From left to right: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed), Coreopsis tripteris (Tall Coreopsis), Liatris pycnostachya (Prairie Blazing Star), and Carex radiata (Star Sedge) - Credit: Possibility Place Nursery
Many of our members know the great benefits of gardening with plants that are native to our region:
Native Illinois prairie plants can help prevent flooding because they have deeper root systems than turf and most non-native annuals, meaning better absorption of rain into the ground.
Deeper roots also means healthier soil and better stabilization.
Native plants can require less long-term maintenance once established because they are more tolerant to Illinois conditions.
Native landscapes cost less money to maintain than turf.
Native landscapes have winter interest and are attractive all year long.
Native plants can be just as beautiful as the exotic plants more commonly found at big-box stores.
Native plants attract and support birds and butterflies that add interest to a garden.
Native landscapes contribute to a healthy natural ecosystem by offering critical benefits to endangered bees and butterflies that other non-native plants cannot.
For the eighth year in a row, we've compiled a list of where you can buy quality native plants around Chicago.
Below is a map of the plant sales and nurseries. (Click here if you can't see the map.) There are also plant delivery options at the bottom of this list.
2024 Chicagoland Plant Sales
In order by pickup or in-person event date
South
24th Annual Gibson Woods Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
When: May 4, 9am-3pm
Where: Lake Etta County Park
4801 W 29th Ave
Gary, IN 46406
More info: www.gw-wildones.org
Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens Native Plant Sale
When: May 4, 9am-12pm
Where: Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens
7402 W Lake Katherine Dr
Palos Heights, IL 60463
More info: www.lakekatherine.org
Irons Oaks Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 22
Pickup/in-person sale May 3, 5pm-7pm & May 4, 7am-9 am
Where: Irons Oaks 20000 Western Ave
Olympia Fields, IL 60461
More info: www.ironsoaks.com
Thorn Creek Audubon Society/Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve Native Plant Sale
When: May 18, 9am -12pm
May 19, 10am-12pm
Where: Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve 1100 Ridge Rd
Homewood, IL 60430
More info: www.thorncreekaudubonsociety.org and www.homewoodizaakwalton.com
The Nature Foundation of Will County Bringing Nature Home Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder April 6-27
Pickup/in-person sale May 18, 9am- 2pm or May 19, 9am-12pm
Where: Isle a la Cache
501 E 135th St (Romeo Rd)
Romeoville, IL 60446
More info: www.willcountynature.org
28th Annual Friends of Indiana Dunes’ Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 26
Pickup May 10, 4pm-6pm or  May 11, 9am-12pm
Plants for sale without preorder on May 11, 9am-1pm
Where: Friends of Indiana Dunes' Office
1000 W Oak Hill Rd
Porter, IN 46304
More info: www.dunefriends.org
3rd Annual Sag Moraine Native Plant Community Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by May 1
June 1, 9am-2pm
Where: Parking Lot D3 at Moraine Valley Community College
9000 College Pkwy
Palos Hills, IL 60465
More info: www.sagmoraine.org
The Nature Foundation of Will County Pollinator Party Native Plant Sale
When: June 15, 10am-2pm
Where: Isle a la Cache
501 E 135th St (Romeo Rd)
Romeoville, IL 60446
More info: www.willcountynature.org
The Nature Foundation of Will County Summer Blooms Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder from June 22 - July 13
Pickup/in-person sale August 3, 9am-2pm or August 4, 9am-12pm
Where: Isle a la Cache
501 E 135th St (Romeo Rd)
Romeoville, IL 60446
More info: www.willcountynature.org
The Nature Foundation of Will County Hummingbird Fest Native Plant Sale
When: August 17, 1pm-5pm
Where: Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 Dutton Rd
Beecher, IL 60401
More info: www.willcountynature.org
The Nature Foundation of Will County Fall on the Farm Native Plant Sale
When: September 14, 11am-3pm
Where: Riverview Farmstead Preserve
Book Rd
Naperville, IL 60564
More info: www.willcountynature.org
West
The Morton Arboretum Arbor Day Plant Sale
When: April 25-27, 9am-4pm (Ticketed Entry)
Where: The Morton Arboretum 4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
More info: www.mortonarb.org
Kane County Forest Preserve Foundation Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 15
Pickup April 27, 8-11am
In-person sale April 27, 8am-12pm
Where: LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve Creek Bend Nature Center 37W700 Dean St
St. Charles, IL 60175
More info: www.kaneforest.com
