Backyard orchid grower

Hobby gardeners, orchid society members, gift buyers, and local florists or cafes that want a few plants.

Price per plant, sold online, at orchid shows, plant sales and farmers markets. Rarer varieties and well-grown specimens sell for more than common ones.

• Patience with slow-growing plants
• Watering, light and humidity control
• Basic online selling and photography

• Check your state department of agriculture about whether you need a nursery or plant dealer license
• Shipping plants to other states may have inspection or labeling rules, so check before you ship
• Some wild orchid species are protected, so only buy and sell plants from legal, documented sources
• Check zoning, HOA or lease rules for greenhouses and home sales
• Check whether your state requires sales tax registration for plant sales
• Plants take months or years to reach selling size, so expect slow early cash flow

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your greenhouse or grow space, equipment and starting plants. These are estimates, so price your setup locally before buying.

Check with your state department of agriculture about nursery or plant dealer licenses. Also check inspection or labeling rules for shipping plants to other states, legal sourcing of protected species, zoning or HOA rules, and sales tax registration.

Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on how many plants you sell and where. Plan on at least about 10 hours a week. Plants take months or years to reach selling size, so early cash flow is slow.