Whether you’re plotting a pollinator haven or just hoping not to kill your next houseplant, Knoxville is packed with nurseries ready to fuel your green-thumb ambitions. From legacy growers brimming with native gems to quirky boutiques that turn plant shopping into a proper outing, there’s a spot for every style and skill level.
Let’s get to it.
Moon Valley Nurseries | One-Stop Tree Overkill
Moon Valley Nurseries makes transforming your barren yard feel effortless. These family-run growers handle over a million trees a year, yet the Knoxville location still feels warm and personal.
They cultivate every specimen on site, so you’re not hauling home mystery stock. From privacy-providing evergreens to rare native varieties, the choices cater to a range of landscaping dreams. You can rent a hedge or buy a full-sized maple without feeling overwhelmed.
If design leaves you stuck, their plant enthusiasts will draft a free landscaping plan. Better still, they’ll come out and plant everything without tacking on surprise fees. With organized displays and a handy mobile app, even the indecisive gardener can look like an expert. Snoop their Knoxville lineup here.
Stanley’s Greenhouse | The Local Legacy Nursery
Since 1955, Stanley’s Greenhouse has reigned as East Tennessee’s horticultural landmark. With 190,000 square feet of greenhouse space, they invite you to explore richly stocked benches filled with heirloom veggies, succulents and rare hydrangeas.
Every starter plant is grown pesticide-free right on location. You won’t encounter trucked-in, half-dead mystery specimens here. Instead you’ll find robust basil, pansies that thrive in Knoxville’s shift-changing weather, and the latest hybrid varieties.
Their knowledgeable team isn’t content to simply ring up your purchase. They’ll show you why your ficus keeps losing leaves and recommend steps to revive it. Keep an eye out for the annual Butterfly Festival and occasional plant seminars that add even more to the experience. See what’s in bloom right now.
Knoxville Seed & Greenhouse | The One-Stop Garden Shop
For pure gardening sanity, few spots rival Knoxville Seed & Greenhouse. Over forty years of experience stand behind every seed packet. When you walk in, you will be greeted by rows of seeds for lawns, fields, gardens and more.
This is no flimsy pop-up stand; the greenhouse hums with growing plants and gardeners swapping tips. You might nearly trip over live plants, seasonal pumpkins and hanging baskets. Come December, Christmas trees arrive alongside enough wreaths to inspire any crafts enthusiast.
If your stubborn clay soil refuses to cooperate, just ask the staff. Their collective wisdom will save your struggling patch. Prices stay fair, and deliveries handle even your most enthusiastic orders.
Whether you grow herbs on a windowsill or manage a sprawling vegetable garden, this destination delivers value and community spirit. You leave ready to tackle any planting challenge. see what all the local gardeners are talking about.
Kirby Plants | Old-School Family Expertise
When you want genuine plant expertise rather than generic big-box offerings, head to Kirby Plants. Here you find a family rooted in horticulture whose knowledge rivals half the USDA. The shop’s atmosphere feels authentic and unpretentious.
Spring brings annuals, perennials and even Japanese maples. In fall, mums, pumpkins and live Christmas trees arrive for your porch. Hand-decorated wreaths sell out fast for those aiming to win “best porch on the block.”
The staff know hydrangeas, ferns and succulents inside and out. Ask whether that blue hydrangea can survive your style of watering. Their advice will keep you out of plant trouble.
Prices remain reasonable so you never regret a new green obsession. Stroll through kitschy flags and wind chimes tucked among the greenery. Kirby Plants is the local legend worth a weekend road trip. See what’s in bloom and say hi to the Kirbys.
Oglewood Avenue | For the Aspiring Plant Parent
Not everyone is born with a green thumb, and Oglewood Avenue understands that. This stylish boutique doubles as your personal plant bootcamp. They take you from hopeless to proud plant parent.
Each specimen you find here is a statement piece or a rare treasure. Even your aunt’s pothos will look ordinary next to these offerings. You leave with something special every time.
Owner Jade Adams arms you with tips, tricks and organic soil to end your plant-fail era. Staff educate rather than judge, whether you are choosing a chunky cactus or a delicate fern. Workshops and pop-ups with local makers keep the experience fresh.
