Buying Rare Plants in Singapore: Permits, Delivery and Meet-ups

Singapore has one of the most active rare-plant communities in the region, and prices for aroids that were once auctioned for thousands have settled to the point where collectors can buy a good velvet Anthurium or jewel Alocasia for the cost of a nice dinner. This guide covers where to buy, what paperwork applies and how to protect yourself.

Local sellers versus imports

• Singapore-grown plants can be delivered island-wide or collected at a meet-up, with no permit and no transit stress. Browse Anthuriums from Singapore or filter any genus by origin.
• Imports from Indonesia and Thailand offer far more variety and lower prices for the same hybrid, but they arrive bare-root and need an import permit. See how to import plants from Indonesia.

Permits for imported plants

Plants entering Singapore are regulated by the National Parks Board. As a buyer you apply for an import permit before the plant ships, and the shipment must carry a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country. Orchids, cacti and other CITES-listed groups need a CITES permit as well. Check the current requirements on the NParks website before ordering, and give the seller the exact name and address that appears on your permit.

Paying safely

On Inflos, Singapore buyers can pay by PayNow, GrabPay or card in Singapore dollars. Your payment is held in escrow and released to the seller only after you confirm the plant arrived healthy. If it arrives dead, damaged or not as described, buyer protection applies.

Delivery and meet-ups

Local sellers offer courier delivery, and many also offer a meet-up so you can inspect the plant before taking it home. The listing shows which options a seller supports and the delivery fee for your parcel size.

Checking a seller

Open the seller's store page from any listing. You will see their country, how long they have sold on Inflos, their review score from completed orders and their other listings. Sellers are vetted for identity, reputation and, for exporters, their export permit before their first listing goes live. The seller directory lists every verified grower.

Where to start

Popular first plants for Singapore's climate are Anthurium crystallinum, Alocasia Silver Dragon and Hoya callistophylla: all tolerate our humidity and grow well on a shaded balcony or under a grow light. Browse the full catalogue or the species pages.