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Plant Nursery Business Plan

Do you feel tired in the caught-up rat race, and just want to follow your passion for nature? Well, a plant nursery is an amazing idea that would help the environment while keeping your pockets full.

But to start a successful plant nursery or get funding you will need a solid business plan to guide you through the way.

Need help writing a business plan for your plant nursery business? You’re at the right place. Our plant nursery business plan template will help you get started.

How to Write a Plant Nursery Business Plan?

Writing a plant nursery business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduction of your Business

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers. Then include a short description of all the other sections of the business plan.

In short, it is a summary of the whole business plan, which is why entrepreneurs choose to write this section at the end after having the full knowledge of the business plan.

You can introduce your business like this with the help of Upmetrics:

Marketing & Sales Strategies

Outline your sales and marketing strategies—what marketing platforms you use, how you plan on acquiring customers, etc.

Financial Highlights

Briefly summarize your financial projections for the initial years of business operations. Include any capital or investment requirements, associated startup costs, projected revenues, and profit forecasts.

Call to Action

Summarize your executive summary section with a clear CTA, for example, inviting angel investors to discuss the potential business investment.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will be like business name, type of the business, location, business history, and future goals of the business.

Business Description

Describe what kind of plant nursery business you run and the name of it. You may be running one of the below types of plant nurseries:

• Tree nursery : Focusing more on the plantation and sale of trees for both residential and commercial customers.
• Indoor plant nursery : This kind of business specializes in indoor and houseplant settings.
• Aquatic plant nursery : Focuses on growing and selling aquatic plants commonly utilized in ponds and water gardens.

For example, here is the business description for a nursery with the help of Upmetrics:

Describe the legal structure of your plant nursery, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or any other. Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

List the names of your nursery’s founders or owners. Describe what shares they own and their responsibilities for efficiently managing the business.

Business History

If you’re an established nursery, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved, etc.

Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.

Future Goals

It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and vision. Mention your short-term and long-term goals; they can be specific targets for revenue, market share, or expanding your services.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential

Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.

For instance, in 2022, the market size of the Nursery and garden Stores industry in terms of revenue was $50.3 billion .

Competitive Analysis

Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your plant nursery services from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.

Market Trends

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends. For example here is how you should mention the market trends:

Regulatory Environment

List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your plant nursery business, such as business registration, insurance, environmental regulations, state and federal regulations, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your plant nursery business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your products and services

Mention the plant nursery products or services your business will offer. This list may include:

• Fertilizers
• Pots and containers
• Landscape designing
• Garden Decor
• Delivery services

Quality measures

This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service.

This may include regular maintenance of plants and quality fertilizers.

Additional Services

Mention if your plant nursery offers any additional services. You may include services like delivery services, landscape designing, consultation, planting, etc.

In short, this section of your plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Marketing Strategies

Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—social media marketing, Google ads, brochures, email marketing, content marketing, and print marketing.

Sales Strategies

Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include direct sales calls,  partnering with other businesses, offering referral programs, etc.

Customer Retention

Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, introducing loyalty programs, personalized service, discounts on repeat orders, etc.

Overall, this section of your plant nursery business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training

Mention your business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees or gardeners needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.

Operational Process

Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your plant nursery business. Your operational processes may include seeding, cultivation, plant care, inventory management, etc.

Equipment & Machinery

Include the equipment and machinery required for the plant nursery, such as cultivation & planting equipment, pest & disease control, tools & implements, etc.

Explain how these technologies help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your plant nursery business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO

Mention the founders and CEO of your company, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.

Key managers

Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

For example, you can write down your management team like below with the help of Upmetrics:

Organizational structure

Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.

Advisors/Consultants

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your plant nursery business, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement

Describe your projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement. Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.

Cash flow statement

The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.

Balance Sheet: Create a projected balance sheet documenting your plant nursery’s assets, liabilities, and equity. For example, see the below-projected balance sheet for a nursery with the help of Upmetrics:

Break-even point: Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.

Financing Needs: Calculate costs associated with starting a plant nursery business, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the plant nursery industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your plant nursery business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

This sample plant nursery business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful plan for your plant nursery business, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our plant nursery business plan pdf .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you need a plant nursery business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful plant nursery business. It helps to clarify your business, secure funding, and identify potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your plant nursery company.

How to get funding for your plant nursery business?

There are several ways to get funding for your plant nursery business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought-after startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your plant nursery business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your plant nursery business plan and outline your vision as you have in mind.

What is the easiest way to write your plant nursery business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any plant nursery business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How detailed should the financial projections be in my plant nursery business plan?

The level of detail of the financial projections of your plant nursery business may vary considering various business aspects like direct and indirect competition, pricing, and operational efficiency. However, your financial projections must be comprehensive enough to demonstrate a complete view of your financial performance.

Generally, the statements included in a business plan offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.

What key components should a plant nursery business plan include?

The following are the key components your plant nursery business plan must include:

• Executive summary
• Business Overview
• Market Analysis
• Products and services
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

Can a good plant nursery business plan help me secure funding?

Indeed. A well-crafted plant nursery business plan will help your investors better understand your business domain, market trends, strategies, business financials, and growth potential—helping them make better financial decisions.

So, if you have a profitable and investable business, a comprehensive business plan can certainly help you secure your business funding.

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a plant nursery business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your plant nursery business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to start a small plant shop

Table of Contents

Self-funding

Small business loans, investments, physical store, online store, unique selling point, target audience, market research, customer profile, name and logo, brand guidelines, measurable goals, call to action, online payments, in-store payments, bookkeeping with countingup.

If you have a bit of a green thumb and love taking care of foliage, you might consider starting a plant shop. This business could be a great way to bring more colour into your community while earning money for yourself.

With this guide, you can take a seedling of an idea and grow it into a successful venture. We cover everything you need to know to get started. You’ll be sprouting with success in no time.

Learn everything you need to know about:

• Bookkeeping

Before you can start, you’ll need to think about how you’ll fund your plant shop. There are a few methods to consider, and we’ll cover the three most popular.

If you have the necessary capital to start up your business, you’ll benefit from retaining complete control. Plus, you can avoid taking on debt or paying interest on a loan.

On the other hand, you may decide you need to take out a bank loan . You’ll need to submit an application to seek the amount you need. Not all applications are successful, but having a strong business plan will improve your chances.

The third popular funding option is seeking investments. These can be from friends and family, to invest for a share of the business. Or you could approach angel investors, which, again, would require a good business plan. Professional investors may also offer guidance and connections in exchange for a stake in your business.

After you secure funding, you can decide how to structure your shop. Will it be an online-only delivery service or will you open a physical shop? Either way, you are likely going to need a location . 

If you decide to open a physical shop, search for a location that is accessible and think about how you’ll draw customers. If you look to sell small, indoor plants, a town or city centre may be appropriate. But, if you plan to sell larger ones, your shop may need to be accessible to parking. 

If your shop is online, you will need a storage warehouse for the plants. The location must be accessible for a courier company to deliver your goods if you don’t plan to do it yourself. With that said, maintaining a warehouse full of plants may require a lot of electricity and water, so look at the utility rates when choosing a location.

A physical store or warehouse will require you to keep the plants healthy enough to sell. To do this, you will likely need to think about the necessary equipment . 

• Moisture metre: tells you if your plants need watering, which may be challenging to judge indoors.
• Watering vessel: this can range from a watering can to a sprinkler system, depending on the number of plants.
• Humidifier: this releases water vapour to increase moisture in the air.
• Pots: these are necessary to keep plants in.

You could plan to grow the plants yourself, but that will result in extra waiting time before you can sell. Alternatively, you could have a dedicated supplier lined up to purchase the plants. 

There may be wholesale suppliers of plants or local garden centres, depending on your area. If you intend to bulk-buy plants from them, you may be able to negotiate lower prices per unit. Plus, finding a reliable and exclusive supplier could lead to deals or loyalty discounts. 

When choosing suppliers, you also need to think about transportation. Some suppliers may deliver to you, but if that is not the case, you may need to add a van to the equipment your business requires. Driving to restock or deliver to customers, also means you need to keep track of fuel costs. Countingup, which is a business current account and accounting tool, lets you capture receipts with your phone’s camera and record them as expenses.

To succeed with your plant shop, consider your unique selling point (USP) . A USP helps you choose what elements to focus on to bring in customers. By identifying a gap in the market, you can provide people with something only your shop can offer. 

For example, you could choose to sell a particular type of plant, such as tropical plants. 

Alternatively, you could choose to create a unique experience for your customers. For example, you could launch a subscription service where you send customers one plant a month, including all of the plant care instructions. 

Another important aspect to consider for your plant shop is your target audience . This is the group or a few groups of different people who are likely to be interested enough in what you sell to become customers.

To help you discover your target audience, conduct market research . There are many ways to do this, but speaking to the public is most straightforward. For example, you can send out surveys or set up interviews, which allow you to ask questions to find out who will be interested in the shop. 

For further research, look at the overall plant market by seeing what similar businesses offer. It may help you to determine the demand for certain products and the prices others charge. You can use this information to put together a sales forecast which is useful for a business plan.

After conducting market research, you may have found some similarities between the people your plant shop most appeals to. To use that information effectively, you can put together customer profiles (sometimes called customer avatars). These profiles outline hypothetical people who embody the characteristics of your ideal shoppers.

Customer profiles can include:

• Occupations

Together this profile can summarise who the person is and their lifestyle. It will be a helpful asset for effective branding and marketing.

For new ventures, differentiating your business from others is crucial to success. The best way to do this is to create a strong brand for your plant shop. Base this brand on your customer profiles and judge what appeals to that audience.

The two most impactful elements to your brand are your name and logo . They indicate to customers what your business is and can form a solid first impression. Your title should communicate your brand’s personality verbally or in written form, and the logo should show it visually.

Beyond the name and logo, consider other things to form your branding. Making decisions about these early on and creating brand guidelines mean that you will find it easier to build recognition and form relationships with your customers.

When writing brand guidelines, you can include:

• Colour scheme — choose two or three colours that your brand will use visually (e.g. Coca Cola’s red and white ).
• Tone of voice — decide how you would like to communicate to customers (e.g. friendly, conversational and often cheeky like Innocent ).
• Brand story — create a narrative that suits the feelings you aim to bring out in your customers (e.g. IKEA’s ambition to make furniture accessible).
• Typography — choose one or two fonts and use variations (e.g. Instagram uses the Billabong font).

Once you determine your business brand, you can build a marketing strategy around it. So, look back to your customer profiles and think about how you’ll reach those people. To make sure you can get the best out of promoting your business, you should lay out some goals to achieve and a strategy for your campaign. A marketing campaign may involve a few different ways to advertise but they all will aim for the same goal.

Before you launch a campaign to promote your brand, decide what you set out to achieve. It can be easy to say you want to bring in more customers or gain more followers on social media. Your goals will also need to be measurable , so you can track your progress.

To establish these aims, consider specific numbers to strive for. It would also be helpful to set yourself a timeline. You can look back on the goals and see how close you are to achieving them.

If for some reason, you don’t reach the goal by the time your campaign ends, you can decide to change what you do next time. For example, say you aim to increase your followers on Instagram by 200, but only reach 50. To fix this, you may increase output or alter the content you post.  

To work towards your goals, you need to plan out a campaign strategy. Choose the proper channels to put your marketing and what call to action you will use. 

There are many channels you can use to market your plant shop with a range of costs. For example, a television advert involves costs to filming, producing and paying for the space. On the other hand, a radio advert would be cheaper if you use a local station and record it yourself.

Today, social media is a popular place to focus on for marketing because it’s where most customers spend their time. But it depends on your market. If you aim at people above 65 it may not be the best way to reach them. To decide on your channels, think about the ideal customer and compare marketing they could see within your budget.

The CTA (call to action) needs to be defined and follow the strategy you have laid for your marketing. Without a critical message, it could confuse customers and fail to get them to engage with your brand. All of your marketing should follow a call to action that encourages the audience to do something. For example, you may want people to follow your social media page, enter a competition, or visit the shop, for example. 

Depending on the type of business your plant shop is, whether online or at a physical location, you have to consider how you want to take payments from customers.

