New York City is known for many things: the towering Empire State Building, the iconic Statue of Liberty, the neon buzz of Times Square, and the ever-present yellow cabs. But there’s one more thing that makes the Big Apple special: the NYC Flower District.
It’s a blooming treasure hidden amidst the city’s hustle and bustle and the shadows of some iconic landmarks. It’s a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively—in the concrete jungle with its vibrant and fragrant blooms.
In this guide, we’ll set aside the skyscrapers for a moment and explore the NYC Flower District. We’ll give some tips to make the most of your visit and recommend some of our must-visit shops where you’ll find the best flower gifts for your loved ones.
What is the NYC NYC Flower District?
The NYC Flower District is a historic district in Manhattan popular for having a lot of wholesale and retail flower shops. It’s known for its lively atmosphere, particularly in the morning when flowers are being delivered.
The original NYC Flower District was located on 34th Street. However, in the 1890s, the vendors moved their business to 28th Street, where many of them stay until today.
As the floral industry in New York City continued to thrive, so did the NYC Flower District. This neighborhood had over 60 companies at one point, drawing events, planners, suppliers, and floral lovers alike.
Over time, this district has faced challenges, including skyrocketing real estate prices in Manhattan. Unfortunately, many flower shops struggled to afford increasing rent and were forced to close down.
Despite its smaller size now, it remains an important part of New York’s history and culture.
How do I get to the NYC Flower District?
The NYC Flower District is located on 28th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood, between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. This area is accessible through taxis, ride-hailing services, cars, buses, bikes, and the subway system.
Subway
New York City is known for its vast and efficient subway system, so this is one of the most convenient ways you can reach the NYC Flower District.
You can ride the N, R, or W train and get off the 28th Street Station. From there, you just need about 2 minutes to reach the shops in NYC Flower District.
Taxis, Cars, or Ride-Hailing Services
Riding a taxi or a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft is probably one of the easiest ways to get to the NYC Flower District.
You just have to tell the driver that you’re heading to the Flower District on 28th Street or place the address on the app.
However, it can get tricky if you’re driving yourself to the area. You’ll have to look for a parking space first, and most street parking spaces are already reserved.
If you don’t mind walking a bit and spending some bucks, there are some parking lots that you can use. The nearest paid parking lots you’ll find are Icon Parking and LittleMan Parking on 29th Street.
Buses
There are a lot of buses going around the city, so you can also just choose to ride one. Check the routes of the buses in your area to see which one would be the best for you.
Buses that are heading to mid-Manhattan are always a safe choice if you’re unable to verify the bus routes near your location.
Bikes
If you’re not that far from 28th Street, biking to the NYC Flower District is also not a bad idea. There are plenty of bike racks around the area where you can leave your bicycle while you roam around the district.
What time does the NYC Flower District open?
The NYC Flower District typically opens early in the morning to cater to the needs of florists, event planners, and others who rely on fresh flowers. Most wholesalers open at 5 a.m. and close before noon, so you need to be early.
However, if you don’t plan on buying in bulk, you won’t have to be there that early since the shops don’t usually do retail sales until 8:00 a.m.
What are the modes of payment accepted in the NYC Flower District?
Cash is the main mode of payment in the NYC Flower District. That said, you’ll find more and more shops now accepting major credit and debit cards.
Some credit cards that may be accepted include American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discovery.
Keep in mind, though, that some shops that accept card payments may have minimum purchase requirements for credit or debit card payments.
Shopping Tips for Your NYC Flower District Visit
Arrive early
If you’re looking for the freshest and widest selection of flowers, arrive early in the morning. Many shops open very early, and you’ll have the first pick of the day’s arrivals.
Shops will open retail sales at 8:00 a.m. It’s best to arrive before this, around 7:00 a.m., to get a better grasp of all the flowers that they have.
Cash is king in the NYC Flower District
Always bring cash! It’s the commonly accepted mode of payment, and most shops only accept cash payments, so it’s the safest option you have.
However, you can also bring your card if you plan to buy a large bulk of flowers. Some wholesalers may accept them for payment.
Bring your own bag or tote
Having your own bags or tote makes it more convenient to transport your purchases. You won’t have to juggle multiple loose flower arrangements or worry about them getting damaged during your journey.
Carrying your own bags or tote can also help you maximize space and carry multiple flowers and plants more efficiently.
Know which flowers are in season
Remember that the season can affect the availability of the flowers.
That said, some shops may still offer off-season flowers but at a much higher price point and in a limited quantity.
Finding a flower that works for you and your purpose will be easier for you if you know what flowers are in season. This way, you’ll also not spend so much energy and time searching for flowers that are probably not available at the moment.
Explore the whole district before making a purchase
You don’t want to lose out on the nicest plants and flowers in the NYC Flower District by buying the first thing you see. It’s a huge market with a lot of shops to explore, so spend some time visiting each shop that interests you.
