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64 Plant Nurseries in New York, NY

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Top Rated Farms in NEW YORK

Tropical Plants And Orchids Inc
💬 73 reviews4.3
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Tropical Plants And Orchids Inc

Tropical and Exotic Plant Nursery. Top products: Orchids, Indoor and Outdoor Plants, Cactus and Succulents, Topiaries, Wedding Floral Arrangements. Tropical Plants And Orchids Inc. is a family-run horticultural business specializing in the retail of indoor and outdoor tropical plants, exotic flowers, and succulents. Their inventory features a diverse array of species, including Fiddle Leaf Figs, Bird of Paradise, various Ficus varieties, and a broad collection of orchid species such as Phalaenopsis and Vanda. The company operates as a comprehensive plant provider, catering to homeowners, offices, and event planners. Beyond retail sales, the business offers professional indoor and outdoor landscaping services, as well as interior and exterior botanical design consultations. They also provide specialized floral services for weddings and large-scale events, including potting and delivery. With a focus on accessibility and customer education, the company aims to help individuals curate 'urban oases' by providing high-quality, affordably priced plant specimens and expert guidance on maintenance and design.

📍106, West 28th Street, New York, New York, 10001, US
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Wiesner Brothers Nursery Inc
💬 67 reviews4.8
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Wiesner Brothers Nursery Inc

Full-Service Retail Plant Nursery. Top products: mature trees, ornamental shrubs, perennials, annuals, tropical plants. Founded in 1928, Wiesner Brothers Nursery Inc. is a fourth-generation family-owned business based on Staten Island, New York. Operating the largest retail nursery in the city, the company spans five acres and functions as both a expansive plant supplier and an award-winning landscape design-build firm. They specialize in a wide range of horticultural offerings, including mature specimens, rare/hard-to-find plant material, native plants, and exotic tropicals, alongside standard shrubs, perennials, and annuals. The nursery serves a diverse clientele ranging from residential homeowners to commercial property developers. Their professional team, which includes New York State Certified Nurserymen, landscape architects, and ISA-certified arborists, provides expert horticultural guidance, diagnostic services, and comprehensive project management. In addition to plant sales, they offer full landscape architecture and installation services, garden furniture, and horticultural education through community seminars, maintaining deep roots in both the horticultural industry and the local Staten Island community.

📍2410 REAR, Victory Boulevard, New York, New York, 10314, US
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GRDN
💬 64 reviews3.9
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GRDN

Urban Boutique Garden Center. Top products: Indoor plants, Annuals and herbs, Perennials, Floral arrangements, Gardening tools. GRDN is a retail garden center and plant boutique located in the Boerum Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2004, the business functions as an urban horticultural supplier, offering a curated selection of indoor plants, seasonal annuals, herbs, and perennials. Beyond live plant sales, the company serves as a comprehensive resource for home gardeners, providing high-quality tools such as Niwaki pruning equipment, artisanal pottery, and various gardening supplies. GRDN distinguishes itself by emphasizing an aesthetic approach to nature, combining traditional gardening essentials with artisanal home decor. Their target clientele includes local NYC homeowners and design-conscious individuals seeking to incorporate natural elements into modern living spaces. The business operates a physical storefront that acts as a community hub for nature lovers, offering both in-store shopping and professional floral delivery services throughout the New York City area.

📍103, Hoyt Street, New York, New York, 11217, US
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My Bonita Gardens
💬 63 reviews4.8
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My Bonita Gardens

📍51-44, Goldsmith Street, New York, New York, 11373, US
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A Visconti Inc
💬 62 reviews4.6
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A Visconti Inc

