The 10 Best Nurseries in Los Angeles

With the weather in LA going from hot to cool and drizzly, it's a great time to start a garden, or revamp the one you've been neglecting, so, I've rounded up some of my favorite nurseries in LA. Some have a huge selection, some have guidance, some are totally inspiring, but all will help you get your garden into gear.

• 1. Potted in Atwater is a great small scale nursery with mid century pots, woolly pockets, outdoor furniture and a potting station where they'll help you put a planting together--great selection of succulents! Plus right now they've got edibles in and can help you start a vegetable or herb garden.

• 2. Green Arrow Nursery: It's out of the way off the 405 in northridge but the selection and pricing can't be beat. Check the 4" pots section near the entrance for the best deals: think hard to find begonias, scented geraniums, one off plants, herbs, etc. The place is huge and has a huge section of fruit trees and a greenhouse full of indoor plants.

• 3. The Plant Stand is down in Costa Mesa but is a great spot to pick up gifts, plants and all the accoutrements you need to put together a whole garden, or just a container.

• 4. California Cactus Center just east of Pasadena is a mecca for cactus and succulents with a great selction of pots and decorative rocks. If you're looking for something unusual, this is the place.

• 5. Big Red Sun in Venice is inspiring as soon as you lay your eyes on it. Inside they have a nice selection of succulents and small plants, a boutique with readymade plantings, mid century inspired outdoor furniture and locally made gifts,etc. They also hold events in the space, so sign up for their mailing list to be included.

• 6. Rolling Greens has two locations: one on Beverly and one in Culver City. They have great terrarium building events and amazing gifts. Their displays are inspiring and though they don't carry a whole nursery's wort of plants, they make up for it in gardening books, thoughtfuly chosen plants and arrangements.

• 7. Worldwide Exotics is a hidden gem that is definitely out of the way but totally worth it. Great selection and a favorite among landscape designers and architects.

• 8. Marina Garden Center in Marina Del Rey is a huge nursery with trees, roses, small succulents, indoor plants, you name it, the selection is incredible. If you're on the westside, it's a great spot to stop in and find exactly what you're looing for. The prices can be a little on the pricier side but worth it for the convenience of not having to trek past sepulveda.

• 9. Hashimoto Nursery in little Santa Monica on Sawtelle has such carefully cared for plants and displays that I'm charmed every time. The Japanese nursery has a great selection of plants and tremendous knowledge of how to care for them. Plus it's close to great food and shopping.

• 10. Theodore Paine in Tujunga is dedicated to california's native plants. Run as a non profit, they offer classes in drought tolerant gardening along with propogating native plants and selling them in their nursery. It's gardening on a whole other level and always inspiring to meet people who are so passionate about california, being ater wise and the beauty of natives.

Images: Green Arrow Nursery: Laure Joliet, California Cactus Center: Beth Zeigler, Big Red Sun: Laure Joliet, The Plant Stand, Potted's Circle Pots Laure Joliet

Comments (11)

The Rolling Greens description seems accurate for the Beverly Blvd location only. The one in Culver City is HUGE and does have every plant under the sun. Another one that is worth driving to is Cactus Ranch in Reseda!! Crazy Good selection and CHEAP! http://www.california-cactus-succulents.com/

agreed with marcellah on Rolling Greens in culver city. it's up in the hills -- who know culver city had hills? the plants have been babied. small plants cheaper than neighborhood nurseries and much better quality. huge plants can get pricey -- but worth it. always puts me in a great mood

Does anyone know the name of the main, big, bold peachy flower in that photo? it's gorgeous!!

the large flower is called a dahlia ( i think i spelled it right)

Did you not mention Roger's Gardens because it's in Orange County and not Los Angeles County? That place is amazing. Visit during Halloween and Christmas when the entire nursery is decorated for those holiday's. They always have a big selection of black flowers and black plants if you really want to landscape for Halloween.

I've been to a few of these, but I have to say, even though Hashimoto (#9) is relatively small, the people who work there are so knowledgeable! I go on a regular basis just for advice :) Oh and yes, the food in the area is pretty great too.

Heh- feels more like "Top 10- Mostly West LA." Adding Sego Nursery in NoHo, Sheridan Gardens in Burbank, and Sunset Nursery in Silverlake. All three have fairly competitive pricing, healthy plants, knowledgeable staff, lovely organized grounds, and a few hard to find specimens here and there. (And then there's Jackalope Pottery in NoHo for some gorgeous giant pots at pretty decent prices.)

thanks kamikaze

San Gabriel Nursery is the best nursery in LA, IMHO. The staff is uber knowledgeable, the selection is huge and diverse, and the prices are very reasonable.

Ditto San Gabriel Nursery for us eastern LAers and for those without budget limits-Burkhart's in Pasadena. Great article!

Rolling Greens by far the best for inspiration and gardening selections with a very knowledgeable staff to answer just about any question. Second is Sheridan Gardens in Burbank--worth the trip and check out their Roses. Also worth the trip are the many nurseries just beyond Thousand Oaks on the 118; acres of loveliness and very well priced plants - both young and mature ones. And last, don't leave out Lowe's ..may be a bit pedestrian for some and you have to know your plants, but the prices can't be beat,

Ditto on the great article.