Plant styling and repotting services mean you can turn your space into a leafy sanctuary. They will even host an occasional event so you never see the same display twice. If you want to keep that succulent alive longer than a week, this is your spot. go see what Oglewood Avenue has in store for you.
Ellenburg Landscaping & Nursery | Where Green Thumbs Get Serious
Stepping into Ellenburg Landscaping & Nursery feels like visiting a friend’s secret greenhouse. You might hand over a mystery clipping from your neighbor’s yard and walk away with a more intriguing replacement.
This family-owned gem has quietly been outshining the big-box stores since 1982. You’ll find everything from quirky orchids to native perennials, plus a seasonal lineup that even tempts the commitment-shy plant parent every December.
The staff actually knows their stuff and never makes you feel silly for wanting just one rosemary to impress your cooking. Whether you’re hunting for curb appeal shortcuts or ready to dive into a full landscape redesign, their guidance is spot on.
Browse the low-key greenhouse at your own pace. Handpicked plants are exceptionally healthy and priced sensibly for the level of expertise you get.
Locals swear by Ellenburg, and once you wander through the aisles, you’ll see why you can’t leave empty-handed. See what’s fresh at Ellenburg.
Loveday Garden Center | The Fresh-From-the-Farm Stop
If you think garden centers all charge premium prices for baby shrubs, Loveday Garden Center will surprise you. Tucked along Chapman Highway, this down-to-earth spot has kept Knoxville’s gardens growing strong since 2013.
You’ll find the usual suspects plus a small but solid local produce section. Think white half-runner beans, Peaches n Cream corn, and Christmas trees you can afford without taking out a loan.
No full-service landscape architect is hiding in the back, but you will leave with Cruze Dairy milk, honey from Strawberry Plains, and plenty of Southern charm. The staff greets you like an old friend and will help you haul home that new green obsession.
Procrastinators, rejoice: they even assemble CSA boxes with same-day delivery. If honest prices, friendly faces, and local goods are your jam, Loveday is calling your name. Go see what’s in season.
Thress Nursery Gardens | Old-School Green Thumb Masters
With 65 years under its belt, Thress Nursery Gardens feels like the golden grandparent of Knoxville growers. Always family-owned, this spot balances time-tested favorites with fresh seasonal finds.
It’s more than a quick stop for pansies. You’ll discover everything from bargain boxwoods to bougie tropicals.
Need a single succulent for your windowsill? Craving a full front-yard makeover? They handle design, heavy lifting, and leave you with professional results.
Their gift shop cycles through new surprises every season, catering to the impulse candle-plus-mum crowd. And the staff are genuine plant people who know a hydrangea when they see one.
Visiting Thress is as local as it gets without sprouting roots yourself. Plot your visit (and plant takeover) here.
Popes at Creekside | The Friendly Plant Whisperers
Popes at Creekside is the antidote to sterile warehouse garden centers. Rows of thriving plants await, but the real draw is chatting with staff who know more Latin plant names than your average botanist.
The laid-back atmosphere includes demonstration gardens and propagation areas so you can see plants in action. You’ll spot robust shrubs and succulents that practically survive on attitude alone.
Seasonal show-stoppers like mellow mums might even get you excited for fall. Whether you’re a houseplant massacre artist or a garden veteran, there’s something here to challenge you without draining your wallet.
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty. It’s easy to understand why shoppers keep saying “just one more” as they load their carts. Get inspired (or overwhelmed) here.
Mayo Garden Center: West | Knoxville’s Green Thumb Institution
Expect nothing less than spectacular at Mayo Garden Center: West. If you thought local garden centers were all drooping begonias, this place will change your mind fast.
Five generations of Mayos have refined this West Knoxville showroom into a nursery, outdoor living showcase, and museum of the unexpected. They source from local experts, so your plants thrive in East Tennessee’s fickle climate.
Hunting seasonal flowers, veg starts, or a statement-making fire pit? The staff offers straight-talk advice without judgment. Holiday regulars know their Christmas trees and fall mums have become annual traditions for good reason.
Keep an eye out for weekly deals that deliver quality without emptying your wallet. After 140 years of green-thumb know-how, you’ll leave feeling both humbled and inspired. Find your next favorite plant here.
Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm | Herb Nerd Paradise
Only a true herb obsessive could have imagined a place like Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm. Tucked just outside Knoxville, it feels more like a rural collector’s paradise than your neighborhood garden center.