If customers pay online, you need to have a website that will allow them to do this. Your site will need to be updated regularly with your catalogue and have a dedicated secure payment method. Many eCommerce businesses use website builders like Shopify , which help you to set up a site and let customers pay. 

If you open a physical shop, you will have to decide whether to take cash, cards or both. 

Accepting cash allows you to have the money immediately, which will increase your cash flow (money being transferred in and out) to help you cover business costs. With that said, it can turn your shop into a security risk if you store lots of cash. Another downside is that keeping track of your money is more complex, as it does not leave a paper trail for you to record. Cash makes filing taxes more challenging to look back on the year.

Card payments are much easier to record and follow. Still, if a customer uses a credit card, providers often take a percentage with a transaction fee. Using cards makes paying much quicker and easier for the customer, but some older customers may still like the option to pay cash.

For more information, see: how to accept credit card payments .

Taking payments of any kind through your business would benefit from setting up a separate business account. Having a dedicated place to direct the money from sales makes seeing what is coming into your plant shop more straightforward. 

Countingup is the business’s current account with built-in accounting software, including an expense categorisation feature. It lets you sort your costs in an accessible and transparent way. 

Having your incoming and outgoing available for you to see through the Countingup app also provides you with a cash flow insights feature. It gives you updates on the financial management of your business, which continue as you grow your shop.

Start your three-month free trial today.  Find out more here .

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How To Start A Plant Business From Scratch

If you wish to be your boss and have a green thumb, then a plant nursery business might be just right for you! Besides having an entrepreneurial spirit, you will need to acquire a decent understanding of plants, soils, labor management, packing, shipping, marketing, and many other things to thrive in your plant business.

This beginner’s guide will walk you through the process of starting your own plant business from A to Z!

Table of Contents

Benefits of having an indoor plant care business.

When having a plant business of your own, you gain independence and control over your life. This means you are free to choose what is best for your plant care business and are responsible for your own success!

In most nurseries, in comparison to other businesses, the start-up capital for an indoor plant care business is relatively minimal; your greatest expenditures will be insurance and transportation. You may handle your own bookkeeping, and if you can secure larger clients, such as office complexes or shopping malls, you’ll have a steady stream of cash.

Drawbacks Of Selling Plants

Although it’s a growing industry, plant care is a luxury service. You will thus probably be first on the list for budget cuts when people’s wallets are tight. A steady income might be difficult to come by as a result.

Dealing with insect infestations is an additional burden. They may swiftly destroy plants, spoiling your effort and perhaps compromising your reputation, and it’s typically not your fault.

Beginners Guide To Starting A Plant Business

Though formal training is not needed to start a plant care business, these are a few basic steps to follow:

1. Creating A Business Plan

Do your research.

You should have a look at the local market and check what the competition is doing to start a plant business. Analyze the market to see what services are already offered and where a gap could exist for you to fill.

Additionally, you should consider what trends exist in the plant world. Consider what locals are purchasing if you’re shopping for nursery stock.

Allocating Your Budget

Entrepreneurs need to invest money in order to start a plant shop. Therefore, plant businesses should think about several potential costs before opening any type of plant store, including:

• Construction of greenhouses
• Irrigation systems
• Business license and permission
• Space rental
• Plantation sources
• Tools & equipment required
• Online platforms
• Hiring employees
• Marketing and advertising
• Other supplies

You may save money by doing your own bookkeeping and customer management. That means you’ll need to set up:

• An accountancy system
• A customer relationship management database
• A project management system of some kind
• A business bank account

Business owners should consider the POS system while making plans for the plant shops. With the most complete POS app available, ConnectPOS will assist in integrating your sales channels. Additionally, to assist with data synchronization across digital and offline shops, it also enables your clients to simplify the payment process.

Enhance Your Plant Care Skill

Before you invest a lot of money, do your research. Purchase books and magazines about plants. Examine various locations’ plant nursery setups, talk to other nursery owners, and join professional organizations.

Work with your local Small Business Center to learn about hiring procedures and other aspects of running a small plant business. Attend seminars, and classes, and learn everything you can about how to grow and cultivate plants.

New to gardening? Learn these 5 gardening tips for beginners .

Begin Promoting Your Plant Business

Consider creating a batch of unique business cards or fliers to put off around your neighborhood if you’re working with an in-person company, such as selling plants, where you’ll be at your client’s premises.

You should also consider:

• Making a website
• Taking stunning product photographs
• Creating social media accounts

Don’t forget to create a marketing plan, or you risk having one hand in all the marketing cookie jars.

2. Choosing Your Plant Care Services

Plant care can be divided into three categories:

• Backyard growers sell their plants, and they typically hold many monthly garage sales in their front yards.
• Retail nurseries are often smaller businesses that sell plants mostly to homeowners.
• Wholesale nurseries are often bigger operations that grow plants and sell to municipalities, growers, retail stores, and landscape architects.

Based on your knowledge, time availability, and desire to work on your plants full- or part-time, decide what sort of plant nursery you want to create.

3. Starting A Backyard Nursery

Acquire the proper gardening tools.

If you have a green thumb, you may already have several of the essential gardening equipment to grow plants. Nevertheless, you should get any items you don’t currently have. If you’re going to be planting a lot, invest in a wheelbarrow so you can easily transfer the dirt according to the plants you’re cultivating.

Concentrate On 1-2 Plants Only

Your location and the climate there will affect the plants you decide to cultivate in your garden whether indoors or outdoor plants, so only select a minimum of two or three plant species that you are enthusiastic about.

Choose plants you are familiar with cultivating and that you believe will be well-liked by your neighborhood’s plant lovers. Invest in seeds, then sow them. As your plants grow, be sure to check in daily to give each plant the water, sunlight, and attention it needs.

Advertise Your Sales Online And In Your Community

Create a straightforward advertisement with the date, time, and place of future deals. Include a few pictures and the name of your own nursery. At least one week before a sale, post to local Facebook groups, Facebook Marketplace, and your other social media platforms.

Consider placing some advertising in your local newspaper or on its radio stations if you believe there are many potential customers there.

To let people know when you’re having a sale, print some flyers with the same information and put them up throughout your neighborhood to gain more loyal customers.

New to online advertising? Here are some digital marketing strategies your business might be missing out on.

Set Your Plant Prices

Even though plant prices might vary greatly depending on the species, you should base your pricing on local demand while also taking the cost of cultivating the plants into consideration.

Look at nearby flower shops and plant shops or the local garden center to see how much they sell plants for to get an idea of the market demand locally.

If you can undercut them and still make money, do it to make a significant entrance into the local market.

Revise Your Business Plan

Interact with your customers when you’re selling. Talk about what they’d want to see in the future, and offer out your business card or brochures with your contact information.

When you’ve finished selling your plants, total your profits and decide what to do next depending on your feedback from your existing customers and the money you made.

Top tip: Don’t adjust your prices if you sell out and are satisfied with your profit margin to encourage loyal customers to buy more plants. Otherwise, increase them to increase revenue or decrease them to increase inventory sales. Use additional promotions to spread the word if you’re underselling and can’t permanently cut your rates any further.

4. Running Retail Nurseries

Renting your own space.

Start by looking for business properties in your neighborhood that are available for rent or purchase. When searching, keep your budget in mind and request that realtors and brokers show you rooms with plenty of natural light and ventilation.

Once you’ve rented a place, start to work organizing your area and ordering basic supplies.

Top tip: Do not rent spaces with carpets. You’ll be watering your plants to keep them healthy, and it’s impossible to keep carpeting from growing mold and generating a horrible and unpleasant odor if it’s constantly moist.

Plant Your Seeds In A Separate Spot

Purchase your seeds from reliable suppliers. When your plants reach maturity, dig around each one and remove it from the ground using gardening tools. Before placing the plants out for sale, if you have a storefront, bring the ones you want to sell and put them there in attractive pots.

Attractive pots are our forte . In fact, our wholesale planters are above-class in durability, function, and beauty.

Learn more about Jay Scotts

Purchase More Plants And Supplies

When your store opens, you’ll need to hold some plant shows or start advertising your products and services. Purchase plants from the categories you can’t or won’t cultivate.

Buy some gardening equipment, pots, and soil from wholesalers in case your customers require them. Retail stores typically sell these items as well.

Related article: Best Potting Soil for Indoor Plants !

Hiring Employees

To save money when you are setting up, think about having the assistance of family members and friends. You’ll have an idea of your cash flow after you open.

Running a plant nursery by yourself is also possible, especially if you have a small operation

Adjust Prices And Refocus Your Efforts

If succulents are selling out quickly, change your growing practices to make room for additional succulents. Conversely, stop growing cactus plants if you can’t sell any. Depending on your sales, change your prices and nursery stock.

5. Starting Wholesale Nurseries

Contact nearby flower shops, retailers, and vendors.

Inform the local companies that you are opening a plant nursery by getting in touch with them. Ask them whether they’d be interested in doing business with you if you know that you’re going to concentrate on a particular species or type of plant. Ask what these shops and merchants have problems getting their hands on if you’re not sure what you’re going to cultivate.

Sign Agreements With Nearby Companies

Create a contract by writing it yourself or getting a lawyer to do it for you. Include your pricing for each sale, your duties, and any delivery instructions.

Wholesale contracts are often very valuable, so protect yourself by having a buyer sign them after they’ve committed to buying from you.

Create A Nursery Space And watch Your Plants’ Grow

The first batch of plants may take anything from a week to six months to grow, depending on what you’re planting. Plan 2-3 distinct nursery locations to grow in intervals so that you may transport your plants just before your customers need a new supply.

Top tip: Never underplant. Whether it’s due to the environment, pool pest control, or the weather, you’ll lose some of your plant stock over time. Have a few extra plants on hand as a backup.

Check out our article on 5 Best Tips For Indoor Plant Care .

Attend Local Garden Centers And Plant Shows

Attend local plant displays and conventions whenever possible to network with other farmers and potential customers.

Give your business card out and try to make as many connections as you can. This is a simple technique to make sure you’re advertising your plant nursery services to the most potential clients.

6. Starting A Landscape And Interior Design Service

Because plants really do make the world more beautiful, more and more people and business owners are using indoor gardening to make their spaces seem better. This may be the ideal company for you if you have a talent for creating exquisite indoor plant arrangements.

You’ll design plant displays to connect a space as part of your indoor landscaping business. Even better, combine your gardening and maintenance offerings to convert one-time clients into devoted patrons.

Lack of ideas for your business? take a look at our blog on 10 Outdoor Designs and Commercial Landscaping Ideas .

About The Market

Commercial clients will pay you more money and need less driving time than residential clients, especially if you sign up with big enterprises, office parks, or buildings where you can serve a large number of clients at once.

Restaurants, hotels, and institutions are also potential targets. Deliver brochures by hand to potential clients. Place adverts in the local newspaper, or even establish a referral network at garden centers and nurseries to get started.

All you actually need are soil probes (normal size and maybe a 4-footer for those tall indoor palms), watering cans, a pair of plant snippers, chemical insecticides, plant fertilizers, and a trustworthy car to get you around.

You will also need to prepare:

• Your company name. Pick one that is pertinent to your company and will make your company stand out.
• A business permit.
• You may advertise with business cards, flyers, or, if you have a limited budget, in the newspaper or the Yellow Pages.
• You may build a website on a budget after you start earning a nice wage and, of course, let people know about your business.
• Participate in neighborhood activities to spread the word about your company.
• Dress professionally and be well-groomed by wearing uniforms. This shows prospects that you take your work seriously.

Most Profitable Trees to Grow for Maximum ROI

Japanese maples.

These trees are highly sought after for their vibrant colors and unique shapes. They can fetch anywhere from $25 to over $1,000 depending on size and variety.

Heritage Fruit Trees

Popular for their historical value and high yield, varieties like apples, peaches, and cherries are in demand. Dwarf varieties start producing quickly and can be sold in small containers.

These ornamental trees are valuable both indoors and outdoors. Prices range from $15 to over $2,000 depending on size and species.

Trees like walnuts, almonds, and pistachios provide valuable nuts and timber. They can be grown for either purpose, offering flexibility in profitability.

Bonsai Trees

These miniature trees are prized for their beauty and can be very lucrative, with prices ranging from $5 for young trees to over $1,250 for older, well-maintained specimens.

