California Cactus Center is a great place to find succulents and cactus.
Desert To Jungle Nursery is a favorite of Judy Kameon.
Big Red Sun is a constant source of inspiration. Their bold colors, creative plantings and modern aesthetic make them our go-to nursery in Venice.
Pot-Ted in Atwater is a great place to find cool planters and thrift store chic applied to the outdoors.
The Marina Garden Center on the westside is an expensive but expansive spot to find any kind of plant you could imagine and a lot of the time, if you're looking for something specific, it's worth it to pay a little more than to sit in traffic trying to get to a cheaper place, which brings us to:
Green Arrow Nursery: our go-to spot for 4 inch pots, succulents, meyer lemon trees and a great selection of affordable pots in lots of styles.
Rolling Greens is a 2 acre mecca and Southern California staple not to be missed.
Perssons in Pasadena serves those of us north of the 210 and they definitely keep a huge stock on hand to fill your drought tolerant needs.
Mordigan's is Abby's favorite and convenient for those in the city who need to pick up some tips or plants for their small spaces.
Theodore Paine is the place in LA to find drought tolerant and native plants. It's an excellent resource for learning more about responsible gardening.
In Orange County:
The Plant Stand
OC Register's list of the best Nurseries in the area.
What are your favorite nurseries around Southern California?
International Garden Center on Sepulveda Blvd in El Segundo. Great selection of annuals, shade plants, natives and roses. Staff is very knowledgable and friendly.
view Seaside's profile
There's so many more.
For tillandsia and bromeliad plants, Rainforest Flora:
http://www.rainforestflora.com/index.php
Fun to visit just to see the indoor demonstration gardens. Paul Isley, owner.
Xotx-Tropico, in West Hollywood,
South of LA in Fallbrook--JD Anderson Nursery.
World Wide Exotics
Located out in the middle of no-where and they do business beneath a shade tent. They have many interesting plants.
11157 Orcas Ave
Lake View Terrace
(818) 890-1915
San Gabriel Nursery on San Gabriel Blvd, north of the 10 freeway
But Anawalt's is a local chain, as is Armstrong, and they're both great.
view FantasticMrFaux's profile
I second FantasticMrFaux on his additions to this list-- You can't have a list of favorite Southern California Nurseries without Rainforest Flora!! They've been in Southern California for at least as long as I've been alive (I'm 25) and there is no place in Southern California that can take you out of the city while you're in the middle of it quite like Rainforest Flora. If you don't know much about Tillandsias and Bromeliads, go at least to see the front retail section-- Beautiful! I've never seen plants with color like the plants at Rainforest Flora--- the fire engine reds, lime greens, rich burgundys, fluorescent pinks and yellows.
Say hello to Reddy in the front and see if Jerry Robinson (co-owner) has a minute to tell you about his favorite plants. Buy a Bromeliad garden--- easy to water, minimal care, bright colored blooms will last you for months!
Apartment Therapy LA should really take a quick visit to Rainforest Flora to check it out-- a hidden gem in Torrance.
Rainforest Flora:
19121 Hawthorne Blvd (at 190th) in Torrance.
view Kendra Robinson's profile
The Jungle on Sawtelle in West L.A.
Papaya Tree Nursery in Granada Hills
view phenson's profile
Sunset Nursery on Sunset near Hillhurst & Fountain is a very nice place to go.
Also, it's Theodore Payne, not Paine. :)
view F. Rabbits's profile
There's a bunch just north of Olympic on Sawtelle that are pretty nice - the last of the old Japanese nurseries still hanging on. I wouldn't drive across town to see them, but if you're in the area already . . .
view sunspot42's profile
the two that sunspot42 is referring to are Hashimoto and the Jungle, both on Sawtelle at Missouri. we live behind them and just got some mini ferns for the shower, tomatoes and herbs at Hashimoto. the staff member we chatted with was sweet and the selection is good.
view special's profile
Rogers garden in corona del mar is phenomenal.incredible selection of plants as well as home and garden decor. Can be a bit pricey but so fun to just browse.
Rose Story farm in Santa Barbara grows every rose imaginable. The property is stunning and the tour of the grounds and lunch is a lovely way to spend the day.
view Seaside's profile
Rogers Gardens is the best nursery in the LA/OC area. It's like taking a free trip to an arboretum except you can buy the plants and decorations that are displayed. Plus, you get an ocean breeze!
www.rogersgardens.com
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