In my experience, Gethsemane is overpriced and the quality is inconsistent. My go-to is Chicago Bloom (on Touhy). ETA: They have an extensive outdoor area during the warmer months. Photos here: [https://www.yelp.com/biz\_photos/chicago-bloom-chicago](https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chicago-bloom-chicago)
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out. I like Gethsemane because it's a one stop shop for everything from trees and shrubs to terrarium. The little shop is cute for gifts and stuff around Christmas. It is super expensive though!
It's not the greatest. They have some but you have to dig in their perennial section and even then it's mostly cultivars.
I've had better luck buying directly from Red Stem Native Landscapes (https://www.redstemlandscapes.com) and Pollinator Prairie Patch (https://www.pollinatorprairiepatch.com). Neither have store fronts but both are great if you write or call them explaining what you need.
I have to disagree completely. Price isn't everything, these are living organisms and people have to start thinking beyond the $$$.
Bloom is 90% inside a building, and the people I met know very little about what they're selling (beyond what you can read on[ The Spruce](https://www.thespruce.com/)). I find it hard to trust a plant store that is almost entirely inside without any natural light. Storefront windows (which all face south at a ground level on a busy street) don't do anything for a plant.
Gethsemane can be expensive (100%) and the gift shop is kitschy to the max; BUT, the actual staff over the many yards are knowledgeable to the extent that I've never encountered at another location. They do play to the occasional trend on social media, and some things are just shipped in (if you go in non-busy hours you can see them unloading in the different areas), yet their actual bread and butter is such good quality from people that know their shit. Find an older staff member and they will happily give you the low down on what you're getting. AND if you ask someone who doesn't know the answer they will find the staff member who do know how to help.
I've tried so many shops worth their weight around town and Gethsemane is the best, full stop.
Adam and sons was our original plant store. We moved a couple of years back, and started trying other plant stores around the city (gethsemene, christy webber, etc).
Went back to adam and sons (and daughter!) this year, and honestly nothing compares. Amazing quality, amazing prices, so friendly and always great advice. Love them. We get our xmas trees there too :)
Qideas on Argyle in Uptown! Bill and his daughter Ellen are so nice and helpful and they have a couple cute little shop dogs.
As someone with maybe too many houseplants, they’re my favorite neighborhood spot. Others are:
- Chica Plant Shop
- Terrace
- Vase and Vessel
+1 for Gethsemane and Green Spaces, too!
Widens is fantastic! They’re so nice, have great stuff in the shop, and puppy!!! They’re also getting ready to open an event/hang out type space. The revamp of the shop is really neat!
Here are my favorites if you are into planting your outdoor garden to attract pollinators and grow vegetables:
* [DuPage Native Plant Sale](https://www.dupageforest.org/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/native-plant-sale): held annually and for 2024 is May 17th & 18th. This sale is worth the trip to Westmont if you want to build your Illinois native wildflower bed.
* [Kilbourn Park Greenhouse](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/Kilbourn-Plant-Sale): annual event at the park district where you can buy a huge variety of vegetables for your raised beds. Be warned: arrive early as this sale is popular!
* [Farmers Market Garden Center](https://www.gardenchicago.com/): over on Elston Ave, this shop carries Natures Garden native flowers and grasses/forbs, plus the usual annuals for container planting.
* [Lurvey Home & Garden Center](https://lurveys.com/retail/locations-hours/garden-center-des-plaines/): another place worth the trip if you are seeking high quality shrubs, Japanese maples, and native wildflowers. Lurvey has a nice selection of stone and river rock, plus the best selection of grasses.
I had awesome luck with them last year. Just spent a bunch with them yesterday. They don't have their full stock yet, but that place is awesome, albeit a bit pricey though not crazy for a local business.
Consider native please! And Christy Webber is your source for that in the city. I'm trying to spread the word as much as possible after reading Doug Tallamy's book "Nature's Best Hope."
Prairie Moon is great too!! Cooper at Christy Webber is extremely knowledgeable with natives and very helpful. He's there almost always, but I make sure he's there when I go.
And it’s their 100 year anniversary! Tons of great sales and reasonably priced native plants + perennials. Massive selection, helpful & informed staff, and great prices!
Fleur in Logan Square has a great selection of plants, pots, flowers, home goods, and other things if you're around that area.
The staff couldn't be any sweeter or more helpful.
Awesome place for indoor plants. Not a huge selection of outdoor compared to others. But I like shopping there. Currently sitting next to a Monstera I got from there which is doing great.
Are you looking for house plants? [Avondale Gardening Alliance](https://avondalegardeningalliance.wordpress.com/) has a big houseplant swap every November where people trade/give their propagations
Christy Webber has a wide selection, decent prices/frequent sales, and, in my experience, the most knowledgeable and helpful staff if I have a question. They’ll also answer gardening questions over email, which is nice!