For more options, take a look at our list of 9 most profitable trees to grow

Most Profitable Plants to Grow Indoors

If you’re considering turning your passion for houseplants into a profitable business, choosing the right plants is crucial. Here are five of the most lucrative indoor plants to grow and sell:

Variegated Monstera

Why it’s Profitable:

• High Demand: Its unique, marbled leaf patterns are highly sought after.
• High Resale Value: Cuttings can fetch significant prices on platforms like Etsy.

Growing Tips:

• Humidity: Thrives in high humidity; mist regularly or use a humidifier.
• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light.
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Philodendron Tortum

• Striking Appearance: Its unique leaf structure appeals to collectors.
• High Market Price: Medium-sized plants often sell for around $400.
• Temperature: Prefers warm, humid environments.
• Light: Needs bright, indirect light.
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture without overwatering.

Monstera Thai Constellation

• Aesthetic Appeal: Known for its beautiful marble-like leaves.
• High Price Point: Fully grown plants can sell for up to $400.
• Light: Bright, indirect light is best.
• Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
• Support: Provide a stake or trellis for support as it grows.

Hoya Carnosa Compacta

• Popular for Hanging: Its dark green, curling leaves make it a popular hanging plant.
• Easy Propagation: Mature plants and cuttings both sell well.
• Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings.
• Propagation: Propagate easily from stem cuttings in well-drained soil.

Anthurium Crystallinum

• Visual Appeal: Valued for its large, glossy foliage with striking white veins.
• Market Value: Prices vary widely based on size and location, often high.
• Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Humidity: High humidity levels are crucial; mist regularly or use a humidifier.

For more options, take a look at this list of 12 Most Profitable Houseplants To Grow A Plant Business

Frequently Asked Questions

Smaller, backyard nurseries might make $7000 to $40,000 yearly. On a modest nursery scale, a potted plant may cost $1 while a specialty plant (such as a rare orchid) might cost $100s.

For large-scale nurseries, the yearly ranges range from $40,000 to $625,000. Large nurseries provide thousands of trees or acres of ground cover for sale. Japanese maples have been the most common plant in recent years.

You must obtain a license to sell plants that are listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act if they were collected after October 30, 1981. Additionally, a license is required for plants listed in Annex IVb of the EU Habitats Directive if they were collected after June 1994, which includes European protected species (EPS). For more detail, read the guidance on selling plants legally by GOV.UK

You can set up a plant nursery in your backyard, but you must obtain a business license and adhere to local regulations if you plan to sell plants or nursery products. Selling or distributing certain plants without a license is illegal.

In Canada, selling plants from home is legal, but you need to follow specific regulations:

• Invasive Species: Ensure the plants you sell are not invasive species listed by the CFIA.
• Plant Health: Plants must be healthy and free from pests and diseases.
• Permits and Certifications: Check if your plants require any permits or certifications.
• Local Regulations: Follow any additional municipal or provincial rules that may apply.

For detailed guidance, refer to the CFIA website or contact them directly.

In Florida, you need a license to sell plants. Here’s what you need to know:

• Nursery License: If you grow, sell, or distribute plants, you must obtain a nursery license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
• Stock Dealer Registration: If you are involved in buying or selling nursery stock, you need to register as a stock dealer.

These requirements ensure that plant sales comply with state regulations for plant health and business practices. For more details on obtaining these licenses or registrations, visit the FDACS website .

To sell plants in California, you must obtain a nursery license from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing when designing a garden aesthetic is using durable, reliable, and gorgeous planters.

Paired with your plants, our Jay Scotts professional-grade planters will ensure the happiness of your customers by offering a beautiful piece of functional decor that fits in any space or interior design. Using our planters, the botanic needs of your customers are met and exceeded.

Whether you’re supplying plants to homeowners or large commercial enterprises, Jay Scotts’ planters are ideal for any plant project big or small.

All of our planters come with an industry-leading warranty , highlighting our dedication to quality and the affordability of our fiberglass planters.

Want to offer our planters to your new customers? Contact us  today to learn more about the exciting opportunities our wholesale range can deliver!

Or better yet, give us a call and our sales consultants will be more than happy to walk you through any outstanding questions or requests you might have.

Join Our Wholesale Program Today!

• Get special discounts designed for industry experts
• Enjoy personalized support at every step
• Sample our top-quality products firsthand

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Plant Nursery

Back to All Business Ideas

Starting a Plant Nursery Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on January 6, 2022

Investment range

$2,050 - $105,100

Revenue potential

$70,000 - $1,000,000 p.a.

Time to build

6 – 12 months

Profit potential

$65,000 - $400,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Starting your plant nursery? Here are the most vital considerations:

• Location — Choose a location with suitable soil, water access, and sunlight for growing plants. Consider proximity to your target market. Construct greenhouses or shade houses to protect young plants and extend your growing season.
• Niche — Decide on the type of plants you want to specialize in, such as ornamental plants, native species, fruit trees, or succulents.
• Licenses — Depending on your location, you may need a nursery or plant dealer license . Check with your state’s agricultural department for specific requirements.
• Equipment — Invest in essential tools such as shovels, pruners, watering cans, and machinery like tractors or tillers if needed.
• Supplies — Stock up on soil, pots, fertilizers, and other growing supplies.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Staff — Employ individuals with expertise in horticulture and customer service. Provide ongoing training to ensure your staff can offer expert advice and maintain plant health.
• Partnerships — Collaborate with local landscapers, garden centers, and florists to expand your market reach and create mutually beneficial relationships.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your plant nursery business today!

You May Also Wonder:

Can a backyard plant nursery be profitable?

Absolutely! Planting and growing your offerings costs very little, so you can sell them for a large markup. You can even sell your plants at wholesale prices to large garden centers and make a healthy profit.

Do I need a license to have a plant nursery in my backyard?

Even a backyard nursery is a business, so depending on where you live, you may need business licenses and permits at the state and local levels. Check with your local governments for requirements.

How much space do I need to start a backyard plant nursery?

You can start a plant nursery with very little space. You’ll just be limited to the number of plants that you can grow. You can plant things like ground cover and produce a lot of plants in a small space. A 50 by 50-foot plot can hold up to 8000 ground cover plants pots.

What types of plants should I consider growing in my nursery?

The types of plants to consider growing in a nursery depend on factors such as the local market, climate, and customer preferences. Popular options include flowering plants, succulents, herbs, vegetable seedlings, shrubs, and trees.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a plant nursery has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Gratifying – Nurturing living things can bring great pleasure
• Excellent Profit – Profit margins on plants are high
• Backyard Opportunity – Start in your backyard for little money
• Seasonality – Depending on your location, you may have some downtimes
• Competition – You’ll face competition from big garden centers

Plant nursery industry trends

The nursery and garden store industry includes large garden centers as well as farm supply companies.

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – Market analyst IBISWorld values the US nursery and garden store industry at $42 billion in 2021, with an average annual growth of 2% since 2017.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ )) The plant and flower growing industry alone was valued at over $15 billion in 2020, an increase of over 7% from the previous year, according to market analyst Statista.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/1174498/plant-and-flower-growing-industry-market-size-us/ ))
• Growth forecast – Higher consumer spending on home improvements presents growth opportunities for the nursery and garden stores industry, according to IBISWorld.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/nursery-garden-stores-industry/ ))
• Number of businesses – There are almost 19,000 nursery and garden stores in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – Close to 145,000 people are employed in nursery and garden stores.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/nursery-garden-stores-united-states/ )) 

Trends and challenges

Some trends in the nursery industry include:

• The housing market affects the nursery industry since when people buy new homes they often invest in landscaping. Home sales are projected to be up almost 7% in 2022, according to Realtor.com, which is positive news for the nursery industry.
• Home gardening television shows have increased the popularity of landscaping, propelling the growth of the industry.

Some challenges also exist in the industry which include:

• Competition for US nurseries comes from cheaper imported plants. 
• The industry is affected by factors such as climate issues and infectious plant diseases.

How much does it cost to start a plant nursery business?

Startup costs range from about $2,000 to $100,000 or more. The low end represents starting a backyard nursery that sells plants to garden centers. You could also sell your plants to customers if you set up a small farm stand. The high end includes the cost of a down payment to buy or build a greenhouse and storefront. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your plant nursery business. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Shovels, trowels, pruners

How much can you earn from a plant nursery business?

Profit margins will be high for a backyard nursery, around 95%, even selling plants at wholesale prices to retail garden centers. The price you charge will vary based on the type of plants you grow but should average about $7. Your volume of sales will depend on the amount of space you have for growing, and how much space the type of plants you grow require.

In your first year or two, you could grow and sell 10,000 plants. That would mean $70,000 in revenue and over $65,000 in profit, assuming that 95% margin. As your brand gains recognition, you could purchase a greenhouse and storefront and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 40%. If you produce and sell 100,000 plants per year and sell them at retail prices that average $10, your expected annual revenue would be $1,000,000, and you would make about $400,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a plant nursery. Your biggest challenges will be:

• You either need to have enough land for growing, or spend a chunk of money on a greenhouse and storefront
• The climate where you live may make your business seasonal
• You need extensive knowledge about how to plant and grow various species

Related Business Ideas

Your Guide to Starting a Greenhouse Business

Launching Your Own Christmas Tree Farm

From Spores to Sales: Starting a Mushroom Farm

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a plant nursery, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research plant nurseries in your area to examine their products, price points, and customer reviews or what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a plant nursery that offers varietal ground cover plants.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry such as shrubbery.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your plant selection

You should decide first whether to specialize in certain types of plants or grow a wide variety. Your space should be a consideration since certain types of plants will require more space. Also consider how long it takes plants to grow. The faster they grow, the faster you can sell them. 

How much should you charge for plants?

Your prices will be dependent on the market for each specific type of plant. If you are selling to garden stores, your prices will be wholesale prices the stores are willing to pay. Your target profit margin should be high, around 95%.

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price point. Remember, the price you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will likely be either be homeowners or garden center managers. Either way, you can likely find those groups on Facebook or LinkedIn. 

Where? Choose your plant nursery location

If you are starting a backyard plant nursery, you’ll be running your business from home. If you are going to open a garden store, you’ll need a space with a greenhouse and a storefront.

When choosing a location for your plant nursery, here are the factors to consider:

• Proximity to Target Market – Choose a location close to your primary customers to minimize transportation costs and ensure fresh plant delivery.
• Soil Quality – Ensure the soil at the chosen location is fertile, well-draining, and free from diseases or pests, to support healthy plant growth.
• Access to Water – The nursery should be near a reliable water source, as regular and quality watering is vital for plant growth and health.
• Sunlight Exposure – Select a site with adequate sunlight since most plants require sunlight for photosynthesis and optimal growth.
• Protection from Extreme Elements – Choose a location that can be easily protected from harsh weather conditions, such as heavy winds or frost, to prevent plant damage.
• Ease of Access for Transpor t – Consider road connectivity and transport logistics to facilitate easy shipping of plants and receipt of supplies.
• Room for Expansion – Opt for a location with extra land or space, allowing for future expansion of the nursery as your business grows.
• Local Regulations and Zoning Laws – Ensure the chosen location adheres to local zoning laws and regulations related to land use, water rights, and business operations.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Plant Nursery Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “nursery” or “plant nursery”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Jim’s Nursery” over “Jim’s Shrubs”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Plant Nursery Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A concise summary outlining the key elements of the plant nursery business, including its mission, goals, and financial projections.
• Business Overview: An overview detailing the nature of the plant nursery business, its mission, vision, and the specific products it intends to offer.
• Product and Services: Clear description of the variety of plants and services the nursery will provide, emphasizing unique offerings or specialty items.
• Market Analysis: Thorough examination of the target market, including demographics, trends, and potential customer needs for plant-related products.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the plant nursery industry, highlighting strengths and weaknesses to inform the business’s competitive strategy.
• Sales and Marketing: Detailed plan outlining how the nursery will attract and retain customers, including pricing strategies, promotions, and marketing channels.
• Management Team: Introduction to the key individuals who will lead and manage the plant nursery, emphasizing relevant experience and skills.
• Operations Plan: A comprehensive outline of the day-to-day operations, including sourcing plants, managing inventory, and ensuring quality control.
• Financial Plan: A detailed financial forecast, including startup costs, revenue projections, and a break-even analysis, providing a clear picture of the business’s financial viability.
• Appendix: Additional supporting documents and information, such as resumes of key team members, market research data, or any other relevant details that enhance the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan yourself before, it can be an intimidating task. Consider hiring an experienced business plan writer to create a professional business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to plant nurseries. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your plant nursery will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Starting a backyard nursery shouldn’t require any financing, but if you want to open a garden center with a greenhouse, a bank loan will probably be your best option. Friends and family might also be a good possibility. 

