New York City, like the rest of the world, has become enamored with plants, flowers, and greenery in general. Whether you’re a houseplant lover or just looking to buy a fresh bouquet, below are the best, coolest shops for buying plants and flowers in NYC– a city that has no shortage of eclectic options.
These beloved florists and “hidden gem” plant shops are great for procuring housewarming gifts or greening up your apartment; for Valentine’s Day flowers or birthday surprises; for celebration bouquets and bathroom orchids; and for desktop succulents, rooftop plants, living room jungles, window box wonders, and more!
Like everything in NYC, local plant people just seem to do it better. This city’s creative folk are the best of the best. And fortunately: many of them deliver flowers and plant babies all over Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Otherwise, you’ll definitely have fun exploring New York City’s myriad flower and plant shops. It’s all so cheery and beautiful!
For artists, design-lovers, plant parents, dreamers, and good ole’ fashioned flower-folk, there’s nothing better than wandering into one of these greenery-filled studios and inhaling deeply.
Bookmark this list for easy reference later. Enjoy!
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Petal by Pedal (Sustainable Flowers, Delivered by Bike!)
This is a wicked cool, super sustainable concept! Petal by Pedal sells farm-fresh, locally-grown blooms and delivers them by bike in New York City and Brooklyn. The result is a fresher, truly local product that has a lower carbon footprint per stem than any other flower shop in New York City.
Powered by a deep, abiding respect for natural systems and “wholehearted flower hustle”, the concept is positively inspired.
Petal by Pedal’s charming winter roses, for example, are grown at Rosemeadow Farm in Patchogue, Long Island. The greenhouses here are over 100 years old! From May to June, meanwhile, they offer New York City’s best locally-grown peonies (everyone’s favorite flower!) just in time for Mother’s Day.
In the Fall, they also “pedal” the most cheerful dahlia, basil, sage, gomphrena and scabiosa bouquets around. And in the Summer, well– you’ll have your pick of litter, with dozens of local poppies, sunflowers, allium, and other “dirt candy” coming into bloom in a variety of colors all at once.
^ These are just a few of the uniquely local, seasonal delights that make this one-of-a-kind bike florist so special. We also love that they wrap hand-tied bouquets in rustic recycled paper; vessels, meanwhile, consist mostly of reusable glass mason jars. Love it!
Check out Petal by Pedal’s seasonal flowers for delivery, here.
Flower Girl NYC (Boutique Flower Shop, Delivers 7 Days a Week)
This boutique flower shop in NYC delivers 7 days a week! Flower Girl NYC is a New York staple for fast, friendly floral deliveries. An ideal florist for Valentine’s Day, they offer everything from hand-tied bouquets to classic arrangements in vessels to potted orchids, as well as dried flower crowns and centerpieces made from succulents in driftwood.
We like their “Il Tropicale” arrangements (above shown), which include a mix of bold and lush exotic blooms in square glassware for a modern edge. C’est chic!
Other unique offerings like the “Vintage Find” bouquet feature a one-of-a-kind vintage tin from Flower Girl’s vessel collection, filled with pods, grasses, and other rustic elements.
Still, there are plenty of classic bouquet options here for romantics and traditionalists. See, for example, the eponymous “Flower Girl”: an embodiment of the shop’s signature lush style featuring a mix of flowers, in mercury glass, that are “seasonal, sweet, and a little bit sexy”.
In addition to seasonal floral workshops and online classes, Flower Girl NYC also provides flowers for weddings and events. They even sell edible flowers for cooking, tea, and other creative edible projects!
To order your own Flower Girl bundles for delivery in NYC, go here.
The Sill (For Indoor Potted Houseplants)
Lower East Side staple The Sill is by now a classic New York one-stop-shop for house plant hunters looking for staples to brighten any apartment or home. Known for their indoor potted plants, this modern NYC plant studio is credited with pioneering the popular Internet hashtag, “#PlantsMakePeopleHappy”.
And that, they do. One look inside this quaint, greenery-filled shop and you’ll understand the appeal of becoming a plant parent. (If, that is, you aren’t one already.)
The Sill is full of great basics like snake plants, philodendrons, ferns, and echeverias. They also sell basic tools for house plant maintenance and troubleshooting. Think: grow lights, potting soil, fertilizer, and organic neem oil for pest control.
Above all, people love their super affordable planters, which typically range from $10 to $14. (That’s the cheapest you can find them at almost any other plant shop in NYC.)
If you have a question about how to care for a specific house plant– or want guidance on what to buy– go here. They also offer plant care workshops and webinars that address common houseplant questions and troubleshooting.
Tula Plants & Design (Quirky Succulents, Cacti, + More!)
We love Tula Plants & Design‘s quirky collection of succulents, cacti, air plants, and uncommon plant finds, which makes the trip out to this sleep corner of Brooklyn totally worth it. They also have an incredible selection of designer planters and ceramics available for shopping nationwide, as well as cool plant-themed merch that is very artsy Brooklyn-Boho. (This place is a whole scene, and a veritable oasis for arid houseplant lovers!)
