The Ultimate Guide to NE Iowa Mennonite Greenhouses With Lowest Prices and Huge Selection

If you love flowers, hanging baskets, garden plants, or just want a good excuse to take a relaxing drive through the countryside, this is one of the best spring trips you can make.

Every year, my wife and I like heading down to the Mennonite greenhouses in northeast Iowa in Chickasaw, Floyd, Howard, and Mitchell counties. Once you go, you’ll understand why so many people make it an annual tradition.

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These are mostly small, family-owned farms, and the greenhouses are usually right next to their homes. It feels personal because it is personal. You’re buying from people who grew the plants, cared for them, and take real pride in what they’re offering.

Affordable Flowers, Hanging Baskets, and Plants at Mennonite Greenhouses in Iowa

What always gets me first is how beautiful everything looks. The hanging baskets are packed, colorful, and full. The planters are creative and healthy. Everywhere you look, there’s another row of flowers or another arrangement that somehow ends up coming home with you.

Then there’s the prices. A lot of the time, you’re paying around a third to half of what you might pay at a big box store, depending on what you’re buying. So not only are you getting quality plants and beautiful arrangements, you’re often spending a lot less to do it.

People also assume smaller greenhouses mean smaller selection, but that usually isn’t the case. Many of these places have a huge variety of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, baskets, and planters. Honestly, some have a better selection than the big stores in town.

Another reason I keep going back is how nice everyone is. It’s friendly, laid-back, and helpful. Nobody is rushing you, nobody is trying to sell you, it’s just a nice, relaxed experience.

Best Time to Visit Northeast Iowa Mennonite Greenhouses

Most of these greenhouses open in early April and run through May, but if you want the best selection, I’d recommend making the trip before mid-May. Once planting season really gets rolling, the most popular items can go quickly.

And a quick word of advice from experience: make sure you have room in your vehicle. You might think you’re going for one basket and a few flowers, but once you see the prices, the quality, and the selection, there’s a very good chance you’ll be loading up more than you planned.

It’s a fun little day trip. You get a scenic drive, friendly people, great deals, and you come home with your porch, patio, or yard looking a whole lot better than when you left. Hard to beat that.

To help you plan your trip, I've included a list of some of the best Mennonite greenhouses to visit in NE Iowa this spring below.

Special thanks to Tyler Burton for sharing his beautiful photos for this story. Tyler owns a small flower farm, Peacock House Flowers, in central Iowa, where he sells fresh bouquets, flower buckets, and hosts fun events at the farm like U-pick nights and bouquet-making classes. Follow them on Instagram.

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Best Northeast Iowa Mennonite Greenhouses With Maps and Addresses

1. Countryside Greenhouse

1085 Highway 218, Orchard, IA
641-732-5066

2. Stillwater Greenhouse

3110 Shadow Ave., Orchard, IA
641-732-3252

3. Underwood Greenhouse

1120 Underwood Ave., Charles City, IA
641-228-2063

4. Pine Hill Flowers

1115 160th St., Charles City, IA
641-228-2087

5. Hoover’s Greenhouse

1680 Cheyenne Ave., Ionia, IA
641-394-3233

6. Deerfield Greenhouse

1517 Cheyenne Ave., Ionia, IA
641-394-2934

7. Zimmerman’s Greenhouse

West of Alta Vista at the corner of Exeter Ave. and T76 (110th)
641-364-7002

8. Oak Grove Greenhouse

NOTE: This one has a huge selection of succulents and larger plants, and bushes, and ornamental trees.

1040 Exeter Ave., Alta Vista, IA
641-364-9003

9. Windy Hill Perennials

NOTE: This one is my personal favorite because they have a large selection of aquatic plants for my backyard pond.

5405 100th St., Alta Vista, IA
641-364-2055

10. Rose Arbor Greenhouse

NOTE: This is my wife's favorite. She loves the hanging basket arrangements and the large selection

20050 Addison Ave., Alta Vista, IA
641-982-4200

11. Acme Greenhouse

12954 Douglas Ave., Riceville, IA
641-985-2076

12. Vintage Lane Greenhouse

4629 50th Street, Riceville, IA
641-329-5858

Bonus Stop: Cedar Valley Produce Auction

T68 (Addison Ave.)
Open Monday 12:00 noon; Wednesday & Friday 10:00 a.m.