Sat, 01 Aug
|CTICC 1
Rays Retail Nursery presents: Cape Town Plant Expo & Market 2026
Step into a collector’s paradise — a curated showcase of rare plants, expert growers, and passionate plant people. This is not your average garden show. Expect a vibrant marketplace filled with unique finds, insider knowledge, and everything you need to grow your collection.
Time & Location
01 Aug 2026, 10:00 – 16:00
CTICC 1, Convention Square, 1 Lower Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
About the event
Cape Town Plant Expo 2026 – Bigger Than Ever Before 🌿
The Cape Town Plant Expo returns for its biggest edition yet, proudly hosted by Rays Retail Nursery.
Taking place at CTICC 2, this expanded 2026 edition will feature our largest Cape Town footprint to date, bringing together an even bigger selection of curated vendors, growers, and plant-related brands for a one-day-only celebration of all things green.
This is not your average garden show. It is a carefully curated indoor plant event built for collectors, hobbyists, interior plant lovers, and anyone passionate about exceptional greenery.
🌿 What to Expect
Over 50 Curated Plant & Botanical Vendors
Explore a wide and carefully selected range of plants and botanical products including:
• Aroids
• Hoya
• Indoor Plants
• Orchids
• Cacti & Succulents
• Terrariums
• Seeds & Bulbs
• Carnivorous Plants
• Plant Accessories
• Botanical Art & Decor
• Ceramic Studios
• Pots & Planters
• And more to be confirmed
Expert Grower Advice
Connect directly with experienced growers and plant specialists ready to share tailored plant-care guidance and answer your questions.
Cape Town’s Premier Plant Marketplace
Whether you’re hunting for rare collector specimens or beautiful everyday favourites, the Cape Town Plant Expo offers something for every plant lover.
Join us for our most ambitious Cape Town Plant Expo yet.
🎟️ Ticket Types
VIP Tickets
The VIP ticket offers exclusive early access to the Cape Town Plant Expo.
• Entry at 9:00 AM, one hour before General Admission
• A calmer, more premium shopping experience
• Limited availability
• First access to the best vendor stock
Designed for plant enthusiasts who want first access to the best the expo has to offer.
General Admission Tickets
General Admission ticket holders enter at 10:00 AM.
• Standard event access
• Full access to all vendors and event offerings
🚗 Parking Information
Parking will be available at CTICC P5 Parking.
Terms & Conditions
Ticket Validity: Each ticket admits one person only and is valid for the date and time stated. Entry will only be granted upon presentation of a valid ticket (printed or digital).
Entry Times: VIP ticket holders may enter the event from 9:00 AM. General Admission begins at 10:00 AM. No early entry will be allowed outside of your designated ticket type.
Event Access and Conduct: All attendees must follow event guidelines and the directions of staff. We reserve the right to remove any attendee behaving inappropriately or in a way that disrupts vendors, staff, or other guests.
Children and Minors: Children aged 15 and under enter free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. All minors must be accompanied and supervised at all times.
Photography and Media: This event may be photographed or filmed. By attending, you consent to your image being used for promotional purposes by Rays Retail Nursery or official event partners.
Venue Regulations: Attendees must comply with all venue rules, including health and safety regulations. No smoking, vaping, or outside alcohol is permitted inside the venue.
Accessibility: The event venue is wheelchair accessible. If you require any additional assistance, please contact the organisers in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.
Carrying Plants and Purchases: Attendees are responsible for bringing their own boxes, bags, or trolleys to carry their plant purchases. A limited number of boxes and crates may be available for sale at the venue, but this is not included in the ticket price. Some vendors may also have spare boxes available, but this is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.
Changes to the Event: The organisers reserve the right to change event details, venue layout, vendor list, or schedule if necessary, without prior notice. Any such changes will be communicated via official event channels.
Liability: The event organisers, venue, and vendors will not be held liable for any loss, theft, injury, or damage incurred during the event.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a General Admission Ticket?