Seasonal Nursery and Garden Center. Top products: Shrubs, Perennials, Indoor Plants, Vegetable and Herb Starts, Christmas Trees. A. Visconti Inc, operating as Visconti Garden Center & Farmers Market, is a family-owned business with over four decades of experience serving the Brooklyn community. The operation functions as a comprehensive retail garden center and seasonal market, occupying a 20,000-square-foot facility. Their horticultural inventory is diverse, covering outdoor garden stock including shrubs, perennials, and flowering plants, alongside a curated selection of indoor plants and vegetable and herb starts. The business maintains a seasonal focus, transitioning its inventory to meet the specific needs of local customers throughout the year. During the autumn months, they supply seasonal produce and fall-oriented plant varieties, while the winter season sees the space converted into a retail outlet for Christmas decor, including both artificial and real Christmas trees and traditional holiday plants like poinsettias. Their business model serves primarily homeowners and local residents looking for high-quality seasonal plantings and horticultural supplies.

📍18, South Market Street, New York, New York, 11236, US
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Perennials
💬 57 reviews5
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Perennials

Urban Indoor/Outdoor Plant Boutique. Top products: Indoor houseplants, Outdoor garden plants, Plant design services, Installation and care services. Perennials Greens & Goods, located in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, operates as a boutique nursery and garden center focused on bringing accessible greenery to urban spaces. Founded by Alison Robbins, who leverages her professional background in landscape architecture, the business serves as a curated retail destination for plant enthusiasts of all skill levels. Their core offerings include a diverse selection of indoor and outdoor plants, complemented by expert consultative services. Unlike large-scale commercial nurseries, Perennials emphasizes personalized plant selection and design, assisting customers in choosing vegetation tailored to specific lighting and environmental conditions. Beyond retail sales, the business provides comprehensive plant services, ranging from design and professional installation to ongoing maintenance support. The shop functions as a community hub for local residents and professionals seeking to integrate nature into residential or working environments.

📍391, Manhattan Avenue, New York, New York, 11211, US
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THE MOSS & GREEN
💬 53 reviews4.5
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THE MOSS & GREEN

Specialty Indoor Plant Nursery. Top products: Ginseng Ficus Bonsai, Kokedama, Asparagus Fern, Peperomia, Dracaena. The Moss & Green is a specialized urban indoor plant nursery located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The business focuses on a curated selection of house plants, with a distinct emphasis on botanical art forms such as Kokedama (Japanese moss balls) and lava rock arrangements. Their inventory centers on ornamental tropicals and interior foliage, including various Ficus, ferns, Peperomia, and Dracaena varieties. Catering primarily to urban homeowners and local plant enthusiasts, the shop operates as a boutique retail storefront providing accessible greenery for small-space living. Unlike traditional outdoor wholesale nurseries, their operations are optimized for interior plant curation and design, offering unique, pre-potted specimens that require minimal maintenance. They maintain a consistent retail presence with daily operating hours and offer local distribution via on-demand delivery platforms.

📍77, North 7th Street, New York, New York, 11249, US
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Stonefruit Botanical
💬 51 reviews4.4
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Stonefruit Botanical

Urban Retail Plant Nursery. Top products: fresh-cut flower arrangements, indoor and outdoor plants, succulents, ferns. Stonefruit Botanical is an urban plant nursery and floral design studio located in Brooklyn, New York. The business operates as a boutique garden center, catering primarily to city dwellers and local plant enthusiasts looking to enhance their indoor and outdoor living spaces. Their inventory features a diverse selection of greenery, ranging from low-maintenance succulents to lush ferns, curated for both novice plant owners and experienced gardeners. In addition to their retail plant operations, Stonefruit Botanical functions as a full-service floral design provider, offering custom bouquets and event floristry services for weddings and special occasions. The business emphasizes an aesthetic of 'wild style' floral design and focuses on sustainable, high-quality artisanal lifestyle products such as handmade pottery and eco-friendly stationery. By combining retail plant sales with floral artistry, the company serves as a neighborhood destination for botanical education, home decor, and professional floral services.

