Where To Find Native Plants and Seeds

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Where to Find Native Seeds

Growing your own native plants from seed is the most eco-conscious and budget-friendly way to add natives to your garden. Seeds cost significantly less than purchasing a fully grown plant, making them an excellent value.

However, finding native seeds for Southern Ontario can be challenging. Many garden centres don’t stock native plants or seeds, turning the search into a bit of a scavenger hunt. To make the process easier for fellow gardeners, we’ve compiled a list of reliable sources for native seeds, helping you start your native garden with ease.

This interactive map is an excellent tool for discovering native seed and plant sellers in your area. It highlights their locations and provides details about whether they exclusively offer native species or stock invasive ones as well. By shopping locally, you can support small businesses and contribute to the preservation of native ecosystems.

Another excellent way to find native seeds is by joining local gardening groups. Social media provides a great platform to connect with like-minded gardeners and discover new communities. Many native gardening groups are filled with passionate individuals eager to share their knowledge—and sometimes even offer plants or seeds for free.

Sharing is caring! If you end up with more native plants than you need, consider passing them along. Your neighbours might be eager to start their own native gardens, and every shared seed helps expand the pollinator highway just a little further.

If you’re outside our region of Ontario, you can explore this list of Native Plant Societies in the US and Canada. They provide a comprehensive list of native plant societies across Canada and the United States, making it easy to find local resources and communities dedicated to native gardening.

Native Seed Retailers:

• Northern Wildflowers. Online seed retailer specializing in native seeds for most of Canada. Their seeds are also sold in many stores across Canada if you prefer to shop in person.
• Wildflower Farm. Online seed retailer with a great seed selector tool to help you narrow down your search.
• West Coast Seeds. They sell many types of seeds from vegetables and annuals flowers to native plants. They deliver throughout Canada.
• Bee Kissed Seeds. Located in Stoney Creek ON. They sell native plant seeds and have easy filtered categories to shop.
• Ontario Seed Company. They are a Canadian seed company selling all types of plants from vegetables and flowers to native grasses. Their native seed selection is not as large as some other seed companies but they do have many different native grasses. Their wildflower section is a mix of native seeds and non native flowers.
• AlterEden. They are an Indigenous business located in London ON and sell native plants and seeds. The nursery is accessible by appointment. They run workshops and a program for First Nations Youth to share skills.
• St. Williams Nursery. They are located in Ontario Canada and work on ecological restoration projects. They sell bulk native seeds.
• Hamilton Seed Libraries. There are many seed libraries scattered around Hamilton ON. 6 of them are run by Action 13 in Dundas. 3 of them are run by Green Venture in Hamilton.

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Where to Find Native Plants

Buying native plants from local sellers is a fantastic way to enrich your garden. It’s often easier than growing from seed, and mature plants establish quickly, helping to create a thriving native ecosystem.

Supporting local plant sellers not only benefits your garden but also strengthens your community. To make it easier for fellow gardeners, we’ve compiled a list of native plant sellers in Southern Ontario—a great starting point, especially since most nurseries carry few, if any, native plants.

Joining local gardening groups can also be a valuable resource. Platforms like Facebook host numerous groups dedicated to native gardening, where members share insights, announce plant sales, and promote community events.

Additionally, universities and Botanic Gardens frequently offer resources for finding native plants and seeds. Check with local institutions to see if they provide any helpful guides or programs.

For a broader search across Canada This is an interactive map of native seed and plant sellers. The tool even indicates whether businesses sell exclusively native plants or carry invasive species, making it a great way to shop responsibly while supporting small businesses.

Lastly don’t forget if more people express interest in native plants, nurseries will take notice. Let your local garden centres know you want native species—they rely on customer demand when deciding what to stock. Ask about their selection and request native plants when you visit. If enough gardeners inquire, it can push nurseries to carry more native varieties.

You can also take it a step further by organizing petitions, contacting nursery owners, or rallying fellow gardeners to request change. Many nurseries simply aren’t aware of the growing demand, and by voicing our collective interest, we can shift the industry toward more sustainable and ecologically beneficial options.

Where to Find Native Plants:

• ON Native Plants. Located in Hamilton, ON. Their online store is full of options and each year they introduce new plants they may not have had previously. They offer pickup or delivery within Ontario.
• Native Plants in Claremont. Sells native plants in store and also delivers to the Greater Toronto Area
• Bee Sweet Nature Company. Located in Guelph ON selling native plants. They are also bee keepers who sell local honey and other products.
• Origin Native Plants. Located in Guelph ON. They specialize in growing native plants. They offer pickup and can deliver within Ontario and Quebec.
• Not So Hollow Farm. Native plant nursery located near Barrie Ontario.
• Ontario Flora. A native plant nursery located in Markdale Ontario, specializing in wholesale and restoration projects. Their nursery is by appointment only. You can order online for pickup.
• Pollin’ Gardens. A native plant nursery located in Zephyr Ontario, about an hour drive from Toronto. They have a demo garden that can be toured before planting your own native garden. They are by appointment only.
• Verbinnen’s Nursery. Native plant nursery located in Hamilton ON. They sell wholesale only. For retail they sell through ON Native Plants.
• Kayanase Ecological Restoration & Nursery. Located in Ohsweken, ON about a 30 minute drive from Hamilton. They are a native plant nursery that specializes in ecological restoration and education.