Green thumb Guelph: Expanding your plant family

There are various shops in Guelph and the surrounding area that carry house plants, such as Belgian Nursery, Blooms + Flora, Plant, Secret Garden Boutique, and Sweet Violets. CREDIT: PEXELS

Guelph is teeming with nurseries that will help get you started or expand on your plant journey

DAISY STEWART

Houseplants are everywhere. In fact, most grocery, hardware and big box stores will have a plant section that will leave you feeling tempted to bring home a new green friend.

Since I’m running out of space in my home, I’ve started to be more mindful about buying plants from my favourite local stores, even if it makes me sad to leave those poor plants under the fluorescent lighting in front of a draughty automatic door.

Shopping for plants is one of my favourite forms of retail therapy, especially during winter. There’s something dreary about the days being shorter and the lack of vibrant spring and summer colours outdoors. Walking around a plant store or nursery always lifts my spirits, and I’m grateful that I have so many places in Guelph to explore.

Plus, there’s nothing better than a store full of beautiful and well-cared-for plants run by experts who have the same enthusiasm for indoor gardening that you do along with the knowledge to help you succeed with your new addition. Here is some information about a few of the lovely house plant stores in Guelph. BELGIAN NURSERY

This stunning nursery is actually in Breslau, but it’s worth the drive. Belgian is open yearround and offers an amazing variety of indoor and outdoor plants. Walking through Belgian Nursery in the winter is one of my favourite ways to boost my spirits.

This nursery has an appealing layout, featuring various greenhouses full of different kinds of plants. Walk through the cactus room to enjoy Belgian’s aspirational cactus display while you choose a spiky friend of your own. Make sure to take a look at the back of the room to see a bunch of baby plants taking root. to find something you really like here. Belgian Nursery has a wide variety of pots and other accessories to take your indoor and outdoor gardening to the next level.

Make sure to budget some time to make the most out of your visit since there is so much to do and see at this gorgeous nursery not far from home.

BLOOMS + FLORA

Located in downtown Guelph, Blooms + Flora is perfectly styled and curated. You might find yourself wanting to entirely redecorate your living space when you get home. They have beautiful plants, pots, housewares, and cut floral arrangements.

While Blooms + Flora may not be the most houseplant-filled store on this list, I’ve always found their selection to be really unique and worth a look. The store itself is gorgeous. Plus, the pots and hangers are seriously dreamy.

Need a gift for a plant-loving friend? Blooms + Flora offers a subscription service where they’ll send you a plant or cut flowers monthly! experience for plant lovers of all skill levels. The staff are welcoming, supportive, and enthusiastic about you and your indoor garden journey.

This Old Quebec Street store is filled to the brim with a variety of large and small houseplants. The store is tidy and well labelled with helpful signage to point you in the right direction of a plant that will work for you. Each plant is labelled with information on how to care for it. If you have questions, the staff are knowledgeable and always pleasant to talk with.

The Plant team also hosts a variety of workshops. Check out their social media pages for dates, times, and topics. You can also tune in to weekly virtual store walkthroughs where the Plant staff show off their new stock. It’s like browsing from the safety of your home.

SECRET GARDEN BOUTIQUE

Guelph’s newest plant store opened during the pandemic and is a must-see for collectors or those with an extensive wish list.

Filled with rare hoyas, aroids, and other rare finds, it wouldn’t surprise you to hear that plant lovers have come from far and wide to visit this new store. You might even see a line of them out front waiting for the store to open so they can get their hands on an especially rare or desired plant.

Keep an eye on Secret Garden Boutique’s social media for new releases and don’t hesitate if you see something you like!

SWEET VIOLETS

You’ll love this cozy store. I was drawn in to Sweet Violets for the first time a few summers ago when I saw they had a stunning outdoor display with beautiful cut flowers and houseplants in wooden boxes. The store was full of patrons rushing in to grab bouquets, so I suspect they are quite popular, and the reason is no mystery.

I hope you’ll love visiting Guelph’s beautiful plant stores and talking with the passionate, engaged owners and staff. Make sure to check in with the stores before you visit to familiarize yourself with the COVID-19 protocols in place. Mask up and enjoy your journey in plant parenthood.