The Los Angeles Flower Market, a hidden paradise in the heart of DTLA  is nestled between 7th and 8th St and spans two blocks. Inside, vendors offer a dazzling array of dried and fresh flowers, live houseplants, and wood decor at wholesale prices. 

I first traveled to the market with a friend in late September. As I obsessively delved through lifestyle blogs during the pandemic, the Flower Market made its way onto my “Visit after COVID” bucket list. The LA Flower market closed to the public during the peak of COVID-19, and although things aren’t completely “normal” yet, the market has begun allowing visitors again. Tickets can be purchased for $2 on weekdays and $1 on Saturdays. The fee is a small inconvenience for the generous wholesale prices inside.

Personally, the main allure was the live plants section. I’m not big on flowers; they don’t last very long, and a bouquet purchase means the week of allergies that ensue. Houseplants, however, are a permanent commitment. For one thing, the greenery inside the Flower Market did not disappoint. 

The item that first caught my eye was a Haworthia ($2.50). Haworthia is a genus of star-leaved desert plants that I am absolutely obsessed with. When I spotted the plant, I grabbed my friend’s arm and shrieked a little; a reaction that other plant people will understand. So, for the rest of the day, the little succulent sat in my hand as I gaped and ogled at the market offerings. 

If you prefer flowers, the market definitely has plenty. There were fringed lilacs, double petaled tulips, whimsical baby’s breath, and roses in every shade possible. 

Junior Leslie Dong visited the LA Flower Market with her family in 2018. 

“I saw a lot of different types of flowers,” said Dong. “Some were oddly shaped” and didn’t look like normal flowers.”

She showed pictures she took while walking through aisles of plants and blossoms. In one photo, a vendor is selling what appears to be spiked melons on the ends of leafed twigs. In another, there are buckets of neon yellow, honeycomb-shaped blooms. 

Like many, Dong said the experience was “more sightseeing than buying.” 

Though the market has much to offer, she ended up leaving empty-handed. With so many shops and flowers (and pollen), the LA Flower Market is a lot to process. Indeed, the market also has its share of problems. 

The Flower District is within DTLA, which has been seeing high levels of crime. However, this fact should not ward off any potential visitors, since it is quite safe inside the Flower Market. 

Luckily enough, Skid Row isn’t the only thing adjacent to the LA Flower Market. Undoubtedly the main attraction, the Original Flower Market also sits in the sprawling Flower District. My companion’s first purchase of the day was a massive Monstera ($25…cheap for its size!) bought at a shop across the street from the actual Flower Market. Many of the nearby shops sell bundles of carnations or funeral wreaths. While some outdoor displays seem irresistible, my advice would be to hold out on forking over money, unlike us. That way, you can compare with deals offered by vendors inside the market and secure the best deal possible.

All in all, the LA Flower Market is a place to keep in mind for future outings. With the scent of a wildflower meadow and unbeatable prices, it’s an experience one is not likely to forget.