Small greenhouse plant nursery

Home gardeners, allotment holders, garden centres, farm shops, community groups and local landscapers.

Selling plants by the pot, tray or plug, at plant sales, markets, gate sales, online orders for local collection and wholesale to small shops.

• Propagation and plant care
• Planning the growing calendar
• Marketing and customer service

• Selling plants commercially may involve plant health rules and registration, check the current requirements with the relevant plant health authority
• Heating and electricity costs can eat into margins in winter
• Public liability insurance if customers visit your site
• Check planning rules and any restrictions if you sell from a residential property
• Sales are very seasonal, so plan your cash flow for quieter months

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your greenhouse, heating, trays, compost, seeds and cuttings. Treat this as an estimate, and remember heating and electricity costs can eat into margins in winter.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,500, depending on what you grow and who you sell to. Sales are very seasonal, so plan your cash flow carefully for the quieter months.

Selling plants commercially may involve plant health rules and registration, so check the current requirements with the relevant plant health authority. Also check planning rules if you sell from a residential property, and public liability insurance if customers visit.