Fall 2025 Southeast Michigan Plant Swaps and Sales

It’s that time of year again. The higher summer temperatures have given way to cool mornings and, in my opinion, better sleeping weather.

Which has me considering plants I want to add to my garden.

While many nurseries have fewer plants (or have closed for the season), local fall plant sales and swaps are happening all over southeast Michigan.

If you’re interested in adding plants, including native plants to your garden this fall, I’ve compiled a list of upcoming plant sales and swaps.

Note: several swaps are not only native plants.

Plant Swaps and Sales

For folks new to plant swaps, it’s an event where you share plants you no longer want or have too many of.

Plant swaps are free.

In southeast Michigan, they’re often hosted by libraries, extension services, communities, parks, or garden clubs.

I’ve had great success at plant swaps, adding a wide variety of new plants to my garden I would never have considered.

This spring I picked up eggplant and roma tomato plants at the Westland Public Library plant swap.

And bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum) at the Ypsilant District Library plant swap.

I’ll add to this list as I find other plant swaps and sales.

Staff at Canton Public Library told me earlier this year they’re planning a fall plant swap. As of September 3, 2025, no event has been added to their online calendar.

Note: all times for the swaps and sales are Eastern Daylight Time.

• St. Clair Shores Public Library Fall Plant Exchange

  • Where: St. Clair Shores Public Library parking lot in St. Clair Shores, Michigan
  • When: September 20, 2025 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM
  • Details: Bring your extra plants and plant divisions at the garden tailgate party. Don’t forget to label your plants (helpful if you provide additional plant details)

• Westland Public Library Plant Swap

  • Where: Westland Public Library, 6123 Central City Parkway, Westland, MI 48185
  • When: September 27, 2025 from 10:00AM to noon
  • Details: Bring your perennials, extra seedlings, seeds, houseplants, and other plants to trade with neighbors and friends. Plants should be in a container with soil, or as rooted cuttings in water or moist paper towel. Label plants with details (annual/perennial, size, sun/shade, bloom color, etc.)
  • The Master Gardeners of Western Wayne County group will be available to answer questions.

• Detroit Public Library Fall Plant Exchange

  • Where: Detroit Public Library Knapp Branch in Detroit, Michigan
  • When: October 4, 2025 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM
  • Details: Bring your extra outdoor or indoor plants to share with others. Take extra plants other people have brought; you’re not required to bring any plants.
  • Master Gardeners will be available to make presentations and answer questions.
  • Extra bonus: there will be refreshments!

• Ypsilanti District Library Fall Native Plant Swap

  • Where: Ypsilanti District Library-Whittaker in Ypsilanti, Michigan
  • When: October 5, 2025 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM
  • Details: Stop by the parking lot on the southwest corner of the library to share your extra native plants with other gardeners; leave with new treasures to add to your garden. Label plants with name, sun/shade.

Native Plant Sales

• Stage Nature Center Native Plant Sale

  • Where: Stage Nature Center in Troy, Michigan
  • When: September 6, 2025 from 10:30AM to 2:30PM
  • Details: Presales have already ended, but plants will be available for purchase in person at the sale.
  • Pricing: $5.00 for 2.5 inch pots of grass or wildflower
  • Garden kits with preselected 32 plants per tray in 2.5 inch pots (design plan included): $120 each. Choice of kits: Butterfly Garden, Grass Garden, Pollinator Garden, Rain Garden
  • All plants are grown locally by East Michigan Native Plants, LLC, located in Durand, Michigan

• Washtenaw County Conservation District Fall Tree & Native Plant Sale

  • Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • When: September 26, 2025 from 1:00PM to 6:00PM
  • Details: Conifers and native potted plants as well as a few garden kits. Pre-sales by paper form deadline is September 8, 2026; online deadline is September 15, 2025. All orders are pickup only.
  • Extra plants sale: September 26, 2025 from 5:00PM to 6:00PM only.

• Friends of the Rouge Fall Native Plant Market

  • Where: Keep Detroit Growing Detroit Farm in Detroit, Michigan
  • When: October 4, 2025 from 11:00AM to 2:00PM
  • Details: Pre-orders due September 22, 2025. Plants and rain barrels are pick-up only at Keep Growing Detroit.

Summary

For folks in southeast Michigan, I hope you find time to participate in our local plant sales and swaps. I found them invaluable not only for discovering new plants to add to my garden, but to meet fellow gardeners!

If you learn about other native plant swaps and sales in southeast Michigan, share details and links in the comments.