Ricky's Flower Mart is a good choice. Knowledgeable staff. Certain large plants can be pricey but they have a great and (usually) very healthy selection. Best to go in the spring though, I think they stock less variety in the winter. There's also parking

those reviews look great! are they only open in the spring? they look closed for the time

I feel like if you join the Cambridge/Somerville "Buy Nothing" groups on FB and say you're looking for some plant clippings or something someone might be willing to share. Won't necessarily get a full fledged plant but that's a pretty good free option

Technically Brighton and don’t know about their price point but mahoney’s always has a nice selection.

I'll give you a little monstera this Saturday if you want it. Currently downsizing my collection due ti toddler curiosity.

Mahoney's in Brighton is pretty awesome.

Edit: Offer rescinded! Giving it to another person that DM'd me.

Spring, summer and fall. If you can't wait, Home Depot seems to have a good selection. (Not a plant person, can confirm they were alive and green.)

Mahoney's is great. I've been to both their Winchester and Brighton locations. Brighton is probably closer, but the Winchester one is huge. I was there a few weeks ago. Tons of plants in every price range.

You could also check out Pemberton Farms on Mass Ave. They have a small greenhouse for indoor plants that's open all year.

Or if you want to try to find some free ones, there's a Facebook group called Somerville Plant Exchange that only allows free exchanges, no sales. Not sure if there's a similar group for Cambridge.

I got a plant from Home Depot a few years ago and ended up with a nasty fungus gnat infestation from it. I do not recommend

Heads up to OP theres only like 3-4 parking spots

I second going on "Buy Nothing" groups or trying to make gardening friends in other ways. When I stopped by Niche in Davis Square (cool place but small) they pretty openly told me that's the best way to get plants if you're more worried about price. That said, Ricky's is really cool (and might not be around soon?)

Found great plants on fb marketplace during moving sales. I scored a 6ft+ rubber tree for $30

Mahoney’s is excellent for this. If you can get to Winchester it’s their biggest location but you can also hit up the one in Brighton and still get a great selection. Rickey’s is also great but may be scant on house plants this time of year. There’s also a few Facebook groups for trading/buying/gifting plants. I could grab the names if you’re interested. 😊

Was just coming here to suggest this. I’ve gotten pileas and monsteras from the buy nothing group. Also Home Depot/ Lowe’s (if you can get to them) sell succulents for < $10. They grow fairly quickly and are easy to propagate so you can end up with more plants than you know what to do with.

Looks like they might be closed for the winter, but they're definitely open spring/summer/fall. I bet come March they'll be open. Can't recommend this place enough

Stay away from niche. They have scale. Every damn time I buy a plant there it brings a new infestation!

You’re giving away a monstera?

Trying to! Another person DM'd me. I told them I'd give OP 24 hours, then it's theirs. You can be next on the list.

Please let me know! Can I see a photo?

I buy from Trader Joe’s. Is that cringe? Lol

There’s also a “Camberville Plant Lovers” fb group where people will sell/trade/give away plants

If you get a pot with some soil, I can give you some cuttings of some basic Pothos -- with some roots growing already (I'm out of town until Tuesday but any time afterwards). These are super hardy and easy to propagate.

It's may be more expensive than what you are looking to spend but my plants from Niche (which moved to Davis from Central Square I think) from like four years ago are some of the healthiest plants I have purchased. Whereas the cheap plants I bought from Lowes died super quick.

Edit to say that wow a person below has the exact opposite opinion as me! May be things has gone downhill or I have gotten really lucky.

Seconded, ended up with a mealybug infestation instead. More recently seen spider mite webbing on their palms 🤢

Home Depot

Honestly, if you end up buying, just go to a small, local florist. The quality can’t be beat, even if it’s slightly more expensive. Bonus - you’re supporting a small local business that hasn’t been turned into a bank yet

Pemberton Farms

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Practical question: how does one get a 6ft+ rubber tree from the seller to your house?

I love Rococo in bow market. Pricey flowers but plants are reasonable from what I can tell.

Nah they definitely have some cute stuff

The Boston Plant and Garden Exchange facebook group. Or whole foods, trader joes, or other such grocery stores.

Yeah but its extra fun to blast out in reverse with your rear window obstructed by all the plants you bought.

Oof, I love them but even compared to Mahoney's they are pricey AF. And I am the type to spend more than I have any business doing on a plant that strikes my fancy.

Also “Somerville Plant Exchange” which is entirely about swapping or giving away plants and gardening items. They require all trades/pickups to be in Somerville, though just FYI.