Sometimes, all it takes is one potted plant to elevate a space. But plants are so unique and different that you can’t just pluck one out from the side of the road. 

So, one weekend, our team decided to find the city’s best nurseries to finally spruce up our boring office. Each stop offered something, but we knew that to truly separate the good from the great, we needed expert opinions!

Enter Auckland’s top plant experts: horticulturists, botanists, and plant enthusiasts with years of experience. We invited these gurus to join us in evaluating each nursery that made our longlist. And after much deliberation, we narrowed down the list to just the nurseries below.

How much do plants cost in Auckland?

Smaller house plants in Auckland can range from $1 to $40, while large indoor plants can go from $75 to $150. Prices change depending on the species of plant you intend to purchase, and rarer plants typically cost more.

How we chose

Selection of Plants Species: We chose plant nurseries that offer a diverse range of plants, from native species to exotic varieties. This ensures each nursery has everything you may need, whether it’s a hardy shrub or a delicate orchid. 

Staff Expertise: We chose nurseries with deep knowledge of horticulture. We also considered how well the staff knows each plant species, including methods for growing and caring for each.

Quality of Plants: We prioritised nurseries that maintain high standards of plant health. We looked for nurseries where the plants look lush and vibrant, with no signs of neglect.

Fairness of Price: While quality often comes at a price, it’s nice to find a nursery that offers good value for money. We looked for nurseries that offer great value for money, while also weighing them against those who offer discounts and occasional sales. 

1. Touch of the Tropics Garden Centre & Nursery

With various awards from the Ellerslie Flower Show and the NZ Flower and Garden Show, Tropics Garden Centre & Nursery’s track record is hard to deny. Their 20+ years of experience in horticulture further solidifies their expertise. 

One of the nursery’s biggest advantages is the range of services it offers. To give you an idea, the place offers plant delivery, plant placement, landscaping, and post-planting services. 

These services make it easier for customers to get their plants and not worry about major gardening needs. That’s why we see them as a top choice for those who are just starting out with this hobby.

They have a variety of plants in store, including edible plants, subtropicals, and camellia plants. If you’re one to be overwhelmed by choice, you’ll definitely enjoy the free on-site tour of their garden to get an idea of what to choose. 

The downside to them is that their pricing can be expensive for certain people. However, considering the quality of their plants, we think the price tag is pretty much justified. 

Professional staff offering the best advice

“Out of all the garden centres I spoke to, Jules Moore was the most professional and gave the best advise. My partner accidently purchased a plant online through Trade Me. We needed to build the garden bed first. Even though the error was our mistake, Jules emailed to reimburse the amount paid. Outstanding honesty, service and integrity. I would highly recommend this company.”

Phil Curtis | Google Reviews

Spectacular variety of tropical plants

“A stunning garden centre. Best I’ve seen – with creative flair, a totally talented eye for layering and spectacular variety of tropicals/Subtropicals, fruit, maples etc. if you haven’t yet had the Touch of the Tropics experience you MUST visit and get inspired.”

Mali Lowden | Google Reviews

2. Exotic Planters Limited

We found Exotic Planters Limited interesting because of the variety they offer, such as the Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant) and the Aglaonema Eileen, which can’t be found elsewhere. As their name suggests, they grow and sell exotic plants – from indoor plants to large plants and even wall-mounted plants.

Since exotic plants can be pricey, it’s good to note that they have monthly sales going on. Customers can also take advantage of their free shipping in Auckland to really get the most out of their money.

Another plus is that they sell accessories such as pots and planters, making it less of a hassle for their customers to look for products elsewhere. This also guarantees that your purchased plants can be planted in a pot for delivery, not just in a plastic bag.

The downside, however, is their no-refund policy which is a hassle, especially if your plant is damaged. The good thing is that none of their past customers have ever reported such cases. 

Clear and polite communication

“Great online service when ordering plants. Comms with Click & collect was great! Already eyeing up my next plant to purchase. Love my plants, exactly what I ordered. Just like the photos on their website.”

Luisa Hansell | Google Reviews

Flexible and responsive service

“Love the plant I ordered. Everyone who has seen it is impressed by the exotic look of the Calathea Dottie. As recommended in the email the size of the pot was perfect. Free and fast delivery to Auckland CBD address. As it was free delivery I was expecting someone to hand me the plant but it was well packaged in a secure box with the new pot I ordered. Very impressed. This was a gift for someone so unlikely I will buy much from here but if I ever need to find a plant in the future, 100% I will check out their website.”

