Backyard plant nursery
Grow perennials, shrubs and veggie starts at home and sell them locally and online.
- $500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
13,195 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.8% in a year
NAICS 444220 “Nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small growing operation in your yard or a hoop house, raising plants that suit your climate and selling them through local channels.
Your first three steps
- Pick 10 to 20 plants that grow well in your USDA zone and sell for a good margin
- Set up a small growing area with benches, pots, potting mix and a watering system
- Take your first batch to a farmers market or list plants on local marketplaces and social media
Who pays
Home gardeners, neighbors, landscapers and buyers at farmers markets or plant swaps.
How it makes money
Sell potted plants at a set price each, with higher margins on plants you propagate yourself from seed or cuttings. Seasonal veggie and herb starts bring spring sales.
Skills that help
- Plant propagation and care
- Knowing what grows well in your zone
- Basic bookkeeping and pricing
Watch out for
- Check whether your state requires a nursery license or plant inspection to sell plants
- Check city zoning, home occupation rules and HOA or lease limits on selling from home
- Check sales tax registration with your state
- Never sell invasive or restricted species; check your state's list
- Weather, pests and unsold stock can cause losses
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: backyard plant nursery
Researched with live web search for United States: 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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a backyard plant nursery?
Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your growing space, any hoop house, soil, containers and starting plants. These are estimates, so plan around the scale you want to begin with.
How much can a backyard plant nursery earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on what you grow, where you sell and how much stock you move. Weather, pests and unsold stock can cause losses, so treat this as an estimate.
What rules should I check before selling plants from home?
Check whether your state requires a nursery license or plant inspection, and your city zoning, home occupation rules and any HOA or lease limits. Also check sales tax registration, and your state's list of invasive or restricted species.
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Photo: driesel on Pixabay