As far as we are concerned, organic plants are the ultimate tip for a truly green garden. They are grown without chemical pesticides and artificial fertilisers, making them not only better for the soil, but also for everything that lives in, on and around it. And that is why we are so pleased with this community. Reader Mila van de Wall, who is also a green journalist and founder of De Inheemse Plantenwinkel (The Native Plant Shop), sent us her personal list of favourite shops and webshops where you can buy organic flowers, plants and herbs. Her little black book So. Or should we say, her little green book?
Why organic is not always organic
In the plant world, certification marks and green claims are thrown around left, right and centre, but only the ‘organic’ certification mark, recognisable by the green Skal logo, you know, that green leaf with the little stars, guarantees that a plant has been grown without chemical pesticides and artificial fertilisers. Why is that important? Simple. Everything you put in your garden becomes part of the ecosystem. Poison doesn't just stay neatly on one plant, but also ends up in the soil and can be harmful to bees, butterflies and other insects. So, with organic plants, you can be sure that you are not inadvertently contributing to that.
That does not mean, by the way, that growers without a Skal certification are doing it wrong by definition. In fact, there are many small-scale nurseries that work pesticide-free, but do not (yet) have certification. A handy nationwide overview of these growers can be found at Organic Garden Guide. And that's actually the very first tip from this list.
Here you can buy organic plants (and you can also just do it online!)
From small nurseries to specialist webshops and garden centres, there are fortunately more and more places where you can buy organic plants. Below you will find great addresses scattered across the Netherlands. At some you can buy exclusively organic, while at others you will find a lovely organic range alongside the regular offering. And all of this thanks to the detective work of reader Mila.
Online shops for organic plants
- Arborealisorganic nursery with a wide range of plants, trees and shrubs, including many native and edible species. An extra nice touch: at Arborealis you will also find Horse&Plant, with edible plants for horses. This way, you can not only green your garden or food forest, but also the horse paddock.
- Sprinklrorganic online shop from Amsterdam with a large range of houseplants, garden plants, seeds and accessories. Ideal if you like to order everything in one place.
- Naturally Strongersells organic garden plants, herbs and edible plants. Highly recommended if you want a garden that also benefits bees, butterflies and other insects.
- PlantWerkgrows without chemical pesticides and offers a wide range of herbaceous perennials for a natural garden.
- Cruydt-Hoeckspecialist in native wild plants, flower seed mixes and seeds. A great place if you want to make your garden more attractive to pollinators.
- Arnica Nurseryorganic nursery with a large selection of native plants. Also great if you are looking for something a bit different from the standard garden centre range. What makes it extra special is that they grow in open ground, without plastic pots. If you order a plant online here, it is dug up, wrapped in an old (read) newspaper, and posted.
- Inhemiaonline shop with a great range of pesticide-free, native plants that contribute to a biodiverse garden.
Organic garden centres and shops in the Netherlands
Good to know: the range varies by branch and by season. Therefore, always check whether a plant has actually been organically grown.
- Odin: besides organic groceries, you can also regularly find organic herb plants and seasonal plants here.
- Ekoplazasells organic herbs and garden plants at various branches.
Buy organic flower bulbs
- Natural Bulbsspecialist in organic flower bulbs, from tulips to crocuses and daffodils.
- Organic flower bulbswebshop with a wide range of organically grown spring and summer flowering bulbs.
- Bloemologistsells unusual flower bulbs and also has a wide organic range.
- Eco Bulbsonline shop with organic flower bulbs for a colourful and insect-friendly garden.
- Organic Tulipsspecialised in organically grown tulip bulbs.
- Tulips Green: sells organically grown tulips and other flower bulbs.
Buying pesticide-free flowers
- Slow Flowers Netherlandsconvenient platform featuring a directory of organic and toxin-free florists, picking gardens and floral studios throughout the Netherlands.
- Wilderfulwebshop where you can order organic flowers that come from Dutch soil as much as possible.
Good to know: organic flowers are a seasonal product. Dutch pesticide-free flowers are usually available from around April/May through to October/November. In winter, they are simply hardly available at all. In that case, it’s better to opt for a lovely bouquet of dried flowers, a few elegant branches, or flowers made of silk or paper. Read more tips on sustainable flowers here!
Locally grown vegetables, herbs and flowers
- Farmer in the Neighbourhood: via this platform you can find local community farms where you can take out a subscription for unsprayed vegetables, herbs and sometimes also flowers.
Buying organic plants in the Netherlands? Stay critical!
Fortunately, thanks to these great addresses, buying organic plants in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly easy. Even so, it is important to remain critical. Some shops and webshops present themselves as ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’, but alongside organic plants, they also sell plants that have indeed been grown using chemical pesticides. So feel free to ask where a plant comes from and how it has been cultivated.
Do you live in Amsterdam? Then you're in luck! Together with Mila, we also made a separate overview with her favourite addresses for organic plants in Amsterdam. Be sure to pop inside The Native Plant Shop. There they are happy to help you on your way with a carefully selected range of native, unsprayed plants. (Always check the opening hours before you go.)
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: why organic potting soil does not exist.
- Also see: handy list of ‘better’ potting soil and garden compost.
Photo credits: left: AI25 Studio (Pexels), right: Farhan Al-Gifari (Pexels).
