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hard-to-find succulents, cacti, carnivores, orchids, natives, and more
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rare and unusual plants from every corner of the world, cultivated in California and shipped directly from our greenhouses
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all carefully cultivated and sourced from our 150-acre Sonoma County, California ranch
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specimens for collectors, beginners, and the plant-curious
carefully packed in California and shipped with care guides
next-day shipping from our California greenhouses
about us
We started Rare Plant Catalog because we believe rare plants shouldn’t stay rare forever. What began as four best friends with backyard nurseries has grown into a shared collection of over 6,000 species and a mission to make the world’s most extraordinary plants more accessible.
We came together around an abandoned horse ranch in rural Northern California. At the time, we were running small nurseries, working in ag tech, or studying horticulture at UC Davis. Each of us brought different skills and years of experience (one of us started wholesaling plants before he could even drive). We left our jobs and got to work converting old equestrian infrastructure into efficient growing space. What we do is shaped by a lifelong obsession with nature and a deep love for plants. We remember what it felt like to be starting out, with a wish list full of plant names and no idea where to track them down. That feeling still drives what we do, and we built this to help keep it going.
The plants we grow are more than something beautiful to look at or interesting to read about. Many exist in precarious situations, with habitats shrinking due to development or climate instability. We never sell field-collected material. Everything we offer is propagated from seed, cutting, division, or tissue culture. Where possible, we preserve provenance data to maintain each plant’s genetic and geographic story. Buying from us isn’t just about adding to your collection. It’s a small act of ex-situ conservation.
No matter our direction, we’ll always be growers first. Nearly everything we offer is propagated in-house, with a few plants from friends we trust. That means healthier material, a trained eye selecting what ships, and real knowledge behind every listing. Care info comes with each plant, and most questions can be answered by us from firsthand experience. Everything from the nursery to this site was built from the ground up by ourselves to reflect how seriously we take this work. You won’t find us pushing trendy mass-produced houseplants or writing watered-down articles. We’re here for the real thing and trust you are too.
Keeping it clean, guaranteed.
We’re cleaning up the bathroom shelf one plastic-free, chemical-free, preservative-free product at a time. Personal care that’s safe for you, and the planet. That’s our promise.
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common questions
Very carefully. Each plant is individually packed by hand using materials suited to its size, shape, and needs, usually by the same person who grew it. Heat packs are available during colder months but are not reliable below 15 degrees. If needed, we can hold an order for up to two weeks. All shipments include a California Nursery Stock Certificate for Interstate and Intrastate Shipments.
We ship on Mondays to avoid weekend delays. Most orders go out within a few days, but weather may delay things slightly. USPS Ground Advantage is standard, with Priority available at checkout. You’ll get tracking once your order ships. We don’t have control over carrier speed or when your package is scanned in, but if something seems off or it’s stuck in transit, let us know and we’ll do our best to help.
If the listing description includes "you will recieve the plant pictured", then yes, that’s the one you’ll get. For general listings, you’ll receive a plant of similar size and quality to what’s shown. We grow or hand-select everything ourselves, so what you see is a fair representation of what we send out.
Most plants ship bare-root, but we occasionally send them potted when it’s better for the plant. When we ship with soil, we use clean, inorganic media to meet USDA and state requirements for plant shipments.
Contact us within 3 days of receiving your plant. Send a few clear photos and a short note. The same people who packed your plant have sent out thousands before, but plants are living things and we’ll work with you if something goes wrong.
Each product page includes species-specific care notes in an interactive table. Tap the ⓘ icon on any category to reveal detailed guidance. Still unsure? Just ask! Chances are we’ve personally dealt with whatever you’re facing.
Most of it, yes. The vast majority of our plants are propagated by us at our NorCal facility. The rest come from growers we know and trust. We don’t sell wild-collected material, and we never buy from bulk suppliers pushing unlabeled stock grown under questionable conditions. Because we grow most things ourselves and stay small by design, we’re able to keep prices comparable to overseas sellers without cutting corners or sending out half-rooted plants that were never meant to last.
Yes, our separate wholesale site is currently under construction, but you can reach out on our contact form. Not all plants are available and there are minimum order quantities. Access is limited to those engaged in a commercial trade. If you’d like to open an account, please get in touch with us. And if you think your local nursery should carry our plants, feel free to point them our way.
common questions
Very carefully. Each plant is individually packed by hand using materials suited to its size, shape, and needs, usually by the same person who grew it. Heat packs are available during colder months but are not reliable below 15 degrees. If needed, we can hold an order for up to two weeks. All shipments include a California Nursery Stock Certificate for Interstate and Intrastate Shipments. For international orders over $400, a phytosanitary certificate can be provided if you contact us prior to ordering. CITES-listed species cannot be shipped abroad.
We ship early in the week to avoid weekend delays. Most orders go out within a few days, but weather may delay things slightly. USPS Ground Advantage is standard, with Priority available at checkout. You’ll get tracking once your order ships. We don’t have control over carrier speed or when your package is scanned in, but if something seems off or it’s stuck in transit, let us know and we’ll do our best to help.
If the listing description includes "you will recieve the plant pictured", then yes, that’s the one you’ll get. For general listings, you’ll receive a plant of similar size and quality to what’s shown. We grow or hand-select everything ourselves, so what you see is a fair representation of what we send out.
Most plants ship bare-root, but we occasionally send them potted when it’s better for the plant. When we ship with soil, we use clean, inorganic media to meet USDA and state requirements for plant shipments. All international orders are washed free of media prior to inspection by USDA for export.
Contact us within 3 days of receiving your plant. Send a few clear photos and a short note. The same people who packed your plant have sent out thousands before, but plants are living things and we’ll work with you if something goes wrong.
Each product page includes species-specific care notes. We have broader guides by category linked here. The blog also features articles with tips for both beginners and experienced growers. Still unsure? Just ask. Chances are we’ve personally dealt with whatever you’re facing.
Most of it, yes. The vast majority of our plants are propagated by us at our Sonoma County facility. A small number come from certified growers we know personally and whose standards match our own. Everything is ethically sourced, with no wild collection and no anonymous bulk suppliers.
Yes, through our separate site rareplantsmen.com. Not all plants are available and there are minimum order quantities. Access is limited to those engaged in a commercial trade. If you’d like to open an account, please get in touch with us. And if you think your local nursery should carry our plants, feel free to point them our way.
