1. Evergreen Nursery, as one of San Diego’s largest wholesale nurseries open to the public, you will find all of the nursery and garden supplies you can imagine. Make sure you give yourself enough time to explore all 80 acres! You can find Evergreen Nursery in Carmel Valley, El Cajon, and Oceanside.

2. North Park Nursery, located in the heart of North Park, this locally owned and operated nursery was awarded San Diego’s Best Garden Supply Store/Nursery in 2017. Take a trip to this quirky, community-focused business to see why!

3. City Farmers Nursery in San Diego has everything you need to keep your plants healthy and happy. Their online store and drive-thru pickup make it easier to get what you need without the hassle of crowds. Like North Park Nursery, City Farmers Nursery is an oasis in an urban part of San Diego.

4. IvyMay does not have a phsyical location, but we couldn't help but include them since they are based out of San Diego! On their website, they sell a variety of plant, home, and self-care essentials like propogation stations, trellises, soil mixes, pots, crystals, and candles. Keep an eye out on their Instagram for one of their next pop-up events.

5. Green Gardens Nursery is a family-owned gem in Pacific Beach. With a 40-year history, they are sure to have the answers to any plant-related questions you may have and the plant selection to match!

6. Mission Hills Nursery was founded in 1910, making it San Diego’s oldest nursery and garden center. They offer local delivery and pickup, garden tools, potting soil, eco-friendly fertilizer, and other organic gardening products.

7. Botanica Home and Garden is run by husband and wife duo Ellis and Caitlin. Their combined experience has resulted not only in a plant and garden store, but a workshop and event space. In addition to plants, they sell handmade furniture, plant accessories, ceramics, and textile goods. 

8. House of Plants, located in Bonita, was founded by Melanie in 2018. Their online store of pots, plants, succulents, cacti, and other gardening necessities makes it super easy to check out their inventory or make a purchase before driving to the store.

9. Walter Andersen has two convenient locations, one in Point Loma and the other in Poway. Walter Andersen has been a staple in San Diego since its founding in 1928 by none other than Walter Andersen Sr. Even today it is a family-owned and operated venture! They will have everything you need to be successful at gardening.

1. Ace Mega Succulents is a family-owned succulent farm located in Chula Vista. While many of the nurseries listed above also sell succulents and cacti, Ace Mega Succulents are experts in their niche. If you have any succulent or cacti-specific questions, they will be your best bet.

While this list does cover quite a few plant nurseries in San Diego, it’s not an exhaustive list nor is it in any specific order. Our hope is that it gives you a starting point for small business alternatives to big-box retailers. Discovering new small businesses can be a lot of fun! 

If you don’t know where to start, head over to North Park Nursery, City Farmers Nursery, or Walter Andersen. 

Are there any of your favorite local plant or succulent nurseries in South County that you think deserve to be on the list? Or nurseries in North County that deserve a shoutout? Please let us know and we will update either post!

If you are interested in taking a peek at what fun plants and decor we have at our San Marcos nursery, take a look at our Instagram where we post most frequently!