The weather is finally warming up here in the Twin Cities, and if you’re like most locals, there’s no better way to celebrate the start of spring than with a trip to a local greenhouse, nursery, or garden center!
I swear, there’s something therapeutic for us Minneapolitans about planting our new gardens. It’s like the city ceremoniously and collectively kicks winter to the curb!
As someone obsessed with plants, I’ve got your back for all the best greenhouses and nurseries in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
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Map of the Best Greenhouses and Nurseries in the Twin Cities
Gerten’s
My go-to choice for bedding plants, perennials, and gardening gifts, Gerten’s is a fourth-generation garden center and landscaping service. Located about 10 minutes south of downtown St. Paul at the intersection of Highway 52 and I-494, Gerten’s has some of the best selection of plants and trees in the Twin Cities.
When other local garden centers run out of plants in the spring, Gertens knows garden projects happen all summer long. As a result, they often have a selection long after other retailers.
Plus, many of Gerten’s stock is grown on-site rather than shipped in from wholesalers.
- Address: 5500 Blaine Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
- Website: Gerten’s
Bachman’s
Bachman’s Floral and Garden began serving Twin Cities gardeners way back in 1885 when founder Henry Bachman, Sr., first planted a garden on a plot of land in South Minneapolis. Now, Bachman’s operates one of the world’s largest greenhouses and floral businesses. (Chances are you’ve seen their famous purple trucks around town during the summer.)
Their flagship store off 60th and Lyndale Avenue has acres of plants, flowers, gifts, and gardening supplies galore.
- Address: Seven Twin Cities locations, including Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis
- Website: Bachman’s
Mother Co. Plants
I am obsessed with Mother Plants, and I don’t even try to hide it.
This is the trendiest plant store in the Twin Cities. It’s bright, airy, and beautiful, and they have locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. They specialize in cacti and tropical plants, so if you’re looking to add a desert/boho vibe to your space, this is your greenhouse!
P.S. – They occasionally host plant workshops, for those who need a little extra help keeping their plants looking green.
P.P.S. – For the true plant lovers, the Minneapolis location has an amazing event rental space. I almost booked my own wedding reception here!
- Address 1: 2400 N 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Address 2: 162 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55102
- Website: Mother Co. Plants
Eggplant Urban Farm Supply
Is your green thumb looking to move beyond flowers and a few veggies into small-scale urban food production? Eggplant Urban Farm Supply on Selby Avenue in St. Paul is a one-stop-shop for all-things homesteading.
Year-round, you’ll find seeds, house plants, gardening supplies, and just about everything you’d need for canning, pickling, preserving, and filling the freezer. Outside in the spring and summer, Eggplant stocks organic and heirloom vegetable plants and nursery stock for cold-hearty fruit trees and shrubs. The staff here are dedicated urban homesteaders and can always offer advice on growing and gardening.
- Address: 1771 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104
- Website: Eggplant Urban Farm Supply
Highland Nursery
It’s hard not to drive down West 7th in the summer and get drawn into a stop at Highland Nursery. There’s just enough of the plants and greenery from the nursery stock poking through the fence to spark the “I wonder what I might find…” in me.
Highland also has some of the best prices on trees in the Metro, a nice mix of cold-hearty perennials and bedding plants.
Don’t miss the selection of house plants and gifts for green thumbs inside!
- Address: 1742 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55116
- Website: Highland Nursery
Leitner’s
If you tend to choose a chain retailer for gardening supplies, I challenge you to stop in at Leitner’s this season for a chance to experience the difference a locally-owned greenhouse makes. The selection here is unique and often full of plant varieties you won’t find in other places. Plus, the staff here are extra helpful and knowledgeable about Minnesota gardening. (Both things you’re probably missing out on at the big box stores.)
Protip: Many St. Paul homeowners know Leitner’s as the best place to find split firewood for backyard campfires.
- Address: 945 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55102
- Website: Leitner’s Garden Center
Lilydale Garden Center
If you’re stopping at nearby Highland Nursery or Leitner’s, don’t forget to add Lilydale Garden Center to your greenhouse/nursery tour. Located off I-35E, this small garden center has a little bit of everything, including plants, garden accessories, and an impressive selection of pottery and fountains.
The prices here might trend higher than the larger garden centers and chain stores, but you also won’t fight giant crowds or have to walk acres to find what you’re looking for.
- Address: 941 Sibley Memorial Hwy, St Paul, MN 55118
- Website: Lilydale Garden Center
Mother Earth Gardens
It doesn’t take much digging into the landscaping and gardening industry to discover that growing and gardening do not always happen in sustainable ways. However, you’ll find a much different philosophy at Mother Earth Gardens on 38th and 42nd Ave S. It’s their mission to choose plants and gardening products that have been grown, produced, and delivered in sustainable ways. In addition, they incorporate organic, native, local, and independently-owned into as many of their gardening and gift options as possible in the store.
Mother Earth also offers unique gardening services you won’t find anywhere else in town, including garden babysitting, garden coaching, and even weeding service.
- Address 1: 3738 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
- Address 2: 2318 NE Lowry Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55418
- Website: Mother Earth Gardens
Southview Garden Center
One of the things I love most about Southview Garden Center is its endurance. To visit this corner of West St. Paul, you have to travel past no fewer than three large chain big-box retailers with garden centers. Nearby Robert Street is full of alternatives, yet Southview still shines through the competition.
You’ll find annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees here, along with bulk landscaping materials like mulch and river rock. So skip the box stores and find out why Southview is still around.
- Address: 50 E Crusader Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118
- Website: Southview Garden Center
Tangletown Gardens
This isn’t the first time Tangletown Gardens has appeared on one of our “Best of” lists. Named on our Best Gift Shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul as our favorite place for green thumbs, Tangletown advertises itself as “the absolute garden experience.” We couldn’t agree more!
Part garden center, part gift shop, and part all-around magical place, expect to find the unexpected on every visit here.
- Address: 5353 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
- Website: Tangletown Gardens
Tonkadale Greenhouses
Every spring since 1947, West Metro gardeners flock to Tonkadale Greenhouses in Minnetonka for one of the best selections of indoor and outdoor plants for the home. The business started with specialty African violets and has now grown to include custom-designed planters and landscaping.
In addition, Tonkadale offers delivery and set-up services for all their items, the perfect fit if you like the idea of plants but don’t like the idea of dirt!
- Address: 3739 Tonkawood Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- Website: Tonkadale
Wagners Greenhouses & Garden Center
Five generations of family members have owned and operated Minneapolis-based Wagners Greenhouse on 61st and Penn near the Crosstown. They offer annuals, perennials, nursery stock, herbs, veggies, gardening accessories, and green thumb gifts.
Their second location in Hugo has growing space for acres of plants, meaning much of what you find at Wagners is locally grown and affordably priced.
- Address: 6024 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
- Website: Wagners Greenhouse
