The New York City Flower District is one of the most famous and historical attractions of the city.
This exciting place is visited by many people each year, especially couples, tourists, and flower and plant lovers.
If you plan on visiting soon, it helps to know a bit about it so that you can have a great experience and buy the best flowers or gift for someone you love.
So in this guide, we will tell you where the NYC Flower Market is located, its history, leading shops, and more.
Is it worth shopping at the NYC Flower District?
It can be worth shopping at the NYC Flower District, as they virtually have all flower, orchid, cactus and succulent varieties here.
They have beautiful rare flowers, fresh and dried types included, as well as decorative houseplants that most florists don’t have.
And even if you’re not buying anything, it is very enjoyable to stroll through the flower market and delight in the fragrant flowers and greenery with your friends or family.
Thus, whether you’re an interior designer, botanical specialist, or just a regular tourist, the NYC Flower District is indeed a great place to visit!
What street is the NYC Flower District located in?
NYC Flower Market is located on West 28th Street.
This bustling street sits between 6th and 7th Avenues and is impossible to miss with its lush outdoor flowers, houseplants, and trees lining various shops.
There is a long line of florists clustered here, giving you plenty of options from which to take home fresh arrangements.
Where do flowers in NYC Flower District come from?
Most flowers in NYC Flower District come from suppliers in the city itself, California, Holland, and Ecuador.
How long has the NYC Flower District been there?
The renowned NYC Flower District was established in the first half of the 19th century by European immigrants.
They saw a need for supplying flowers to steamboats, funeral homes, and department stores, which were booming at that time.
They came from different European countries like Greece, Germany, Ireland, and Poland.
From that point on, the market has grown and attracted a lot of visitors each year.
What time do the NYC Flower District shops open?
The flower shops in NYC Flower District open as early as 4:00 AM from Monday to Saturday.
Take note, however, that florists only accommodate flower retailers and other special appointments in the early morning.
Generally, they start assisting regular clients at 8:00 AM. So a good time to arrive is between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
If you’ve come too early, there are lots of coffee shops where you can take a sip of flavorful tea or coffee and lounge while waiting.
How do I get to the NYC Flower District?
Here are the different ways you can get to the NYC Flower District:
- By car or taxi
- By bike
- By train
- By bus
By Car or Taxi
It’s fairly easy to drive to the NYC Flower District by car or taxi. You just need to locate West 28th Street on either 6th or 7th Avenue.
However, you need to find an available parking space before you pull over and park. It’s quite hard to find parking on weekdays when many flower delivery trucks occupy the space.
But you’ll have better odds of finding parking if you come to the NYC Flower District early.
By Bike
You can also ride a bicycle to the NYC Flower District at West 28th Street.
Though it will take a bit longer than going by car or taxi, riding a bike won’t contribute to air pollution, and not to mention, you’ll get some good exercise.
By Train
To commute to the NYC Flower District by train, you can board the R or W Train which will stop at 28th West Street. The station is just a short walking distance away from the flower market.
Or you can take the N or Q train and transfer to the Herald or Union Square stop. This is more or less a mile away, and you have to walk the remaining distance to get to the flower market.
By Bus
New York has lots of buses you can conveniently ride in. To go to the NYC Flower District, just take a bus near you bound for Mid-Manhattan where it is located.
What payments do NYC Flower District shops take?
Most NYC Flower District shops take only cash, so make sure you bring enough.
However, some also take major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Network. Bring them too just in case you need to purchase using a card.
Which are the top NYC Flower Market shops?
Check out some of the best florists in the NYC Flower District below!
- Buunch
- Associated Cut Flower Co.
- Empire Cut Flowers
1) Buunch
Buunch is a seasonal flower shop comprising of a diverse group of talented and passionate floral designers.
They use freshly supplied flowers and foliage and aim to artfully highlight each flower in the arrangement as the client requests.
Among their best-selling designs are the Mixed Colors and Coffee Table Flowers with colorful dahlias, the stylish Red Anthuriums, and the lovely, burgundy Snapdragons.
While their rates can hurt the wallet, customers prefer them for their consistently excellent flowers and service.
Buunch provides same-day delivery if the order is placed by 9:00 AM.
2) Associated Cut Flower Co.
Associated Cut Flower Co. is a New York flower wholesaler founded in 1957. The supplier boasts its complete array of seasonal and year-round flowers that retailers can get.
