivery attempts, or packages left unattended. Carrier delays alone do not qualify for a refund; however, if a delay exceeds 4 days or results in a non-viable plant, we will issue a replacement or other appropriate remedy per our Refund Policy, provided a claim is submitted within 72 hours of delivery. Please contact us immediately if your plant is in transit for 4 or more days so we can flag the shipment for priority review.

Logistics and Restrictions

We typically dispatch orders on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays to prevent plants from sitting idle over the weekend. We adjust for national holidays when UPS does not operate. We are unable to place orders on hold or schedule delivery for specific dates.

Standard shipping costs are included in the purchase price. Taxes are calculated at checkout based on your delivery address. Because our plants are living things, they thrive on a quick and direct journey to your door. Please double-check your shipping address before finalizing your order, as Light Bio is unable to take responsibility for plants that do not survive the extra travel time caused by rerouting or incorrect addresses.

Currently, we deliver exclusively to the 48 contiguous U.S. states. To ensure your plants are handled with the best care, we are unable to ship to P.O. Boxes, APO, FPO, or DPO addresses. For any questions regarding your shipment, please email hello@light.bio.