For gardeners in Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress and communities throughout Greater Houston, fall brings something worth looking forward to beyond cooler temperatures. The 2026 Pollinator Plant Sale at Mercer Botanic Gardens is returning Saturday, October 24, with a wide selection of plants chosen to bring more color, wildlife and variety to local landscapes.

Hosted by Friends of Mercer Botanic Gardens, also known as The Mercer Society, the sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens in Humble, near Spring. Shoppers can expect everything from Texas native plants that support butterflies and bees to flowering perennials, fruit trees, tropical plants and unusual specimens rarely found at traditional garden centers.

The organization has already released its online plant preview, giving gardeners an opportunity to explore the anticipated selection, research growing requirements and build a wish list before the event. For anyone hoping to add a few plants to the backyard or rethink an entire flower bed, the timing is especially helpful.

Why Fall Is One of the Best Times to Plant in Houston

Although spring tends to get most of the attention when it comes to gardening, experienced Houston-area gardeners know that autumn offers some important advantages.

With summer's intense heat beginning to ease and generally mild winters ahead, many trees, shrubs and perennials have an opportunity to establish stronger root systems before the following summer. Fall planting can also reduce the immediate heat stress that newly installed plants experience during warmer months.

For homeowners looking to create a butterfly garden, attract hummingbirds, support native bees or introduce more drought-tolerant plants into their landscaping, the Mercer sale offers an opportunity to explore varieties suited to Southeast Texas growing conditions.

Pollinator-friendly landscaping has benefits beyond appearance. Flowering plants provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, while native species can support local wildlife and contribute to healthier backyard habitats.

Even small changes, such as adding a few nectar-producing flowers to an existing garden bed, can help make residential landscapes more welcoming to pollinators.

What Plants Will Be Available at the 2026 Mercer Pollinator Plant Sale?

The Mercer Society is preparing a broad selection of native and adapted plants, including unusual varieties and specialty selections that shoppers may not encounter at their neighborhood nursery.

The online preview includes categories for annuals, perennials, Texas natives, shade plants, shrubs, trees, vines, roses, camellias, tropicals, gingers, cacti and succulents. Gardeners can also explore fruit-bearing plants, vegetables, herbs, houseplants and patio plants, along with MicroLife fertilizers.

Some of the most distinctive offerings may come from Mercer Botanic Gardens' own private plant collections, which organizers say can include rare and difficult-to-find specimens.

The preview photographs offer an early glimpse of the variety being prepared for the event, from colorful flowering plants to more unusual tropical blooms. Behind the scenes, growers and volunteers have been tending plants at Mercer's Northside facilities in preparation for the sale.

Importantly, the online preview is not a guaranteed inventory list. Organizers describe it as a living document, with plants added or removed as their condition and availability change. Additional selections may also become available at the last minute.

Shoppers can browse the official 2026 Pollinator Plant Sale Preview ahead of the event.

There are no online purchases, advance sales or reservations through the preview. All plants must be purchased in person on October 24.

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More Than a Plant Sale: The Story Behind Mercer Botanic Gardens

For many Houston-area residents, Mercer Botanic Gardens has been a place to discover new plants, enjoy nature and learn about gardening for generations.

The gardens trace their beginnings to Charles and Thelma Mercer, who established a private garden along Cypress Creek in the late 1940s. In 1974, the couple transferred their property to Harris County at a reduced price with the understanding that it would be preserved for horticultural education and public enjoyment.

What began as a private garden eventually grew into a public botanical destination, with landscaped gardens, walking paths, native plant collections and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Today, the property is maintained by Harris County Precinct 3 and continues to serve residents throughout the Greater Houston region.

Behind much of that work is Friends of Mercer Botanic Gardens, The Mercer Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the gardens through fundraising, volunteer involvement, horticultural propagation and educational outreach.

Its mission, "Bring Together Plants, People and Opportunities," reflects the role the organization has played in connecting local gardeners with the public gardens they enjoy.

Plant sales have long been part of that tradition. Mercer's well-known March Mart, which began in 1976, has become a longtime favorite among Houston-area gardening enthusiasts. Specialty events, including the fall Pollinator Plant Sale, continue that tradition while giving shoppers opportunities to discover plants they might otherwise struggle to find locally. 

Proceeds from Friends of Mercer plant sales support Mercer Botanic Gardens, helping sustain the horticultural and educational resources that benefit the broader community.

Mercer Society Membership Offers Plant Sale Discounts

For residents who regularly attend Mercer plant sales, membership in Friends of Mercer Botanic Gardens may offer additional value.

According to the organization, members receive discounts ranging from 10% to 25% on eligible plant purchases, depending on membership level, along with benefits that can include early shopping access, educational opportunities and special programming.

Membership also supports the organization's ongoing efforts to preserve and improve Mercer Botanic Gardens. Those interested can review membership options and benefits through the Friends of Mercer membership website.

Planning a Visit to the October 24 Pollinator Plant Sale

2026 Pollinator Plant Sale Event Details

• Saturday, October 24, 2026
• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, TX 77338
• In-person plant purchases only
• friendsofmercer.com

Because the preview includes plants that may be available in limited quantities, gardeners hoping to purchase particular varieties may want to arrive early and have a few alternatives in mind.

Visitors should also consider their available garden space, sunlight conditions and watering needs before shopping. A beautiful plant is much more likely to thrive when its growing requirements match the conditions at home.

The organizers encourage shoppers to revisit the online preview as October 24 approaches, since new selections and availability updates may be posted. Additional photographs, videos and behind-the-scenes updates are also expected on the official Facebook event page.

For longtime gardeners, the sale offers a chance to find something different. For beginners, it provides an introduction to the variety of plants that can grow in Southeast Texas. And for families who have spent time exploring Mercer Botanic Gardens, it is another opportunity to support a local destination that has welcomed generations of visitors.

As Greater Houston continues to grow, community spaces like Mercer Botanic Gardens offer a connection to the natural environment and the people who care for it.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local events, community happenings and opportunities to explore what makes the Greater Houston area a special place to call home.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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