We stopped on our way home and never expected to find a place this special. We stopped at Simply Succulent on our way home from our weekend trip to the Fort Bragg area. We thought we'd look around for a little while and then continue home to Chico. Instead, this ended up being the best part of our entire weekend. Rella Gadulka has owned and operated Simply Succulent since 1995, 31 years, and after spending time with her I completely understand why. You can't Google 31 years of hands-on experience and knowledge. Chico has a few big box stores where I can buy succulents, but they are basically all the same. Same plants, same varieties and nothing really different. Walking into Simply Succulent was a completely different experience. There were plants I had never seen before everywhere I looked. What impressed me even more was the way Rella helped me choose what to buy. When she found out I lived in Chico and knew how hot our summers get, she showed me what would survive and what wouldn't. She actually talked me out of buying some plants I wanted because she knew they wouldn't do well in our heat. I quickly figured out that Rella is very protective of her plants, and I loved that about her. She grows these plants herself and actually cares what happens to them when they leave with you. She isn't just trying to make a sale. She also knew I wanted to propagate, so she started showing me plants that already had lots of little "chicks" or babies growing around them. She showed me which ones I could take home, separate and eventually turn into dozens of plants. Instead of trying to sell me more plants, she was basically teaching me how to make more myself. I also loved that she had cuttings from so many of her plants. If you can't afford the larger established plant, you can buy a cutting and grow your own. It didn't matter to Rella if you were spending a few dollars on a cutting or several hundred dollars. She still took the time to help you. She even gave me her email and told me I could contact her anytime if I had questions once I got home. Who does that anymore? My love for succulents started 8 years ago after my daughter died. I wanted to keep fresh flowers at her cemetery site, but I couldn't afford to replace them every week. One day I noticed another person visiting their loved one had succulents around their site. I asked them about the plants because at the time I didn't even know what a succulent was. It didn't take me long before I had surrounded my daughter's site with succulents too. What started because I couldn't afford fresh flowers turned into one of the most healing things I could have ever done. I learned how to grow and propagate them and eventually started sharing them with other people who had lost someone they loved. Rella had no idea about any of this while she was helping me. She had no idea how much it meant when she was showing me plants covered in babies that I could turn into dozens more. I honestly could have stayed there all day listening to her and looking at plants. Unfortunately our 3-year-old grandson was getting fussy and apparently he didn't share Grandma's enthusiasm about spending the rest of the day at a succulent nursery. Then we went to pay. We had picked out several hundred dollars worth of succulents and that's when I saw the sign saying no cards, cash or checks only. My heart sank. I don't carry a checkbook anymore and didn't have that much cash with me. I honestly felt sick thinking we were going to have to leave all these plants behind. Rella didn't even bat an eye. She told us to take the plants home and send her a check Monday. I seriously couldn't believe what I was hearing. We were complete strangers. We had never been there before. We don't even live close. We live hours away in Chico and this woman was willing to let us drive away with several hundred dollars worth of her plants without paying her anything that day. Who the hell does that anymore? Rella does. She told us that this world needs to be more trusting. That literally gave me chills. What got me even more was when she told us that she has trusted other people to send her payment and some of them never did. Yet she still chooses to trust people and believe they will do the right thing. After 31 years in business, she hasn't let the people who took advantage of her change who she is. I just hope nobody else ever takes advantage of her kindness. Eight years ago a stranger at a cemetery introduced me to succulents during one of the hardest times of my life. Eight years later, another stranger trusted me enough to send me home with several hundred dollars worth of those same plants just because she believed we would keep our word. There are still some pretty damn good people in this world. By the time we left, Rella didn't feel like just the owner of a nursery we happened to stop at on our way home. She felt like someone we had somehow added to our family. read more

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This place is so magical!!! Rella is incredible and so knowledgeable. Incredible selection and value. 10/10 would come back to Mendocino Co just to come back here read more

Some of my favorite succulents came from this store! We've been coming here over many years whenever we come up to Fort Bragg. The owner is a super nice woman who has been working endlessly forever, and is at one with the plant we love most. I don't know scientific names but she does. She's forgotten more that all that I know about them! What I notice is how robust and "happy" all of the plants look. Succulents display their health in many forms and these plants are healthy AND happy! Of course we bought a few plants and a nice planter and paid fair market price! They have cacti as well! In fact they have smaller plant but both full and partial shade needs, plus larger what I would call "estate pieces". Check it out! read more

Simply Succulent - Awesome shop! - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

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Simply Succulents isn't just a succulent business. It's a succulent lover's dream, complete with seemingly endless rows of every succulent imaginable. I'm not a gardener, plant enthusiast or green thumb, yet I could more than appreciate the love and care they've put into cultivating such a magnificent collection. When you first see the odd green building off the main road, you might think "Is this all it's cracked up to be?" Well, drive behind that building for a succulent wonderland, everything from tiny little potted gardens to giant cactus exist between their gates. There was a gentleman and a lady there who both took a lot of time to explain the layout and listen to what we were looking for. We ended up walking away with three small succulents at a reasonable price which will go in our back garden. All very beautiful! A very important note: CASH ONLY! We only found this out when checking out. Fortunately, we had enough cash on hand! read more