Iris | Google Reviews

3. Church Street Garden Central

Church Street Garden Central offers more than just plants and landscaping, they also offer plant care products to ensure each plant is maintained and healthy. These products include soil mixes, plant food and fixes, and ground covers.

Additionally, with their landscaping service, you can make sure that you not only have good quality plants but can also properly showcase them in a garden.

In line with this, they also offer designing services, wherein they work not only in your garden space but also on the pots and planters you will be using. And with their more than 30 years of experience, top-notch results usually await.

We also love their range of plant species, which includes subtropicals, hedging, and fruit trees.

However, we aren’t really big fans of some of their staff. Although they do have people who are considerably friendly to clients, some can be a bit snobbish.

Better-conditioned plants at reasonable prices

“If you love houseplants you HAVE to come here!! Nevermind Bunnings or mitre10, this is THE place. All the plants are in much better condition, and There. Are. So. Many. So many beautiful plants and very reasonably priced as well.”

Alyssa Bryant | Google Reviews

Good plant selection and knowledgeable staff

“Good selection and the staff had phenomenal knowledge about what they were selling. Highly recommend this place if you are getting new plants for your garden.”

James | Google Reviews

4. Kings Plant Barn St Lukes

Similar to other nurseries in this list, Kings Plant Barn offers various types of plants, such as decorative plants, trees, and bulb plants. They also sell books to help you get started with gardening. 

Additionally, they carry a wide range of products for comprehensive plant care. This includes potting mixes, composts, and weed controllers.

You also don’t need to look for other places to find tools and seeds since they also sell those in their shop. On top of that, all of their products are also available to purchase in their online shop, making them an accessible and convenient choice. 

While we loved everything they offer, we did encounter a report regarding a rude staff. Thankfully, they seemed to have addressed the problem already as the client we spoke with clarified upon our follow-up, that the issue was cleared up now. 

Best place to get gardening stuff

“The best best place to get your gardening stuff from plants to fertilisers and everything.

Very well organised.

Superb, suggestive, helpful and friendly staff.

Easy to find your needs.

Lots of parking also available.

Closed shaded place so its nothing to worry about sun or rain so you can take your time to shop what you need.”

Vipul Jotania | Google Reviews

Knowledgeable staff and good-quality plants

“Lots of variety, helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly staff members. Plenty of good quality plants, flowers, garden ornaments, tools, and improvements. Parking spaces are quite plenty. However, they don’t do refunds only replacement or store credits; of which they put on their membership card. So please choose your items very carefully.”

Alex Tjahjana | Google Reviews

5. Tuckers Orchid Nursery

What sets Tuckers Orchids Nursery apart is their plant diagnosis service. With more than 60 years of experience in handling plants, they are knowledgeable and equipped with everything you need to diagnose your plant’s illness.

For diagnosis, the nursery repots plants to identify insects, viruses or other issues that the plant may have. And if the plant needs further care, they also provide fresh bark or moss and hold on to the plant as soon as it’s healthy enough. 

Clients also don’t need to look further as they also offer a comprehensive range essential of plant care materials. These include fertilisers, plant food and supplements, pots, and their growing medium – all are available to buy in their online shop, making them easier to access.

They offer a variety of house plants such as tillandsia bergeri, as well as hoyas like the hoya pubilcalyx. However, they offer more orchids since its the most in demand in their nursery.

And for people who are new to raising plants, they have a free plant care lesson and tips on how to properly care for the plants they sell.

Now, while their amazing reputation and long years of experience in plant rearing guarantee top-quality plants, they’re also among the main reasons their plant costs more than other shops. 

“It’s a bit of a drive for me. Particularly considering the rush-hour traffic from North to the city. But all is worthwhile considering the helpful services from Susan. I am always a rose addict, but been buying orchids here online for my mother for a couple of years, now I have four orchids altogether from Tuckers. Since I am a newbie, they told me to bring the plants back if any issues or questions, I appreciate the support.”

Monica Cheng | Google Reviews

Does the best job

“This place is amazing! They have by far the best display of orchid varieties I have seen. They have a set price for the plants in flower but they also sell non-flowering plants for a cheaper price. The couple who I assume were the owners were lovely and very helpful. I was on their website 

Helpful and worthwhile services and wanted a couple of plants that weren’t currently in flower and they tracked them down for me in their expansive nursery.”

Jenny L | Google Reviews