Three sprawling greenhouses and a series of themed herb gardens make it easy to lose track of time. You’ll discover more basil varieties than you ever knew existed alongside every culinary, medicinal, or just plain curious herb you can name. Lavender, thyme, skullcap and more wait for you on rustic wooden benches.
Saturdays here are made for hands-on workshops. One week you might be crafting your own herbal salve. The next you could find yourself learning to whip up that soap recipe you pinned last month.
The atmosphere blends zen retreat and botanical boot camp, yet there’s zero big-box feel. Whether you seek dirt under your fingernails or simply crave a new plant conversation, you’re sure to leave with something special. Take a stroll through their spellbook of herbal magic.
Innovative Garden and Hydroponic Supply Inc. | Hydro Fans’ Playground
Step inside Innovative Garden and Hydroponic Supply Inc. and you’ll instantly sense a different breed of nursery. Their 9,500-square-foot showroom overflows with hydroponic racks, organic soils and cutting-edge aquaponic equipment.
If you dream of a tomato jungle on your apartment windowsill or a full-blown greenhouse system, their team will design custom setups and guide you every step of the way. They speak fluent plant science without making you feel like you missed Botany 101.
Beyond the gear, they carry a well-curated plant selection: native species, vegetables, ornamentals and seasonal compost in bulk. Helpful staff know the difference between perlite and perilite—no guesswork needed here. For anyone tired of wandering endless big-box aisles, this Maryville stop genuinely rewards your horticultural curiosity. Dive into their greenhouse wonderland here.
More Than Plants | The Farmstand Greenhouse Hangout
More Than Plants brings genuine backyard hospitality to Strawberry Plains, just a short drive from Knoxville. This family with deep horticultural roots has crafted a nursery that feels more farmers market than chain store.
Inside their greenhouses you’ll find native Tennessee shrubs alongside seasonal produce like juicy Grainger County tomatoes. Food trucks often park out front, and shoppers stroll away with treats like Benton’s bacon, all while planning their next border.
The staff here models pure friendliness. They can tell you the difference between mulch varieties or help diagnose mildew, all without a hint of condescension. Questions of any level are greeted with expertise and a warm smile.
Fair prices and a focus on local goods turn casual visitors into devoted garden converts. It’s easy to leave More Than Plants feeling inspired and ready to get your hands dirty. See what’s growing on at More Than Plants.
Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping | The Destination for Dream Gardens
If you think landscape design is merely arranging a couple of pots on your balcony, you owe yourself a drive to Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping. Family owned since 1981, this Oak Ridge staple feels more like a botanical wonderland than a typical nursery. It sits just a scenic drive from Knoxville.
You will wander among bubbling koi ponds, display gardens you will beg to copy, and enough whimsical art to make garden gnomes almost cool. The crew aren’t just friendly; they’re certified plant nerds and award winning landscapers. They craft fire-pit patios and natural water features that look magazine worthy.
DIY rebels can tap into the “We Plan You Plant” service and take full credit for a yard that suddenly looks Southern Living-ready. There is every plant you could want, from Tennessee-hardy perennials to exotic finds you never knew existed. Delivery is available if you accidentally purchase a tree the size of your car.
Skip the chaos of hardware store aisles and join a community of local gardening enthusiasts. Staff really know their stuff and love to share tips. A visit here feels like a rite of passage for anyone serious about plants. Take a digital stroll through their plant paradise here.
Meadow View Greenhouse | The Plant Lover’s Playground
If you are tired of hardware-store petunias, Meadow View Greenhouses in Lenoir City awaits. This family-run operation has grown with pride since 1997. With acres of greenhouse space, you might lose your partner in seconds.
Every October brings garden mums so grand they upstage your mailbox. Come holiday season, the place transforms into a forest of poinsettias and fresh-cut Christmas trees. It feels like wandering through a festive plant wonderland.
From basil seedlings to tropical monsters, the selection is vast enough to challenge your trunk space. The shop also features artsy pottery and garden gnomes you can claim were “a joke gift.” You will be tempted at every turn.
Staff here guide you to perennials that survive hot summers and cold winters. They answer questions with real experience rather than canned phrases. Skip the chain stores for a truly local greenhouse outing. see what’s blooming at Meadow View Greenhouse.