Step 8: Apply for Plant Nursery Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a plant nursery business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments. Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as, health license and permit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level licenses and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements. 

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

For peace of mind and to save time, we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state, and provide them to you to make sure you’re fully compliant.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account . Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your plant nursery business as a sole proprietorship. 

Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability : The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property : Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance : Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation : Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property : Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto : Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability : Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) : This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You can use industry-specific software, such as epicor , acctivate , or Planting Nursery , to manage your plantings, inventory, billing, purchasing, and staff. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with local businesses, such as landscapers, garden centers, and home improvement stores, to cross-promote your plants and expand your customer base.
• Local SEO  — Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Educational Workshops: Host workshops on gardening, plant care, and landscaping to engage the community and position your nursery as a knowledgeable resource, fostering customer loyalty.
• Seasonal Promotions: Create seasonal promotions and discounts to attract customers during peak planting times and encourage repeat business throughout the year.
• Community Events Sponsorship: Sponsor local events or community festivals to increase brand visibility, enhance community relationships, and draw attention to your nursery.
• Loyalty Programs: Implement a loyalty program offering discounts or freebies for repeat customers, encouraging customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Social Media Engagement: Utilize social media platforms to showcase your plants, share gardening tips, and engage with your audience, building a loyal online community.
• Demo Gardens: Establish demo gardens at your nursery to allow customers to see mature plants in a natural setting, inspiring them to make purchases and providing practical ideas for their own gardens.
• Email Marketing: Build an email subscriber list to share newsletters, exclusive promotions, and gardening advice directly with your audience, keeping your nursery top-of-mind.
• Customized Plant Bundles: Offer curated plant bundles for specific gardening needs, making it easier for customers to create cohesive and attractive landscapes.
• Customer Testimonials: Showcase success stories and testimonials from satisfied customers, instilling confidence in your nursery’s quality and expertise.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your plant nursery meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your plant nursery business could be:

• Organically grown plants to beautify your lawn
• Varietal ground covers to accent your yard
• Lovingly homegrown flowers to brighten your curb appeal

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a plant nursery business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in plant nurseries for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in plant nurseries. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small with a backyard nursery, you may not need any employees. But if you purchase a greenhouse and store you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a plant nursery business would include:

• Gardeners – plant and care for plants
• Store Clerks – make sales, customer service
• General Manager – order supplies, staff management, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media, other marketing

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Plant Nursery – Start Making Money!

If you have a love of gardening, starting your own plant nursery will be a great way to do what you love and make a healthy profit at the same time. Plant nurseries are a $42 billion industry and can be very lucrative ventures. 

You can start in your own backyard with just a few tools and your green thumb, and eventually purchase your own greenhouse and storefront. Now that you know what’s involved in starting a plant nursery, you’re ready to start your entrepreneurial journey and plant your way to success! 

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Plant Nursery Name
• Create a Plant Nursery Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Plant Nursery Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Plant Nursery - Start Making Money!

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How to Start a Plant Nursery in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   January 17, 2024

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The plant nursery industry hit a benchmark of $10,224.59 million in 2022 . With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% evaluated from 2022 to 2028, now is a great time to dip your toe in the water.

You may have noticed the empty storefronts and vacant lots around your neighborhood and wondered if a plant nursery could thrive there. The good news is that starting a plant nursery business doesn’t require huge upfront costs or investments. With some key planning around inventory, staffing, and marketing, you can launch and grow a successful nursery.

This guide explains how to start a plant nursery. It offers insight into topics such as registering an EIN, obtaining business insurance, forming a legal business entity as an LLC, and more. Here’s everything to know about retail nurseries.

1. Conduct Plant Nursery Market Research

Market research is essential to opening wholesale nurseries, small nurseries, or really any sort of floral business . It provides details about where to purchase plants, top tools to grow plants, the best platforms to sell plants, and information on your target market.

Some details you’ll learn through market research among successful nurseries include:

• The top revenue-driving customer segment is homeowners enhancing their home’s curb appeal with plants, trees, and flowers.
• The housing market boom has led to more existing home sales, driving further growth for plant nurseries as new homeowners invest in landscaping.
• While demand is consistent across regions, you’ll want to research state-specific trends and customer demographics to select an optimal location.
• The southern Atlantic region has the most nursery stock in production according to the USDA, pointing to higher business costs but also more customers.
• Research zoning laws, weather patterns, competitive saturation, and population data for your shortlist of locales.
• Focus your initial inventory on the most popular flowers and plants in your area based on regional climate and buyer preferences. You can further specialize over time in native plants, roses, trees, etc.
• Connect with your state’s nursery association such as the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association for insights on key growth areas and inventory guidance.
• Trade shows like Cultivate also help you spot emerging plant trends.

Leveraging this industry analysis and customizing for your locale sets you up for success – now it’s time to put down roots and start growing your plant nursery!

2. Analyze the Competition

Starting a plant nursery requires careful analysis of your brick-and-mortar and online competition. Understanding the competition helps you understand the local market and what it takes to build a successful plant nursery.

Some ways to learn about local competitors include:

• Walk through nurseries within a 20-mile radius of your potential location to gauge product selection, pricing, promotions, store design, and customer service.
• Take photos for later reference, jot down notes, and consider posing as a mystery shopper.
• Look up each location’s website and social media presence as you visit in person, taking note of followers and engagement.
• Review sites like Yelp to see customer commentary about competitors, including areas needing improvement you can capitalize on and strengths to emulate or outperform.
• Search for media coverage of local nurseries as well to spot inventory uniqueness, events, community involvement, and any recognition that builds customer trust.
• Look for clues on sourcing special or exotic plants and trees that set them apart.
• Many nurseries now offer e-commerce for remote buying and pickup/delivery.
• Review photos, product descriptions, shipping costs, delivery timelines, prices, and digital presence for these e-tailers who may steal local customers.
• Compile your competitive research into a grid detailing location, website, social following, product range, pricing, events/services, strengths, weaknesses, and any gaps you could fill with your differentiated offerings.
• Use this intel to shape your business plan around ideal inventory, events/services, community involvement opportunities, and leveraging digital channels to stand out.

This 360-degree view arms you with everything needed to grow a thriving plant nursery in your area. Now it’s time to dig in and nurture your competitive advantage!

3. Costs to Start a Plant Nursery Business

Launching a profitable plant nursery requires careful planning and analysis of both initial start-up costs as well as ongoing operating expenses. Understanding realistic budgets in the planning phase sets your business up for financial viability down the line. Let’s explore typical costs to factor into your nursery’s forecasts.

Start-Up Costs

Before even buying your first seed, significant upfront investments build out your nursery’s physical structure and acquire the prerequisite inventory:

• Land Purchase/Lease – Leasing cropland or pastureland averages approximately $135 per acre annually. For a small operation, plan for 1-5 acres, translating to $3,500 – $15,000+ to buy or $135 – $675 per year to lease.
• Greenhouses – Typical per-square-foot costs range from $3-$8 according to industry reports, meaning a 1,000 sq. foot building would carry $3,000 – $8,000 in materials and labor. Glass covering pushes the price tag higher than plastic polymer options.
• Inventory – Perennials run around $2 – $8 per plant, shrubs $10 – $50, and trees nearing $100 or beyond depending on maturity and type. For a diverse starter crop of 500 plants, budget $2,500 – $5,000.
• Supplies – Outfitting your operation with propagation trays, pruning shears, fertilizers, carts, shade cloths, and other necessities results in upfront yet recurring expenses as items wear out. Expect approx. $3,000 initially.
• Permits/Licensing – Budget $500 – $1,500 covering these permits/licenses. Additionally, selling nursery stock requires a state nursery license costing ~$250 per year.

Ongoing Costs

Once built and planted, continuous costs keep your nursery growing season after season:

• Labor – Average hourly wages for nursery workers come in at around $12.20 according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics. For 3 full-time staff working 40-hour weeks year-round, plan for $175,000+ in annual compensation costs.
• Inventory – To keep showrooms stocked as plants sell, expect to reinvest 10-30% of sales revenue back into new inventory every year. Local conditions and best-sellers shift this fluctuating expenditure.
• Facilities – Electricity, irrigation infrastructure upkeep, equipment maintenance, and insurance premiums stack up in

Plant nurseries can be fairly expensive based on what you want in the beginning but it’s a more accessible business than some others in the agricultural space, such as cattle farms or hemp farms .

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

Deciding on the right legal structure establishes your nursery’s framework for liability protections, taxes, and operational flexibility. Weighing options like sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and LLCs (limited liability companies) allows customizing to your specific gardening venture. Let’s dig into key considerations for plant nurseries to inform your entity choice.

Sole Proprietorship

Sole proprietors report business income/losses on personal returns, avoiding corporate taxes. This simplicity suits nurseries with one owner decentralizing control. However, founders assume unlimited financial liability, placing personal assets at risk. Sole proprietors also struggle to attract investors to scale.

Partnership

General or limited partnerships enable multiple owners to combine resources and expertise under a shared business vision. This joint accountability and tax pass-through approach works for small nurseries, yet unlimited liability gives some partners pause. Disagreements can also muddy decision-making compared to central ownership models.

Corporation

Establishing a C corporation creates a distinct legal entity protecting owners’ assets if the company faces lawsuits or debts. Many nurseries, however, are small “pass-through” entities where corporate taxes apply on company earnings, then shareholders also owe taxes on distributed dividends. This double taxation hinders bootstrapped operations.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

For most plant nurseries, forming an LLC blending aspects of partnerships, corporations, and sole proprietors proves the best option. LLCs limit founders’ financial liabilities without double taxation. You get flexibility around management structure and equity sharing attractive to partners and investors.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

With your LLC formed, next up is obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS to identify your nursery for federal tax purposes. This unique nine-digit number functions like a business equivalent to your SSN.

Thankfully securing an EIN takes just minutes online. Simply navigate to the IRS EIN Assistant site and select “View Additional Types” under “Apply Online Now”. Choose “View Additional Types including Non-Profit/Tax-Exempt Organizations and Agriculture (Farmers/Ranchers)” and then select “Nursery” from the business category dropdown.

Answer eligibility questions like ownership structure and address details. Specify whether you need the EIN solely for federal taxes or also require state tax ID numbers used in California, Kentucky, New Jersey, and a few other locales. These state tax IDs support reseller permits, sales tax exemptions, and employer registrations.

Upon submitting your EIN application, an IRS representative connects via video conference to verify your identity and ownership documents. Once approved, your EIN appears immediately onscreen for downloading/printing alongside the next steps for reporting payroll taxes, income, expenses, etc.

If only need a federal EIN, the online process takes less than 15 minutes with no fees. For those needing integrated state tax IDs, some states charge nominal admin fees around $20-$30.

6. Setup Your Accounting

With your nursery underway, properly tracking finances and taxes becomes essential for profitability and IRS compliance. Implementing small business accounting best practices from the start prevents headaches down the road as your customer base blooms.

Open a Business Bank Account

Start by separating personal and business finances. Open a dedicated business checking account ensuring all nursery income flows through this account, retaining paperwork for deposits. Likewise, pay all nursery expenses via the business account. Comingling finances triggers tax nightmares.

Accounting Software

Leverage streamlined accounting software like QuickBooks to categorize income and costs. Connect bank/credit card accounts for automated data syncing. QuickBooks helps track plant inventory, sales, payroll, and fixed and variable expenses in easy-to-reference financial reports complying with IRS rules. Plans start around $25/month with discounts for annual subscriptions.

Hire an Accountant

Consider retaining an accountant to handle payroll, taxes, financial statements, and balancing your books. Expect fees between $200 and $800 monthly depending on the level of involvement. At minimum enlist help preparing year-end nursery profit/loss statements and tax documents.