They offer many colors and varieties of regular, garden, and specialty roses, lilies, orchids, tulips, and hydrangeas. To name some, they have David Austin Garden Rose, Cherry Brandy Rose, French Tulips, and Glowing Alps Hydrangeas.
This store is great to buy from if you’re looking to impress someone or adorn a dinner or party table with gorgeous classic flowers.
3) Empire Cut Flowers
Formed in 2002, Empire Cut Flower is a family-owned flower shop on Chelsea of the NYC Flower District. Its selling point is having all kinds of cut flowers at budget-friendly rates.
It has peonies, lilies, dendrobiums, eucalyptus, roses, proteas, alliums, and various fillers—you name it. Rather than buying marked-up flowers, you can buy directly from the source at Empire Cut Flowers.
As a bonus, a lot of clients also say that the service here is professional and friendly. Don’t be shy to ask about the kinds of flowers you need.
At 4:00 AM, the wholesaler opens earlier than most shops in the district. So they just might be able to accommodate you at an earlier time.
What else can I find at the NYC Flower District?
Aside from fresh flowers, you can also find plenty of houseplants and dried flowers in the NYC Flower District.
Houseplants
Almost all flower shops in the NYC Flower District sell houseplants. Some offer popular houseplants, whereas others specialize in cacti and succulents.
If you want something long-lasting, then houseplants may be what you need.
Some fantastic houseplants to get are snake plants, monsteras, and fig trees. These
botanical beauties can add some charm to your house or office.
Dried Flowers
Another brilliant, wilt-free gift or decor to get at NYC Flower District is dried flowers. One of the well-known dried flower specialty stores in the flower market is Jrose.
Dried blooms are eye-catching and long-lasting. They just need to be kept away from sunlight and humidity.
What season should I visit the NYC Flower Market?
You can come to the NYC Flower Market in any season, but spring is the best time to do it. That’s because this is when many flowers and plants bloom.
Aside from that, the flower market becomes festive and exciting, as many people from all around the world come to enjoy this special botanical district.
Tips on Going to the NYC Flower Market
Check out these useful tips so you can get the most out of your visit to the NYC Flower District:
- Be prepared for a hectic morning
- Bring enough cash
- Order in advance if you want a specific flower
- Bring your camera
- Explore the place without buying anything first
Be prepared for a hectic morning
It’s best to come to the NYC Flower District prepared and early to enjoy the place and get the flora you need.
Don’t be surprised if there are a lot of people and frantic activities occurring around you here.
It’s only natural, as every day, different professionals like flower retailers, event planners, and businessmen come here to buy flowers in bulk for their commercial needs.
Bring enough cash
Remember that most NYC Flower District shops only accept cash in exchange for their floral products.
That means you might not be able to buy flowers or houseplants from them using a credit card, so you have to bring enough cash to buy what you’ll need.
Nevertheless, bring your credit cards too, as you never know when they can become handy, especially if you’re set on buying crates or boxes of flower bouquets.
Order in advance if you want a specific flower
If you’re looking for a hard-to-find flower, like the Chocolate Cosmos, then we suggest ordering them in advance by phone.
You can then arrange with the florist to get them at a certain time when you come to the flower district.
This prevents any disappointment if you don’t find the rare flower you need on-site.
Explore the place without buying anything first
There is a multitude of intriguing stores in the NYC Flower District. Thus, it’s wise to wander about the different shops first before deciding to buy anything.
You don’t want to purchase the first item you come across and soon find a better product from another store.
S go to each store that interests you, make a note of those that stand out, and just come back to buy the product you’re eyeing after you’ve seen the entire or most of the flower market.
What are some great stores in the NYC flower market?
Just two of the great stores to visit in the NYC flower market are Associated Cut Flower Co. and Superior Florist.
They were established more than 60 years ago, are now led by the grandson or daughter of the original owner, and still have some vintage interiors and signs telling you of their rich histories.
Also, you can swing by these niche stores: Lasting Art which offers exquisite artificial flowers and Jamali Flower Garden known for its elegant and well-crafted vases which you can gift to someone or take home.
Bring your camera
The lively and colorful flower market in NYC is a great place to take photos for leisure or buying purposes.
Lists of Flower Delivery Shops
Need flowers delivered to your friend or parent outside of NYC? You may find florists here that can help you: