Portland Monthly 921 SW Washington Street, Suite 750 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503-222-5144 • Fax: 503-227-8777

By Michelle Harris and Jenni Moore

Jade and Chloe from Hammer + Vine. 

Portlanders take their gardening very seriously, and for good reason; our damp winters and bright summers mean this city can make anyone’s thumb green. And with winter behind us and the buds of spring all around, now is the perfect time to visit local plant shops and nurseries and spruce up your own plot. Whether it’s to gorgify your garden or add more cheer inside your home, here are some of our favorite spots around town to boost your foliage.  

Founded in 2017 by chef Naomi Pomeroy and her husband Kyle Webster, otherwise known as the dream-team behind Beast (RIP) and Expatriate, Colibri Flowers and Plants is now helmed by artist and musician Bianca Sparta, who had joined as Creative Director and co-owner in 2018. Behind the doors of this unassuming shopfront on Northeast Prescott, soft lighting and earthy tones invite plant lovers into a well-curated space, with a variety of vibrant house plants and pots. The custom floral design studio and plant shop also composes carefully tailored arrangements as well as offering pre-made bouquets, and can be hired for events.    

3926 N Vancouver Ave., Boise   If you’re determined to live off your garden, Livingscape is a great place to find seeds, vegetable and herb starts, and fruit trees. The nursery, owned by Tim and Shawna O’Neal, also has a dedicated selection of hard-to-find native plants, with a special focus on ones that carry medicinal benefits. They also stock feeders, seed, and shelters for birds as well as mason bee cocoons so that you can build a healthy habitat for wildlife that keeps your garden buzzing. In the spring and fall, Livingscape harvests its own herbal teas, and also offers tea blends from BIPOC-owned businesses.  

801 N Killingsworth St , Humbolt & 1759 NW 24 th Ave, Nob Hill  

Step inside Solabee Flowers and Botanicals, and find yourself immediately transported to a jungle-like oasis of luscious greenery and florals. With outposts in North and Northwest Portland, co-owners Alea Joy and Sarah Helmstetter opened their first shop in 2009. The self-proclaimed plant nerds, who love geeking out with customers about Mother Nature, are there to help you find the perfect plant match for whatever space life finds you in, whether it be a flower arrangement, lush tropical, or desert dweller. The shop also specializes in weddings and events, and sells accessories to help you care for your plant babies.  

3811 N Mississippi Ave, Mississippi & 2139 NW Raleigh St, Suite 108, Slabtown   Are you a fledgling plant parent? This seasoned nursery, which has been around for over 20 years, has all manner of houseplants for beginners (a.k.a. those of us who opt for a freestyle parenting approach, known as under-watering) so that our plants can live their best life. With locations in the Mississippi and Slabtown 'hoods, Pistils has everything under the Oregon sun, from colorful plants to add a little splash to your living room to a collection of rare and unusual plants you likely won’t find elsewhere. In addition to plants, you’ll find plant pots, plant craft kits, gift items, and workshops.

Since opening its doors in 2003, Garden Fever! has become a Northeast Portland go-to for pretty much anything garden-related, whether it’s tools, supplies, soil, yardwork footwear, and of course, plants. In addition to the whimsical indoor space—a plant lover’s paradise with everything from books to decorative plant plots and wreaths — owners Lori and Richard Vollmer keep up an impressive array of fruit trees, shrubs, grasses, and evergreens in their well-curated and easy to navigate nursery. The shop also supports the local community by promoting fund-raising efforts for local garden projects.

3454 SE Powell Blvd, Creston-Kenilworth   A new addition to Portland’s plant community, SymbiOp is an offshoot of a two-year-old restorative landscaping business. As well as boasting one of the largest native plant selections in Portland—think Pacific wax myrtle, red-flowering currant, and snowberry—SymbiOp also houses a generous selection of edible plants, including garlic starts, berries, and fruit trees. Inside, a wide selection of goods from local BIPOC and queer artisans rubs shoulders with the houseplants, soil, and supplies, among them Onya’e Naturals candles and Scrapberry Farm oils. Need more excuses to visit? SymbiOp’s owners—JT Yu, Nutmeg Minneboo, Matt Grave, and Lotus Romey-Yu—incorporated as a cooperative to allow workers to have a voice in company operations.    

Image: Courtesy Potted in Portland

This little neighborhood shop, nestled on the corner of Southeast Clinton and 26th, is newer to the Portland botanical scene. Opened by sisters Carie Nedley and Sara Childers, the shop boasts a sweet selection of succulents for those who prefer low maintenance, as well as a solid collection of plants to liven up indoor and outdoor spaces. Not sure what you’re looking for? The sisters are more than happy to help you find the perfect plant or accessory to suit your current mood. 

5050 SE Stark St, Mount Tabor & 9000 SE Division St, Mill Park  

This longtime nursery opened as Portland Wholesale Nursery all the way back in 1907. After it was bought by current owner Jon Denney in 1980, the store was renamed Portland Nursery, and transitioned to a retail business. With two locations at Southeast Stark and Southeast Division, this expansive nursery has everything from houseplants to seeds, shrubs, trees, and tools to make your garden grow. The nursery also helps the community by supporting local schools, social services and nonprofits through sponsorship and donations.  

22711 NW Gillhan Rd, Sauvie Island   As if you needed another excuse for venturing to Sauvie Island, Cistus Nursery is its own little oasis surrounded by rolling farmland and open sky. Owned by Sean Hogan, Cistus Nursery is a nexus of glorious display gardens, tropical plants, and Mediterranean climate delights. Design services are also offered in case you’re hoping to spruce up your balcony or garden display.   

2190 W Burnside St, Nob Hill  

This cozy downtown shop not only has a varied assortment of plants, but the staff are eager to chat with customers about plant care and building your own customized terrarium. Hammer + Vine’s inconspicuous location along bustling West Burnside, where a nondescript white storefront with large pink shutters reads “Curious Plants: Portland Made Goods,” is easy to miss. Nevertheless, the shop is more than worth a visit for its reasonably priced plant selection, locally made ceramic planters and wellness items. Bonus? Hammer + Vine offers local plant delivery, which owner Jenelle Olson says has been a popular option "for people sending gifts to friends or for some of our regulars who would simply prefer to shop from home."