We all know the transformative effect of plants on a space. They purify the air in our flats and houses, increase concentration and productivity, decrease stress levels, and even help you recover from illness faster. Furthermore, they’re also pretty to look at, lighting up any room with their various shades of green which tap into our very human need to be near nature. It’s no surprise that there’s been a recent boom in all things plants and plant shops, with the National Gardening Association reporting that houseplant sales surged by 50% between 2016 – 2019.
Look No Further For The Best Plant Shops In Town
Brighton is no stranger to this phenomenon and thank goodness. Whether you’re a local, someone who’s recently moved here, or a complete tourist you’ll notice the city’s vast offering of plant shops. From your standard florists to the plant shops turned café, Brighton demonstrates that what seemed like a simple choice of where to go is less straightforward. Thankfully, we’ve put together a list. By no means a ranking, these spots all offer a unique experience that will add to your ever-growing list of why you love Brighton. Simply put, visit all of these places in order to achieve true Mother Nature status.
Between Two Thorns
With their flagship store on Church Street and a workshop on Upper North Street, there’s no excuse not to go to Between Two Thorns. With a wide selection of houseplants available from Alocasias to Tradescantias, Between Two Thorns provides plants that cater to your needs with their helpful categories.
Need an air-purifying plant or are you looking for something more tropical? BTT have you covered and their staff will let you know what type of room in your flat will suit the plant you just bought, there’s even a section on their website detailing plant care for specific types of plants. The amazing staff at Between Two Thorns also offer workshops for Terrarium building, wreath making, Kokedama, and Fern Epiphyte workshops, the best gift to get someone.
Address: 67 Upper N St, Brighton and Hove, BN1 3FL
Website: betweentwothorns.com
The Brighton Flower Company
A stone’s throw from Churchill Square, The Brighton Flower Company’s shop front sits on the other side of the road from the Taj supermarket on Western Road. A small and simplistic space, its floors are filled with a fantastic array of plants big and small. Offering bespoke seasonal services, the Brighton Flower Company creates flower decorations for weddings, funerals, and more as well as providing bouquet and wreath-making workshops that are a lot of fun.
When choosing a plant here, their staff are incredibly helpful and are ready to answer all your questions and concerns no matter how insignificant they might feel. They also have an online shop, so you can see a wider selection and buy even more plants. Just saying, you were warned.
Address: 102 Western Rd, Brighton and Hove, BN1 2AA
Website: thebrightonflowercompany.co.uk
Florian
Another plant shop and florist on Western Road, Florian is just next to Brunswick Square and is one of the first plant shops you should visit. Doubling up as a florist and selling a selection of home furnishings, including vases, blankets, and even the odd chair, Florian’s staff are incredibly welcoming and helpful should you ever find yourself stuck or, as is highly likely, spoilt for choice.
Providing advice and care instructions on the plants you’re interested in buying, they also have a loyalty card service, in which guests receive a free bouquet of flowers. My Monstera from here is still going strong, despite having a tendency to forget to water it.
Address: 30 Western Rd, Brighton and Hove, BN3 1AF
Website: flowers-brighton-hove.co.uk
Gunns Florist
Since setting up shop in 1875, Gunns Florist has become a staple of Brighton’s backdrop. With three locations on Sydney Street, Castle Square, and their newest residency, on Portland Road, it’s fair to say this place is going strong.
Only selling sustainably sourced plants and flowers, Gunns offers free delivery on all orders over £35 and deliver bouquets of dried flowers to Brighton and Hove specifically covering the wider Sussex postcodes from Peacehaven to Shoreham-by-Sea. Also offering dried flowers, their staff are incredibly lovely to talk to answering whatever you question you may have about plant care and offering helpful advice when dealing with particularly temperamental plants.
Address: 18, 19 Sydney St, Brighton and Hove, BN1 4EN and 6 Castle Square, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1EG
Website: gunnsfloriststore.com
Garden Cafe Brighton
Garden Café can be found in The Lanes on North Road and you’ll be unable to walk past. Absolutely teeming with plants and flowers, the Garden Café combines our ever-growing love of greenery with our ever-constant love of good food and of course, coffee. When visiting Garden Café it’s hard to believe you’re sitting in the middle of the city with every square inch covered in greenery, it’s easy to think you’ve found the keys to Tom’s Secret Garden.