📍1056, Bedford Avenue, New York, New York, 11205, US
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The Old Yew Plant Shop
💬 51 reviews4.7
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The Old Yew Plant Shop

Urban Indoor/Outdoor Plant Retailer. Top products: Houseplants, Japanese Maples, Flowering Perennials, Planters and Pottery, Organic Plant Care Supplies. The Old Yew Plant Shop is a specialized horticultural retailer based in New York City with permanent brick-and-mortar locations in the West Village and on the Upper West Side. The company focuses on curated indoor and outdoor plant varieties, ranging from common houseplants like Snake Plants and Pothos to specimen-grade trees such as Japanese Maples and Ficus Audrey. Beyond plant retail, they offer a professional plant design and installation service, catering to urban homeowners and commercial clients looking to transform interior and exterior spaces. Their operational model emphasizes high-quality greenery alongside a private-label line of horticultural essentials, including organic potting soil, orchid bark, plant food, and botanical-based bug sprays. The brand maintains a commitment to plant health, backed by a 'Happy & Healthy' guarantee, and operates a trade program for industry professionals. By providing both specialized botanical goods and professional consulting, The Old Yew serves as a comprehensive resource for urban gardening in a dense metropolitan environment.

📍1, Horatio Street, New York, New York, 10014, US
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PlantShed
💬 49 reviews3.7
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PlantShed

Urban Florist and Plant Retailer. Top products: Floral Bouquets, Indoor Houseplants, Succulents, Orchids, Botanical Gifts. PlantShed is a prominent New York City-based horticultural retailer that specializes in the fusion of premium floral design, interior plant styling, and garden services. Founded as a family-run business with a deep-rooted history in New York, the company serves as both a high-end florist and an urban garden center, catering to residential homeowners, corporate offices, and hospitality clients. Their core offerings include hand-delivered luxury floral arrangements, a curated selection of indoor foliage and houseplants, and seasonal outdoor plantings. Beyond retail, PlantShed distinguishes itself through specialized professional services, including residential botanical design, rooftop garden installation, and ongoing horticultural maintenance programs. The company also operates unique retail spaces that integrate botanical shops with lifestyle cafés, reflecting a commitment to community-focused wellness and design. Their team, composed of professional designers and horticulturalists, provides end-to-end plant solutions ranging from event floral styling to custom office greenery installations.

📍193, 2nd Avenue, New York, New York, 10003, US
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Pollyn
💬 48 reviews4.8
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Pollyn

Houseplant and Tropical Nursery. Top products: Houseplants, Rare Tropicals, Outdoor Annuals, Perennials, Planters and Vases. Pollyn is a sustainable plant shop and garden center located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The business specializes in a diverse range of houseplants, including rare tropical varieties, alongside a selection of outdoor annuals and perennials. Pollyn operates as both a retail shop and a horticultural service provider, offering professional repotting, plant consulting, and both indoor and outdoor landscape design services. Their business model is built around environmental sustainability, notably focusing on the elimination of single-use plastics from their retail operations. Beyond direct plant sales, Pollyn acts as a community hub by hosting environmental awareness events, planting days, and eco-conscious markets. They serve a wide demographic of customers, ranging from individual homeowners to professional landscapers, and provide local delivery services as well as nationwide shipping for their plant inventory.

📍109, South 6th Street, New York, New York, 11249, US
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Fragrance Plants & Flowers Inc
💬 43 reviews3.8
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Fragrance Plants & Flowers Inc

Urban Houseplant and Floral Nursery. Top products: Orchids, Succulents, Indoor Tropical Plants, Ferns, Fresh Cut Flowers. Fragrance Plants & Flowers Inc is an urban-based horticultural retailer located in New York City, specializing in a diverse selection of indoor plants, succulents, cacti, and floral arrangements. Operating out of a physical storefront in the NYC flower district, the business focuses on providing immediate access to greenery, offering same-day delivery and local pickup for both residential and commercial clients. Their inventory includes popular decorative houseplants such as Lemon Lime Dracaena and Euphorbia trigona, as well as a variety of ferns and orchids suitable for indoor environments. The company functions as both a plant nursery and a florist, catering to city dwellers looking to enhance their living or working spaces with vibrant, fresh botanical life. By maintaining a consistent year-round supply and providing convenient logistics, they serve as a primary source for indoor horticultural needs, emphasizing plant health and aesthetic appeal for urban interior design.