Rates often range from $500 – $2,500 annually but prevent mistakes raising IRS red flags. Having auditor-ready books also proves useful when applying for small business loans to grow your budding operation.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

With your LLC formed and finances set up, securing requisite licenses and permits lets you operate fully above board as an accredited plant nursery business. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

For starters, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program mandates permits for monitoring water use/runoff around your nursery. Monitor discharge from greenhouse irrigation and chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides entering storm drains or local watersheds. General NPDES Permits for pesticide applications cost $500 initially with $250 annual renewals depending on nursery size and impact.

Nearly every state also oversees specialized nursery registrations and certifications beyond sales tax licensing. For instance in Oregon, complete a Certified Nursery License through the Oregon Department of Agriculture for just $260 annually. This demonstrates compliance with quarantine and growing standards for nursery stock bought/sold across state lines.

Some counties also require Agricultural Operation Registration linking your nursery business details to land-use codes and water regulations. For example, Santa Barbara County charges around $200 to register and then $50 for annual renewals.

Additionally, many locations enforce Clean Air Act compliance via Air Quality Permits regulating greenhouse smokestack emissions from natural gas heaters. Expect one-time application fees of up to $5,000+ covering onsite inspections and equipment assessments before approval.

Finally, confirm local building permits, fire codes, and zoning laws for any greenhouse construction, particularly involving electrical, lighting, ventilation, or temperature control infrastructure on commercial nursery properties.

8. Get Business Insurance

Business insurance shields your nursery from unforeseen costs stemming from property damage, customer injuries, employee incidents, and other liabilities that could otherwise bankrupt your growing operation.

Without coverage, severe weather destroying greenhouses or spoiling inventory plants could cost tens if not hundreds of thousands in repairs and replacement vegetation. Customer injuries from tripping over hoses or getting struck by falling pottery generate towering medical bills and lawsuit settlements without protection. Even a workplace injury to one of your groundskeepers brings major financial risk.

Start shopping for customized policies after officially registering your nursery’s EIN. Coverage areas to evaluate include:

• General Liability – Protects against customer bodily injury or property damage claims on your premises with $1 million minimum limits. Costs approximately $600 annually.
• Product Liability – Covers damages or harm stemming from selling mislabeled plants, toxic fertilizers, etc. Adds 10-15% onto premiums.
• Property – Reimburses cost to repair/replace inventory, structures, and nursery equipment after incidents like fires, frozen pipe leaks, or theft. Typically runs $500+ annually pending property value.
• Workers Compensation – Federally mandated for businesses with employees, this covers lost wages, medical care, etc for workplace injuries. Varies widely based on state, payroll size, and job duties but expect a minimum of $1,500 per year.

Package policies with higher deductibles help cut down on premiums initially. An independent insurance broker also tailors protection across multiple carriers. Investing in adequate coverage gives added peace of mind so you can focus on raising your healthy nursery.

9. Create an Office Space

While much of your nursery operation stays outdoors nurturing inventory, securing some indoor administrative space proves essential for daily planning, meetings, and avoiding distractions. Weigh options like home offices, retail spaces, or coworking sites to best suit your budget.

Home Office

Launching from a spare bedroom or basement keeps costs minimal – often $100-200 for a desk and office basics. Home offices also enable proximity for popping back to quickly answer emails between tending plants outside. Just beware of distractions from kids, pets, or housework that hamper productivity. Ensure your homeowner’s insurance covers business use of the space.

Coworking Space

Shared coworking spaces like WeWork provide office amenities with more professional meeting space for sales calls and investor meetings. Open desk memberships start around $300 monthly and private offices from $600 per month.

Coworking also brings networking opportunities with other small business owners. Just confirm coworking locations comply with all insurance/zoning requirements for plant-related businesses.

Commercial Office

Renting modest commercial office space enables the most flexibility for your administrative needs. Expect to pay $20+ per square foot in most markets, making this better for established nurseries. Commercial offices also give dedicated room for clerks handling paperwork and sales calls. Weigh lengthy leases against more flexibility offered by monthly coworking space memberships.

10. Source Your Equipment

A thriving plant nursery needs more than just seedlings and sprouts – the right equipment also proves essential. Whether buying new or used, or temporarily renting, numerous options exist for outfitting your operation without breaking the bank.

While buying shiny new gear seems attractive when launching, premium prices strain startup budgets. Still, some key equipment merits new investments for durability like commercial steel greenhouse frameworks from manufacturers like Rough Brothers averaging $15-$25 per square foot.

Buying Used

Gently used equipment offers major savings for many non-structural elements like watering cans, hauling carts, generators, or propagation lighting rigs. Scout deals on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for local deals. Budget about 50-75% less than new equivalents. Verify desired supply volumes before acquiring to confirm capacity.

Rent specialized soil aerators, debris removal tools, commercial wood chippers, and other seasonal use equipment as needed. Weekly rental rates around $100-500 per unit prove cheaper than buying outright. Useful for supplementary projects without adding permanent toolshed clutter.

Lease-to-own financing spreads equipment costs over monthly payments rather than huge upfront payouts. This helps launch nurseries access essentials like solar panels, expensive irrigation infrastructure, and greenhouse environmental controls while slowly building ownership equity. Just confirm all maintenance requirements and buyout terms before signing longer-term agreements spanning years.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Cultivating a recognizable brand helps your nursery blossom amid fierce competition. Defining visual identities, contact tools and digital properties sets the foundation for marketing everything your operation grows.

Getting a Business Phone Number

Centralize calls via a dedicated business phone number instead of relying on personal mobiles. Services like RingCentral offer toll-free and local number options with professional voicemail greetings starting at $30 monthly. Automatic call routing also forwards calls seamlessly when out of the office tending to gardens.

Creating a Logo and Brand Assets

A polished logo encapsulates your nursery’s personality while making memorable first impressions on social channels and signage. Looka’s logo generator crafts custom icons, monograms, and other designs tailored to gardening for $20.

From your logo, create complementary letterheads, color palettes, and fonts for websites, business cards, and brochures. Matching assets establish visual continuity. Opt for earthy green, floral color pops mirroring the vibrancy of your botanical wares.

Business Cards and Signage

Business cards offer portable opportunities to spread brand familiarity during industry events, deliveries, or client meetings. VistaPrint’s budget 500 card order costs under $20.

Window signage and custom metal/wood plaques also make retail nursery storefronts shine. Promote grand openings, and seasonal sales and highlight your brand for drive-by visibility that establishes community trust.

Purchasing a Domain Name

Your domain becomes the digital “storefront” for customers discovering your website. The .com version of your nursery’s name proves important for SEO and memorability. Use domain sites like Namecheap for affordability at under $15 annually.

Building a Website

While beginners can launch sites via Wix’s drag-and-drop builder for free, hiring web developers on Fiverr costs only $5+ per basic informational page if seeking premium plant e-commerce functionality.

As your nursery grows, ensure branding keeps pace through scalable logos, contact tools, and an online home spreading your roots far and wide.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Expanding your professional network with fellow green thumbs unlocks invaluable mentorship, troubleshooting advice, and industry secrets as you grow your nursery. Tap local associations, trade events, and online communities to plant seeds for long-term support.

Local Associations

State-level nursery and landscape associations like the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association , and Oregon Association of Nurseries provide critical networking. Browse educational conferences, certification courses, and member directories to discover mentors. Annual dues average $500.

Local Meetups

Attend home and garden shows like the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival or Santa Rosa Harvest Fair to connect in person with other nurseries and suppliers. Chat up stall neighbors while scouting displays for inventory inspiration. Use Meetup to find more informal plant swaps and garden tours as well.

Facebook Groups

Thousands of niche Facebook communities create space for troubleshooting, advice, and inspiration between events. For instance, the Greenhouse Tech Team and Greenhouses & Gardens groups share thousands of collective years of growing plants. Post questions to tap collective wisdom on boosting your yields and operations.

13. How to Market a Plant Nursery Business

Effective marketing helps your nursery business bloom year-round by raising awareness and attracting new customers. Leveraging digital channels, community events and customer referrals keeps your operation top of mind across every season.

Referral Rewards

Promoting any small business presents challenges, but luckily plant lovers boast one of the most enthusiastic customer bases who readily share brands they love. Satisfied shoppers proudly showcasing their gardens make exceptional brand advocates. Offer referral rewards like 10% off their next purchase for every new customer they bring your way. Word of mouth goes far.

Digital Marketing

You can also foster digital growth through:

• Google Ads – Target local searches for terms like “flower nursery” and “landscaping plants”. Expect to pay $2+ per click.
• Facebook/Instagram Ads – Create beautiful social campaigns showcasing inventory. Focus ad sets on gardeners within a 25-mile radius.
• YouTube Channel – Publish weekly vlogs sharing planting tips and virtual nursery tours to build subscribers over time.
• Blogging – Craft SEO-optimized blogs around topics like “Best Shade Perennials” for site traffic.
• Email Newsletters – Send monthly availability updates, specials, and growing advice to contacts.

Traditional Marketing

Don’t overlook traditional approaches either:

• Direct Mailers – Distribute catalogs and fliers to local homes highlighting seasonal plants. Expect at least $0.50 per piece.
• Flyers – Place eye-catching promotional flyers on community boards at local garden centers and hardware stores.
• Radio Spots – 15-second radio ads on local gardening shows raise awareness affordably.
• Billboards – While pricier, roadside digital boards attract drive-by notice.

Track impression volumes, clicks, and conversion rates across efforts to refine your marketing mix over time. As your most successful channels take root, increase spending to accelerate nursery growth. Leverage any built-in audiences and prosecutorial knowledge to establish your nursery as the foremost regional authority.

14. Focus on the Customer

While lush gardens begin from tiny seeds, thriving plant nurseries stem from cultivated customer relationships nurtured through exceptional service. How you make shoppers feel while browsing inventory directly impacts sales and referrals.

Create a welcoming retail environment for self-service shoppers to dig through your diverse plant offerings. Greet everyone who enters and offer personalized guidance identifying specimens suiting their landscaping vision or gardening skill level.

Make suggestions for outdoor layouts and complementary plantings to express expertise. Share tips on proper sunlight, watering needs, and blooming timelines to set expectations.

When customers require special ordering for rare finds, expedite requests promptly and update timelines transparently to exceed expectations. Follow up post-purchase to ensure desired growth while troubleshooting any issues that arise.

Leverage your customer’s passion for gardening to request social shares when seedlings mature into jaw-dropping garden focal points. Enable people to easily tag your brand across platforms when posting plant pictures.

Providing exceptional assistance through every stage of the customer lifecycle – from initial questions to years of accumulated growth – roots your nursery in community hearts and wallets for the long haul.

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How to Start a Plant Nursery

A plant nursery grows plants from seeds or saplings to the size that most gardeners, landscapers, or larger retail distributors desire for installation into lawns, backyard gardens, floral borders, and other indoor or outdoor areas.

A successful nursery offers a wide variety of young plants to their customers who purchase the plants individually or in bulk quantities. The quality, selection, and size of the products produced by the nursery will be dictated by the demographics of their location. Often, a nursery’s selection is also influenced by business relationships the owner has established with major landscaping businesses. Some nurseries will specialize in trees, decorative growing art such as bonsai, or water features and associated plant life. Additional services often offered by some nurseries include garden design, hardscaping supplies, and mulch/soil delivery.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee. Northwest ($29 + State Fees) DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a plant nursery by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Plant Nursery
• Form your Plant Nursery into a Legal Entity
• Register your Plant Nursery for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Plant Nursery
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Plant Nursery
• Get Plant Nursery Insurance
• Define your Plant Nursery Brand
• Create your Plant Nursery Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your plant nursery. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Plant Nursery Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by godaddy.com, what are the costs involved in opening a plant nursery.

Location will significantly affect your start-up costs as you need a decent amount of land, and an urban site will be priced significantly higher than an existing rural farm. Greenhouses can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 depending on size, whether or not it will be heated, require electricity and how you have it plumbed. Your retail storefront will require another $50,000 investment minimum and your start-up plants, soil, and supplies will run you another $10,000 to $50,000. It is a labor intensive start-up, and payroll should be part of your initial business plan.

What are the ongoing expenses for a plant nursery?

