Where to Buy Chic Indoor Plants (and Trees) in Brooklyn

From small trees to luscious indoor plants, Sprout Home has a little bit of everything. You can find Fiddle-leaf fig plants, Ficus Alii, Dragon tree (Dracaena Marginata), and more. They even offer terrarium-building classes, mounted staghorn/ kokedama classes, and a Plant 101 class for the green thumb beginner.

Sprout Home recommends these plants for urban spaces:

1. Cacti/succulent. Good for apartments, can live on the windowsill, perfect as a highlight plant.
2. Snake plant/Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant). Good for the office, low maintenance, can tolerate very low light.
3. Pilea/baby tears. Mid-light plant, good for pets owners (non-toxic to cats and dogs).

Located in Williamsburg, Chelsea Garden Center has been around for over 30 years with previous locations all over Manhattan and in Red Hook. They have a full team of landscape designers and architects on staff to help you with their impressive collection of annuals, trees, evergreens, houseplants, and more. They also have a new online shop, just in case the trains are acting up and you’d rather have your plant delivered (this is New York City, after all).

“Move your plants away from cold window sills, air conditioners, and heating units/pipes. Any type of very hot or very cold air is not good for our tropical friends!” says CGC’s Director of Social Media, Meagan.

Tips for urban plant life from Chelsea Garden Center:

1. Dracaena reflexa. Easy to grow, will tolerate a medium light very well.
2. Strelitzia nicolai ‘Bird of Paradise’. Big, dramatic tropical leaves that do well in bright spaces. (If it doesn’t sprout a flower, don’t be alarmed: “The foliage is definitely impressive enough on its own!”)
3. ZZ Plant. Perfect beginner’s plant, tolerates both low and bright light. (“It’s soil likes to go dry between waterings, so it’s a great choice if you’re a traveller.”)

Greenmarkets play a vital role in helping New Yorkers get their fill of sustainable, locally sourced produce. But did you know you can also find your new favorite plant there too? The Grand Amy Plaza Greenmarket, located near the north side of Prospect Park, is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until about 4 p.m. If this location isn’t ideal, check out others around the borough.

GrowNYC recommends these plants for urban spaces:
1. Sansevieria. Very low maintenance. Prefers indirect light. Avoid overwatering, especially in winter.
2. Split Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa). Keep soil evenly moist, allowing it to dry out between waterings. Prefers indirect sunlight and at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Spathiphyllum x Mauna Loa Mauna Loa Peace Lily. Tolerates low light and cool temperatures (45 degree Fahrenheit). Durable plant with dark glossy leaves and white flowers.

Other notable plant shops in Brooklyn:

GRDN (103 Hoyt Street); Natty Garden (636 Washington Avenue); Kings County Nurseries(625 New York Avenue); Dig (479 Atlantic Avenue); and Twig (287 3rd Avenue).

Want to know more tips on plant care? Here are the best houseplants for city life (and how to keep them alive).