📍135, West 28th Street, New York, New York, 10001, US
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Auntie House of Plants
💬 40 reviews5
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Auntie House of Plants

📍775, Rogers Avenue, New York, New York, 11226, US
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The Old Yew Plant Shop
💬 36 reviews4.5
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The Old Yew Plant Shop

Urban Houseplant and Garden Nursery. Top products: Houseplants, Japanese Maples, Ornamental Trees, Garden Planters, Plant Care Supplies. The Old Yew Plant Shop is a specialized horticultural retailer based in New York City, operating brick-and-mortar locations in the West Village and on the Upper West Side. The business caters to urban dwellers and plant enthusiasts, offering a diverse inventory that spans indoor houseplants—including rare varieties like Alocasias—and outdoor landscape specimens such as Japanese Maples and Redbud bushes. Beyond live plants, the shop provides a curated selection of horticultural accessories, including proprietary plant foods, bug sprays, potting soils, and high-quality artisanal pottery from brands like Bergs. With a history as a prominent NYC pop-up retailer, the shop has transitioned into a permanent fixture for both retail consumers and trade professionals, offering plant design and installation services. Their business model emphasizes plant health through a 'Happy & Healthy Guarantee,' providing expert guidance and specialized supplies to support the maintenance of indoor and outdoor green spaces in urban environments.

📍448, Amsterdam Avenue, New York, New York, 10024, US
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Interior Foliage Design
💬 35 reviews4.2
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Interior Foliage Design

Ornamental Interior Plant Nursery. Top products: Cactus, Palms, Fruit Trees, Live Foliage. Interior Foliage Design, established in 1980, operates as a prominent greenhouse facility in New York, specializing in the provision and maintenance of indoor botanical life. The business functions as both a plant retailer and a service provider, offering a diverse inventory that includes cacti, various species of palms, and fruit trees. Their business model integrates the sale of high-quality foliage with professional design, installation, and ongoing maintenance services, catering to both residential and commercial clients seeking to enhance interior environments. The company emphasizes sustainable garden design practices, including a commitment to fair wages and zero-waste operations. By positioning itself as a comprehensive source for interior greenery, Interior Foliage Design targets homeowners, landscape designers, and corporate entities. Their operations are built on decades of experience in plant care, ensuring that clients receive healthy, acclimated specimens tailored to specific indoor lighting and spatial conditions.

📍47-47, 58th Street, New York, New York, 11377, US
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Chick's Nurseries Inc
💬 32 reviews4.6
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Chick's Nurseries Inc

📍85th Street, New York, New York, 11228, US
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CKNY Succulents
💬 29 reviews4.9
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CKNY Succulents

📍223, Maujer Street, New York, New York, 11206, US
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CALIFORNIA JUICE / JERRY’S NURSERY
💬 27 reviews4.6
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CALIFORNIA JUICE / JERRY’S NURSERY

Full-service Retail Garden Center. Top products: Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals, Vegetable plants. California Juice / Jerry’s Nursery operates as a seasonal hybrid business located in the Bronx, New York. During the spring and summer months, the establishment functions as a traditional retail garden center, offering a comprehensive selection of horticultural products including trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, annuals, vegetable starts, and tropical plants. They also supply essential gardening inputs such as soil and seeds, along with general lawn care maintenance items to support both residential homeowners and professional landscapers. Beyond their nursery operations, the business serves as a significant regional hub for winemaking, pivoting in the autumn to distribute fresh wine grapes and juice pails sourced from California and Italy. Established in 1969, the company maintains long-standing relationships with commercial viticulturists to provide high-quality raw materials for home winemakers and commercial wineries, effectively bridging the gap between seasonal landscaping services and specialized agricultural supply.