Wheaton Park District Native Illinois Plant Sale
When: April 27, 8:30-11am
Where: City of Wheaton Public Works Yard
821 W Liberty Dr
Wheaton, IL 60187
More info: www.wheatonparkdistrict.com
McDonald Farm Annual Plant Sale
When: Preorder plant kits April 16-19
Pickup/in-person sale May 11th, 9am -2pm
Where: McDonald Farm
10S404 Knoch Knolls Rd
Naperville, IL 60565
More info: www.theconservationfoundation.org
Naperville Community Gardeners' Plant Sale
When: May 11, 8am-1pm
Where: Parking Lot on the north end of Ron Ory Community Garden Plots
811 S West St
Naperville, IL 60540
More info: www.napervillecommunitygardeners.com
DuPage Forest Preserves Native Plant Sale
When: May 16, 4pm-7pm (Pre-sale - Ticket Required)
May 17, 10am-7pm
May 18, 9am-2pm
Where: Mayslake Peabody Estate
1717 W 31st St
Oak Brook, IL 60523
More info: www.dupageforest.org
Crestview Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 18, 8:30am-1pm
Where: 515 S York St
                   Elmhurst, IL 60126
More info: www.facebook.com
West Cook Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by May 19
Pickup June 6-8 (Maywood) or June 7-8 (Lemont), 8:45am-2:30pm Where: Forest Preserves of Cook County Central Warehouse
2199 S 1st Ave
Maywood, IL 60153
or
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 111th St
Lemont, IL 60439
More info: www.westcook.wildones.org
North
Skokie Park District Earth Day Celebration & Native Plant Sale
When: April 21, 12pm-4pm
Where: Emily Oaks Nature Center
4650 Brummel St
Skokie, IL 60076
More info: www.skokieparks.org
Citizens for Conservation's 28th Annual Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 15
Pickup May 3, 11am-6pm or May 4, 9am-3pm
Public sale May 4-5, 9am-3pm
Where: Hill 'N Dale Preserve 11801 Ridge Rd
Barrington Hills, IL 60010
More info: citizensforconservation.org
Go Green Wilmette Native Plant Sale
When: May 11, 9-11am
Where: Gillson Park
                  Lake Ave & Michigan Ave                    Wilmette, IL 60091
More info: www.gogreenwilmette.org
Wicker Park Plant Sale Fundraiser
When: May 11, 10am-6pm
(Rain date May 12)
Where: Wicker Park (Westside of Field House)
1425 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60622
More info: www.wickerpark.org
Lake County Forest Preserves Native Plant Sale
When: May 11, 9am-3pm
May 12, 10am-2pm
(Online order and delivery available)
Where: North Bay Pavilion at Independence Grove Forest Preserve
16400 Buckley Rd
Libertyville, IL 60048
More info: www.lcfpd.org
Lake Forest Open Lands Spring Plant & Tree Sale
When: Preorder available April 15
In-person sale May 18, 8am-1pm
Where: Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
350 N Waukegan Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
More info: www.lfola.org
Schaumburg Community Garden Club Online Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 19
Pickup May 18-19, 10am-2pm
Where: Spring Valley Nature Center
1111 E Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193
More info: www.schaumburggardenclub.org
Chicago Audubon Society Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder by April 26
Pickup May 26, 12pm-3pm
Where: North Park Village Nature Center
5801 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60646
More info: www.chicagoaudubon.org
4th Annual Evanston Environmental Association's Bird Buzz Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder while supplies last
Pickup/in-person June 1, 12:30pm-4:30pm
Where: City of Evanston's Morton Civic Center Parking Lot
2100 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
More info: www.evanstonenvironment.org
Libertyville High School Native Plant Sale
When: Preorder while supplies last
                  Pickup May 6, 4:30pm-8pm
Where: Libertyville High School
                   708 W Park Ave
                   Libertyville, IL 60048
More info: www.illinoisplants.org
Southport Neighbors Association Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, June 22, 9am
Where: Southport Plaza (along the Lakeview Low-Line)
3410 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
More info: www.southportneighbors.com
Nurseries & Garden Centers
South
Alsip Home & Nursery
Location: 20601 S LaGrange Rd
Frankfort, IL 60423
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9am-6pm
Call: 815.469.1044
Website: www.alsipnursery.com
Fasel & Sons Garden Center
Location: 10841 S Cicero Ave
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-5:30pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm
Call: 708.422.5335
Website: www.faselandsons.com
Melka Landscaping & Garden Center
Location: 11606 179th St Mokena, IL 60448
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Call: 708.349.6989 ext. 3
Website: www.jimmelkalandscaping.com
Ted's Greenhouse, Inc.