Payroll, water, chemicals, and inventory are your largest expenses. When scouting locations, you may wish to investigate the use of private wells versus municipal water supplies to lower operating costs.

Who is the target market?

Depending on your locale, you may want to target landscapers who maintain elite properties indoors and outdoors for the wealthy homeowner. Municipalities will purchase large amounts of trees and plants on an annual basis. If you are situated in a suburban setting with high foot traffic, you may cater more to the homeowner who wants to develop their own vegetable plot or flowering landscaping.

How does a plant nursery make money?

While specialty plants such as orchids or rare trees and shrubs may be sold for a much higher price than a flat of tomato plants, a profitable nursery makes its money by selling large quantities of familiar, hardy, easy-to-grow plants. Perennials, common trees such as maple and pine, and landscaping hedges require little attention to grow. This means that they will not take many of your resources to care for, and they are more likely to be purchased by your customers. Having enough product and satisfactory customer service will encourage your clients to return.

Plants are sold from $1 per pot to several hundred dollars for unique and exotic specimens of trees. Prices can be adjusted upward in wealthier neighborhoods.

How much profit can a plant nursery make?

Your profit will depend on scale and location. Successful nurseries can see an annual cash flow anywhere from $40,000 to $625,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Determine which plants are in the greatest demand and focus on providing enough of them to fulfill your customers' needs. Follow that up by introducing species that have a low wholesale purchase price and require the least amount of attention to attain their retail size in order to maximize return on your investment.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your plant nursery is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they're a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business's debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business's liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your plant nursery were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We've negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

Form Your LLC Now

Note: If you're interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a plant nursery. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Labor safety requirements

It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements .

Certificate of Occupancy

Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location :
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a plant nursery business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
• If you plan to purchase or build a location :
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your plant nursery business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Plant Nursery needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Plant Nursery.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a plant nursery

Check out your region for flower and garden shows. Create a stunning display and work the crowd for the weekend. For routine marketing, direct mail flyers promoting the next season's available plants work as great reminders. In order to establish a new relationship with a commercial landscaper, you may wish to offer samples so the quality of your plant can be experienced in a real application.

How to keep customers coming back

Marketing pushes must be timed with the seasons. While holidays are great for selling a rose bush, your large customers are planning their purchases a month before they are planting a new garden. Personal contact with your larger companies help to keep your phone number at the top of their contact list. Homeowners look for specials in early spring and fall. Having the flowers, soil, and conditioners they are seeking in stock will help to build repeat business as they can rely on you.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is best suited for someone who enjoys learning about and practicing the cultivation of plants. Nursery owners should also like sharing this knowledge with others. The right person for the job will also have solid business skills, an appreciation for the agricultural life, and a real interest in providing information and support for their local gardeners.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a plant nursery?

As the owner/operator of a plant nursery, you need to be prepared to:

• Care for a wide variety of plants in various stages of growth
• Work a farmer's schedule from dawn to dusk
• Maintain large greenhouses or acres of irrigated growing flats
• Apply herbicides/pesticides to control disease and pests
• Determine which and how many plants of each variety should be grown to meet demand without waste
• Maintain retail storefront for sales to local gardeners
• Carry out basic accounting/money handling
• Maintain sufficient staff to care for plants and customers
• Establish relationships with wholesalers to both buy and sell product
• Provide information and support for your local customers

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful plant nursery?

You need an excellent understanding of maintaining commercial greenhouses and supporting healthy plants. You should also have solid understanding of accounting and retail business practices that can help you decipher fluctuations in supply and demand in order to maintain profits through changes in the economy and customer base. An ability to build positive business relationships will also aid your growth in the business.

What is the growth potential for a plant nursery?

Through aggressive networking and the building of a large customer base of wealthy commercial clients, a plant nursery can continue to expand its operation as long as there is additional acreage to cultivate or build additional greenhouses on. Popular nurseries often open multiple locations in a region when they've achieved positive name recognition among landscaping and construction companies.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a plant nursery?

Do your demographic research before breaking ground on a new nursery. If you don't know if your potential customers are going to buy a thousand trees or a thousand pots of pansies, you will waste time and money growing plants that nobody is going to buy. Reach out to gardening clubs, growers associations, and commercial clients to develop a plan for your first three harvests. If you live in the north, you need to start planning your growing season right after the New Year in order to grab advanced sales when the planting season begins.

How and when to build a team

You will need your staff as soon as you start receiving seed, soil, and pots. Most of the labor involved in a nursery is in the growing of the plants, not the selling. Emptying your storefront is really the easy part. You will want to hire individuals who are willing to get dirty, do lots of heavy lifting, love working with the earth, and are interested in building relationships with your customers.

Read our plant nursery hiring guide to learn about the different roles a plant nursery typically fills, how much to budget for employee salaries, and how to build your team exactly how you want it.

Useful Links

Truic resources.

• TRUiC's Plant Nursery Hiring Guide

Industry Opportunities

• Nurseries and Garden Centers Businesses for Sale

Real World Examples

• Flora Grubb Gardens
• Campbell’s Greenhouses
• English Gardens

Further Reading

• How to Start a Profitable Backyard Plant Nursery
• 20+ Plant Nursery and Garden Center Tips

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Garden Nursery Business Plan Example

Published Aug.31, 2014

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Cynthia Turner

Average rating 3.8 / 5. Vote count: 15

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Table of Content

Nursery garden business plan for starting your own business

The plant and greenhouse industry is blooming! IBIS World reports $40 billion in 2018 sales, an enormous number with plenty of room to grow. The sales figures include stock, bedding and garden plants, sod, mushrooms, flowering foliage in pots, and many other products.

Of particularly good news for the budding entrepreneur who is intending to open a new operation is the fact the average horticulture operation has higher sales than the average U.S. farm. This is an industry ripe for innovation whether through the use of technology or through creative thinking. The first step towards startup is the development of a customized, professional nursery garden business plan.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

People appreciate nice landscapes around homes, apartments, and commercial buildings. They want well-kept parks, nicely maintained natural preserves, and highways bordered with hardy sod and local wildflowers. As the green movement grows, there is also a demand for more products like native varieties which require less watering and care, and plants that offer other benefits like high oxygen production and soil anchoring.

2.2 Management

The business plan for plant nursery will address the ”hows and whys” of the operation. It should include all information relevant to startup that will guide decision-making, keep the company on track to fulfill its mission, and entice investors or lenders. Typical company information includes:

The experience level of the entrepreneur and other managers is critical because this is a highly specialized industry catering to well-defined markets. Whereas most consumers and commercial operations need paper, for example, the products sold by the operation are directed at a segmented market.

2.3 Customers

The overall theme of the nursery will influence the product line. Will the nursery cater to customers who want native plants to create natural ecosystems, green products suitable for particular climate zones, a variety of landscaping items, and/or indoor foliage? Will other items be offered for sale too, like flower pots, garden tools and decorations, and fertilizers?

2.4 Target of the Company

These are a few of the topics covered in the enterprise proposal. Developing the project is a critical first step towards successful startup. The process ensures the entrepreneur has carefully thought through critical details. The finished document can also be used to support requests for funding or financing from private investors, financial institutions, and government agencies.

Company Summary

3.1 company owning.

Garden nurseries can be started in areas that are suitably zoned. The entrepreneur should demonstrate that land use regulations are researched and appropriate licenses obtained. The entrepreneur may need funding for land purchase and building and greenhouse construction. Nurseries need an irrigation system, storage buildings, heavy equipment for moving and delivering inventory, a warehouse, sales office, and so on. How much startup capital is needed? When is the nursery expected to start making a profit after accounting for costs?

3.2 Why the Business is being started

The status of local water supplies is a critical issue. What is the source of water? Are there permit requirements? Many areas are going through a drought and installation of efficient watering systems is mandatory.

3.3 How the Business will be started

The options are unlimited and include perennial and annual flowers, shrubs, trees, sod, other products like Christmas trees, agricultural seed products, starter plants, maintenance supplies, and so on. Will plants be grown in containers or rootballed, or sold as bare root or a mixture of production methods? Will the operation deliver to the customers’ sites? If so, it is important to have the right type of delivery equipment available.

The detailed start-up requirements, start-up funding, start-up expenses, total assets, total funding required, total liabilities, total planned investment, total capital and liabilities as forecasted by experts, is given below:

Services for Customers

If you are thinking about opening a nursery, you must first decide the services which you’ll be providing. Mentioning them clearly in the form of a nursery plant  business plan experts for plant nursery is preferable as it can give you an idea about the things which will be needed in starting nursery plant business.

We know it’s confusing to decide which sort of plants and products to showcase, so that everyone can find the things of their interest. Therefore, we’re providing here a sample business plan for plant nursery of a startup, Flora Mart, so that you can get idea about services which can prove profitable these days.

Services listed in nursery plant business plan of Flora Mart are as:

• Bedding Plants: Flora mart will keep seasonal bedding plants by amassing different colored flowers and leaves to create visually appealing flower beds.
• General Vegetation: We’ll be selling seedlings of general indoor and outdoor plants such as spider plant, Dracaena, Jade plant, African Violet, Boston Fern etc.
• Seeds: We’ll keep seeds of all almost types of carnivorous plants, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
• Landscaping Services: We’ll be providing professional gardeners to set up lawn and vegetation according to customer’s land and space.
• Garden Accessories: We will be keeping all the things that one can need in landscaping and gardening such as water sprinkler, pressure sprayer, seedling trays, lawn mowers, hand diggers, electric dust blowers, hydroponic trays, soils, grass patches, organic & inorganic fertilizers, plastic and sand-made pots of every size and shapes, hanging plant containers and garden stones.
• Purchasing through App & Delivery Services: Customers can also avail our services by making a purchase using our app and get it delivered to their door.

Marketing Analysis of business for plant nursery

Landlord business plan writing, 4.1 market trends.

In other words, the entrepreneur who wants to start a commercial nursery or greenhouse has many options. The key is to develop an operation capable of generating revenue year round for maximum profitability. For example, the owner could sell spring, summer, and fall flowers and shrubs, pumpkins and fall varieties in October, and Christmas trees in December. These are the types of topics covered in the business plan for plant nurseries.

4.2 Marketing Segmentation

Just owning a nursery isn’t sufficient to generate desired profits. To be successful, you must have to analyze your target customers before you actually start your business for plant nurseries. It can help you in devising policies and in adorning your place.

Also your plant nursery requirements can vary according to your target market. For instance, if you aim at targeting companies then it’ll be good to create a fine reception space and keeping formal and eye-refreshing indoor plants.

Target groups of Flora Mart are given here:

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

4.2.1 Home Owners: The first group of our customers will be the people living in our city, Seattle. This group of general population is expected to purchase our products, seeds, and seedlings as well to avail our gardening services to adorn their in and outdoor space with natural beauty.

4.2.2 Institutes: The second category includes research and educational institutes who can buy our plants and will also avail our landscaping services to create refreshing view in their departments.

4.2.3 Companies: Our third target category includes companies and offices who always leave a big space for a beautiful lawn and eye-catching entrance. They are expected to make big purchases with us.

4.2.4 Event Organizers: Our last category to target will be the event organizers in restaurants or in homes. For beautifying space naturally for parties, weddings and other events they’ll be needing our plant beds, prepared grass patches, and our landscaping services.

The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

4.3 Business Target

Defining measurable, realistic and achievable goals before starting a business plan for plant nurseries can keep you working in a high spirit. Assessing your performance after the time you had set to achieve your goals can also help in bettering the coordination among you and you employees.

Business Targets set by Flora Mart are:

• To earn net profit margin of $20k per month by the end of the first year
• To maintain an average client rating score of 4.5 out of 5 at the end of first year
• To increase our sales by 20% every 2 months

4.4 Product Pricing

Our prices will be just comparable with the other business for plant nurseries running in our vicinity. However, we’ve priced our gardening services a little bit higher because we’ll hire highly experienced staff for it.

Business plan writer for Canadian government

Alex was always quick to respond and always helpful. Great service. Highly recommended.

Plant Nursery Marketing Strategy

5.1 competitive analysis.

Before you think about how to start a business plan for plant nurseries, you must first research what your competitors are doing. Only in that case, you’ll be able to do something different.

