National Gardening Day is April 15th, and in a nature-loving city so green, we made sure to have you covered with a round up of the absolute best nurseries and plant shops in San Francisco to visit. Give a new plant (or a few!) a new home and excite your green thumb at these businesses that offer not only vibrantly wide selections, but also unique shopping experiences.
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1401 Haight St / Website
Starting off in Haight Ashbury is perhaps one of the most unique of them all, as The Mellow even offers pop-up yoga and live jazz events right inside their store! Beginning in the Mission in 2020, their recent Haight expansion in 2021 offers the same soothing and serene vibe with all their plants carefully tended to.
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2512 Mission St / Website
Similarly, in the Mission District, Arcana is a fairly new addition that livens up their expansive high-ceiling urban greenhouse with live jazz and a wine bar in the evenings. Pick out from their massive selection your next leafy companion while enjoying the airy atmosphere and warehouse-style raw wooden beams brightly lit from natural skylights, and definitely stay for the wine bar.
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824 Valencia St / Website
Continuing the unique, and turning up the dial even more, is Paxton Gate on Mission's Valencia St. Filled with all things macabre, taxidermied, and naturally unusual, this eccentric Victorian-chic oddities store hosts an equally outstanding nursery at their back patio. Peruse through their vibrant selections, and even pick up one of their many available pots, gardening resource books, or vintage style glassware ands truly channel your inner planting "mad scientist."
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566 Castro St / Website
Hortica is a mainstay in the Castro District for over 25 years, and for great reason. With over 240 different selections of flowers, fruit trees, carniverous plants, and more, stepping into the unassuming shop will transport you into a deep adventure once you see all the variety offered here. Along with the very helpful and kind staff, you'll be sure to find your way and walk out with a new plant (or several).
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1921 Clement St / Website
Clement Nursery in the Richmond District is unique for several aspects. Not only is it situated on a renovated dairy farm from 1904, but it has also been around for over 80 years! As you stroll through to plan your next project, observe the structural history of the complex, as both the plants and legacy of this delightful nursery will definitely inspire you to create your own.
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402 Cortland Ave / Website
Are you more of a succulent enthusiast? This aptly named store is just for you then! For those oriented more towards the heat and drought-resistant plant friends, this expansive Bernal Heights garden offers an amazing selection, plus plenty more. Their site features a gorgeous living moss wall, as well as virtual Zoom shopping, and gardening classes. Start off with some comforting cacti, but perhaps leave with a little more insight from their knowledgeable staff on introducing other diversity in your home garden.
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700 Sloat Blvd, 3237 Pierce St, 327 3rd Ave / Website
Last but certainly not least is the prolific Sloat Garden Center. With over 12 locations around the city, Marin, and more, it rightfully holds the title of largest independent and locally owned Bay Area garden store. It has also been providing quality selections since 1958, adding another esteemed title as one of the oldest and longest running. Visit outside of San Francisco proper for a piece of the city wherever you are.
Commemorate National Gardening Day this year with your new garden additions from these wonderfully stocked and helpful plant-filled places!
Photography by: Vadim Kaipov/ Unsplash