A General Admission Ticket provides access to the Plant Expo starting at 10:00 AM, after VIP ticket holders have entered. While there may be a short wait on arrival due to safety protocols and crowd management, we’ve streamlined the entry process to help reduce delays and ensure a smooth experience. This ticket gives you full access to all vendors and offerings throughout the day.
What does a VIP Ticket include?
A VIP Ticket grants you early access to the venue at 9:00 AM, giving you a full hour to shop before general admission begins at 10:00 AM. With only 500 VIP tickets available, this exclusive entry ensures a more relaxed, crowd-free experience designed for serious plant lovers and collectors.
What is the difference between VIP and General Admission Tickets?
VIP Tickets: VIP tickets grant early access to the event, starting at 09:00 AM, one hour before the general public. This allows you to browse and shop in a more relaxed environment, ahead of the crowds. VIP tickets offer a more exclusive, personal experience with limited access to just 500 guests.
General Admission Tickets: General Admission tickets provide entry at 10:00 AM after VIP guests have entered. While there may be a brief wait to enter, we've streamlined the process to reduce delays and ensure a smooth experience for all. This option gives you full access to the event and all it has to offer.
Why are you not selling tickets at the door?
We’ve made the decision to not sell tickets on the day for several reasons:
Dedicated Staff & Planning: Our staff works hard to provide a smooth experience, and selling tickets on the day can slow down the entry process and create unnecessary confusion.
Uncertainty & Logistical Challenges: Day-of ticket sales often create uncertainty, making it harder for us to plan properly and ensure we’re fully prepared.
Better Experience for All: By moving ticket sales online, we can focus on creating a better, more organized event for everyone. On-the-day sales can cause delays, long queues, and logistical issues that just make things more complicated and frustrating for both staff and attendees.
To ensure everyone has the best experience, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance!
What is the purpose of the Cape Town Plant Expo?
The Cape Town Plant Expo, hosted by Rays Retail Nursery, brings together plant collectors, growers, and enthusiasts to celebrate the diversity of indoor plants, rare species, and unique botanical finds. This event offers a platform for customers to connect directly with expert growers, ask for tailored plant care advice, and source the best plants and products available. Whether you're looking for rare treasures or essential plant care items, this expo is the perfect place to enhance your collection and grow your plant knowledge.
Why is there an entry fee?
Hosting the event at a suitable venue that can accommodate both the large number of visitors and vendors comes with significant costs. Unlike other expos, we have a large number of small businesses attending, which means they cannot shoulder the full cost of the venue rental on their own. The entry fee helps cover these costs and ensures a high-quality experience for all attendees.
What sets this expo apart from other plant and garden shows?
Unlike traditional garden or specialty plant shows, this expo is designed to bring together vendors and enthusiasts from across the entire niche plant-collecting community. It’s not just for gardeners—it caters to a wide range of plant lovers, including those passionate about succulents, indoor plants, Clivia, Hoya, carnivorous plants, terrariums, and more. With a focus on the diversity of plant collecting, this event offers something for everyone, from casual plant lovers to serious collectors.
Will senior citizens be allowed to skip the queue?
We don’t offer a separate queue for seniors, but we understand that standing in line can be tiring. Fortunately, there’s a café right outside the entrance where senior guests are welcome to wait comfortably while a friend or family member holds their place in the queue. With our new, much larger venue, we’re not expecting any long waits — everything should move quickly! 🌿
Tickets
VIP Ticket
The VIP ticket is limited to just 500 attendees and offers a more relaxed, spacious experience for plant lovers. VIP guests will be allowed into the expo at 09:00 AM, one hour before general admission begins. This early access gives you the chance to browse, shop, and enjoy the event before the crowd arrives - ideal for anyone wanting a calmer start to their day and the best chance at rare or popular finds.
R 250,00
General Admission
Normal entry tickets provide standard admission to the expo, with entry beginning at 10:00 AM. While they don't include extras like early access or discounted pricing, measures have been implemented to significantly reduce wait times, offering a straightforward way to enjoy the event.
R 120,00
Total
R 0,00