In the summer, Tula sends out a roving plant truck (like a food truck, only they sell plants) that sets up shop around various neighborhoods in NYC and BK. The so-called “Tulita” truck is ideal for plant shopping on-the-go. (Check Tula’s instagram page for the latest location updates.)
Ultimately, whether you shop at the brick-and-mortar showroom on Meserole Ave or at the truck, this hipster NYC plant shop is easily the best place to buy succulents and cacti in NYC. We love their mission, vibe, variety, and the sheer love of nature that comes through in their enviable plant inventory.
When it comes to delightful arids and tropical plants, Tula is a true NYC original. I love wandering here because I always find something unique and unexpected. Check ‘um out!
Caseys Flower Studio (Cute Corner Flower Shop For Single Stems + Build-Your-Own-Bouquets)
Caseys Flower Studio is a tiny but abundantly lush West Village staple for single stem flowers and gorgeous, herbaceous bouquets. It’s an excellent place to buy, say, a handful of anemones, thistle, winterberries, eucalyptus by the stem– or a beautiful peony (when in season). It’s a charming little spot.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a place to fill a vase, this is it. Bring your own vessel, otherwise expect to have your flowers wrapped in brown paper and cellophane. (Just place them directly in water when you get home.) The jam-packed refrigerated flower room at Casey’s also sports tons of high-quality, rare flowers. As a result, prices here can get a little steep– but the quality is undeniable.
Most people wander into this shop after glimpsing Casey’s street-front arrangements and buckets of abundant sidewalk blooms. But you can also order fancy pre-made bouquets online.
For those interested in live plants, the shop also has a respectable selection of high-quality orchids. There’s also a limited supply of succulents, aloe, and cactus in various vessels. However, as any Caseys regular knows, flowers are the real star of the show here. It’s one of the most quaint flower shops in NYC!
PlantShed Cafe (NYC’s Original Plant Shop + Cafe!)
PlantShed is an original-to-NYC concept shop that sells coffee and plants in a cute cafe setting. For those who want an amazing cafe experience while they shop for plants, vessels, flowers, ceramics, and more, PlantShed is your best bet. It’s a very cool concept!
We love this beautifully-curated, greenery-filled cafe, which has locations on Columbus Ave, Prince Street, and Palisade Ave. (The flagship plant shop, which doesn’t have a cafe, is located on W. 96th Street on the Upper West Side.)
^ The cafe serves local Partners Coffee and locally-made croissants, two real draws. I love the bright pink rose lattes and refreshing iced coffee. But mostly, I love being able to shop for pothos plants and flowers at the same time.
Be sure during your visit to also look out for unique vessels like ceramic elephant succulent planters, which are absolutely adorable.
Bouquet-wise, PlantShed offers an intriguing variety of herbage. Look for unique specimens like ornamental cabbage flowers, thistle, dusty miller, and colorful anemone. Whatever you purchase, they’ll wrap it for you in classic floral parchment to-go.
PlantShed also offers same day flower delivery in NYC, for those who want to order fresh-cut flowers online. (There’s a ton of variety, but we’re partial to the “Manhattan Gratitude”, “Make Me Blush”, and “Smiles in Sydney” arrangements. All are super competitively priced and look even better in person.)
Fox Fodder Farm (Simple, Rustic Blooms)
Fox Fodder Farm is an aesthetically-focused flower shop and studio in Brooklyn that’s one of the more popular NYC flower shops on Instagram, in part because they really know how to photograph flowers in the most alluring light. Known for their simple, rustic arrangements (see above example), Fox Fodder Farm specializes in floral deliveries and floral workshops.
We love their earthy Mixed Seasonal Bouquets and the over-the-top “City Hall Special”. The latter is– you guessed it– an ideal bouquet and boutonnière combo for last-minute weddings at City Hall. They also sell Farm Fresh Loose Bundles, clusters of 20-25 thoughtfully-curated single stem flowers that the receiver can arrange themselves (or distribute among many vases). It’s all lovely.
Plus, Fox Fodder Farm prioritizes buying local flowers when the season allows, and domestic flowers when it doesn’t. (This is a big step up from internationally-shipped flowers, trust me. Way better for you and the planet!)
Flower delivery from this shop is available in Manhattan and Brooklyn. To order or send Fox Fodder Farm flowers, go here.
Dandy Farmer (Cool Bonsai Shop in Brooklyn)
Dandy Farmer might just be New York’s first and only dedicated bonsai shop, selling– you guessed it– the trendiest mini-trees and Japanese ceramics in Brooklyn. They also sell tools and books about caring for your bonsai. It’s a complete one-stop-shop for bonsai enthusiasts and plant lovers who are interested in learning more about this ancient, calming horticultural craft.
