Oro Valley is surrounded by plant nurseries that transform the desert landscape into an oasis of color and variety. Whether you’re hunting for rare succulents, native wildflowers, or backyard shade trees, the area offers a surprising range of places where plant lovers can dig in.
Let’s get to it.
Tucson Cactus & Koi
At Tucson Cactus & Koi, you find three acres near Oro Valley filled with desert and pond life. The nursery has walk-through koi ponds, butterfly and aviary gardens, plus rotating displays of cacti, succulents, and aquatic plants. Their pottery section features enough unique pots to satisfy any gardener.
Staff members share their expertise on common succulents and rare collector specimens alike. You will encounter Japanese koi imported for their color, mature landscape pieces, and caudiciforms. Seasonal display gardens highlight art beside water features, creating a refined yet relaxed environment. The range includes hardy trees, low-light houseplants, trichocereus hybrids, and more.
The company offers full landscape and water feature design along with upkeep that keeps ponds clear of debris. They also handle pond installation and maintenance. Local artists display work throughout the nursery, adding an eclectic touch. Family-run since 2016, Tucson Cactus & Koi balances pricing for both everyday yard upgrades and statement cacti.
Spadefoot Nursery
Located in the Sam Hughes neighborhood, Spadefoot Nursery focuses on native plants from the Southwest and Mexico. Founders grow perennials, wildflowers, and herbs in outdoor beds without pesticides. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit frequently, attracted by native blooms. The nursery supplies regionally adapted vegetables and unique plant varieties.
The two-person operation handles every stage of growth on site. Their expertise in desert horticulture guides plant selection and care advice. Social media channels offer tips on maintenance and seasonal planting schedules.
Spring brings a variety of wildflowers, summer highlights drought-tolerant perennials, and fall showcases blooming species suited to Tucson’s climate. There is no installation or landscape design service, but staff members provide one-on-one guidance to support successful gardening. Prices reflect the pesticide-free, locally adapted stock. Spadefoot’s urban setting and small scale create an intimate environment, ideal for gardeners seeking specialized native plants.
Bach’s Greenhouse Cactus Nursery
Since 1971, Bach’s Greenhouse Cactus Nursery has grown into a sprawling collection that covers acres of greenhouses and outdoor shade beds. Many plants are Arizona natives, supplemented by rare agaves and giant columnar cacti. Holiday seasons bring Christmas cacti as large as small dogs. Propagation techniques developed over four decades ensure seedlings of prickly pears and mature barrel cacti with complete root balls ready for transport.
Staff members are skilled at identifying any species and providing written care instructions. The nursery acts as both a display garden and a pottery marketplace featuring bright Talavera pieces. Visitors can wander through over ten acres, choosing plants that range from two-inch succulents to century-old specimens.
Prices run from mid-range to premium, reflecting the time some cacti take to mature. Demonstration beds suggest landscape groupings and yucca pairings for front porches. The low-key layout feels more relaxed than a chain garden center. Bach’s family expertise and extensive inventory make this northwest Tucson spot a go-to for collectors and beginners alike.
B & B Cactus Farm
Over at B & B Cactus Farm, two acres in suburban Tucson host rows of greenhouses and outdoor gardens. The nursery specializes in all kinds of cacti from barrel and columnar to hedgehog varieties. You can find agaves, aloes, ocotillos, cold-hardy succulents, and more exotic species.
Colorful Talavera pottery and garden art highlight the site. Staff members welcome both casual gardeners and plant enthusiasts, offering guidance on care and selection. Demonstration gardens show how specimens can look in home landscapes, adding flair to any yard.
The farm features a plant library for reference and occasionally a farm cat on patrol. Inventory shifts with the seasons but always includes desert plants and dish gardens. Prices cover budget-friendly options as well as premium choices for serious collectors. Family-owned for more than 25 years, B & B Cactus Farm maintains a lively festival-like atmosphere that keeps local gardeners coming back.
EcoGro, LLC
EcoGro, LLC operates like a science lab and a boutique nursery combined. The team manages aquaponic demonstration tanks alongside rare succulents and tropical plants. They mix custom soils on site, storing compressed coconut husk and other organic materials in large bins. These soils support a mix of edible starts, fruit trees, and unique cactus varieties.
Staff members discuss hydroponic lighting, LED spectrums, and troubleshooting plant health with genuine enthusiasm. The nursery carries cannabis seeds and the equipment to cultivate them legally. They also offer workshops on soil mix ratios and seasonal care. A down-to-earth vibe makes the technical details accessible without feeling exclusive.
While the space is compact, it features enough specialty plants and supplies to rival a larger garden center. Prices reflect the quality of pesticide-free, locally adapted stock. EcoGro’s focus on both science and hands-on gardening support helps customers troubleshoot issues from basil to bore.
Plants for the Southwest
Since 1985, Plants for the Southwest has specialized in desert and succulent plants with a focus on onsite propagation. The nursery spans nine greenhouses and multiple shadehouses, where most specimens—from common jades to rare global succulents—are grown from seed. Its specialty collection includes southwestern wildflowers, native trees and the world’s largest properly labeled lithops display.
Visitors often compare the layout to a small botanical garden. Staff members bring expertise from backgrounds like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and provide detailed care advice. Under the Living Stones Nursery mail-order label, the nursery ships succulents nationwide.
While prices lean toward premium, the quality and rarity of the plants justify the cost. An assortment of local pottery complements the plant collection. Two resident dogs, Aurea and Wasson, add a friendly touch by greeting shoppers at the entrance. With its combination of research-backed cultivation, extensive collections and personalized service, Plants for the Southwest stands out as a destination for dedicated succulent enthusiasts.