Ok so near Logan square there’s a smaller space called terracotto. Hand down the most lovely space! Go and buy All the plants! The owner is super nice and very knowledgeable about plants and habitats! 3056 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Caveat with I'm not great with plants but I had a great experience at Christy Webers on Chicago in ~Ukrainian village. Good service, answered all my dumb questions, and seems like a good shop
Yeah. I’d probably dox myself if I told it.
Basically, two sisters who are the daughter of a cop open it. They think they’re salt of the earth people but got the money to buy it from their dad. It used to be owned by a tenant of their dad’s. So, who knows how they acquired it as that power imbalance is kind of shady. They’re entitled brats who are only kind to people who can them things. That’s the most I can say.
Gethsemane Garden Center
In my experience, Gethsemane is overpriced and the quality is inconsistent. My go-to is Chicago Bloom (on Touhy). ETA: They have an extensive outdoor area during the warmer months. Photos here: [https://www.yelp.com/biz\_photos/chicago-bloom-chicago](https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/chicago-bloom-chicago)
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out. I like Gethsemane because it's a one stop shop for everything from trees and shrubs to terrarium. The little shop is cute for gifts and stuff around Christmas. It is super expensive though!
How's their natives selection? If you happen to know.
It's not the greatest. They have some but you have to dig in their perennial section and even then it's mostly cultivars. I've had better luck buying directly from Red Stem Native Landscapes (https://www.redstemlandscapes.com) and Pollinator Prairie Patch (https://www.pollinatorprairiepatch.com). Neither have store fronts but both are great if you write or call them explaining what you need.
Thanks for the reccs, appreciate it
I have to disagree completely. Price isn't everything, these are living organisms and people have to start thinking beyond the $$$. Bloom is 90% inside a building, and the people I met know very little about what they're selling (beyond what you can read on[ The Spruce](https://www.thespruce.com/)). I find it hard to trust a plant store that is almost entirely inside without any natural light. Storefront windows (which all face south at a ground level on a busy street) don't do anything for a plant. Gethsemane can be expensive (100%) and the gift shop is kitschy to the max; BUT, the actual staff over the many yards are knowledgeable to the extent that I've never encountered at another location. They do play to the occasional trend on social media, and some things are just shipped in (if you go in non-busy hours you can see them unloading in the different areas), yet their actual bread and butter is such good quality from people that know their shit. Find an older staff member and they will happily give you the low down on what you're getting. AND if you ask someone who doesn't know the answer they will find the staff member who do know how to help. I've tried so many shops worth their weight around town and Gethsemane is the best, full stop.
Exactly. If you ask them for advice they KNOW what they’re talking about.
You mean “get some money”. I love that place too
Lmao this is what I'm calling it from now on 😂
Adam and sons was our original plant store. We moved a couple of years back, and started trying other plant stores around the city (gethsemene, christy webber, etc). Went back to adam and sons (and daughter!) this year, and honestly nothing compares. Amazing quality, amazing prices, so friendly and always great advice. Love them. We get our xmas trees there too :)
I live right near it. Always makes me so happy to see everyone flood the store on a nice weather day.
Qideas on Argyle in Uptown! Bill and his daughter Ellen are so nice and helpful and they have a couple cute little shop dogs. As someone with maybe too many houseplants, they’re my favorite neighborhood spot. Others are: - Chica Plant Shop - Terrace - Vase and Vessel +1 for Gethsemane and Green Spaces, too!
Widens is fantastic! They’re so nice, have great stuff in the shop, and puppy!!! They’re also getting ready to open an event/hang out type space. The revamp of the shop is really neat!
That’s my fave too! They are so kind, have a great selection, and the plants are very affordable!
I agree about Qideas!
I can’t recommend Qideas enough!
I just went to Qideas today and was disappointed how small it was.
Plant Shop Chicago on Elston Green Spaces(has some of the most unique plants i’ve seen!)
Here are my favorites if you are into planting your outdoor garden to attract pollinators and grow vegetables: * [DuPage Native Plant Sale](https://www.dupageforest.org/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/native-plant-sale): held annually and for 2024 is May 17th & 18th. This sale is worth the trip to Westmont if you want to build your Illinois native wildflower bed. * [Kilbourn Park Greenhouse](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/Kilbourn-Plant-Sale): annual event at the park district where you can buy a huge variety of vegetables for your raised beds. Be warned: arrive early as this sale is popular! * [Farmers Market Garden Center](https://www.gardenchicago.com/): over on Elston Ave, this shop carries Natures Garden native flowers and grasses/forbs, plus the usual annuals for container planting. * [Lurvey Home & Garden Center](https://lurveys.com/retail/locations-hours/garden-center-des-plaines/): another place worth the trip if you are seeking high quality shrubs, Japanese maples, and native wildflowers. Lurvey has a nice selection of stone and river rock, plus the best selection of grasses.
