One of the questions I'm asked most often is how tissue culture plants arrive in the UK and what happens before they eventually arrive at their new home.

The process is much more involved than simply ordering plants and waiting for a parcel to arrive. Between placing the order and receiving the plants, there are export documents, import paperwork, customs procedures, inspections and acclimatisation to consider.

Placing the Order

The journey begins when I place an order with a specialist tissue culture laboratory overseas.

These plants are grown in completely sterile conditions using nutrient-rich gel media inside sealed containers or bags. This allows large numbers of healthy plants to be propagated while remaining free from pests and diseases.

Before they can leave their country of origin, the plants must pass local inspections and be supplied with the necessary export documentation, including a phytosanitary certificate.

Importing into the UK

Once shipped, the plants don't simply arrive and get delivered.

Every shipment must be declared through the UK's Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS). This is a government system used to notify authorities that a shipment of plants is entering the country.

The shipment is then checked and inspected by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which helps protect UK horticulture and agriculture from pests and diseases entering the country.

Only once these inspections and checks have been completed can the plants be released for delivery., They get the green tape of approval so to speak.

The Costs Behind the Scenes

Many people are surprised to learn that the cost of importing tissue culture plants goes far beyond the cost of the plants themselves.

There can be costs for:

• The tissue culture plants themselves
• Phytosanitary certificates
• International shipping
• IPAFFS notifications and administration
• APHA inspections and plant health checks
• Customs handling charges
• Import VAT and other fees

By the time a shipment reaches the UK, the final cost can be significantly higher than the original plant order value.

Plants Sold in Their Sterile Bags

Some tissue culture plants are offered for sale in their original sterile bags.

These plants remain exactly as they arrived from the laboratory and have not yet begun the acclimatisation process.

Because they are still sealed within their sterile environment, I aim to dispatch these the same day or next working day wherever possible so they can reach their new home quickly.

How I Acclimatise Tissue Culture Plants

Acclimatisation is the process of helping a plant adapt from laboratory conditions to normal growing conditions.

This is often the most challenging stage of the plant's life.

Step 1 – Removing the Gel

The plantlets are carefully removed from their sterile containers.

Using lukewarm water and a soft brush, just like a blusher brush, I gently clean away the nutrient gel from around the roots and leaves. If this is left on, it can rot the plantlet.

Care is taken not to damage the delicate root systems during this stage.

Step 2 – Potting Up

The cleaned plantlets are transferred into a lightly damp growing medium. At the moment, my preferred mix of perlite and Stratum is designed to provide moisture while maintaining plenty of airflow around the roots, and the Stratum gradually releases nutrients, i use a 70 / 30 ratio.

Step 3 – High Humidity

Freshly deflasked plants are placed into propagation boxes or humidity domes (clear cups with lids).

For the first 2–3 weeks, humidity is kept high to prevent the plants drying out while they adapt.

I generally wait until I see signs of active growth before reducing humidity.

This may include:

• New leaves emerging
• New root growth
• Active growth points

Step 4 – Gradual Hardening Off

Once new growth is visible, I begin reducing humidity gradually.

Rather than removing the lid completely, I slowly introduce fresh air.

This might begin with:

• 5 minutes per day with the lid removed
• Increasing to 10–15 minutes
• Then 30 minutes
• Gradually extending the time over several weeks

This allows the plant to slowly adjust to normal household humidity levels, though i have found some plants can be more fussy than others.

Step 5 – Fully Acclimatised Plants

After several weeks of gradually increasing airflow, the lids are removed completely.

The plants continue growing under normal conditions while being monitored closely.

Fast-growing species can often complete this process in around 5–6 weeks.

Slower-growing plants may take several months before they are fully established.

Caring For Your Acclimatised Tissue Culture Plant

Once your plant arrives, most of the hard work has already been done.

However, recently acclimatised plants still appreciate a little extra care.

Light

Provide bright indirect light.

Avoid strong direct sunlight, especially during the first few weeks after arrival.

Temperature

Most tropical tissue culture plants prefer stable temperatures between 18°C and 28°C.

Avoid cold draughts and sudden temperature changes.

Humidity

Although fully acclimatised plants no longer require a humidity dome, many species will still appreciate moderate humidity levels., here it averages at around 50 now in June.

Watering

Keep the growing medium lightly moist but not waterlogged.

Young roots are still establishing and can be sensitive to overwatering, again some plants like Monstera don't mind a small puddle but Alocasia seen to be more fussy wanting less water.

Feeding

Once the plant has been settling into your home for a few weeks and is actively growing, a very weak balanced fertiliser can be introduced as part of your normal feeding routine. I've found Superthrive which is a vitamin to be gentle and work well on young roots.

Why Tissue Culture Plants Are Worth It

Without tissue culture, many rare and desirable plants would remain extremely expensive or difficult to obtain.

Tissue culture allows growers and collectors to access exciting varieties while helping reduce pressure on wild plant populations.

Every acclimatised tissue culture plant sold by Chop n Grow has already completed the most difficult part of its journey — from laboratory propagation, international transport, IPAFFS declarations, APHA inspections and careful acclimatisation, right through to being ready for its new home.

I've found watching these tiny plantlets grow into mature specimens is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby.

 

Looking for tissue culture plants? Browse our latest tissue culture arrivals and acclimatised plants, with new varieties arriving regularly at Chop n Grow.