📍2959, Boston Road, New York, New York, 10469, US
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Sweetbrook Wholesale Nursery Garden Center
💬 22 reviews4.5
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Sweetbrook Wholesale Nursery Garden Center

Full-Service Wholesale Garden Center. Top products: Trees and shrubs, Seasonal flowers, Sod, Fertilizers, Live cut Christmas trees. Sweetbrook Wholesale Nursery and Garden Center, based in Staten Island, operates as a comprehensive horticultural supplier serving both professional contractors and residential homeowners. The business combines a retail garden center with a wholesale division, providing a wide array of plant materials, including trees, shrubs, and seasonal flowers, alongside hardscaping supplies such as stone, soil, and seed. Beyond plant retail, Sweetbrook functions as a multifaceted outdoor service provider, offering custom landscape and hardscape design, installation, and year-round property maintenance. Their services extend to commercial groundskeeping, snow and ice management, and street maintenance. With a mission focused on quality and community engagement, the nursery acts as a primary resource for regional gardening needs, supporting clients with professional-grade fertilizers and holiday-specific inventory, including live-cut Christmas trees.

📍3755B, Victory Boulevard, New York, New York, 10314, US
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Victory Nursery & Landscaping Inc
💬 21 reviews4.8
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Victory Nursery & Landscaping Inc

Retail Garden Center Nursery. Top products: Ornamental and shade trees, Shrubs and bushes, Annual and perennial flowers, Vegetable plants and seedlings, Gardening tools and soil amendments. Victory Nursery & Landscaping Inc, based in Staten Island, NY, is a family-owned garden center and landscaping firm serving the New York City Metropolitan area and New Jersey. With over 30 years of experience, the company operates as both a retail nursery and a professional landscaping service. They offer an extensive inventory of plant material, including ornamental and shade trees, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, seasonal flowers, and vegetable starts, sourced from reputable brands such as Monrovia and Green Mountain. Their facility provides a comprehensive selection of garden supplies, including mulches, fertilizers, and professional-grade hand tools. Beyond retail, they specialize in landscape design and installation for both residential and commercial properties, leveraging deep knowledge of regional soil conditions and climate-appropriate plant species. Their mission focuses on providing sustainable, aesthetically pleasing outdoor environments through a combination of expert horticultural guidance and hands-on site management.

📍3441, Victory Boulevard, New York, New York, 10314, US
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NYC Tree Lady
💬 17 reviews4.5
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NYC Tree Lady

Seasonal Christmas Tree Retailer. Top products: Frasier Fir Christmas trees, Balsam Fir Christmas trees, Nordmann Fir Christmas trees, Noble Fir Christmas trees, Handmade holiday wreaths. NYC Tree Lady is a woman-owned holiday horticultural retailer specializing in the supply and delivery of premium, hand-selected Christmas trees to residents and businesses throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. With over 16 years of operation, the business sources fresh-cut trees from award-winning farms, including traditional varieties like Canadian Balsam and Frasier Fir, as well as an exclusive 'Designer Series' featuring Nordmann and Noble Firs. Trees are available in heights ranging from 3 to 16 feet, sold by the foot to ensure customers receive a tree scaled appropriately for their space. Beyond simple tree sales, the company provides comprehensive holiday services, including professional tree decorating, installation, and the sale of handmade wreaths and garlands. The business operates through a hybrid model, maintaining seven physical retail locations across New York City neighborhoods while offering a robust e-commerce platform for home delivery and setup.

