Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Top Plant Nursery in the Bay Area
Sloat Garden Center has been a premier garden center in Northern California since 1958. We offer a wide selection of fresh plants, high-quality garden tools, soils, and pottery, backed by expert horticultural advice. Our family-owned business has grown from a single San Francisco location to 13 full-service garden centers across the Bay Area. With over 60 years of experience, we prioritize environmentally responsible practices, including integrated pest management and partnerships with local growers. Our team of knowledgeable professionals provides personalized garden design consultations and educational resources to support both novice and experienced gardeners.We guarantee 100% satisfaction on every purchase, reflecting our commitment to quality and customer service. Through programs like Growing Up Green, we actively support community gardening initiatives and local schools. Our extensive pottery collection and bulk soil services cater to diverse gardening needs, while our Gardener's Reward Program offers exclusive member benefits. We remain dedicated to fostering sustainable gardening practices and strengthening connections within Northern California's gardening community.
Services
Garden Design
Plant Sales
Pottery & Soil
Gardening Workshops
Gift Cards
Bulk Soils
Pollinator Gardens
Community Programs
Online Resources
Container Design
Details
- Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
- Family-owned for 60+ years with deep-rooted community connections
- Offering expert garden design services for Marin, SF, and East Bay residents
- Maintaining the West Coast's largest pottery collection for diverse garden styles
- Partnering with local growers to source regionally appropriate plants
- Guaranteeing 100% satisfaction on every purchase since 1958
Services
Garden Design
Our garden design service offers personalized on-site or virtual consultations for Marin, San Francisco, and East Bay residents. Expert designers provide plant recommendations, pest solutions, and conceptual layouts tailored to Bay Area microclimates. We create easy-to-follow planting plans with soil requirements and care instructions for gardens, decks, and terraces.
Gardener's Reward Program
This free membership program offers points toward discounts, exclusive event invitations, free webinar access, and a subscription to our seasonal gardening newsletter. Members receive special promotions and can apply gift cards toward consultation services, creating a rewarding experience for frequent gardeners.
Growing Up Green
Our community fundraising program donates 10% of purchases back to schools when customers mention their school at checkout. Schools can earn gift cards for gardening supplies through six annual fundraising sessions, with promotional support and tracking provided by Sloat Garden Center.
Bulk Soils
We offer premium blended soils and topsoil products for gardeners across Northern California. Our soil department provides bulk delivery options and expert guidance on soil requirements for different plant types and garden conditions, ensuring optimal growing environments for all gardening projects.
Gardening Workshops
Through webinars, in-store demonstrations, and seasonal events, we provide educational resources on topics like fire-safe landscaping, tomato growing, container design, and microclimate gardening. These programs help gardeners develop skills and stay informed about best practices.
People
Dave Straus
Owner
Dave Straus began working at Sloat Garden Center at age 14 and became owner in 1973. With decades of experience in nursery operations and international pottery sourcing, he has expanded the business to 13 locations while maintaining its family-owned values and community focus.
Zack Straus
Pottery Sourcing Director
Zack Straus joined the family business after childhood experience in nurseries and overseas pottery trips. He now manages pottery sourcing across all locations, leveraging global artisan relationships to provide regionally appropriate designs while maintaining quality and trend awareness.
Questions
What services does Sloat Garden Center offer?
We provide garden design consultations, plant and pottery sales, bulk soils, educational workshops, gift cards, and community programs like Growing Up Green.
Do you offer gardening advice?
Our knowledgeable staff provides expert horticultural advice, and we offer free webinars, gardening guides, and personalized plant recommendations.
Are gift cards available?
Physical gift cards are available starting at $25 and can be used at any Bay Area location for plants, pottery, or consultation services.
How can schools participate in fundraising?
Schools can join our Growing Up Green program, earning 10% back on customer purchases during designated fundraising periods through six annual sessions.
Do you support sustainable gardening?
We promote integrated pest management, offer organic products, and partner with local growers to reduce environmental impact while supporting pollinator-friendly practices.
Videos
Reviews (7)
El
Mar 22, 2022
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All you could dream of as a plant newbie. There's an outdoor section and indoor section with selections from teeny tiny 2 in succulents to mid-sized desk plants to taller-than-people sized palms. I was impressed they had the largest air plant I'd ever seen. Fair amount of pots to choose from, not so many decorations, and also had nice terrarium kits/materials.
Schell S.
Mar 09, 2022
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Beautiful flowers, plants, planters, and all the soils, and feeders you need for your garden; indoor or outdoor. Even other novelties to decorate your home for seasonal displays. A little pricey and today's visit it was hard to find help. However I'd still return. Checker had great customer service.
Alex Vinogradov
Jan 18, 2022
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This is a gardener's paradise! Even though the prices are above average, they are still ok, because most of their products i do not buy every day or even every month. The good quality of their merchandise will last a significant period of time. Therefore, the price they set should not be a huge factor in buying. Just glance how beautiful some of the items look like!
Jean M.
Jan 06, 2022
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I took in samples of three dead-looking plant leaves and photos of each of the plants. I expected to be told to toss them, but instead I got watering advice and some guidance on shade for the very fried one. All salvageable. If you've read my other reviews you know I come mostly because my dog LOVES walking and sniffing here. She's well-behaved, so we come frequently and I usually buy something and always get great advice. What could be better? Super-knowledgable and friendly staff, incredible plants, dog-friendly.
Jyoti Singh
Nov 04, 2021
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An exciting place. All is well stocked with everything native and otherwise. Indoor and outdoor plants. Green decorative plants as well as variety for the veggie garden. Knowledgeable and courteous staff. I love going here. I purchased some bulbs for fall planting, native perennials for my community garden plot, and some seed starter soil.
Sheila O.
Aug 01, 2021
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I have shopped there a few times. I must say I will no longer step foot in this particular store! The service is awful-not sure anyone works there! Oh wait-there we're a few folks working but none to help or ask if i needed anything. One guy kept watering and another lady was putting things away and another guy was glued to the cash register! I was looking for a particular tree which i found and brought my husband back to see.
It was expensive-weeping cherry tree -and i'm happy my husband came back to view with me! We had similar experience again -no help-nor anyone interested in helping us! So we went to another nursery and got the tree for much less and in better shape-not to mention they had help in store and many choices! Please help your customers and provide service when needed! Your prices are expensive and your plants are nice but i will not be back again! I have shopped here on and off over the years and this particular store has gotten worse!
It was expensive-weeping cherry tree -and i'm happy my husband came back to view with me! We had similar experience again -no help-nor anyone interested in helping us! So we went to another nursery and got the tree for much less and in better shape-not to mention they had help in store and many choices! Please help your customers and provide service when needed! Your prices are expensive and your plants are nice but i will not be back again! I have shopped here on and off over the years and this particular store has gotten worse!
Annie G.
Jul 03, 2021
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Very knowledgeable staff. They are super helpful and understand the differences in Bay Area microclimates and soils, which is so important in Bay Area gardening. Great selection pots and garden accessories. This particular location has a huge variety of plants. They get busy on weekends and afternoons. Their parking lot has got limited space, but you can get help getting your order to your car if you need it. Sloan also has an excellent website that helps identify hundreds, if not thousands, of plants.
