Find Your Plant
Learn about sizing, plant types, and growing in Ontario.
Plant Sizes
We sell our plants by pot size, which reflects the measure of a plant's soil and root structure, and indicative of plant size by variety. Plants grow throughout the season, and some varieties can double in size from April to August.
We've created a general sizing guide to help visualize our plant sizes. You'll also find the approximate size and maturity on arrival on each plant's product page.
Quart containers hold exactly one quart of soil (0.62 litres, 0.16 gal). These are significantly smaller than #1 containers, approximately 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) in height, are generally young plants with less-developed root systems
#1 containers are typically referred to as “one-gallon equivalent,” although the actual volume is ~0.68 gallons. These are larger containers, about 4-12 inches in height, and have a larger root system than quarts.
Plant Categories & Types
There are many ways to classify plants. Here are a few helpful terms to help understand how a plant might fit into your garden.
Houseplants (Available to Ship Now)
Houseplants are tropical or subtropical plants grown indoors for their lush foliage, sculptural form, and air-brightening presence. Unlike outdoor garden plants, they thrive in the stable temperatures and filtered light of homes and offices.
What this means for you:
This collection is ready to deliver right away. From easy-care favourites like snake plants, pothos, and ZZ plants to bold statement pieces such as fiddle leaf figs, monsteras, and bird of paradise, each plant is selected for indoor resilience, beauty, and everyday enjoyment.
While most outdoor trees, shrubs, and perennials must remain in their growing environment until later in spring, these houseplants are already established in containers, so they can travel safely from greenhouse to doorstep and begin thriving in your home immediately.
Annuals
Plants that complete their entire life cycle (from seed to flower to seed again) in a single growing season, then die with frost or seasonal change.
What this means for gardeners:
Annuals are all about instant colour and impact. They bloom continuously for one season, making them perfect for containers, borders, and filling gaps. They need to be replanted each year but reward you with long-lasting flowers.
Perennials
Plants that live for multiple years, typically dying back to the ground in winter and regrowing from the same root system each spring.
What this means for gardeners:
Perennials are the long-term backbone of a garden. They return every year, often growing larger and stronger over time. While their bloom period may be shorter than annuals, they offer reliability, structure, and value season after season.
Trees
Woody plants with a single main trunk and a defined canopy, that can reach significant height and lifespan.
What this means for gardeners:
Trees create shade, privacy, and lasting beauty. They are a long-term investment that shapes the character of a landscape, supports wildlife, and can increase property value. Think of trees as the architecture of your garden.
Shrubs
Woody plants with multiple stems arising from the base, generally smaller than trees and lacking a single dominant trunk.
What this means for gardeners:
Shrubs provide structure, texture, and seasonal interest—from flowers and berries to colourful foliage. They’re ideal for hedges, borders, and foundation planting, helping define garden spaces while remaining manageable in size.
Vines
Plants with long, flexible stems that climb, trail, or sprawl using tendrils, twining stems, or aerial roots. They may be annual or perennial.
What this means for gardeners:
Vines are perfect for vertical gardening and softening structures like fences, trellises, and walls. They add height, privacy, and dramatic blooms without taking up much ground space—great for small gardens or patios.
Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Plants that provide nectar, pollen, or habitat resources that support pollinating species such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and hummingbirds.
What this means for gardeners:
Pollinator-friendly plants help sustain local ecosystems while making your garden vibrant and alive. Many are long-blooming, fragrant, or native species that attract beneficial insects and birds. Choosing these plants is an easy way to support biodiversity and environmental health right at home.
Growing in Ontario
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Our Growing Zone
Southern Ontario is primarily within Canadian Plant Hardiness Zones 5–7, which classify regions based on average minimum winter temperatures and climate conditions that determine which plants can survive year-round.
What this means for gardeners:
Your hardiness zone is a guide to plant survival through winter. In this region, gardeners can grow a wide variety of hardy perennials, shrubs, and trees, while more tender plants are treated as annuals or brought indoors. Checking a plant’s zone rating helps ensure long-term success in your garden.
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Invasive Species
Non-native plants that spread aggressively outside their natural range, out-competing native vegetation and disrupting local ecosystems.
What this means for gardeners:
Invasive plants may look attractive, but they can harm natural habitats, reduce biodiversity, and be difficult to control once established. Responsible gardening means avoiding known invasive species and choosing native or well-behaved alternatives that support the local environment. At TBG, we’re committed to sustainable horticultural practices and ensure no species invasive to our growing zone are available for delivery.
Delivery Details
Shipping & Delivery Timelines
Most landscaping and gardening plants are still growing to a healthy enough size to transport, and will ship in late April/early May. Shop our House Plant collection for plants that will ship within 3-5 business days of ordering.
Delivery Zones & Rates
We're thrilled to offer delivery service to the following Canadian provinces:
Ontario
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland & Labrador
Our delivery rates are set as a flat fee based on order price and location, starting at $12.99 CAD. For orders over $2,000, please email service@torontobotanicalgarden.ca for a shipping quote.
Delivery Replacements, Returns & Cancellations
Replacements
We offer a 90-day replacement warranty for all 1–5-gallon plants, with a 50% discount on replacements within a year. This replacement warranty cannot be used to receive a refund on any purchases, excludes certain items.
Due to the nature of our products and packaging, we cannot accept returns.
Returns
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards under any conditions.
Please note: items ordered for delivery cannot be returned, refunded, or exchanged in person at the Garden Shop.
Cancellations
Ordered the wrong plant? No problem! If your order hasn’t shipped yet, there is still time to change it - but please note this may delay your delivery. Once shipped, we are unable to cancel without a fee, and orders are typically shipped within 1-3 days.
We want to hear from you.
Contact our service team to share your feedback or get support with your order.