If you've killed your fair share of green things or love a desert vibe, consider a succulent, air plant, or cacti—or perhaps even a Venus flytrap—to pretty up your home or office space.
They're much hardier and pretty difficult to kill. Plus, they come in some super cool, weird, trippy varieties. Here's where to shop in San Francisco, Marin, and the East Bay.
San Francisco Nurseries for Succulents, Cacti & More
Succulence
If creative containers and vertical gardening sparks your interest, then you'll be in plant wonderland at Succulence in Bernal Heights. The shop takes an artisan approach to gardening, and even offers workshops (both IRL and virtual) to help people get started with designing their own terrariums, aeriums, and vertical gardens. Look for the planting bar with a variety of rocks and moss so you can DIY your own piece. You'll also find tools, a variety of planters, and books. // 402 Cortland Ave. (Bernal Heights), thesucculence.com
Roots
This small Mission shop specializes in indoor plants and specifically terrariums. The helpful shop owner (and her two dogs) is present to help you find the perfect pick for your space and ensure you have the information you need not to kill it. There are a range of already-assembled terrariums that range from tiny to pretty large and a lot of fun gift ideas as well. // 425 S. Van Ness Ave. (Mission), rootsinsf.com
Paxton Gate
The Mission's favorite taxidermy shop also carries cool plants for small spaces. Paxton Gate is a weird and wonderful place—you can spend hours perusing handpicked oddities such as raw crystals, viper skeletons, a taxidermy bison, peculiar posters, and more. As for the plants, you can find a great selection of air plants and Venus flytraps and the vessels they hang out in, including some cool geometric glass terrariums. // 824 Valencia St. (Mission), paxtongate.com
Flora Grubb
This large garden shop has it all, including a wide selection of cool pottery, air plants, succulents, and cacti. You'll find large cacti and succulents if you're looking to turn your yard into a desert oasis, as well as chic planters to adorn your indoor spaces. The garden center also features "planting parties," in case you want to become a world-class succulent arranger. // 1634 Jerrold Ave. (Dogpatch), floragrubb.com
Flowercraft
This massive space sells indoor and outdoor plants, as well as many different types of large and small succulents. Head indoors to stock up on fairly-priced planters, and then head outside to check out the succulent collection. You'll most likely find parking right in front of the shop, which is ideal for anyone hoping to stock up on plants. Beyond succulents, you can buy soil, compost, perennials, edible plants, and fruit trees. // 550 Bayshore Blvd. (Bernal Heights), flowercraftgc.com
The Best East Bay and Marin Nurseries for Cacti and Succulents
Cactus Jungle
For cacti galore, head over the Cactus Jungle in the East Bay. The shop has a comprehensive selection of succulents, cacti, and air plants in their large outdoor nursery space. If you're looking to plant something bigger, you'll appreciate their assortment of terra-cotta planters. In addition to the fuzzy and prickly plants, they also have a great carnivorous plant selection. Yep, we're talking plants that eat bugs—perfect for any pesky bugs let loose in your apartment. Free delivery is available around Berkeley and San Anselmo, with a small fee for delivery in SF and extended areas. // 1509 Fourth St. (Berkeley), and 130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (San Anselmo), cactusjungle.com
Dry Garden Nursery
Dry Garden Nursery is unique in that it specializes in drought-tolerant plants and gardening techniques. Pick up some smaller indoor succulents and cacti for your mantle or redo your backyard space desert-style and you'll never have to feel guilty about watering again. // 6556 Shattuck Ave. (Oakland), thedrygardennursery.com
