The Original Los Angeles Flower Market vs. the Southern California Flower Market

This is easily one of the most common mix-ups in the LA Flower District. So grab a coffee, and let's clear it up for good, with a little history and a few visiting tips along the way.

Wait…Aren’t you guys the same market?”

Nope! And if you've ever wondered the same thing, you're not alone. “

First, what exactly is the "LA Flower District?

Before we get into the two markets, it helps to zoom out. The Los Angeles Flower District, tucked into the southeast corner of Downtown LA, is the largest wholesale flower district in the United States. For more than a century, it's been the beating heart of the city's floral world, the place where the flowers in your favorite bouquets, wedding arches, restaurant tables, and film sets very often begin their day.

The district is anchored by two separate wholesale markets that sit directly across Wall Street from one another. They look similar from the sidewalk, they sell gorgeous flowers, and they're neighbors, so it's no wonder people assume they're one and the same. They're not!

"I thought there was only ONE flower market downtown?"

There are actually multiple markets in the Flower District. The two most commonly confused are The Original Los Angeles Flower Market and the Southern California Flower Market — and they are NOT the same.

"But they're in the same area, right?"

Yes, literally across the street from each other on Wall Street! But they are completely separate businesses, with different ownership, vendors, operations, and hours.

Here's the part most people don't know and it's genuinely one of our favorite stories to tell.

Around the early 1900s, Downtown LA became home to a thriving community of immigrant flower growers. Japanese American growers organized first, forming the market that would become the Southern California Flower Market in 1912. A few years later, a group of European American growers came together and, in 1919, founded the American Florists' Exchange — known today as The Original Los Angeles Flower Market (that's us!).

Here's the breakdown

**The Original Los Angeles Flower Market**

**Location:** 754 Wall Street
**Established:** 1919, as the American Florists' Exchange
**Ownership:** Independently owned and operated
**Space:** A vibrant 55,000-sq-ft sales floor, ~35 vendors
**Open to:** The trade AND the public

**Southern California Flower Market**

**Location:** 755 Wall Street (directly across from us)
**Established:** 1912
**Ownership:** A different consortium of families
**Roots:** The district's Japanese American growing community
**Operations:** Its own vendors, hours, and management

So what actually happens at a wholesale flower market?

If you've never visited, picture this: aisle after aisle of fresh-cut roses, ranunculus, hydrangeas, orchids, greenery, and seasonal blooms, all arriving fresh and moving fast

It starts early. Wholesale markets run on grower time. The action begins in the pre-dawn hours, and the best selection goes quickly.
It's where the pros shop. Florists, event designers, wedding planners, and set stylists source flowers by the bunch and by the box, straight from growers and importers.
It moves with the seasons. Peonies in late spring, ranunculus and tulips in cooler months, sunflowers and dahlias in summer, the floor is always changing with what's freshest.
It's a full sensory experience. The color, the scent, the energy, it's one of the most beautiful places in the city, and a bucket-list stop for flower lovers.

"So when I visited last time… which one was I at?"

Great question! If you walked into 754 Wall Street, you were at The Original Los Angeles Flower Market — that's us. If you crossed the street to 755 Wall Street, that's the Southern California Flower Market, a completely different operation.

Planning your first visit?

Come early. Mornings are when the market is fullest and the selection is at its best.
Wear comfortable shoes. There's a lot of ground to cover, and you'll want to explore every aisle.
Have a rough plan. Knowing whether you're after a specific flower, a color palette, or just some inspiration will help you shop with intention.
Ask our vendors. They know their flowers inside and out, and love sharing tips on care, seasonality, and what's looking especially gorgeous that day.
Follow along. Check our page for seasonal highlights and events before you head down.

***"Does it matter which one I go to?"***

Both markets are wonderful parts of the LA Flower District! But if you're looking for us specifically — our vendors, our events, our hours, make sure you're heading to **754 Wall Street**.
We're proud of our more-than-a-century of history and the community we've built here. So the next time someone says "the flower market," now you'll know exactly which one they mean.

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