Christchurch is known as the garden city. From Hagley Park to the Botanical Gardens and Riccarton Bush; there are many green spaces to explore within the city limits. If you're looking to bring some of that greenery indoors, why not start with houseplants? Whether you’re a houseplant beginner or an expert indoor gardener, there are plenty of options for buying houseplants in the city.
If you’re new to buying houseplants, you should know a few things before purchasing your first plant. These tips will help you avoid neglecting your plant and feeling disheartened by the experience.
Before buying your first plant, look around your house and assess the lighting conditions. Different plants have different light requirements, so choosing plants that will thrive in your available lighting conditions is important.
For example, if you have a bright and sunny window, you might consider plants like succulents, cacti, or snake plants that thrive in bright, direct sunlight. On the other hand, if you have a low-light room, you might opt for plants like pothos, snake plants, or ZZ plants that can thrive in lower-light conditions.
Take note of how much sun each space gets, how big the space is, and how exposed to the elements it is.
Your space will also determine what type of plant you should buy. Cacti, succulents and vines are great for small spaces like shelves or window ledges as they tend to grow up rather than out. Larger plants (like a Monstera) grow steadily and will outgrow a small space.
Before you start shopping, you don’t need to know what types of plants thrive in bright or low-light conditions. Most plants come with a tag that includes this information. This makes it easy to browse the shops and filter out the plants that will work for your space.
Once you've assessed your space and lighting, consider how much time and effort you will put into caring for your plants. Some plants require more attention than others, so choosing plants that match your lifestyle and care abilities is important.
If you travel frequently or have a busy schedule, you might choose low-maintenance plants that don't require frequent watering or pruning.
Buying lots of plants at once can be tempting, but it's best to start small and build your collection slowly. Start with a few plants that you love and that fit well in your space. Then add to your collection as you gain more experience and confidence.
Taking the slow and steady approach will prevent you from buying more plants than you can handle. You’ll get a good idea of how much time you have to care for your plants and can add more difficult species to your collection over time.
The right soil and planters can make a big difference in the health and growth of your plants. Invest in high-quality potting soil specifically designed for the types of plants you're growing. Choose planters that have good drainage to prevent over-watering. You don't have to spend much money on fancy planters – thrift stores and online marketplaces are great places to find unique and affordable options.
You can buy quality soil over time. If you buy a houseplant from a speciality store, your plant will most likely come potted in appropriate soil. In a few months, you can repot with high-quality soil. Otherwise, your plant may go into shock and start to wither.
The key to a thriving houseplant collection is proper care and attention. Take the time to educate yourself on the specific needs of each plant. You should know how much water, fertiliser and pruning it needs and how often to repot your plant.
Now that you know how to care for a plant for the first time, it’s time to hit the shops. Here are some of the best places to find a wide selection of house plants in Christchurch.
Plant Door— 37 Quartz Drive, Rolleston, Christchurch
+64 21 268 7701
Plant Door is a nursery and gardening store located in Rolleston, just outside of Christchurch. One thing you’ll notice about viewing their nursery, or social platforms is that their plants are always high quality and thriving. If you’re looking for fully matured indoor plants, like tall ferns or fiddle leaf figs that are ready to make an impact in your space, Plant Door is the place to go.
Orderings Garden Centres — Barrington, Cashmere, Linwood, Philpotts Road, Yaldhurst
Mon-Sun 8am-5pm
With five locations around Christchurch, there’s bound to be an Orderings Garden Centre near you. They stock everything you need to get set up for starting a thriving indoor plant collection. From plants with fantastic foliage, trailing plants, sun loving plants, flowering plants, baby houseplants and large varieties to all the pots, soil, fertiliser and plant tools you’ll ever need.
Shopping in Barrington or Cashmere? Their onsite cafes are the perfect place to stop for a bite. Surrounded by houseplants, there’s no better place to be.
Terra Viva — 242 Roydvale Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch
+64 3 358 5565
Mon-Sun 8:30 am-5 pm
Terra Viva is a well-known Christchurch plant and gardening destination. Operating since 1997, they offer various quality indoor and outdoor plants alongside helpful and friendly advice. They also offer a landscaping and design service and an onsite cafe. Their indoor houseplant selection is huge, as is their staff’s knowledge of what variety is right for you.
While you can browse their online site, the real magic is in a trip to their huge Burnside store.
Green Hut — 116 Buchan Street, Sydenham
+64 22 137 4780
Mon-Sun 8-3 pm
98 Carlyle Street, Sydenham
On appointment
Looking for a houseplant stockist within the city? Green Hut is based in Sydenham and has two locations, one at French Delight Cafe (their store at Carlyle Street is only open by appointment). They’re passionate about indoor plants and happy to share their knowledge with anyone wanting to develop their green thumb.
As well as plants, pots, hangers, and accessories, they also host regular workshops that teach everything from looking after your plants to making plant hangers at home. Their store might be small, but they had a wide range of quality plants, accessories, plant pots and more to help you grow your love of indoor plants.
Moffatts Flower Company — 1 Candy's Road, Halswell, Christchurch
+64 508 663 328
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
If you’re looking for a bonafide plant and flower supplier, Moffatts is it. They supply supermarkets and businesses with flowers and houseplants so you know you’re getting a quality product. They’re also New Zealand’s leading family-run flower business. Their retail shop is open nearly 365 days a year and is the perfect place to search for houseplants, flowers or gifts for the garden lover in your life.
They stock over 70 different house plant varieties, all grown on-site. While they sell a few varieties on their website, all houseplants are available for purchase in their retail store or for wholesale buyers. A trip to Moffatts guarantees you won’t leave empty handed.
Christchurch has no shortage of options when it comes to buying houseplants. Whether you're looking for a specific plant or just want to browse and see what catches your eye, these five places are some of the best spots in the city to find healthy, vibrant plants to brighten up your home.
Node — 8 London Street, Lyttelton
+64 27 370 5770
Thu-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Node is a plant store with a difference. Started by Liz Carlson, the blogger behind the travel blog Young Adventuress, Liz has created an online and in-person plant experience like no other. Based in Lyttleton, the small studio doubles as a haven for houseplants and as a rentable space.
As well as being a great destination for finding the perfect houseplant, Node hosts regular workshops to help plant enthusiasts up their green finger game. If you can’t make it to Lyttleton, the good news is they stock plenty of plants online. However, their store is something not to be missed. You’ll find them open from Thursday to Saturday.
Want more housplant content. Learn more about how to move your houseplants without damaging them here. Need help with your move? Book professional Christchurch movers here.
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