Yes, live plants can be sent through the mail. I can vouch to this as I placed my first plant order during the pandemic. A cardboard box containing five plants—three succulents, two cacti, and a string of dolphins—arrived undamaged and prepared for repotting. Are you prepared to spread this craze and expand your own plant sales company? Let’s get going.
Finding your niche
There are more options than just mailing houseplants in the mail to start a business selling plants. The environment where you reside, your access to wholesale greens or room to produce, and how much you’re ready to put up front may all influence how you choose to define your own products.
Here are some suggestions to get you started with online plant sales:
- Houseplants. For instance, will you focus on air plants, cactus, or succulents? Where do you reside, what can you dependably grow or purchase in bulk?
- outdoor vegetation Consider the seasonality of both the markets you sell to and where you live. Will your company operate seasonally or year-round?
- bulbs and seeds. Despite not selling live plants, West Coast Seeds does transport seeds, bulbs, and gardening equipment all around Canada.
- plant-care items. Think about growing media, grow lights, dirt, and fertilizer. Along with working well with an upsell approach, these products can also be sold alongside live plants.
- interior design. Decorative plant trays, hanging planters, and pots and pots can all be offered alone or with the plants they hold.
- the kits and terrariums. Sell materials and live plants for terrariums that can be built at home.
- items made from plants. Grow your own plants and produce goods using them. Terre Bleu’s creators cultivate lavender on their farm and market soaps, sprays, and salves containing the herb online.
- subscriptions to plants. By providing recurring plant shipments via a subscription program, Grounded and Partly Sunny both ensure repeat business.
- Utilize your imagination. Why not launch a service-based company to provide plants for corporate clients and events? Alternative phrase used by Grounded to characterize its private customer consultation service is “planterior design.” Sonja initially began her career as a personal plant shopper, doing one-on-one consultations and making purchases in response to client requests.
Should you grow your own plants or source them?
If you have the necessary area and conditions, you can grow your own plants to sell. If you want to start out small, you can grow plants in your own backyard garden or build a DIY greenhouse, but if you want to scale up, be sure to account for space constraints. On a broader scale, you’ll need a lot more room and specific plant knowledge to grow your own plants. To learn about the production side of the business, there are many free online tools available.
Sonja remarked that she didn’t have to scale her business in California when I inquired if she had ever thought about doing so to expand her own. “She claims that I have growers who have been cultivating specific plant kinds for 40 years. “I could merely purchase this man’s goods while he is only three blocks away.
Sourcing plants
A wholesale program is provided by numerous nearby greenhouses, nurseries, and plant wholesalers. Visit their website or make a direct inquiry for more information. To become a registered reseller, there are typically a few prerequisites, such as purchasing minimums.
Advice for cooperating with nurseries, greenhouses, and wholesalers of plants:
- Create a connection with the supplier. You might be able to get the greatest stock or advance notice on supply if you do business with them frequently and have a good working relationship.
- Compare prices. If you’re just starting out, certain vendors may have lower minimums than others.
- Choose local vendors if at all possible. If you can, pick up wholesale orders to cut costs and lessen the strain on the plants.
- Recognize seasonality. Which plants will be available when in the year? You can use this to organize your campaigns and inventories.
- Your seeds shouldn’t be placed in a single basket. If possible, seek for several suppliers to ensure that if one is out of stock of a popular item, another might have it in stock. Some growers or suppliers might also only work during certain seasons. Sonja frequents a number of greenhouses nearby and even searches neighborhood buy-and-sell forums for unique findings.
- Create a pricing plan that takes seasonal variations in wholesale prices into consideration.
- Examine wholesalers online. Look for online vendors like Gro ‘n Sell if you reside somewhere without a dependable place to buy wholesale plants.
- Dropship. Lacking in space? Some even dropship, like House Plant Wholesale. Several greenhouses that Grounded now works with ship to them before they ship to clients. “Danuelle predicts that ultimately we will stop acting as a middleman and start shipping directly from the greenhouse. “That should be a long-term objective.
Is selling plants a good business idea?