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Always a pleasure. Terrific selection of plants. Rella is very knowledgeable and smart about the plants and her business. Folks are friendly and it's always a beautiful and joyful experience. Thank you! read more

The equivalent of Disneyland for a succulent crazy girl as myself. Found this place by chance while camping on the beach. Rella was delightful and I will be coming back on my next pass through! read more

Not cheap, but this place is so much fun. The people who staff it are experts in succulents. They know their stuff. And the selection is rich. We walked away with a treasure! read more

Simply Succulent - Our treasure. - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

Such a hidden gem! I've never encountered such a well-stocked succulent nursery before and we had such a lovely visit. The staff is super knowledgeable and friendly, and they helped us pick out a few great plants. We'll absolutely be back on our next visit to Fort Bragg. Cash and check only! read more

Just recently went back. This place is pretty expensive and most of the succulents LOOK healthy on the outside, but they really need to be inspected as soon as possible. Several of mine that came from here had mealy bugs. A really bad case. Mealy bugs all over one in particular but a few others had signs. I would take it home, use that little rake that you can buy off Amazon, and scrape all the soil away and inspect each plant, remove dead leaves etc...check for signs of rot as well (although with my batch I didn't see rot) but if you bring them home and ignore them, the mealy bugs will get to them and kill them. Gotta take care of that right away. But..they will live a long while if you take care of that. read more

I love this place! I always buy the small, cheap plants, and they grow and thrive. My usual brown thumb gets pretty green when I buy succulents here. read more

Great selection and knowledgeable staff but SO OVERPRICED. 3" pots are $6.50! Maybe this is normal up here, but dang. You can get a 4" pot in the bay area for $6. Bigger and cheaper. I only bought one small plant there because it was one I don't normally see other places, but I would avoid this place if you don't want to overpay, or if you're just desperate. read more

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Finally made time to stop at this awesome spot: there are so many beautiful plants and all the education you might need. I bought a few plants to get started but I'll defiantly be back to keep my succulent plant babies growing!! read more

What a giant selection! I could spend all day there walking around and looking at all the choices! Expensive but huge variety.

We visited Simply Succulents during a recent three day holiday. My wife could tell you all about the plant selection which seemed to be extensive but personally I don't care that much about succulents... or shopping. Just being there, however, was a lovely experience. It was peaceful, quiet, misty and the riot of plant colors made browsing a real treat. Normally, when my wife shops, I just sit in the car but I found myself dreaming about buying the place. While I may not know much about succulents I can tell you that the location is simply a lovely place in which to be. A perfectly wonderful environment for you sidecar husbands out there. Can't wait to go back. read more

Lots of pretty succulents here, priced from $4 up. They also have a good selection of ceramic pots, potting soil, cacti, plus some other plants. It's all in the back of the property. Friendly staff. Check the hours before you go, I think they are only open on weekends. read more

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A little pricey but fabulous selection! Very knowledgeable & friendly! Got a beautiful succulents and a few cuttings off the $1/$2 shelf. Wish we had more space in the car for more! Will be back again on our next trip! -- also, cash or check only & not pet friendly read more

So lovely, drought tolerant gorgeous succulents of so many types it will make your head spin. The owner is friendly and very informative. A must stop!! read more

Rella is so knowledgeable, she and her staff are very friendly and helpful! If you're looking for something specific they can help you locate it on the property or if you're just hoping to walk around and spark inspiration- there is something for you. From outdoor full sun to indoor and even a "pokey" section, you'll find something you love. They also have unique planters available as well. CASH OR CHECK ONLY and no dogs allowed in the nursery. read more

Simply Succulent - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

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Wow what a great place. The best selection of succulents I've ever seen. The staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgable . They are cash and check only so bring cash. read more

Simply Succulent - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

OMG This is my Heaven and Addiction! I love collecting Cacti & Succulents. This place has some beauties that you cannot find just any where and that just makes them the #1 place I will go to add to my collection of pots & pallet gardens. (They do not currently take credit cards so it was the only thing that held me back here). My husband had to warn them that giggling, omg's, emotional out bursts, might happen and not to worry because I was that excited to discover the Gem this place is. I am a life customer now! The time from Cloverdale to here is a drive to be excited about and friend are welcome to come along with me or call me up and say lets go. read more

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Great selection of succulents. The owner was very friendly and helpful. So many succulents to choose from! read more

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I love Succulents and this last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to Fort Bragg for the weekend. I Googles "Succulents in Fort Bragg" and Simply Succulents popped up. I turned on my GPS and it led me to this gorgeous Nursery. I have never seen so many Succulents in my life. I bought a few plants that's been on my wishlist, but never was able to find them, until now. The owner was so friendly and helpful. I wish I lived closer to this Nursery, I live in Eureka Ca, because Simply Succulents made me feel like I was in Succulent Heaven. 5 STARS read more

