Small specialty plant grower for local buyers

Independent garden centers, landscape contractors, landscape designers, restoration projects, farm stands and local retailers.

Price per plant, tray or pot size, sold in volume. Repeat orders each season and pre-booked spring orders keep sales steady.

• Plant growing and propagation
• Planning crops around the seasons
• Building relationships with buyers
• Basic record keeping

• Many states require a nursery dealer or grower license and plant inspections, check with your state department of agriculture
• Zoning, HOA or lease rules on growing and selling plants at home, check with your city or county
• Sales tax: wholesale sales often need resale certificates from buyers, check your state's rules
• A pesticide applicator license may be needed if you spray, check your state
• Some plants are restricted as invasive or regulated for shipping, verify before you grow or sell
• Weather, pests and unsold stock are real risks, so start with a small batch

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your land, containers, soil, plants or seed, and watering setup. Starting with a small batch of one or two plant types helps limit your early outlay.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on what you grow, your growing seasons, pricing and the buyers you win. Revenue is not profit, and weather, pests and unsold stock are real risks.

Check with your state department of agriculture about nursery dealer or grower licenses and inspections. Also check zoning, HOA or lease rules for selling plants at home, resale certificates and sales tax, whether a pesticide applicator license is needed if you spray, and any restricted or invasive plants.