Take notes of all the flowers and shops that caught your attention and decide which one you like most after exploring all your options. By doing this, you might stumble upon unique and rare flowers, plants, or accessories that aren’t easily accessible elsewhere.
Be sure not to miss out on the tiny stores just because you thought the bigger and more popular ones already have everything. You might find a gem in there just waiting for you!
Call them up for a reservation if you have specific flowers that you want
If you already know what flower or plant you want, call the shops to ask if they have them. Certain flowers and plants may be in high demand, especially during peak seasons or holidays, so you may run out if you don’t have them reserved.
If you need a large quantity of flowers or plants for an event or special occasion, contacting the shop in advance ensures that they can accommodate your bulk order and have everything ready for you.
What are must-visit shops in the NYC Flower District?
Must-Visit Flower Shops
Ode à la Rose
Location: 120 W. 28th St. New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Formed in 2012, Ode à la Rose is the youngest on our NYC Flower District shop list. Despite this, they don’t fall behind when it comes to providing elegant bouquets.
The shop specializes in French-style arrangements and puts a lot of emphasis on the meanings of the flowers. They consider everything, from the type of flower, color choice, and number of stems, to make the perfect bouquet that can express your feelings.
Secured in their signature pink box, the flowers can be sent to 1,500 cities in the country. They can even do same-day delivery to NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, Austin, and DC.
Associated Cut Flower Co.
Location: 131 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Associated Cut Flowers Co. is one of the legends in the NYC Flower District. They’ve been around since 1957 and are still one of the most active wholesalers in the area.
They have one of the widest inventories of fresh flowers in New York, consisting of both seasonal and non-seasonal ones. They have garden and specialty roses, orchids, lilies, hydrangeas, tulips, and so much more.
ACF is the best shop to visit for event planners, florists, and floral suppliers, as they’ll likely be able to provide a large number of flowers without much fuss.
Caribbean Cut Flowers
Location: 120 W. 28th St. New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM; Saturday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
If you’re in search of some exotic flowers, then Caribbean Cut Flowers will be heaven for you. The shop owns two farms in Puerto Rico where they get their eccentric plants and flowers like Heliconia, Malay rose, shell ginger, and torch ginger.
Don’t get fooled by its small storefront, as it has a lot of flowers and plants to offer. They’ve even serviced some of the biggest companies in the country, including Louis Vuitton and the Pan Am Terminal Hotel at JFK Airport.
Caribbean Cuts is the perfect store for those looking for flowers for corporate parties or tropical-themed events.
Empire Cut Flowers
Location: 151 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 4:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Empire Cut Flowers is another wholesale flower shop in the heart of bustling New York City. If you’re looking for flowers that don’t break the bank, this is your top destination.
They have a wide variety of budget-friendly flowers that don’t compromise the quality. They have hydrangea, hypericum, orchids, peonies, roses, chrysanthemums, and a bunch of novelty flowers.
They also open at 4:00 a.m., which is earlier than other shops. This is perfect if you’re looking to deck out your venue with stunning arrangements early in the morning.
Must-Visit Plant Shops
Tropical Plants and Orchids Inc.
Location: 106 W. 28th St. New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tropical Plants and Orchids Inc. is the oasis for tropical houseplants in the NYC Flower District. They have a wide array of indoor and outdoor plants, including jade plant, pothos, cast iron, arrowhead, bamboo, cactus, and more.
Their shopkeepers are all experts in plant care, so feel free to ask them for advice on your plants.
TPOI also provides landscaping services, interior and exterior designing for offices and homes, and event designing, so just hit them up if you need a tropical-style space.
Foliage Garden
Location: 120 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM; Saturday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Foliage Garden is a breath of fresh air amidst New York City’s tall skyscrapers. The moment you walk into the door, you’re greeted by a very humid environment, the smell of soil and damp leaves, and the vibrant colors of various houseplants.
The shop has a huge variety of ferns, trees, succulents, and orchids. They have fiddle-leaf fig, Kentia palm, flapjack, zebra aloe, button fern, and maidenhair fern, to name a few.
They do both wholesale and retail, so they’re perfect whether you’re just looking to spice up your living room or organize an event.
Must-Visit Floral Supplies Shops
Jamali Floral & Garden
Location: 149 W. 28th St. New York, NY 10001
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Almost every flower and plant enthusiast in Manhattan has probably heard of or visited Jamali Floral & Garden one way or another. It’s the place to go if you need supplies like vases and pots for your flowers or plants.
The shop has different types of planters, stones, sand, moss, fertilizer, insecticide, soil, floral foam, sea glass, sea shells, ribbons, and so much more. They even offer silk flowers and plants if you want something to decorate your home.
You can drop by Jamali Floral & Garden after checking the flowers in Empire Cut Flowers since it’s just right beside the shop. It can be pretty busy during the holidays, so make sure to call them first if there’s anything specific that you want.
