Online artificial plant and flower store

Sell lifelike artificial plants and flowers online to homes, offices and stylists, run from a spare room.

Arrangement of artificial silk plants in pots on a shop display.
Startup costA$2k to A$10k
Monthly revenueA$1k to A$5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • A$2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A web shop selling artificial plants, stems, wreaths and arrangements, packed and posted from home. You can stock a small range or offer made-to-order arrangements.

Your first three steps

  1. Ask a few Australian wholesalers for catalogues and minimum orders, and compare them with overseas suppliers
  2. Pick a niche such as large indoor trees, wedding stems or office greenery, and photograph a small starting range
  3. Set up a simple online store, register an ABN and open to friends, local social media groups and decorators
Who pays

Homeowners, renters, small offices, cafes and event decorators who want greenery with no watering or upkeep.

How it makes money

Profit on the gap between wholesale and retail prices, plus higher margins on arrangements you put together yourself and bulk orders from decorators.

Skills that help
  • Good eye for styling and colour
  • Product photography basics
  • Packing and posting
  • Customer service by email and social media
Watch out for
  • Register an ABN and check when you need to register for GST
  • If you import, check Australian Border Force and biosecurity rules, especially for items with dried or natural materials
  • Australian Consumer Law applies to refunds, faults and accurate product descriptions
  • Large plants are bulky and can be costly to post, so check courier rates before setting prices
  • Check whether your local council needs approval for a home-based business with stock stored at home

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: online artificial plant and flower store

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online artificial plant store?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your range and stock. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many orders you attract and your product mix.

What rules apply to selling artificial plants online in Australia?

Register an ABN and check when you need to register for GST. If you import, check Australian Border Force and biosecurity rules, especially for dried or natural materials. Also check Australian Consumer Law on refunds and descriptions, and council rules for home-based stock.

What skills and time do I need to run an online plant store?

Useful skills include styling and colour sense, basic product photography, packing and posting, and customer service. Estimates suggest at least around 10 hours a week. Large plants are bulky and costly to post, so check courier rates before pricing.

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Photo: Elstef on Pixabay

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