Here, you can buy super unique, pre-potted bonsai trees in various shapes and vessels, each one of them unique. No two mini trees are alike, so you’re sure to walk away with something that’s one-of-a-kind. (The trees even have their own names, cheekily attached to the care instructions.)
We love the serene aesthetics at this prototypically zen Brooklyn plant shop. The owner, Matt, is a kind, extremely knowledgeable guy who is super passionate about the art of bonsai– one of the most subtly rewarding plant-human relationships any botany lover can foster. (His experience goes way back to Japan. Ask him about it!)
The art of tending a bonsai tree, moreover, is a very peaceful and calm-inducing hobby. (A welcome side benefit to simply enjoying their beauty– especially in a city that rarely pauses to slow down.) Peruse Dandy Farmer’s indoor and outdoor bonsai collection, here.
The Union Square Farmers Market (Farm-Fresh Seasonal Flowers)
For the freshest flowers in the city, head to the Union Square Farmers Market, which is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 8 AM to 6 PM. The flowers and plants here are highly seasonal, as they’re all grown locally (usually within 100 miles of the city).
Thus, you can expect abundant anemones, coxcomb, dahlias, mums, and roses in the Fall; daffodils, tulips, lilac, and peonies in the Spring; foxglove, poppies, sunflowers, ranunculus, cottage roses, daisies, hydrangea, ferns, and daylilies in the Summer; and plenty of dried flowers, rustic grasses, herbaceous woody plants, fruit-bearing forage like holly + winterberries, and various deciduous greenery in the Winter.
The flower venders at this market range from niche specialists (like the farm that only sells lavender and lavender products) to broad-ranging (vendors who sell racks of potted outdoor plants). You can find most fresh basics here. In the height of summer, its an easy place to find grab-and-go houseplants, including cacti and small trees.
Plus, the prices here are significantly cheaper than at other NYC flower shops, which have steep markups. Here, you will buy flowers directly from the producer. The only downside is, they can’t deliver. (For those looking for quick Valentine’s Day bouquets, for example, you’ll have to go there and pick them out yourself.)
Otherwise, the market is an ideal place to shop for fresh produce, veg, meat, dairy, mushrooms, ferments, baked goods, and sundries from over 140 regional farmers, fishers, and bakers from all over the Hudson Valley and Upstate. It’s the best!
Ultimately, the Union Square Farmers Market is a bustling New York City tradition dating back to 1976. I love it. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!
Related: 3 Beautiful Places to Experience Cherry Blossom Season in Washington, D.C..
The NYC Flower District (A Great Place to Wander)
NYC’s Flower District is actually little known outside the realm of floral designers in the city, even though it is home to one of the busiest flower markets in the country. This is because the old school NYC flower shops on this greenery-filled stretch of 28th street primarily serve industry and retail, rather than individuals.
Floral stylists and designers from all over the world shop here when creating large-scale floral designs for fashion events, hotels, window displays, weddings, TV and film sets, and even the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s the utilitarian epicenter of floral design in the city.
Accordingly, the stores here all have a kind of cluttered warehouse feel. Nevertheless, there there are amazing flowers, greenery, faux flowers, fabric, fillers, plants, and vessels to be found if you’re interested in making a DIY bouquet or other floral art. There are also some good general gardening and plant shops peppered between florists. Be sure to explore!
The NYC Flower District is located on the 28th street block between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Highlights include Starbright Floral Design, Jamali Floral & Garden, Noble Plants (<— they’re so OG they don’t even have a website!) and Foliage Paradise. But really, the sport here is wandering in and out of various shops until you find what you’re looking for.
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Go Early and Ask Questions
Many of the flower shops here are wholesalers, but they’re usually willing to sell individual stems or reasonable quantities of flowers if you just ask. And like a true bustling flower market enterprise, the whole district is open from about 4 AM onward. (Professional florists, like bakers, tend to get an early start to the day.)
Emily Thompson Flowers (Elegant, Moody Floral Arrangements)
Veteran Emily Thompson Flowers is a small-but-mighty NYC flower shop with a sterling reputation among hard-core floral design enthusiasts. Thompson’s work is moody, wild, spare, and lush, harkening to Fine Art with a romantically dark sense of whimsy.
The florist has a small walk-in shop outpost at RW Guild in SoHo where you can rock up and arrange your own custom bouquet with the help of a seasoned flower arranger. Or, give the stylist some directional cues for your preferred color and aesthetic, and let them work their magic. It’s a charming place to buy a few stems on your way out of La Mercerie cafe. (<– One of my favorite upscale lunch spots in the city, FWIW!)
Other than that– or for large orders, event flowers, photoshoots, or other floral design inquiries– you can make a request online.
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Related: The 5 Best Clean Beauty + Eco-Friendly Skincare Shops in NYC.
6 Sweet Gifts That Spark Wonder & Awe (<— Including blooming lollipops, charming floral sugar cubes, and beautiful pressed-flower cookies!)
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