📍70, Greenwich Avenue, New York, New York, 10011, US
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AA Christmas Trees
💬 13 reviews4.8
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AA Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Retailer. Top products: Fraser Fir trees, Wreaths, Garlands, Tree stands. AA Christmas Trees is a long-standing horticultural service provider operating in New York City for over 20 years. The business specializes in the seasonal supply and delivery of premium, hand-selected Fraser Fir Christmas trees, sourced from Canadian mountain regions. Their core model focuses on a full-service experience for urban residents, transitioning from a traditional retail operation to an end-to-end holiday service provider. Beyond the sale of evergreen trees, they offer comprehensive logistics including professional delivery across all five boroughs, tree installation, light setup, and post-holiday removal services. They also retail complementary seasonal decor such as wreaths and garlands. The business caters primarily to NYC residential customers, ranging from small apartment dwellers to brownstone owners, emphasizing product quality, needle retention, and convenience. Their operations are designed to address the unique logistical challenges of tree transport and maintenance in an urban environment.

📍West 33rd Street, New York, New York, 10199, US
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Crafts Decor
💬 10 reviews3.8
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Crafts Decor

📍77-11, 37th Avenue, New York, New York, 11372, US
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Roman Roots Nursery Website (Pick Up Location)
💬 10 reviews4.6
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Roman Roots Nursery Website (Pick Up Location)

Indoor and Outdoor Plant Nursery. Top products: Indoor Houseplants, Cactus and Succulents, Outdoor Perennials, Outdoor Flowering Annuals, Herbs. Roman Roots Nursery is a New York-based horticultural business specializing in the retail of indoor and outdoor plant varieties. Operating out of Bayside, Queens, the nursery serves as both an online e-commerce platform offering nationwide shipping and a local provider offering curbside pickup. Their product catalog encompasses a diverse range of botanical offerings, including indoor foliage and flowering houseplants, succulents, cacti, various herbs, outdoor perennials, and flowering annuals. The business focuses on sourcing fresh inventory from regional greenhouses on Long Island to ensure plant health and vitality. Catering primarily to residential customers and plant enthusiasts, Roman Roots Nursery emphasizes accessibility and customer support by providing personalized plant care advice and a dedicated inquiry system for rare plant procurement. By integrating digital ordering with localized logistics, they provide a streamlined experience for clients seeking high-quality greenery, including collections labeled for safety, such as non-toxic plant varieties for households with pets or children.

📍42-14, 215th Place, New York, New York, 11361, US
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Local Nursery Scene in New York

New York City hosts a diverse array of 64 distinct plant suppliers, ranging from niche botanical boutiques to expansive, service-oriented garden centers. The urban climate, primarily defined by USDA hardiness zones 7a and 7b, creates unique challenges for gardeners. High-rise wind tunnels, limited natural light, and the urban heat island effect dictate which species thrive. Successful gardening here requires prioritizing plants acclimated to these specific environmental stressors. Local nurseries provide an essential advantage: their inventory is vetted for survival in NYC's microclimates, unlike the generic stock found at mass-market big-box retailers.

Comparison of Top Nurseries

Nursery NameRatingSpecializationType
Dahing Plants & Landscaping4.5Large Indoor PlantsMaps Search
Natty Garden4.2Urban Retail/SuppliesMaps Search
PlantShed4.2Floral & Plant DesignMaps Search
Ariemma's Garden Center4.4General NurseryMaps Search
Brooklyn Plantology4.5General NurseryMaps Search
PlantShed (2nd)4.6Floral & Plant DesignMaps Search
Chelsea Garden Center4.6Urban Landscape/NurseryMaps Search
Azza's Garden4.9General NurseryMaps Search
Tula House4.8Tropical & Arid PlantsMaps Search
Mushtari Hardware & Garden4.1General NurseryMaps Search

