Guide to the Best Garden Shops & Plant Sales in Durham, NC

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Spring is the time to plant your garden anew. Get your green thumb on by bringing some flowers, herbs, or native foliage into your life. Whether you’re interested in growing your own food, adding a little greenery to your home, or supporting local biodiversity, Durham has nurseries and plant shops to fulfill your every flora need.

Garden Shops in Durham

For Garden’s Sake
9197 NC Hwy 751
Durham, NC 27713
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This South Durham hot spot has been a cornerstone of garden supplies for 25 years. With oodles of locally grown plants and expert staff to guide you toward what will thrive in your yard, you’re in good hands at FGS. Not only do they sell plants and trees, but they also offer landscape design and lawn maintenance services. Plus, their For Friday’s Sake and Live Music in the Garden series bring excellent food trucks and music for all to enjoy. Check out their big 25th anniversary bash on Sat, April 20th and don’t forget a bevvie from their in-house bar, The Potting Shed.

Deep Roots Natives
3666 Guess Rd
Durham, NC 27705
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Did you know that hosting native plants in your yard can foster a healthier ecosystem, help conserve water, and give a boost to local pollinators? Deep Roots Natives prides itself on supporting environmental restoration through education and can walk you through their variety of hundreds of species of native plants to find what can best serve your needs. They offer educational events as well as in-house design consultations, perfect if you’re looking to create a rain garden or replace an invasive species with new plants. And they deliver throughout the Triangle! Check out their social media to see what’s blooming, literally and event-wise.

Durham Garden Center
4536 Hillsborough Rd
Durham, NC 27705
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Durham Garden Center is here to support your plant parenthood and has focused on becoming a “public classroom for horticulture” since the pandemic. Located in West Durham, near Bennett Place, DGC offers both indoor houseplants and outdoor trees, shrubs and perennials. You can check out their inventory (including prices) online, but nothing beats wandering the grounds to explore all the beautiful greenery while also picking the brains of the super knowledgeable staff. They offer a number of discounts, including 20% off for landscapers, JC Raulston Arboretum members, and service industry employees, and 10% off for seniors. Follow their socials for gardening tips as well as sales and event happenings.

Stone Brothers + Byrd
937 Washington St
Durham, NC 27701
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In 1910, Stone Brothers + Byrd began in service to the small farmers in Durham and the surrounding area. They haven’t strayed far from that mission, focusing on improving the planting experience for Durhamites, from weed to seed, plant to pest. In addition to the ample nursery stock, including seeds, seedlings, and full plants, Stone Brothers + Byrd boasts an impressive array of local wares and their own line of products, like jarred goods and branded merch. Located just north of the Historic Durham Athletic Park, Stone Brothers + Byrd is a Durham institution to make your garden dreams come true.

The Zen Succulent
123 Market Street, Suite B
Durham, NC 27701
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Prefer to keep your green thumb indoors? The Zen Succulent plant and gift shop in the heart of downtown Durham offers assortment of indoor greenery including succulents, air plants, rare house plants, and terrariums. Love for this local shop extends way beyond the Bull City. Named one of the “16 Best Plant Shops Across the Country”, the Zen Succulent has been featured on Good Morning America & HGTV as well as Southern Living & Our State Magazine.

Plant Sales + Other Gardening Events

Given that this is the time of year to buy and plant your garden babies, it makes sense that you can’t throw a rock without finding a plant sale somewhere in Durham. Of course there are the weekly/bi-weekly Farmer’s Markets (Downtown, South, and now in North and East Durham) where you can typically find a variety of plants for sale. But April is that rare time when the weather is just right for planting, so be sure to write these sales into your calendar since most of them only happen once a year.

Sat, Apr 20th, 8 – 10:30am: Club Blvd PTA Annual Plant Sale at Club Blvd Elementary (400 W Club Blvd, 27704)

Help raise funds for the Club Blvd Elementary School community by participating in their annual plant sale. There will be house plants, native plants, seedlings, and many more!

Fri, Apr 26th, 6 – 9pm: Spring Plant-tacular! at Claymakers (470 Salem St, 27703)

Hosted by Old East Durham’s pottery collective, Claymakers, the Spring Plant-tacular will host not only plant sales, but a community potlock as well. Bring a dish to share and shop the native plants and vegetable seedlings of Driver Street Nursery.

Sat, Apr 27th, 10am – 12pm: Seed Planting Workshop at Samuel Green Sr Community Garden (2421 Cheek Rd, 27704)

Led by Phoebe Gooding of Toxic Free NC and Hawk’s Nest Healing Gardens, this workshop will teach you the art of planting and nurturing seeds (fruits, veggies, and herbs) for a fruitful harvest. This event is sponsored by the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation.

Sat, May 4th, 10am – 2pm: Briggs Ave Spring Plant Sale at Briggs Ave Community Garden (1314 S Briggs Ave, 27707)

Volunteer gardeners with the Durham County Center of NC Cooperative Extension will be hosting a plant sale the first weekend in May. Check out their veggies, flowers, and herbs for sale in their community garden and be sure to get a ticket for the raffle! There will be free giveaways, kids activities, and master gardeners on hand to answer any questions.

Sat, May 4th, 11am – 4pm: Durham Garden Tour (all across Durham)

If you’re hoping to find inspiration for your own garden, look no further than the inaugural Durham Garden Tour. Keep Durham Beautiful is featuring unique gardens throughout Durham on this $30 tour ($25 before Apr 20th) with highlights such as creative hardscapes, tranquil water features, native plants, and pollinator habitats. Participants may visit eight residential gardens plus two public gardens with knowledgeable staff.

If you’re looking for plant-friendly spots beyond Durham, consider visiting the NC Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill), Juniper Level Botanic Garden (Raleigh), Tar Heel Nursery (Angier), or Big Bloomers (Sanford).  For an even deeper dive into local gardening, native plants, and how to become a stop on the Butterfly Highway, check out The Must Know List of Native Plants for Your Garden.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or ready to dip your toe, clearly the Triangle is the place to be when it comes to creating a glowing garden. Let this be the year you put that green thumb to work and shop local for all your plant needs!