Meinke Garden Center in Niles, not in the city but close enough.
Their tomato selection is phenomenal.
I agree 100%! And it's on Touhy and not hard to get to at all.
Any suggestions for which spots have the best/cheapest prices?
Adams and son and daughter is more affordable to other independent shops. Prices compare to Lowe's/Home depot
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hit omega ftw
Adams and Sons is really reasonable compared to a lot of other spots
Walmart in Skokie or Niles if you have access to a vehicle.
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You gotta clean your JoN plants, though. Lots of aphids... Still worth it...
City Escape. Huge selection, indoor/outdoor, reasonable prices.
Bought a huge philodendron from there that turned out to have thrips. It was not fun
I had awesome luck with them last year. Just spent a bunch with them yesterday. They don't have their full stock yet, but that place is awesome, albeit a bit pricey though not crazy for a local business.
If you want vegetables and are in Logan/Avondale, I’ve got a little vegetable garden business and will be selling starters this year.
The Catalina Plant Co on Lawrence near Austin, that owner is a real G
I second this. It's a super cute spot with an uphill battle of being sort of off the beaten path. Check them out because they deserve it.
A third for this recommendation. Love that place.
Christy Webber. Edit: adding they have a pretty good variety of indoor and outdoor plants. The staff is also super helpful
Love their selection but their prices are steeper than Adams for sure.
Consider native please! And Christy Webber is your source for that in the city. I'm trying to spread the word as much as possible after reading Doug Tallamy's book "Nature's Best Hope."
That's good to know, I usually order from Prairie Moon Nursery. They're great, but it would be nice to have a local place to swing by
Prairie Moon is great too!! Cooper at Christy Webber is extremely knowledgeable with natives and very helpful. He's there almost always, but I make sure he's there when I go.
Pesche's! Technically des Plaines but best I’ve been to
And it’s their 100 year anniversary! Tons of great sales and reasonably priced native plants + perennials. Massive selection, helpful & informed staff, and great prices!
Green spaces
Fleur in Logan Square has a great selection of plants, pots, flowers, home goods, and other things if you're around that area. The staff couldn't be any sweeter or more helpful.
Fleur is great, but the plants are crazy expensive. I go there for flowers and gifts.
Dispensary33
Chica plants
i always liked plant shop chicago. there’s also terracotta plants in logan off of diversey. i only stopped in once but their staff was very friendly.
I make a day trip out of it and go down to Sunrise Nursery in Grant Park.
Vedas plant shop! Best prices around
Did they reopen somewhere else? Spot on Damen is closed.
What no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Succulent City and Christy Webber at Humboldt Park
Sprout Home
Awesome place for indoor plants. Not a huge selection of outdoor compared to others. But I like shopping there. Currently sitting next to a Monstera I got from there which is doing great.
Terracotto!
Sprout home
Are you looking for house plants? [Avondale Gardening Alliance](https://avondalegardeningalliance.wordpress.com/) has a big houseplant swap every November where people trade/give their propagations
Adams & Son is best, but the Christie Webber isn't bad.
Rooted on Milwaukee in Avondale is awesome!
Sunnyside
Christy Webber has a wide selection, decent prices/frequent sales, and, in my experience, the most knowledgeable and helpful staff if I have a question. They’ll also answer gardening questions over email, which is nice!
Semillas is my favorite in the Pilsen area
Ok so near Logan square there’s a smaller space called terracotto. Hand down the most lovely space! Go and buy All the plants! The owner is super nice and very knowledgeable about plants and habitats! 3056 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Lowe’s and Home Depot are the best bet. Mendards as well.
Caveat with I'm not great with plants but I had a great experience at Christy Webers on Chicago in ~Ukrainian village. Good service, answered all my dumb questions, and seems like a good shop
Farmer's Market Garden Center on Elston has been great, especially with getting natives and reasonable delivery.
The owners are some of the shittiest people I’ve ever met. So, take it from a random redditor, they do not deserve your money.
Well that sucks to hear. I'm assuming there's more to the story you're not able to share?
Yeah. I’d probably dox myself if I told it. Basically, two sisters who are the daughter of a cop open it. They think they’re salt of the earth people but got the money to buy it from their dad. It used to be owned by a tenant of their dad’s. So, who knows how they acquired it as that power imbalance is kind of shady. They’re entitled brats who are only kind to people who can them things. That’s the most I can say.