Seattle’s Pike Place Market in Washington is a lively mix of sights, smells, and sounds. Stalls are packed with fresh fish, colorful flowers, and local produce that catch the eye.
Visitors wander through the bustling market, enjoying the friendly chatter of vendors and the city’s vibrant energy. From handmade crafts to tasty treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
It’s a must-visit spot that perfectly blends Seattle’s charm with its love for fresh, local goods.
1. Dahlias
Ever seen flowers that look like fireworks frozen in time? Washington’s dahlias burst with incredible colors from summer through fall.
Local farmers bring these showy blooms in every imaginable shade and size. Some varieties reach dinner-plate proportions while others remain delicate as buttons.
2. Tulips
Spring in Seattle means the market explodes with tulips from the nearby Skagit Valley. Farmers arrive before dawn with buckets of freshly cut stems.
The Washington tulip varieties range from classic reds to striped exotics. Many visitors don’t realize these blooms will continue opening for days after purchase.
3. Peonies
Catching peonies at the market requires perfect timing! These luxurious blooms appear for just a few magical weeks each year in Washington state.
Their massive, ruffled heads and intoxicating fragrance make them market favorites. Some vendors sell them as tight buds that will unfurl dramatically in your home.
4. Lavender
The calming scent of lavender wafts through certain corners of the market all summer long. Washington’s climate produces especially fragrant varieties.
You’ll find it fresh, dried in bundles, or transformed into soaps and sachets. Local farmers often harvest it from the Olympic Peninsula where lavender farms dot the landscape.
5. Sunflowers
Nothing says late summer in Seattle like towering sunflowers brightening the market stalls. Their cheerful faces seem to follow shoppers through the aisles.
Washington farmers grow impressive varieties from tiny, multi-headed types to massive single blooms. Some vendors even offer edible sunflower sprouts alongside their floral cousins.
6. Succulents
Tucked among the flower vendors, you’ll spot adorable arrangements of hardy succulents. These low-maintenance plants have become Seattle favorites for apartment dwellers.
Washington’s plant artists create tiny landscapes in creative containers. Look for unique varieties like string of pearls or bear paw that you won’t find at regular garden centers.
7. Hydrangeas
The lush, cloudlike blooms of hydrangeas make frequent appearances during summer months. Washington’s acidic soil produces the striking blue varieties that visitors love.
Market vendors often sell them with stems so fresh they’ll last for weeks. Some farmers bring unusual varieties like oak leaf or lace cap that showcase the diversity of this beloved flower.
8. Evergreen Boughs
During winter months, fragrant evergreen branches bring the Washington forest right into the market. Their rich scent fills the air with holiday spirit.
Local foragers sustainably harvest cedar, pine, and fir tips from nearby mountains. Many vendors transform them into wreaths and garlands that capture Seattle’s natural beauty.
9. Heirloom Tomato Plants
Spring brings a parade of unique tomato seedlings to the market’s plant vendors. Washington gardeners eagerly snap up these treasures for their summer gardens.
The variety is astounding—purple, striped, yellow, and even black tomatoes. Some sellers specialize in rare varieties that have been grown in the Pacific Northwest for generations.
10. Daffodils
First signs of spring arrive at the market with bundles of cheerful daffodils. Their sunny yellow faces brighten Seattle’s notorious rainy days.
Washington farmers often sell them with bulbs still attached, proving their freshness. Early varieties appear in February, followed by waves of different types through April.
11. Herb Plants
Fragrant potted herbs line certain market stalls year-round. Seattle’s mild climate makes growing herbs at home accessible to everyone.
Washington growers offer everything from common basil to unusual varieties like chocolate mint. Many vendors are happy to share cooking tips or care advice for their aromatic offerings.
12. Ranunculus
Looking like roses crafted from tissue paper, ranunculus flowers add delicate charm to spring market displays. Their impossibly thin petals captivate Washington flower enthusiasts.
Available in candy-bright colors, these blooms last surprisingly long after cutting. Some Seattle florists visit the market at dawn to select the freshest stems for their arrangements.
13. Bonsai Trees
Miniature masterpieces await at specialized plant vendors where bonsai trees showcase Washington’s connection to Pacific Rim cultures. Each tiny tree represents years of patient training.
Some sellers offer beginner-friendly varieties alongside museum-worthy specimens. The Pacific Northwest climate actually mimics the conditions many bonsai species prefer.
14. Air Plants
Floating among other market offerings, air plants (Tillandsia) seem almost magical with their soil-free existence. Seattle’s humid environment makes them easy to maintain.
Washington artisans create stunning displays by mounting them on driftwood or suspending them in glass. These otherworldly plants make perfect low-maintenance souvenirs from your market visit.
15. Wild Mushrooms
Though not flowers, foraged mushrooms deserve mention among Pike Place’s botanical treasures. Washington’s forests yield incredible varieties that appear seasonally at specialized vendors.
From prized morels in spring to chanterelles in fall, each has its moment. Knowledgeable sellers offer cooking advice and fascinating stories about their woodland hunts.
16. Sweet Peas
The fragrance hits you first—sweet peas bring their incredible scent to the market in early summer. Washington’s cool climate produces especially vibrant blooms.
Their delicate tendrils and butterfly-like flowers come in vintage pastel shades. Seattle florists prize them for wedding bouquets during their brief but glorious season.