Harlow Gardens
Dating back to 1939, Harlow Gardens has honed its nursery expertise over three generations of family management. Located on East Pima Street, the site covers about an acre of greenhouse bays, display gardens and shady walkways. You’ll encounter showy succulents, native desert plants and neatly lined rows of cacti, along with seasonal highlights like fall chrysanthemums and spring bedding plants.
The nursery grows many specimens onsite and brings in rare trees and specialty succulents from around the region. This combination of homegrown stock and regional finds ensures a diverse selection all year. Beyond retail, Harlow Gardens offers landscape design, installation and irrigation systems. A gift shop showcases local art and hand-painted Talavera pottery.
Known for its knowledgeable “Garden Wizards,” the staff can guide both new gardeners and professional landscapers. Community concerts and pavilion events add a social dimension, including weddings and workshops. Prices tend to reflect the nursery’s focus on quality, making it a destination for those who value unique plants, artisanal pottery and expert service.
Rillito Nursery & Garden Center
Situated on La Cholla Boulevard since 1994, Rillito Nursery & Garden Center covers over three acres and offers more than a typical corner plant shop. A 4,800-gallon pond anchors themed demonstration gardens, making it feel like you’re strolling through multiple backyard landscapes.
Family-run by the Hargrove family since 2005, the nursery carries 300 to 400 tree varieties alongside desert sages, penstemons and flowering beds. You’ll find Meyer lemons, limequats, roses not sourced from big-box stores, drought-tolerant wildflowers and carefully selected annuals. Rows of pots filled with vegetable seedlings are clearly marked, and staff provide expert advice without waiting to be asked.
In addition to retail, Rillito Nursery offers landscaping installations, curbside citrus delivery, pollinator workshops and irrigation repairs. Prices fall between bargain and premium, and stock arrives in healthy condition. Whether you need local plant recommendations or guidance on caring for a new hibiscus, the knowledgeable team is ready to help. This nursery reflects a commitment to practical plant care and community engagement.
Green Things
Spanning 13 acres in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills, Green Things features 33 greenhouses filled with an impressive array of plants and pottery. Family-owned since 1970 and led by Jan Westenborg since the early 2000s, this nursery offers expertise you won’t find at a typical garden center.
You’ll discover desert natives, trees in oversized containers, fruit trees, herbs, groundcovers, cacti, succulents and tropical specimens. Most plants are propagated onsite, while pottery arrives from Oaxaca, Vietnam, Europe and other parts of the world. Seasonal rotations include Christmas cactus, cyclamen and 25,000 holiday poinsettias, along with heat-tolerant annuals in peak summer.
Beyond retail, Green Things provides delivery, installation and workshops covering topics like edible landscaping and air-plant care. Staff members can identify any plant you bring in. Prices range from budget-friendly options to high-end ceramics that double as garden art. Located in an urban setting near the Rillito River Path, this nursery serves everyone from new plant owners to professional landscapers. Whether you want practical supplies or specialty finds, Green Things delivers a mix of quality and variety.
Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery
Occupying 4.3 acres on Starr Pass Boulevard, Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery serves as a living ark for more than 700 species of Sonoran Desert flora. Nestled along the Santa Cruz River banks, the nursery features local trees, shrubs, cacti, vines and groundcovers sourced from southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico.
Most plants are raised onsite from seeds or cuttings, ensuring genetic integrity, while the remainder arrive from within a 500-mile desert radius. Organic practices guide propagation and maintenance, with minimal use of chemicals. This focus on native species helps customers create landscapes that thrive in the local climate.
The nursery also operates as a nonprofit supported-employment program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Staff expertise combines experienced nursery professionals with Direct Support Professionals, offering a unique service model. In addition to retail, Desert Survivors provides commercial landscaping and practical plant advice tailored to arid environments. This commitment to local ecology, education and community support makes the nursery a standout in Tucson’s horticultural scene.
Civano Nursery – Retail Location
At Civano Nursery – Retail Location, desert plants get their moment in the sun. Family-owned since 1997, this garden center specializes in greenery that thrives in the Southwest climate. You will find cacti, chunky succulents, tough ornamental grasses, and heat-resistant palms. They also offer herbs, vegetable starts, and backyard citrus trees for edible gardens.
The staff blends neighborhood warmth with botanical expertise. Serious plant enthusiasts are ready to identify mystery leaves or provide free landscape design advice. Beyond rows of pots you can explore a Zen garden and demonstration beds that showcase creative plant groupings.
All retail plants arrive from the nursery’s large Sahuarita facility where they receive around-the-clock care. Seasonal rotations keep the selection fresh, with perennials, vibrant spring flowers, and fall features like Halloween succulents and ornamental pumpkins. Visitors range from families with children to professional landscapers and DIY gardeners working off Pinterest ideas. Prices vary from budget-friendly to premium specimens. The shaded, open-air layout creates a welcoming, lively atmosphere that reflects Tucson’s spirit.
Southwest Cactus LLC
For fans of arid-region greenery, Southwest Cactus LLC delivers desert plant heaven. Nestled in Bonanza Heights north of Tucson, this nursery spans outdoor yards packed with everything from towering saguaros to tiny desk-friendly succulents.
Family-owned since 2017, the operation focuses on cacti and other desert plants. Skilled technicians can identify barrel cacti blindfolded and provide guidance on plant care. The nursery services include plant sales, custom desertscape design, delivery, planting, and emergency rescue calls for distressed specimens. First-time buyers and holiday shoppers can take advantage of special deals.
A plant-health warranty covers most purchases, reflecting the nursery’s confidence in its stock. Owner Luis Angel Chavez brings seven years of experience to the business and ensures competitive pricing. Whether you want mature specimens or quick-start succulents, you’ll find well-tended options ready for a new landscape. The rural setting, friendly staff, and focus on quality make a visit feel informative rather than overwhelming. If it has thorns, this team handles it with expertise.
