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