Midtown Garden Center
Photograph: Courtesy Midtown Garden Center
Photograph: Courtesy Midtown Garden Center

Where to buy plants in Miami when your green thumb strikes

The best plant shops in Miami for unique tropical specimens, lush natives and essential gardening supplies.

Falyn Wood
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No matter your living arrangement, most of us can agree life is better with more greenery. In Miami, we have the privilege of swaying palms, blooming tropical flowers and ripe fruits hanging over the sidewalks pretty much anytime we step outside. And when you want to bring some of that lush life indoors, finding a plant store in Miami is as easy as picking up your morning cafecito. 

Whether you’re looking to add some privacy to your balcony, spruce up your living space with an air-filtering tree or discover the next rare specimen for your collection, Miami’s best nurseries have you covered. You can usually grab gardening essentials while you’re there, too. Next time your green thumb tingles, skip the chains and head to these local Miami plant stores instead.

RECOMMENDED:  The best flower shops in Miami

Where to buy plants in Miami

1. Plant Daddy

Where is it? Edgewater (400 NE 36th St, Miami, FL 33137)

What to expect: Sculptural specimens alongside easy-to-care-for beauties in a well-organized outdoor space right off of Biscayne Boulevard. In 2020, owner Dash Diaz turned his love of botanicals into a full-on business, and today he sells everything from bougainvilleas to braided money trees, along with a chic selection of planters in multiple sizes. Design, delivery and installation services are available, but don’t be afraid to ask for DIY tips—everyone here is passionate about plants and happy to share their knowledge. 

Time Out tip: Follow the shop on Instagram for green thumb tips or to source inspo from their many event installations. 

2. Plant the Future

Where is it? Little River/Little Haiti (8484 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138)

What to expect: More botanical art gallery than flower shop, Plant the Future presents greenery as exquisite works with rotating exhibitions of plant-based canvases. The company is responsible for some of Miami’s most iconic green spaces and walls—including that Sistine-chapel-esque stunner within the lobby of the 1 Hotel—and they’re also available for private commissions. Of course, you can just pop by and pick up a statement-making terrarium (perfect for gifting). Lucky for you, these arrangements can last practically forever.

Time Out tip: The whimsical flagship location also doubles as a tea and coffee house, so feel free to stop by and spend an afternoon. 

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3. Midtown Garden Center

Where is it? Midtown/Edgewater (2600 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137)

What to expect: You could spend hours browsing the aisles at this friendly, blooming oasis on the fringes of urban Wynwood. They carry all kinds of indoor and outdoor plants and trees, which you can have them plant for you in one of their many beautiful planters, or bring home and plant yourself. There’s also an in-house florist, Zoom Bloomz, selling fresh-cut flowers and affordable custom bouquets. 

Time Out tip: It’s dog-friendly, so bring your pooch and make it an outing with a fresh juice or smoothie bowl from Devia, the on-site juice bar. 

4. MiMo Garden Center

Where is it? MiMo Historic District/Upper East Side (7238 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138)

What to expect: Just up the road is Midtown Garden Center’s smaller but equally charming sister store. DIY landscapers will find plenty of inspo browsing the inventory here: It’s stocked with a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, plus a wide selection of very forgiving succulents and cacti (which is what you’ll want to reach for if you have a black thumb). Check out the adorable garden accessories and oversized planters—an associate will happily assist with curating and potting its inhabitant. 

Time Out tip: Make it a perfectly wholesome morning by pairing your plant shopping with brunch—the garden center borders the outdoor patio of Sunny Side Cafe & Eatery, a quaint neighborhood breakfast spot with delicious chilaquiles and French toast. 

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5. Andromeda District

Where is it? University of Miami area (1132 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146)

What to expect: Got a wall that could use a colorful pop of oxygen? This Coral Gables business has developed a system of Lego-like wall panels that can turn any vertical space into a full-on jungle. Drop into their biophilic design store for a dose of horticultural inspiration, where the team can help you design the hanging garden of your dreams and install it for you as well. Andromeda District also has a wide range of potted tropical plants as well, ensuring every inch of your home can be covered in natural beauty. 

Time Out tip: Andromeda’s preserved moss installations are designed to bring texture, calm and organic presence into interior spaces without maintenance.

6. Galloway Farm & Nursery

Where is it? Kendall (7790 SW 87th Ave, Miami, FL 33173)

What to expect: Plant shops may come and go, but Galloway has been here for over 40 years. This family-owned nursery spans two and a half acres, touting every Miami-friendly plant you could think of, from indoor plants to outdoor fruit and flowering trees. The collection of unique pottery and fountains is also impressive, along with the selection of soils, mulches and decorative stone you won’t find at places like Home Depot. 

Time Out tip: Interested in attracting birds or butterflies to your garden? Their expert staff can help you with that, going so far as to integrate it into a full landscaping design—koi pond and all. 

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7. Little River Nursery

Where is it? The Redlands (22305 SW 157th Ave, Miami, FL 33170)

What to expect: This sprawling five-acre plant nursery is nestled in the Castellow Hammock nature preserve and open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Browse the extensive natives and pollinators, rare and medicinal plants and cut flowers, as well as fruits, vegetables, herbs and gardening supplies. The nursery also hosts events such as seedling sales and seasonal, family-friendly festivals.

Time Out tip: Not sure where to start? Enlist Little River Gardens, the nursery’s off-site team of experts who will help you create your dream edible garden. From the initial consultation to site-specific garden design, installation and ongoing maintenance, these handy gnomes have you covered.

8. Richard Lyons' Nursery

Where is it? South Miami-Dade (20200 SW 134th Ave, Miami, FL 33177)

What to expect: Ten acres of rare and unusual tropical trees and plants. The namesake behind this 10-acre nursery began his career as a real estate lawyer before devoting himself to his true passion nearly 20 years ago. He still mans the place, and might just be willing to give you a tour on his golf cart to get a lay of the land, which is filled with special exotics, native plants, tropical fruit trees, herbs and even minis suitable for Bonsai. The curated selection is a dream for horticulturists in search of something unique.

Time Out tip: Contact the nursery in advance to inquire about a tour—Richard himself can show you around the property, where you can see, smell and taste unique plants along the way.

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9. Kreative Gardens

Where is it? Glenvar Heights (7247 SW 48th St, Miami, FL 33155)

What to expect: These guys created (and patented!) the root orb plant system, a unique way to cultivate plants by weaving their roots with organic materials. The exposed orb is easy to care for and keeps plants safe while making the whole system—growing roots to flourishing tips—more aesthetically pleasing than regular planters. Kreative Gardens sells all kinds of plants with this type of system at its nursery, as well as at retailers around town. 

Time Out tip: If you’ve had your plant a while and it’s starting to look a bit drab, Kreative Gardens offers “root orb rehab.” Bring your plant back to the store and the team will spruce it up with a brand new orb, full of fresh nutrients. (Pricing varies by size and condition.)

10. Aaron Agriculture

Where is it? West Little River (1875 NW 79th St, Miami, FL 33147)

What to expect: This nursery is a go-to for Miami’s DIY landscapers, urban gardeners and even pros looking for quality soil, sod, sand bags, rocks, gravel and other essentials without driving down to Homestead. You’ll find all your usual Miami plant suspects, from clusia and ficus to podocarpus and Adonidia Palms. They also offer an extensive agave collection, along with ferns, shade and ornamental trees for creating the perfect layered landscape.

Time Out tip: Delivery and installation are also offered, which come in handy when you’re ordering several pallets of sod or dozens of bags of pea gravel to cover a larger space.

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