To take a lead upon its competitors, Flora Mart will introduce app and delivery system so that customers can choose the plants while sitting at their location and get it delivered in almost no time. Secondly, Flora mart will be providing landscaping services for events and ceremonies which no one in the vicinity is providing. Lastly, the business will ensure exceptional customer service – valuing the client’s satisfaction more than anything else.

5.2 Sales Strategy

The business strategy services you’ll be adopting in order to sell your services must also be covered in your business plan for plant nurseries.

We’re listing some effective measures from sample garden center business plan of Flora Mart which will be taken to bring the target customers to its site.

• Company’s services will be advertised in magazines and local newspaper
• Strong presence on the web and social media will be ensured
• On every shopping above $80, free delivery within 10km distance will be provided
• 20% discount will be offered on our landscaping services for the first two months

5.3 Sales Forecast

Our sales are forecasted in the following column charts:

The detailed information about sales forecast is given in the following table:

5.4 Sales Monthly

5.5 Sales Yearly

Personnel plan

Before starting a plant starting a nursery business plan it’s essential to create an effective personnel plan to ensure that you’ll be hiring the right persons while paying them a fair amount. Because it is something that can affect your starting a nursery business plan in the long run.

The personnel plan developed by Denzel Sean, the owner of Flora Mart, is given in this starting a nursery business plan .

6.1 Company Staff

• 2 Accountants to maintain financial records
• 1 Web Developer to run company’s app and websites
• 2 Drivers for providing Home Delivery
• 4 Gardeners to cultivate plants
• 1 Horticulturist to supervise hard-to-grow plants
• 1 Landscaping Expert to set up lawn design ideas
• 1 Sales Executives to market and to find new ventures
• 3 Assistants to do day-to-day tasks
• 3 Cleaners to clean the facility
• 1 Receptionist

6.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan

The last step in making an effective nursery project plan is to make a detailed fianancial plan listing accurate statistics of your investments, expenses, and expected profit margins. For the sake of completeness its good to include at least 3 year forecast in your nursery business model. Your plan should cover details of how you’ll be managing your financial goals and increments in your employee’s salaries within the expected profits. It should also give a clear idea of amount that you can need to increase your product line. Moreover, the strategy to be followed if you fail to generate enough revenue for your starting a nursery business plan must also be included in the financial plan.

7.1 Important Assumptions

7.2 Brake-even Analysis

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

7.3.1 Profit Monthly

7.3.2 Profit Yearly

7.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

7.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

7.6 Business Ratios

Download Garden Nursery Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGScapital also specializes in writing business plans such as flowers shop business plan , hydroponics farm business plan , organic farm business plan , agriculture fruit farm business plan , aquaponics farm business plan , preparing to succession for agriculture , and many others

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Ownr Blog  > Ownrship 101  > Business Stages  > Before You Start  > How to Start a Plant Business

How to Start a Plant Business

Houseplants are on-trend, and if you’ve got a passion for potting and find joy in watching things grow, starting your own plant business might just be the ideal adventure for you.

You’ll need to have an entrepreneurial spirit, not be afraid of drumming up business for yourself, and be good at time management for this. And while you don’t need any formal training, you’ll want to get familiar with the different types of plants you grow and sell so you can keep them in tip-top shape.

If you’re an entrepreneur who thinks they’ve got what it takes to make it in the plant game, here’s what you need to know about how to start a plant business.

• What is a plant care business?

A plant care business describes pretty much anything that has to do with growing, selling, or maintaining plants that are indoors; outdoor plants primarily fall under the general landscaping industry. Essentially, a plant company either grows and sells, designs, or maintains live plants.

• Realities of running a plant care business

Plant care is a nifty business idea, especially since millennials seem to be obsessed with houseplants . But there are a few benefits and drawbacks you should consider before you get started.  

• Benefits of an indoor plant care business 

There are a lot of fast-growing small businesses out there, but one of the biggest benefits to establishing a plant care business is you don’t need a large amount of capital to get started.

So long as you’re not going the retail or wholesale growers route, you can cut expenses on location by working in your own space or at your clients. This means your biggest cost concerns are going to be start-up supplies, back-end costs (like the cost of your accounting program), and insurance. 

• Drawbacks of an indoor plant care business

While plant care is an expanding niche, it is a luxury business. That means when times get tough, you’re likely to be at the top of the list for budget cuts. This could make securing a sustainable income a challenge.

There is also the added drawback of dealing with bug infestations. They can kill plants quickly, ruining your work fast and possibly damaging your reputation—and it’s usually not your fault.

• How to start a plant care business

If your heart is set on starting a plant care business, you’ve got a green thumb and you’re ready to go, here’s what you’ll want to do:

• Build a business plan

Your business plan is a crucial component of the set-up of the business. It outlines what your company does and who it serves.

If you are planning on seeking funding to jump-start your business, you’ll want to pay particular attention to hammering out a comprehensive executive summary . You’ll also want to focus on components like your budget and finances, and your marketing plan. Potential funders will want to know how much you’ll expect to make and how prospective customers are going to come across your products or services.

Even if you’ll be the only one looking at the business plan, it’s important to flesh it all out. It acts as a roadmap to help keep you on track as your business moves along and grows.

• Conduct a market analysis

Before you get too far into starting your plant business, you want to take a peek at the industry and see what everyone else is doing. Do a market analysis and figure out what services are currently available and where there might be a gap for you to fill.

You’ll also want to look at what’s popular with plants. For example, if you’re looking for nursery stock, what are local people buying. Likewise, if you’re creating terrarium designs, are customers looking for succulent plants or something a little pricklier? 

• Set up your business back end

To keep costs on the lower side, you can opt to do your own bookkeeping and client management. That means you’ll need to set up:

• An accounting system
• A CRM database
• Some form of project management system
• A business bank account

You’ll also need to look into making your business official (like using Ownr to set up your corporation ) and securing insurance, which is important both when you’re working in a clients’ space, and you’re selling retail goods. They may sound “boring,” but they’re important steps to take as you start on your plant-filled adventure.

• Purchase basic supplies

Your basic supplies will depend on the type of plant care business you opted to start. If you’re designing terrariums and containers, your startup supplies might look like cactus plants, succulents, and other goodies you’ll use to decorate with. 

If you’re maintaining plants, your start-up supplies might be more in the fertilizer, tools, and plant food area. You’ll want to make sure that you have everything you need for the kinds of plants you plan to work with.

• Start marketing your business

It doesn’t matter what kind of start-up you’re building, marketing is crucial, so you’ll want to get started quickly.

If you’re dealing with an in-person business, like plant maintenance, where you’ll be at your client’s premises, consider making a set of memorable business cards or flyers to drop off around your neighbourhood ( safely , of course).

You’ll also want to think about:

• Building a website
• Taking gorgeous photos of your products
• Opening social media accounts

Don’t forget to make an actual marketing plan, or you may risk ending up with one hand in all the marketing cookie jars.

• What kind of plant care services can you offer?

If you’ve itching to get growing but aren’t sure what type of plant care services, here are five ideas to get you started: 

• 1. Run a nursery business

When it comes to a plant start-up, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a plant nursery business. Retail nurseries grow plants from seeds or saplings with the intention that they’ll end up in the homes of happy plant lovers. And online plant nurseries are a fast-growing industry !

Unless you’re running one of the massive wholesale nurseries out there (which might not be a good beginner task), you’ll probably want to focus on growing a select variety of plants. Once your plants are ready to find new homes, you can sell them to a landscaper or plant designer, at a local plant show, or directly to the end customer.

The big downside for start-up nursery owners is you’ll need plenty of space to grow your plants. And since you’ll likely be starting the plants from seeds, you’ll need to be patient until they grow to a size where you can sell them. 

• 2. Plant upkeep and maintenance

So you like to work inside with plants, and you actually remember how often you need to water them—maybe indoor plant care and maintenance is for you. This is a great option for those entrepreneurs with a green thumb who want to keep their start-up costs lower.

With maintenance and upkeep, you can offer regular services like watering, trimming, cleaning, polishing, pruning, and even potting and repotting. This field also opens up doors for you to go beyond individual clients. Many businesses decorate their corporate spaces with plants but don’t have the time (or a dedicated person) to maintain them.

• 3. Floral design services

If you have an eye for design and a desire to create wedding favours for happy couples, then floral design might be for you.

Many floral design businesses start off with retail plant shops where they sell plants, flower bouquets, and custom designs to clients. But if you don’t want to budget for the retail space, you can reduce your costs by offering a custom-only or small-scale local retailer with an online shop.

You won’t get street walk in traffic that way, but you can work some magic on your social media accounts to bring in potential customers. 

• 4. Indoor landscaping

Plants truly increase the beauty of the world around us, so business owners and individuals alike are increasingly turning to indoor landscaping to brighten up their space. If you have an eye for making stunning indoor plant displays, this could be the perfect business for you.

With an indoor landscaping business, you’ll design plant displays to tie a space together. You could even pair landscaping and maintenance services to turn your onetime customers into regulars. 

• 5. Terrarium and container design

If you like to work with smaller plants like cacti and succulents, then designing terrariums and plant containers could be a good fit. This is the ideal set-up for someone who wants to work at home and run an online retail shop, as you don’t need a public retail space to do your work.

If you offer online sales, you’ll need to work out the best shipping options, but you could also opt to sell your designs to local plant shops as an in-between. This is a great opportunity to put together beautiful displays that make people happy.

• Tips for starting a plant business
• Start small

You don’t have to go to the local plant nursery and buy out their entire fertilizer supplies. While you want to have a stock of fertilizer, pesticides, and other supplies on-hand, consider keeping a small stock to start off with until you know what you need. That way, you won’t blow the budget right out of the gate.

• Take a customized approach

Plant care requires a little more customization than some other service-based businesses out there. It’s a luxury service, so you’ll want to take some time to get to know your potential customers and their preferences, so you can customize the service you provide to their needs. 

• Focus on quality

It’s okay if you don’t offer every service that’s related to plant care, and it’s okay if you don’t work with every type of plant available. Focus on providing a quality service to your clients. This also means working with suppliers that provide you with goods and services that you trust. Specialization is a great quality of a niche business, so focus on giving it to your all in one specific area.

This article offers general information only, is current as of the date of publication, and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.

Plant Nursery Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

II. Company Overview

This Section's Contents

Who is [Company Name]?

[company name]’s history, [company name]’s products/services.

[Company Name], located in [insert location here] is a newly established plant nursery that will provide a variety of plant and flower options for purchase. In addition to flowers and plants, the nursery will provide everything for one’s gardening needs including fertilizer, dirt, sod, rocks and outdoor decor.

[Company Name] was founded by [Founder’s Name], a local nurser who has worked in several local nurseries in the area and has made a career out of horticulture. He has studied, grew, and competed with the top nurseries in the country and has solidified his expertise in the industry. [Founder’s Name] has won many top awards and has been featured in multiple gardening magazines and articles.

Throughout his career working with different plant nurseries, [Founder’s Name] has come across several clients who are seeking specific types of plants for their garden and can’t find them to purchase anywhere in the area. [Founder’s Name] knew he could own and operate a successful plant nursery as he has the expertise, management skills, and will have a starting customer base as he will be able to carry many of the highly sought after plants and flowers that are not sold at any other local plant nursery.

Once his market analysis was complete, [Founder’s Name] began surveying the local vacant warehouses with space for an outdoor greenhouse and located an ideal location to house the plant nursery. [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as a Limited Liability Corporation on [date of incorporation].

Once the lease is finalized on the warehouse space, light construction can begin to build-out the small retail area and outdoor greenhouse.

Since incorporation, the Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Located available warehouse space for rent that is ideal for plant retail sales and enough room for an adjacent outdoor greenhouse
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website located at [website]
• Hired a general contractor for the build-out of the warehouse, small office, retail showroom, and outdoor greenhouse
• Determined equipment and necessary supplies
• Began recruiting key employees with previous plant nursery experience

Below are [Company Name]’s product offerings:

• House Plants
• Herbaceous plants
• Small trees
• Pots and planters

Comments are closed.

