7 Plant Nurseries in Portland, ME

Native Plant Specialty Nursery. Top products: Native wildflowers, Native shrubs, Native trees. Maine Audubon is a non-profit conservation organization that operates a specialized native plant program focused on restoring and rebuilding natural biodiversity across Maine. Through their headquarters at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, they maintain a dedicated nursery and growing operation for native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. Unlike traditional commercial nurseries, their primary mission is ecological; they cultivate plant species specifically chosen to support local wildlife, pollinators, and migratory birds. The organization recently expanded its capacity through the Ann and Jim Hancock Native Plants Education Center, which facilitates both the propagation of native flora and public education regarding the benefits of native gardening. Their customers include home gardeners, conservation-minded landowners, and those looking to improve habitat quality. Maine Audubon functions as a mission-driven supplier, using plant sales as a core tool to advocate for environmental sustainability and land stewardship.

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Native Plants, Flowering Hanging Baskets, Houseplants, Bulk Mulch and Compost, Floral Arrangements. Skillin's Greenhouses is a comprehensive retail garden center and horticultural provider serving the community with a wide array of plant materials and gardening supplies. Their core operations include the production of high-quality, locally-grown ornamental plants, such as vibrant hanging baskets (begonias, petunias, and geraniums), as well as a dedicated focus on native plant species to support local ecosystems. Beyond their nursery-grown flora, the business operates as a full-service garden destination, offering residential and commercial customers bulk landscaping materials like loam, mulch, and compost. They also provide professional floral design services for events and everyday arrangements. With a strong commitment to education and DIY support, Skillin's maintains a resource-rich digital presence, including tutorials for garden maintenance. Their model integrates traditional nursery cultivation with retail floral services and landscaping supply, catering to home gardeners and plant enthusiasts seeking both seasonal decor and durable landscape additions.

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Garden seeds, Lawn seeds, Nursery stock, Greenhouse plants, Landscaping supplies. Allen, Sterling & Lothrop is a long-standing, family-owned and operated garden center and horticultural supplier that has been serving the community since 1911. The business functions as a comprehensive retail destination for both amateur gardeners and professional landscapers. Their core operations include the sale of a wide range of horticultural products, including lawn and garden seeds, greenhouse-grown plants, and various nursery stock items. Beyond plant sales, they cater to professional contractors and landscapers through specialized sales hours and services, including hydroseeding supplies. The company maintains a physical retail storefront that incorporates both a plant nursery and a gift shop, positioning itself as a central hub for regional gardening needs. Their business model emphasizes long-term regional expertise, providing the necessary supplies and plant materials to support both residential and commercial landscaping projects across the area.

Full-Service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Trees and shrubs, Perennials and annuals, Vegetable starts and herbs, Bulk soil and mulch, Ornamental groundcovers. Estabrook's is a prominent, family-owned and operated full-service garden center based in Maine, with retail locations in Yarmouth and Kennebunk. The business serves both residential homeowners and professional landscapers by offering a vast selection of plant material, including ornamental trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, annuals, and edible starts. Central to their operations is a dedicated production greenhouse facility located in Pownal, Maine, which enables the company to locally grow a significant portion of their inventory, ensuring quality and regional hardiness. Beyond retail sales, Estabrook's functions as a comprehensive horticultural partner by providing professional services such as on-site garden consultations, a labor-intensive planting service for trees and shrubs, and bulk delivery of landscape amendments like compost, mulch, and stone. Their model integrates modern convenience, such as Ship2Store and direct-to-home shipping, with traditional agricultural support, emphasizing plant care education, seasonal maintenance advice, and high-quality horticultural products.

Specialty houseplant potting service. Top products: potted houseplants, custom container planting, houseplant cuttings. The Propagated Pot is a specialty horticultural operation based in Yarmouth, Maine, focused on the cultivation and curation of indoor houseplants. The business specializes in propagation, providing carefully nurtured plant cuttings that are transitioned into permanent potting solutions. A distinctive feature of their operation is the integration of decorative and holistic elements, as each plant is finished with custom stones and ethically sourced healing crystals, such as quartz from Brazil, Madagascar, and Uruguay. The business emphasizes environmental sustainability by prioritizing natural materials and biodegradable components in their potting processes. Beyond selling finished specimens, they provide a bespoke planting service that allows customers to provide their own containers for custom arrangements. The Propagated Pot operates primarily as a pop-up retailer at regional markets and through local collaborative partnerships, targeting home-decor-conscious consumers looking for mindful, aesthetically curated indoor greenery.