Deep Dive into Nurseries

  • Dahing Plants & Landscaping: They focus on oversized tropical specimens ranging from 6 to 9 feet, ideal for commercial or luxury residential spaces. Their white-glove delivery service solves the logistical hurdle of moving massive Ficus or Money Trees through city elevators.
  • Natty Garden: This Brooklyn center serves as an essential hub for everyday urban gardening. They balance plant sales with practical needs, stocking organic fertilizers and essential hand tools for apartment-sized balconies.
  • PlantShed: Operating as a hybrid of a boutique florist and a garden center, they excel at aesthetic greenery. Their subscription models and design services cater to high-end corporate accounts and residential clients seeking ongoing maintenance.
  • Ariemma's Garden Center: A foundational resource for local horticultural needs. They maintain a consistent inventory that serves the general requirements of the neighborhood.
  • Brooklyn Plantology by Lapide: Focused on the retail experience, this nursery provides broad access to the plant varieties required for typical Brooklyn garden configurations.
  • Chelsea Garden Center: With nearly four decades of operation, they are a primary source for structural and native plants. Their expertise includes Japanese maples and large-scale hardscaping, making them a top choice for serious garden planning.
  • Azza's Garden: Known for maintaining high consumer satisfaction ratings, they provide a reliable, well-stocked destination for standard garden center requirements.
  • Tula House: Specialists in the intersection of interior design and botany. They offer a curated selection of arid and tropical houseplants, supported by expert consultations that prioritize long-term plant health.
  • Mushtari Hardware & Garden: By blending traditional hardware retail with plant supplies, this center offers the convenience of acquiring both pots and the soil amendments needed for container gardening in one trip.

Buying Guide for NY Gardeners

  • Climate Resilience: New York City winters are cold, but the urban heat island effect can trick plants into budding early. Choose native species such as Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) or serviceberry, which are naturally adapted to local seasonal fluctuations.
  • Inspect Before Purchase: Examine the undersides of leaves for webbing, sticky residue, or white spots. Local nurseries are generally diligent, but pests like spider mites and scale thrive in the dry, heated air of New York apartments.
  • Container Drainage: Always purchase high-quality potting mix and ensure your pots have adequate drainage holes. NYC apartment dwellers often overlook this, leading to root rot in otherwise healthy plants.
  • Prioritize Local Growth: Buying from established local nurseries reduces the 'shipping shock' plants undergo when moved from greenhouses in temperate climates to the harsh, confined environment of an urban windowsill or balcony.
  • Seasonal Timing: Avoid planting outdoor perennials until the risk of the final frost has passed, usually mid-April in the NYC area. Conversely, indoor tropicals can be refreshed throughout the year, but growth will naturally slow during the shorter days of late autumn and winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the best time to start an outdoor garden in New York?

A: In New York, the optimal time for outdoor planting is late April to mid-May, once the danger of frost has passed. For cool-weather crops like kale or pansies, you can begin as early as late March, provided the soil has thawed sufficiently.

Q: Why should I prioritize native plants in my NYC garden?

A: Native plants are evolutionarily adapted to New York's local soil conditions, rainfall patterns, and temperature swings. They require significantly less fertilizer and supplemental watering than non-native species, while simultaneously providing critical habitat and food sources for local urban pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Q: What soil amendments are necessary for NYC container gardening?

A: Most urban soil is compacted or low in nutrients. Use a high-quality potting mix that includes perlite or vermiculite to ensure proper drainage. For established containers, incorporate organic compost or worm castings during the growing season to replenish vital nutrients that leach out with frequent watering.

Q: What is the difference between a garden center and a hardware/nursery hybrid?

A: A dedicated garden center typically offers a wider botanical variety, knowledgeable horticulturalists for consultation, and specialized plant care services. A hardware-nursery hybrid is more convenient for quick access to basic tools, bulk soil, and standard plant varieties, but they may lack the deeper botanical expertise found at specialized nurseries.

Q: How do I deal with low-light conditions in New York apartments?

A: Many New York apartments suffer from limited natural light. Focus on shade-tolerant species such as Sansevieria (Snake Plant), Pothos, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant). Supplement with full-spectrum LED grow lights if you intend to keep high-light tropicals, and always monitor your watering schedule, as plants in low light consume water much more slowly.