Selling plants is an excellent business idea for 2021 even if it involves more specialist expertise (plant care) and has certain space and shipping requirements. Plant-related trends continued during the epidemic and don’t appear to be slowing down.
What are the best plants to sell online?
Many different plant kinds can be sold online if they are packed and shipped with the proper care. Try succulents if you’re just starting off selling plants. Most types don’t need much water to survive the journey, and many are resilient and small, making them simple to transport. Succulents come in a wide variety, are common houseplants (making them simple to find), and require little maintenance for the most part.
Is it legal to sell plants online?
Yes, in the majority of locations, selling plants online is legal. Nevertheless, legislation governing the import and export of soils and organic matter differ from nation to nation. Look research the laws in your area of business and in every region where you intend to expand.
Do I need a license to sell plants online?
Depending on the nation or even the state, you might need to apply for a company license or a specialized licence before you can sell plants. In California, for instance, selling “nursery stock” and selling seeds both require different licences.
What plants can be sold from home?
You may very much sell any plant from home if you have a home that is suited for caring for a sizable collection of plants. Take into account each plant type’s sensitivity (i.e., will it survive shipment), space, water, and sunlight requirements.
What plant is the simplest to sell?
Following are eight valuable speciality crops:
- Bamboo. Bamboo plants in pots may cost homeowners and landscapers up to $150 each, and many farmers are struggling to meet the demand.
- Flowers.
- Ginseng.
- Ground Cloths
- Herbs.
- Trees and shrubs are landscaped.
- Mushrooms.
- Grasses for decoration.
Ginseng
This plant, which has been used for hundreds of years in Asian cultures as a tonic and medicinal herb, generates so much revenue for growers that it has been termed “emerald gold Even George Washington recognized this plant’s promise; ginseng sales helped pay for the American Revolutionary War against the British. This plant can produce enormous benefits if you have a little patience and a tiny empty patch of land. Why persevere? because it might take up to six years to properly mature the roots before harvesting them for consumption, making ginseng a lengthy process. You can sell young if that is out of your time frame “To generate a return on investment in a tolerable amount of time, gardeners can sell rootlets to other growers. Growers can earn up to $100,000 on a half-acre plot over a six-year period from seeds, rootlets, and mature roots. Early birds most certainly do not get the ginseng worm.
Gourmet Mushrooms
The fungus among us can grow almost anywhere given the correct circumstances. Additionally, they produce a remarkably high return per square foot. Oyster and shiitake are the two most well-liked gourmet mushroom kinds, and they are typically offered fresh or dried in most supermarkets and farmer’s markets. Of the two possibilities, oysters are very fruitful. Each year, they can generate up to 25 pounds of product per square foot of growing space. Oysters can earn $7 per pound when sold directly to customers, as in eateries or at farmer’s markets. Accordingly, a 10 × 10 square foot patch of mushrooms has a potential annual income of $17,500.
Bamboo
This plant matures quickly and can yield enormous income for growers, unlike trees and many shrubs. And to say that bamboo matures quickly is an understatement—it has been known to grow more than two feet in a single day. So be sure you understand what you’re getting into if you want to use this plant. Bamboo is becoming more and more popular as a landscaping plant, and producers claim that demand for their product is only rising. Although it may be common knowledge that bamboo may only be found in tropical regions, these towering plants can also survive in cold, harsh settings. Although bamboo has only a few culinary applications, gardeners are increasingly employing it as a hedge, screen, or shade plant. Bamboo plants in pots are selling well at rates up to $200 per plant, according to many bamboo nurseries.
Herbs
Herbs can be a profitable addition to a garden for growers. Many herbs can grow on windowsills in the winter with little light, which is good news for gardeners wishing to include a plant that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Fresh culinary herbs are in high demand for grocery stores and restaurants. Again, farmer’s markets are a great venue to sell these plants. One method to give them away is as a 4-herb windowsill garden that is pre-cut. Additionally, growers can cut and package themselves, either dried or undried, for customers seeking immediate enjoyment. There are countless herb varieties to choose from, including a wide variety of ethnic herbs for serious cooks. Here is a list of the top 10 most lucrative herbs you can cultivate as a starter.
