The Best Places in the World to Buy Luxury House Plants

Having a collection of thriving and beautiful house plants has become a status marker almost as powerful as wearing the new Apple AirPod Pros. What’s behind all the plant love? And what’s the best way to build a collection of luxurious greenery in your home? Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has the facts behind the trend – and she’s also curated a list of the best sources for purchasing house plants right now. Online and in-store at retail, these are the best brands and places to buy luxurious indoor house plants.

a collection of thriving indoor house plants is a core element of modern luxury home decor

The most envy-inducing Instagram post these days isn’t in front of a tropical ocean with the sun setting in the background. Nor is it a shot of the delicious plate you’re about to enjoy at the trendy new restaurant in town. Instead, it’s a room full of vibrant green house plants.

What’s up with that? Certainly the renewed focus on indoor plants fits in with the current passion for all things related to wellness, nature and proven ancient means of finding serenity. Which includes other popular pursuits that we’ve previously reported on, like forest bathing, silence, crystals and the occult.

It also ties into our rising anxieties about climate change and deforestation. The focus on conservation of the plant’s resources naturally leads to a desire for more greenery in our indoor spaces.

But this wave of plant love isn’t just about the future of the planet. Or a reflection of our current anxious times. Its also about taking a nostalgic trip down a scenic, foliage-strewn memory lane.

what’s behind the resurgence of passion for indoor house plants?

cast your gaze back to the 1970’s – and the Victorian era

The last time an interest in horticulture captured the collective imagination was in the 1970’s. A period burdened by recession and corruption sparked a back-to-nature movement, where people rejected consumerism and materialism in favor of going back-to-the-land. Following the 1973 oil crisis, the environmental movement found new life. The ’70’s marked the first global Earth Day celebration.

Going back even further, the Victorians were renowned for their obsession with horticulture. After the Industrial Revolution, technological developments brought an increase in crowding and pollution in urban centers, as well as an increase in leisure time for the middle class.

The Victorians’ solution to reducing stress and passing time? ‘‘Men, women and children were encouraged to garden for good health and a full life,’‘ says Kathryn Meehan of the Smithsonian Institution Office of Horticulture. We have this belief to thank for many of the magnificent gardens of Europe that still stand today.

we’re having another 1970’s moment right now

It isn’t hard to draw parallels between the forces at play during those times and our own. We’re in the midst of what many scholars call the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In fact, that was the theme of last year’s World Economic Forum in Davos. The term refers to technologies like artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and the Internet of Things that are merging faster than ever with humans’ physical lives. And cause our heads to spin.

Of course, there’s also a fear factor at work. For example, the Internet abounds with lists of plants that are capable of absorbing radiation from our devices and purifying the air. In addition, awareness of climate change is at an all-time high. Bans are finally being put in place on single use plastics. Greta Thunberg, the teenage Swedish environmental activist, was 2019 ’s Time Person of the Year. As for 70’s-esque political corruption? Let’s not even go there right now.

All this to say- we get it if you’re feeling the “plantsagram” trend. And are eager to reduce your stress levels by beautifying your environment and pouring your love and attention into something that requires patient nurturing. And sometimes singing aloud.

If you’re ready to overcome your notorious history of inadvertently killing plants, but don’t know where to find your next victim . . . er, we mean, house plant, read on.

Happily, shopping for plants is easier and more luxurious than ever. No need to brave the weekend crowds at Home Depot or some out-of-the way nursery. Here is a round-up of our favorite places to procure that Montsera, Boston Fern and Spider Plant of your dreams.

Online or in-store, these are the best and most knowledgeable places to buy luxury indoor house plants right now.

where to buy indoor House Plants right now

1. The Sill

If you’re low on the confidence scale, The Sill, based in New York City with brick and mortar stores in LA and San Francisco, is a great place to start.

They believe caring for plants should be fun. So in addition to offering a diverse selection of plants, The Sill also offers virtual care consultations from the comfort of your own home in 15 or 30 minute increments. 

There are also one-time workshops available in stores and online. Once you’ve become an expert, there are monthly subscriptions available that are suitable for “Beginners,” “Low Light,” and “Pet Friendly Homes.” We’re also partial to their adorable and stylish pot options.

2. Bloombox Club

This British site was created by a Doctor of Psychology, Katie Cooper, who believes in the life-changing effects of plant-care. 

The site guides your search for the perfect plant based on three purposes: air purification, relaxation, and mood boosting. Bloombox Club also offers three tiered subscription services from Classic to Classic Plus (larger sized plants) and Special (for the seasoned plant buff.)

3. Greenery Unlimited

With their headquarters in Brooklyn, Greenery Unlimited and its sister company, Greenery NYC are the urban garden experts. Greenery NYC has been commissioned to design and install wall gardens for the Etsy, Columbia University and TED Talks headquarters, as well as retail spaces like Timberland and Innisfree. 

The online store offers a wide selection of popular indoor plants, from tall plants like Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees all the way down to desktop plants like the reptilian Haworthia. Next day delivery is available in New York City only.

4. Bloomscape

Founder Justin Mast comes from five generations of greenhouse growers whose roots can be traced back to the Netherlands’ horticulture industry. At Bloomscape, plants are kept in optimal conditions at their greenhouse and shipped directly- instead of spending weeks in an uncontrolled warehouse. 

That means your plant arrives healthy and ready to thrive. And if it doesn’t? Should your plant die within 30 days, it will be replaced immediately, no questions asked. So go ahead and put that Zebra plant in your shopping cart!

5. Pistils Nursery

Founded in 2001, Pistils started as a brick and mortar store in Portland, Oregon. With numerous mentions in publications like Architectural Digest, Dwell, Martha Stewart and House Beautiful, the nursery is a renowned sanctuary of all things green.

While they sell many popular easy-to-care-for species, Pistils also caters to the collector and offers rare flora like the elusive Philodendron every so often while supplies last.

6. Terrain

Terrain is Anthropologie’s home and garden retail site and as expected, their plant offerings are well-curated and matched with lovely, rustic pots.

They arrive at your home, ready for their close-up. Terrain also has in store locations at various Anthropologies in Pennsylvania, California, Connecticut and Maryland.

7. Horti

This NYC based company offers curated indoor plant kits that come with all the tools necessary to start growing. For example, the Master Horti Kit includes a hardy peperomia plant along with a minimalist steel watering can, a brass mister and a mini snipper. 

If you’d prefer to order a la carte, Horti’s online indoor plant shop offers a highly curated selection- all of which have been tested and tried in urban apartment settings. From the Crispy Wave Fern, Chinese Money Plant to the ZZ plant, the indoor jungle of your dreams is within reach after all.

8. Petersham Nurseries

A magical place that includes a shop with plants and greenery and the housewares that should live alongside them, plus restaurants, cooking classes, afternoon tea and more, Petersham Nurseries at Covent Garden in London is a must-visit for prospective plant buyers.

Among other things, the shop has wonderful artisanal gardening tools. A potting service will prepare and plant window boxes and containers for customers to take away. And there are also fresh flowers and pre-made bouquets.

9. Botanique, London

Botanique Workshop in Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell, London is a wonderful place to browse for indoor house plants, fresh-cut flowers and hand-made housewares. The shop also has online shopping available.

As well as making their own branded products, Botanique stocks a curated collection of products from other independent British designers and makers, based almost exclusively in London.

The Best places to buy Luxury House Plants

It’s so easy being Green! Those are our top picks of 7 of the best places to buy luxury indoor house plants right now, whether you’re the type to shop at an online site or to go to the source in a retail source. No more excuses, dear reader. It’s time to become a plant parent! Go forth and propagate!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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