The reviews show a clear pattern of inconsistent experiences. Many customers report problems with communication (repeated marketing emails and difficulty unsubscribing) and with service such as delayed or missing dispatches and contested guarantees. Product reports are mixed: some buyers praise well-packed, healthy plants and good value offers, while others describe dead, rootbound or incorrect stock. If you are considering Van Meuwen, check delivery windows, read ordering and guarantee terms closely, and consider a small initial purchase so you can assess packaging, viability and responsiveness before placing larger orders.
Examples from available reviews (Sep 2022 – Feb 2026).
Company sent free replacement shipment after initial bare roots failed.
“to receive a brand new shipment of the same plants free of charge.”
71 of 72 plants arrived healthy and grew well.
“71 of the 72 plants were in excellent condition with very good roots.”
Received many emails despite unsubscribing and poor responses.
“21 emails in 13 days despite unsubscribing.”
They took payment but did not deliver or respond to queries.
“They take your money and dont send anything.”
Frequent reports of delayed, missing or mishandled orders and many complaints about guarantees not being honoured or poor customer support.
Multiple reviewers report poor value — complaints about small, sickly plants, missing deliveries and offers that did not materialise.
Problems noted with ordering and site interactions: wrong items sent, confusing offers and unsubscribe links failing for several users.
Mixed reports: some customers received healthy, well-packed plants while others report dead, rootbound or non‑viable stock.
Many reviewers describe excessive marketing emails, difficulties unsubscribing and unresponsiveness or poor handling by support staff.
Overall sentiment leans negative: several satisfied buyers exist, but numerous reports of non-delivery, poor plants and contact failures.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (21) · Reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
Plug plants arrived dry and rootbound and failed to recover.
“Plug plants arrived dry and totally rootbound”
They continued sending many emails despite unsubscribe requests.
“Still receiving emails. Now over 30 despite unsubscribing”
Received many emails despite unsubscribing and poor responses.
“21 emails in 13 days despite unsubscribing.”
Begonia plants arrived in excellent condition and well packaged.
“My begonia plants were received in fantastic condition”
They sent marketing emails twice daily and lacked unsubscribe option.
“This company will bombard you with marketing emails TWICE a day.”
Repeated unsubscribe requests were ignored and emails kept arriving.
“I have been asking them over and over again to stop sending me emails.”
They took payment but did not deliver or respond to queries.
“They take your money and dont send anything.”
Order was not dispatched as promised and still has not arrived.
“the order has still not arrived.”
They send misleading offers and persistently ignore unsubscribe requests.
“bombarding me with cheap offers that don't actually exist.”
One tree failed and company refused guarantee due to Groupon purchase.
“CS don't want to know because i purchased through groupon.”
They sent duplicate common potatoes instead of the rarer variety ordered.
“we got double the quantity of the more common variety.”
Plants delivered during frozen conditions and company offered poor advice.
“they replied the weather was not under their control.”
Company sent free replacement shipment after initial bare roots failed.
“to receive a brand new shipment of the same plants free of charge.”
Giant jumbo plug plants were far smaller than expected.
“normal plug plants must have been the size of a seed”
Bought bulbs at great price and had excellent results.
“Great offer again - bulbs for £3 a pack”
Garden-ready plants produced a spectacular display despite limited time.
“thanks to garden ready plants from Van Meuwen I have the most spectacular display of hanging baskets”
71 of 72 plants arrived healthy and grew well.
“71 of the 72 plants were in excellent condition with very good roots.”
Reviewer warns others to avoid due to poor service and value.
“Shoddy company. Please don’t waste your time and money on them.”
Order delayed twice and company unresponsive to refund requests.
“my order has been delayed twice & trying to contact them for a refund is impossible.”
Company wouldn't change delivery date and plants arrived dry and dead.
“The plugs were posted through the door and I returned from holiday to find them totally dry and dead.”
Plants arrived damaged and tiny after long-term decline in quality.
“They arrived leggy, barely alive and I kept them under lights to nurture them.”
I recently purchased several plants, seeds, and fruit trees from Van Meuwen and I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the easy-to-navigate website to the speedy delivery, everything went smoothly.
One thing that stood out to me was the wide variety of products they offered. They had so many different options for each category of plant or seed, which made it easy for me to find exactly what I wanted. The quality of everything I received was top-notch as well - all of the plants were healthy and robust, ready to be planted right away.
Another aspect that impressed me was their customer service team. When one item arrived slightly damaged in transit, they quickly replaced it at no extra cost and with little hassle on my part.
Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my purchase from Van Meuwen and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for high-quality plants or seeds. Their excellent selection, product quality, and top-tier customer service make them a standout among gardening retailers.
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
Van Meuwen is a UK-based online garden retailer specialising in plants, seeds, bulbs and trees, selling seasonal collections and individual stock via its website. It offers a range of plug plants, bare-root stock and potted items for home gardeners and landscapers, with delivery services across the UK. Shoppers typically place orders through the company website and receive plant stock by courier or mail.