Spring awakens with the Florida Museum’s plant sale April 17 & 18

Press release from the Florida Museum of Natural History

GAINESVILLE Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History’s annual spring plant sale is back this April for two days only, and area residents won’t want to miss it.

Stroll through roughly 8,000 plants from more than 200 species at the sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the University of Florida’s Cultural Plaza.

Featuring Florida natives and host plants, this event is a great place to start or grow a plant collection to attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Almost a quarter of the thousands of plants featured during the sale are grown in the Florida Museum’s greenhouses. Planting diverse species of pollinator-friendly plants in the community is the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day, April 22, just a few days after the sale.

With plants ranging from $4 to $25, both experienced gardeners and those just getting into the hobby are bound to find a plant they love.

“You would be hard-pressed to find a sale that has as many options as ours does,” said Ryan Fessenden, the manager of the museum’s butterfly rainforest and the sale’s organizer. “You’re guaranteed to find something that will fit your needs.”

For those who are not looking to buy any plants, museum merchandise, like jewelry, clothing, and more, will also be available for purchase.

Plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early before popular and rare plants sell out. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted at outdoor registers.

Since the museum is currently closed for renovations, the Harn Museum of Art next door will open at 10 a.m. to provide restroom access. Refer to the online parking map for the location of the plant pickup area and parking changes due to construction.

Get involved in the plant sale by volunteering and receive a discount on any plant purchases. Multiple volunteer shifts are available for those 18 years or older, with slots to sign up for online.

For more information on the spring plant sale, including a full list of anticipated plants that will be available, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shops/plants/biannual-sale.