Location: 16930 84th Ave
Tinley Park, IL 60487
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
Call: 708.532.3575
Website: www.tedsgreenhouse.com
Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse, Inc.
Location: 10300 E 9000 N Rd
Grant Park, IL 60940
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 8am-4pm
Call: 815.465.6310
Website: www.woldhuisfarms.com
West
Christy Webber Farm & Garden
Location: 2833 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
Hours: Wednesday-Monday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Call: 312.829.8200
Website: www.cwfng.com
City Escape Garden Center & Design Studio
Location: 3022 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60612
Hours: Everyday: 9am-6pm
Call: 773.638.2000
Website: cityescape.biz
Good Earth Greenhouse
Location: 7900 W Madison
River Forest, IL 60305
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Call: 708.366.9500
Website: www.goodearthgreenhouse.com
The Growing Place
Locations: 25w471 Plank Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
and
2000 Montgomery Rd
Aurora, IL 60504
Hours: Everyday: 10am-5pm
Call: 630.355.4000 (Naperville) | 630.820.8088 (Aurora)
Website: www.thegrowingplace.com
Hinsdale Nurseries
Location: 7200 S Madison St
Willowbrook, IL 60527
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-4:30pm
Call: 630.323.1411
Website: hinsdalenurseries.com
McAdam Nursery & Garden Center
Location: 2001 Des Plaines Ave
Forest Park, IL 60130
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 9am-3pm
Call: 708.771.2299
Website: www.mcadamgardencenter.com
Sprout Home
Location: 745 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: Everyday: 10am-6pm
Call: 312.226.5950
Website: www.sprouthome.com
Wasco Nursery & Garden Center
Locations: 41 W781 IL-64
St. Charles, IL 60175
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am-3pm
Call: 630.584.4424
Website: www.wasconursery.com
North
Chalet - Home + Garden
Location: 3132 Lake Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-6pm
and
Location: 695 N Western Ave
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Hours: Friday-Sunday: 10am-4pm
Call: 847.256.0561
Website: www.chaletnursery.com
Farmer’s Market Garden Center
Location: 4110 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm
Call: 773.539.1200
Website: www.gardenchicago.com
Ferraro Garden Spot
Location: 826 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 9:30am-3:30pm
Call: 847.272.1840
Website: www.ferrarogardenspot.com
Fertile Garden Center LLC
Location: 3645 N Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60618
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9am-5pm
Call: 773.472.8733
Website: www.fertilegardencenterllc.com
Natives Haven Native Wildflower Nursery
Location: 13809 Durkee Rd Harvard, IL 60033
Hours: Opening May 23
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Call: 815.344.6623
Website: www.nativeshaven.com
Reds Garden Center
Location: 3460 Dundee Rd Northbrook, IL 60062
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-4pm
Call: 847.272.1209
Website: www.redsgardencenter.com
Plant Delivery
Agrecol LLC
Based in Evansville, WI
Website: www.Agrecol.com
Heritage Flower Farm
Based in Mukwonago WI
Website: www.heritageflowerfarm.com
Native Wildflowers & Seeds from Ion Exchange, Inc.
Based in Harper’s Ferry, IA
Website: www.ionxchange.com
Natural Communities Native Plants
Based in Batavia, IL
Website: www.naturalcommunities.net
North Branch Natives
Based in Chicago, IL
Website: www.northbranchnatives.com
Pollinator Prairie Patch
Based in Chicago, IL
Website: www.pollinatorprairiepatch.com
Possibility Place Nursery
Based in Monee, IL
Website: www.possibilityplace.com
Prairie Friends Native Plant Nursery
Based in Chicago, IL
Website: www.prairiefriends.com
(Option for local pickup)
Prairie Moon Nursery
Based in Winona, MN
Website: www.prairiemoon.com
Prairie Nursery
Based in Westfield, WI
Website: www.prairienursery.com
Rebecca's Natives, Ltd.
Based in Winnetka, IL
Website: www.rebeccasnatives.com
(Option for local pickup)
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
Based in Lake County, IL
Website: www.openlands.org
Landscapers
Want to hire someone else to source the plants and do the work? Check our directory of trusted landscapers, who have each been used and recommended by at least 3 of our members.
Let us know of any native plant sources that we missed.
Share this list with your neighbors and friends to help support local businesses and spread the word about native plants. Happy gardening!