Medicinal Marijuana
Medical marijuana (or marijuana grown legally in Washington and Colorado) can be as profitable as Apple stores for producers with the upfront financial resources. Yes, it is just as successful as the most prosperous business ever. A dispensary in New York state might earn between $3,500 and $5,000 in income per square foot in the same year that Apple generated roughly $4,650 in sales. The market price may slightly decline as other states follow in the footsteps of Washington and Colorado and the taxation for this crop is determined on a state-by-state basis. But make no mistake, marijuana is the most profitable cash crop in the world, according to a 2014 Fast Company story. The potential earnings from this contentious plant are enormous for those who are ahead of the curve (now!).
Lavender
Almost everything can benefit from the use of lavender, including food flavors, medications, and fragrances. Additionally, the expanding wellness industry ranks its essential oil as one of the most well-liked.
Bamboo
Most bamboo is sold as a potted plant or as a landscaping element. Its capacity for rapid growth makes it very profitable. Without a lot of area, you can make a lot of goods.
Basil
Popular herb basil is used in a wide variety of cuisines. It is simple to grow inside or in a little container garden. It grows best in warm, humid climates if you choose to cultivate it outside. Then you can promote it directly to customers at farmer’s markets, grocery stores, or food manufacturers.
Cilantro
Another common plant that doesn’t need a lot of area to thrive is cilantro. Due to its distinctive flavor and potential usage as a digestive aid, it is well-liked by dietary supplement manufacturers.
Ginseng
A widely used plant in the health and wellness sector is ginseng. It is a component of many vitamins, medications, and beverages. It does take some time to get going. The tremendous level of global demand, however, means that once your crops produce, you can anticipate significant earnings.
Gourmet Garlic
Almost any dish can benefit from the addition of garlic. However, common garlic is available in abundance and doesn’t cost a much. Some species, though, are regarded as “gourmet,” as they are a little more uncommon. These can be very profitable in the long run if you’re willing to make the first investment.
Arugula
Leafy greens like arugula give salads and other meals a spicy flavor. It’s highly well-liked at modern farm-to-table eateries. But you may also offer it for sale at farmer’s markets to consumers who are health concerned.
Corn
For a very long time, especially in the Midwest, corn has been one of the most important crops in the nation. It does need a good deal of room. However, it can be utilized for anything from fuel to animal feed.
Wheat
The Great Plains states frequently cultivate wheat as a crop. However, you may also cultivate it on a smaller scale in a small row garden or in your backyard. There are numerous kinds that can produce extremely large grain yields, and it is relatively resistant.
Sorghum
A variety of grain called sorghum is frequently used to make syrups and drinks. It does best in warm environments. Therefore, it is ideal for regions with lengthy summers. Due to the growing popularity of craft beer and home brewing enthusiasts, it is particularly well-liked at the time.
Saffron
Saffron is a spice made from the bulbs of the purple-blue saffron crocus, a plant that prefers bright sunlight. Given that each bloom only yields a modest quantity of the spice, you’ll need a good lot of area. However, the price of saffron is rather high, making it a particularly lucrative crop.
Cherry Tomatoes
Small and simple to raise in a backyard or small garden are cherry tomatoes. The tomatoes are available for picking all season long. Therefore, it’s the ideal choice for growers that desire a consistent crop production.
Goji Berries
Goji berries are a “superfood” that are currently quite popular because to its high antioxidant and vitamin content, hardiness, and ability to grow in dry areas. They are also popular in organic juices, smoothies, and bowls.
Hostas
Hostas are a common plant used in gardening and landscape design. They are incredibly resilient and are simple to divide and spread. In order to sell them to landscaping supply stores or directly to customers, you can continually produce more.
Arborvitae
Small evergreen trees like arborvitae are popular in gardening. They may be offered for sale as young trees or in little pots. Additionally, you can multiply them to produce more over time that you can sell.
Shiitake Mushrooms
In many different cuisines, shiitakes and other gourmet mushrooms are quite popular, especially at hip restaurants and specialized food shops. Additionally, they develop remarkably quickly and need little maintenance.