Excellent selection of succulents and they mix their own potting mix. So many plants that it's almost overwhelming with so many from which to choose. Great service and assistance. read more

Their website is easy to navigate by genus, which makes it quicker to find what your looking for and something new. The plants I ordered arrived perfectly in condition. Two sedum, and sempervivum, came surprisingly healthy and well planted! Tracked delivery and a friendly to use system and a great way to find unique breeds in the UK! read more

Rella was absolutely charming and we enjoyed a great chat about plants - especially agaves! I can't believe we haven't been to this spot before - I will visit every time from now on: I spent every penny on me and would have spent more if I could! Great looking plants, great selection, and very knowledgeable staff. read more

My husband and I tried to visit this establishment this past weekend and were never treated so rudely in our whole life. My daughter had gone a couple weeks ago and had told us how sweet and nice the lady was that owned it and how knowledgeable and helpful she was so we were really looking forward to our visit. When we arrived a man asked us if we had our mask and we said yes and held up our face shields. He told us those were not good enough and when we said yes they are according to the state of California he stated that no they're not good enough there.. so we were not permitted to go in and he told us that he didn't care about how we felt about it. Very rude and will never go back and spend one dime there but obviously they don't care about anyone else's opinion. read more

This is the most magical place I have ever been to. Wow! Totally awesome!

Took a weekend getaway to Mendocino and found Simply Succulent on the map. So glad that we stopped by. They had a huge selection and Rella was knowledgeable and friendly, answering all of our questions and even potted our succulent for us. We will definitely be back! read more

Simply Succulent - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

Perfect new location on the edge of Fort Bragg - you can't miss the huge lime green planters she put out front. And inside - wow. Just enjoy visiting and look at the vast variety of succulents and other drought tolerant plants. Great planters and gifts, I always find some one or two things, and that is when I am not buying. ha ha! read more

Rella made my wedding gorgeous. I purchased 4 bouquets and 12 boutonnieres, and rented 25 potted succulents and 2 cordylines for decorations. Thanks to her, my flowers and succulents were stunning. Highly recommend working with her. She is fantastic at what she does and really pleasant to chat with, to boot. read more

Simply Succulent - Bouquets by Rella at Simply Succulent | Photography by Cassandra Young at CYoung Photography - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Fort Bragg, California

WOW. I have been to many nurseries in my time and being a landscape industry professional I have never been given such poor customer service. Shockingly the poor customer service was delivered by the owner herself! I must emphasize how important client relations are to this industry and rude service from an owner is unbelievable. I most certainly will not be recommending this place to any clients and to any landscape professionals. read more

You've seen the GREEN building on Highway 20? Yes that one! Behind this dubious landmark awaits a xeriscaping tour de force! An object lesson in (drought) tolerance, botanical diversity and multicultivarism. Drought intolerant as a Sacramento Moonbeam, Rella and her crew let the sunshine in while not missing that funky PC (Pacific Coast) beat. If I wasn't wallowing in the funk of my Mom's dark and dank debasement, I'd spend my whole SSI check on the sticky icky cacti that, unlike previous pets, aren't always nagging me about food and water. read more

Really wonderful! Prices are reasonable and the succulents are beautiful. I found some beautiful rarities that you don't easily find online or at other nurseries, and they were at a fraction of the price you'd get elsewhere for these rare ones. Also, the staff was so welcoming and friendly. The owner was very knowledgeable and passionate about her plants. It was well worth the visit! Definitely coming back next time we plan a trip up the coast. read more

my girlfriend and I have been coming here annually from sacramento for the last 3 years. (sometimes biannually because yes, its that good) the owner (I believe her name was Renna) is beyond sweet and very knowledgable. she has a very large space in which she grows hundreds of different unique hybrids from semps to Epiphyllum all the way to astounding agave crosses and even some great sized Copiapoa clusters. she really has it all whether you collect soft succulents, lithops or like those big cacti or agave. we can hangout here and talk to Renna all day long. read more

My favorite place on the north coast! Their service is top notch! They have the best selection of succulentsI have ever seen! Friendly knowledgable staff! read more

My wife and I have been visiting Rella and her Simply Succulent nursery since 2009. I was fanatical about succulents prior to this, however there is something about this nursery, Rella and her staff, and being on the North Coast that is so special. We cannot visit FB without stopping. We actually got married in the redwoods and they helped us with our supply of amazing succulents for our wedding. We just visited the new location- WOW! It is such an awesome place and they just have everything. There are certainly some plants there you may not see many other places. Her staff is very knowledgeable and seem to enjoy interacting with customers and visitors as much as they love their plants. We recommend SS to everyone we know who will be near the area visiting, and when we actually have our own place to do permanent landscaping, we will be driving an empty trailer to Simply Succulent. read more