Our story
Rooted in family. Growing with Boksburg.
More than four decades of plants, people, practical knowledge and a deep love for nature.
Where it began
A small family venture.
A living legacy.
Founded in 1981, Heckers Garden Centre grew from Ronnie and Rika Hecker’s deep passion for nature in all its forms. What began as a small family venture has blossomed into one of Boksburg’s most loved garden destinations. Voted by the public as the Best Garden Centre in Ekurhuleni year after year, we’re proud to be a place where gardeners and families find inspiration to create beautiful, sustainable and inviting indoor and outdoor spaces. We’re passionate about helping you bring nature home. At Heckers, you’ll find top-quality plants, garden and hardware products, along with honest, friendly service and practical gardening advice you can trust. We also offer pest identification, horticultural plastic recycling and pesticide recycling as part of our commitment to a greener future. Through our own Heckers Homegrown range, we cultivate premium plants right here on-site and just around the corner, ensuring excellent quality, great value and a minimal carbon footprint, all while keeping prices lower for our customers. Take a relaxing stroll through our lush garden centre filled with beautiful plants and friendly staff, or unwind at Café Ambrosia, where you can enjoy delicious sweet or savoury treats under the trees. At Heckers, we don’t just sell plants, we share a love for life, growth and green living.
Grown right here
Our own range
Hardier plants.
Smaller footprint.
Homegrown is Heckers at its most local: premium plants raised by our team, acclimatised to the Highveld, and ready to thrive in your garden.
At Heckers Garden Centre, we take pride in offering our customers high-quality plants at affordable prices. One of the ways we achieve this is by growing our own range of plants on-site, a tradition we’ve upheld for over 40 years. Our founders, Rika and Ronnie Hecker, started this tradition in 1981 out of their shared passion for plants.
Growing our own plants has allowed us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, our locally grown plants are acclimatized to the local environment, making them hardier and more likely to thrive in our customers’ gardens.
By choosing our range of plants, you’re not only supporting a local business but also contributing to a more sustainable future. We invite you to come and browse our selection of plants and experience the difference that locally grown makes.
on-site
for our climate
and footprint
Take one · Leave oneGreener tomorrow
Horticultural plastic
recycling.
At Heckers Garden Centre, we’re dedicated to sustainability and lowering our environmental impact. We now recycle all horticultural plastics, pots, trays, and other garden containers.
Through our take one, leave one program, customers can drop off used plastics in our recycling bin and pick up reusable ones. It’s an easy way to cut waste and protect the planet.
We’re proud of this commitment and invite you to join us. Together, we can reduce plastic waste and create a more sustainable future.
Little green thumbs
Free planting corner
for kids.
Hey parents! Have your little ones explore the magic of gardening at our Kids Planting Corner!
Bring them along to plant their own seedling for FREE! It’s a hands-on opportunity for them to discover the joys of nurturing a plant and understand the importance of caring for nature.
While your kids get their green thumbs busy, enjoy a family day out at our beautiful garden centre soaking up the sun. It’s a chance for them to learn about the wonders of nature in a fun and educational way.
Check upcoming family events
Plant a free seedlingThe Heckers experience
Why people love
visiting us.
- Pet friendly
- Loyalty rewards
- Café Ambrosia
- Free kids planting
- Observational hive
- Monthly garden club
- Garden recycling
- Wheelchair accessible
Recognised excellence
Voted best by you.
Industry celebrated.
At Heckers Garden Centre, we take pride in being members of the South African Nursery Association and the Garden Centre Association, two leading organizations committed to upholding excellence in the nursery and garden industry. We’re also proud partners of Life is a Garden, a national initiative inspiring South Africans to discover the joy of gardening. Our affiliations reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering top-quality plants, products, and exceptional customer service to every client.
Over the years, Heckers has earned numerous prestigious industry awards, including being named a Garden Centre of Excellence by the South African Nursery Association and ranking in the top ten garden centres in the country multiple times. We are also six-time winners of the Best Garden Centre of Ekurhuleni award.
With over 44 years of excellence, Heckers continues to be recognized by the Garden Centre Association as one of South Africa’s leading independent garden centres, a testament to our passion, expertise, and dedication to the gardening community.
Come grow with us
