KJ T.
Yelp
Flora Grubb IS the place to be if you desire outdoor cacti, succulents, ferns, and monsteras. Flora Grubb IS NOT the place to be if you need prayer plants, pots, or extremely knowledgeable individuals (more on that later).
I made a special trip out to the nursery on the recommendation of a relative, and I was so excited because it was their Holiday Weekend soiree with Bloomstock Coffee and other independent vendors selling chocolate, cannoli, and other goodies.
I walk in, immediately entranced by cacti, succulents, potted flowers, and monsteras. Upon entering the nursery's action center, i.e. where you can purchase your plants and find nursery attendants, I weaved my way to Bloomstock coffee. Out loud, I said "This is cool" and the coffee attendant snidely said "Well, this is a lounging area". I get it, you make coffee at a nursery, so cool, but let's just say based on that interaction, I decided not to purchase coffee.
I noticed their selection of prayer plants including calatheas. While the aforementioned plants looked healthy, the prayer plants were disheveled. Their pots contained dry soil and each plant had so many dead leaves it was hard to discern a healthy plant from the rest. Somewhat similar to Sloat Garden Center - Marina/Cow Hollow, it's as if no one cared for these plants. I know they are fussy plants, but for a large nursery, I expected so much more.
After choosing a calathea that was VERY HEALTHY, I decided I wanted to a pot. I asked one of the ladies at the cashier registers if she had any suggestions. She gave me one look, walked over to one pot, and said "This might work" but giving off an air of "I'm not interested in helping." When I asked for rocks to raise the plant off of the pot, she pointed to a bag and said "These are the smallest we have" and then walked away.
I did more laps around the nursery in search of a nice pot, decided I needed more guidance, and FINALLY found a helpful person. She walked me through what could work for my 4-inch potted plant, with her even testing several options, weighing the pros and cons of each. BIG SHOUT OUT to the woman with red hair, YOU ARE AMAZING. FIVE STARS FOR YOU!!!
If you happen to find yourself in the Bayview/Hunters' Point area, then sure, stop at Flora Grubb but do not expect the greatest customer service EXCEPT from the woman with the red hair.