It’ll be hard to be disappointed by the Garden Café when you visit, whilst offering high-quality plants, they also provide high-quality cake. I recommend the pistachio and chocolate, the lemon, the hazelnut, and the chocolate mousse, you get the picture.
Address: 29 North Rd, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1YB
Website: instagram.com/gardencafebrighton/
Rooted & Co
One of the best places on this list, you have to visit Rooted & Co. Putting down roots 30 years ago at the Open Market, Rooted & Co has been growing and growing. Made up of a small and incredibly dedicated team who work hard to deliver you all your plant needs, their blog offers a multitude of advice on everything from the Best House Plants For Students to Tips for Caring For Houseplants During Heatwaves.
With two stores, one in Brighton and the other in Shoreham, take a walk down Marshalls Row and head to the Open Market, where their original Brighton shop is still providing plants to all. If you sign up to be a subscriber now you’ll receive 10% off!
Address: Open Market, Rooted & Co The, 4 Marshalls Row, BN1 4JU
Website: rootedco.co.uk
Understory Houseplants & Gifts
Created by owners Beth and Harry, Understory was first opened in Kemptown. Despite the obvious barriers during that year that might have made other business owners hesitate, Understory preserved and grew from strength to strength providing the Kemptown populace with a variety of plants to choose from, from large statement plants to mini-succulents and cacti for the less plant-versed.
As well as providing a salve for all your plant needs, Understory offers a variety of workshops, events, and even a repotting service. Located on Church Place, Brighton, they sometimes have offers such as £5 off when you send £25 on houseplants (August 2023), what more could you want?
Address: 4 Church Pl, Brighton and Hove, BN2 5JN
Website: https://understory.store
Hunter Florist
Located on St. James Street, in Kemptown, Hunter Florist’s shopfront is teaming with flowers and plants alike, making it hard to miss when you’re walking the pavements of Kemptown on your morning commute. Offering good quality fresh flowers and plants this independent business has been providing plants and flowers to the citizens of Brighton for over 20 years.
Their eyes are forever fixed on the detail and their shop demonstrates that from their meticulously organised plants to their beautiful bouquets, it’ll be difficult not to add a bouquet to your plant purchase when you visit. If you don’t see the plant you know you need, don’t fret, just let the lovely team know and Hunter Florist will try their hardest to source it for you.
Address: 83 St James’s St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, BN2 1TP
Website: hunterflorist.co.uk
Meo Plants & Cafe
Kemptown seems to be the place for great plant shops and last but by no means least is Meo Plants & Café. A plant shop with a twist, Meo serves deliciously rich coffee and mouth-watering pastries as well as enticing you in with that new fig plant in the window.
Meo offers a place to relax and take in your surroundings, giving you ample inspiration for what you could do with the plants in your living room and the ones you need to add. Located on St. James’ Street, they offer free local deliveries for plant orders over £50, it’s an easy excuse to treat yourself.
Address: 39 St. James’s Street, Brighton and Hove, BN2 1RG
Website: instagram.com/meoplantsandcafe/
The Flower Stand
It would be impossible to miss The Flower Stand in Hove. Based outside St John’s Church in Palmeria Square, The Flower Stand has been a mainstay of the area since it first began in 1995. Regardless of the weather the owner Chris can be found offering helpful advice on care and best plant practice and providing some gorgeous flowers and plants.
Primarily a flower shop, the Flower Stand also sources an array of plants ready to be housed by the Hove’s residents, including Ferns and Monsteras. It’s an easy walk to Palmeria Square but be warned, take a bag to carry all the plants and flowers you will buy.
Address: St Johns Church, Palmeira Square BN3 2JP
Website: theflowerstand.co.uk
Hi Cacti
Created in 2015 by owner Sabina Palermo, Hi Cacti aims to provide visitors with a welcoming and relaxed experience. Born from the combination of Palermo’s Tex-Mex roots, growing up in Austin, Texas, and Palermo’s road trips around Mexico and the Southwest, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Hi Cacti.
Being one of the only fully female-run plant shops around, you’ll not only find plants in the finest condition at this shop but handmade concrete pots inspired by Mexico but formed in Brighton. Located in Seven Dials on Dyke Road, Hi Cacti has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The Guardian, The Times, and LEVI’s. Palermo has even published a book, ‘Hi Cacti, Growing Houseplants and Happiness’ which is well worth a read.
Address: 83 Dyke Rd, Brighton and Hove, BN1 3JE
Website: hicacti.com