Plant Nursery Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

Plant Nursery Business Plan Template & Guidebook

If you’re looking to start your own successful plant nursery business, then The #1 Plant Nursery Business Plan Template & Guidebook is an essential tool that will help you get off to the right start. This comprehensive guidebook is packed with essential information—from essential business and marketing tips, to easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for creating a robust business plan—all designed to help you craft a solid strategy for achieving your goals and securing the funds necessary to get your plant nursery up and running. So don't wait any longer—start crafting your successful plant nursery business in no time!

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• How to Start a Profitable Plant Nursery Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Plant Nursery Business Ideas [2023]

How to Write a Plant Nursery Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your plant nursery business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your plant nursery business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a plant nursery business:

Our mission at Plant Nursery is to provide our customers with high-quality plants and landscaping services that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. We strive to be an industry leader in plant selection, customer service, and professionalism. We are dedicated to providing our local community with a reliable source of beautiful plants, trees, shrubs, and vegetation at affordable prices.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Plant Nursery Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your plant nursery business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your plant nursery business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your plant nursery business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your plant nursery business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a plant nursery business?

• Greenhouse or growing space
• Containers and trays
• Potting soil and organic compost
• Landscape fabric, ground cover, and mulch
• Fertilizers and pesticides
• Plant tags, stakes, and labels
• Irrigation and water systems
• Business license or permit </

5. Management & Organization of Your Plant Nursery Business.

The second part of your plant nursery business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your plant nursery business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Plant Nursery Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a plant nursery business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a plant nursery business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your plant nursery business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your plant nursery business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your plant nursery business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plant Nursery Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a plant nursery business.

A business plan for a plant nursery business is necessary because it provides potential investors and lenders with an overview of the business objectives, operational strategies and financial plans. It also allows owners to identify potential risks and explore ways to mitigate them. Additionally, a business plan helps to ensure that resources are allocated where they will be most effective and provides a road map for the future of the business.

Who should you ask for help with your plant nursery business plan?

You should ask for help from qualified professionals such as a business consultant, financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer. You might also consider reaching out to other people who have opened similar businesses in the past or are currently running a successful plant nursery business.

Can you write a plant nursery business plan yourself?

Writing a business plan for a plant nursery business can be a complex process, however it is possible to do it on your own. You will need to consider the company’s mission and objectives, assess the potential market, develop a marketing strategy, create financial projections, and analyze the competition. Additionally, you should ensure that you cover topics such as legal requirements and operational structure. Before starting the plan, research similar businesses to get an understanding of industry trends and the specific needs of this type of business. This will help you create a comprehensive and effective plan.

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Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

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Starting a Plant Business

94 Comments

Starting a plant business is much easier than you think.  It requires a lot less of a commitment than you think.  Getting started growing and selling small plants from home is as simple as this;

Start propagating some plants from cuttings, get some pots and potting soil, start selling some plants.  Not a lot, but some plants in your local area.  Selling plants is the easy part because unlike most other things that people sell, plants don’t have to be sold.  All you have to do is let people know that you have them and that they are for sale.

Mike McGroarty

When it comes to plants, people act in completely irrational ways!  And they do it all the time!  I don’t even know if I understand the psychology of people and plants well enough to explain it.  But it is an interesting thing to watch.  We constantly see people traveling 25 or 40 miles if not farther to buy small plants.

Plant lovers have an insatiable appetite for plants.  There’s no other way to explain it.

Check Out Small Plants, Big Profits from Home Here.

When you grow and sell small plants people have a very high regard for you and what you do.  They are in awe of what you do in your backyard.  They want to be you!  Not because of the money, but because of what you have the ability to do with your hands.

Crazy?  I don’t think so.  I’ve been a witness to this for too long to thing other wise.  I like to say that; “I grow small plants that make others happy.”  Because . . . that’s what I do!

So what about you?

Are you sorta, kinda thinking about starting a plant business.

I get comments from people all the time that start out like this;

“I’d like to start my own plant business but . . .”

There it is!  The great big but!

These are just some of the reason that people play the “but” card on me;.

“I don’t know if anybody will buy my plants.”

“I have other large nurseries in my town.”

“We have a big box store right down the road from my house.”

“How can a little person like me possibly compete with the big box stores?”

“I can’t right now because my life is so busy.”

“mike, i’d love to buy your system but i just don’t have the money right now.”, “i’m going to retire in 3 years and i’d like to do it then.”.

Allow me to answer these concerns for you.

Will people buy your plants if you grow them?

The answer is yes.  If you grow a nice looking plant that people want, they will buy your plants.  Why?  Because they love to buy plants.  That’s what they do.  Landscapers and garden centers buy plants for a living.  They must buy plants on a regular basis just to stay in business.  They have to buy and sell plants in order to provide for their family.

Landscapers and garden centers do not grow plants.  Some garden centers grow hanging baskets and annual flowers, but all of the other plants on the lot they buy from a wholesale grower.  Why would they buy from you?  Because you can sell really nice plants at a lower price than a wholesale grower.  Your over head expenses are almost nothing compared to any wholesale grower they are currently buying from.  In my book; “Small Plants, Big Profits from Home” I tell you exactly how to get landscapers and garden centers to buy from you.  They’d love to do busienss with you because the big growers make it really hard for them.

“I have other nurseries in my town. How can I compete with these established businesses?”

The answer to that is easy.  I live in a really small town.  We have two traffic lights because a main highway passes through here.  Yet, we have no downtown business area at all, we have no fast food restaurants, no doctor in our town, but we have three garden centers and 85 large wholesale nurseries.  Read that again!  85 large wholesale nurseries that report a combined sales of 85 million dollars!  85 million bucks!

And what did I do?  I started my little plant business two years ago, sandwiched right between two other nurseries.  Really.  My property goes really deep, but it’s only 114 feet wide.  My neighbor to the west has a nursery.  The only thing that separates my nursery from Richard’s is a one lane dirt lane that we share.  Our plants can talk to one another they are so close!  My neighbor to the east is, you guessed it, a nursery.  A really large nursery!  They farm just a tad over 1,000 acres, all packed full of nursery stock.  The only thing that divides my nursery from their’s is, you guessed it, a dirt lane that we share.  My plants and their plants are less than 30′ apart.

It’s funny really.  You know how you wave to your neighbor when you see him or her driving down the road?  All my neighbors pass by on tractors!  Really.  One Saturday I was out working in the nursery and I hear a tractor coming so I look up.  It was my friend Kenny Brown just putzing along on a tractor.  Kenny was taking a short cut on our dirt lane from his dad’s nursery down to his house about a mile north of my nursery.  His dad’s nursery actually butts up to the back of my property.

So there you have it.  My little plant business is surrounded on three sides by other nurseries.  Mr. Brown’s nursery is also very large.  We toured it this summer when I had a bunch of my customers at my place for our annual “Shindig at Mike’s Plant Farm”.  It took us almost an hour to take the tour riding on wagons pulled by tractors.

Right next to Mr. Brown’s nursery to the west is my friend Craig’s nursery.  Not as big, but man oh man does he have an impressive collection of Japanese maples.  To the east of Mr. Brown’s nursery is another super large wholesale nursery.  They have over 2,000 huge hoop houses and their own electricity generating windmill.

To give you an idea of how big their operation is I’ll share this with you.  During the winter on warm days they open up the doors on each end of the hoop houses to keep the plants from getting too hot. Then when it gets back down into the thirties they close the doors.  It takes a crew of ten men about a half a day just to open the doors!  That’s a lot of doors to open and close.  Each one of those hoop houses contains thousands and thousands of plants.  On the tour this summer we watched their potting team pot up 60 plants a minute and they do that everyday, all summer long.  60 plants a minute!

I don’t have any hoop houses and probably never will have.  I keep things really simple.

So obviously, my little tiny plant growing business is surrounded by giant nurseries.  Doesn’t faze me a bit.  I will sell my plants to a different group of customer than they serve.  That’s how big the market for plants is.

Yeah, me too.  Walmart, right down the road.  I’ve also got three full service garden centers, a Home Depot, a Lowes Store and another Walmart.  Not to mention a Sears Garden Center.   Here’s the deal.  They cannot compete with me!  I have something they don’t have and no matter how deep their pockets are or how badly they want it, they just can’t have it.  I have me.  I’m the guy with the little nursery that grows his own plants.  I’m the one who answers their questions, helps them select their plants, puts the plants in their car.  I am me.  All of those so called competitors of mine don’t have a me.  They have employees who care, who try hard to help the people, but at the end of the day they are not me.  People know that this is what I do.  They quickly figure out that I am extremely passionate about the plants that I grow and sell.  A big box store or garden center can never have that, and people see it.  They sense it.  They like buying from people like you and I.

Few people are busier than I am.  For 25 years I worked a full time job and built multiple businesses while working full time.  Today I’m crazy busy with my Internet business, my family, Duston and I travel many times a year to learn more about our business, we constantly create and invent new products to sell, and I started a plant nursery right in the middle of all of that craziness.

The nursery is the glue that makes it all make sense.  I love the solitude of working in the nursery by myself.  Just me and the plants.  My advice to you is to get started.  Start small.  You’ll enjoy it more than you can imagine.

My system is about the same price as a meal in a nice restaurant.  If you really, really want it, you’ll find the money.  People always find the money for the things that they really want.  If you think about it you only have to grow and sell 10 small plants to pay for my system.  And having my system will save you a ton of mistakes and mis-steps.  And there is a great deal of information in my system that I don’t share here and I never can share here.  Selling my system is how I get compensated for all of the time I spend giving out free information here and in my newsletter.

Don’t wait.  Start your plant business now.  In three years when you retire you will be so far ahead and you will already be selling plants.  Don’t let procrastination steal your dream of extra retirement income doing something that you will love and enjoy.

Check Out Small Plants, Big Profits from Home Here. 

Take a gander at these posts....

• Growing Japanese Maples
• It’s time to Make Baby Plants! Make Baby Plants! Make Baby Plants!
• The Amazing Multiplication Effect & How To Heal In Your Plants
• Heeling In Plants
• Messages like this Bring Tears to My Eyes.

July 20, 2024 at 9:40 am

the video that’s included in this… does it have captions for the deaf or is there an alternative to the video so I can read it?

July 22, 2024 at 8:06 am

Best thing to do is subscribe to the mailing list because Duston sends out links to a written page that explains it all in detail. Or you can watch our youtube videos and I think you can turn on captions there. Mikesbackyardnursery on youtube.

February 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm

Hello Mike! After years of daydreaming about owing a plant farm I’ve decided to stop daydreaming and just do it already! One question that I have is this: we live in an area where owning a house is beyond our reach. We are renting a large apartment and enjoy patio gardening and our plants spill over onto the common areas of our community. Any advice how to begin now while we are renters? Thanks and we love your advice and inspiration!

February 18, 2022 at 8:15 am

Starting out you do not have to go really big. All you need is a small area to get started and start selling things as soon as possible. There are all kinds of commercial property around that have room behind the building that nobody is using, just mowing. Find a property owner that will allow you to use some of that space in exchange for mowing or other chores. Don’t call it a nursery, just grow some small plants.

September 23, 2021 at 3:44 am

Did you have to get a nursery license to grow and sell? Not sure if this is required if I want to start as a hobby to grow and sell native plants and trees.

September 23, 2021 at 8:00 am

It’s state by state but you have to be licensed in all states as a means of controlling nursery pests.

September 9, 2019 at 4:03 pm

Thank you for your tips and encouragement. I recently started a plant delivery business and sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to run the business.

September 10, 2019 at 8:44 am

That’s why we have a members area, http://backyardgrowers.com/join , so you can get daily advice on the issues that you struggle with the most. At the very least take the test drive, membership should be opening soon.

June 6, 2019 at 1:35 pm

It makes sense how you said that people can be kind of irrational when it comes to buying plants and will travel long distances to be sure to get what they want. Having access to wholesale plants would probably be really great if you were planning on starting a business and selling them to people. That way they can travel that great distance and find exactly what it is that they are looking for.

October 16, 2018 at 4:17 pm

I was potting up some aloe this afternoon when it struck me- I’ve always wanted to own a plant shop! Duh! After a few google searches I came across this article and it makes me smile – and even gave me a boost of motivation.

October 16, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Make sure you join the email list at https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/ and follow along with all that we have going on with the plant business.

October 1, 2018 at 11:14 am

I have always wanted to own my own Houseplant business. I have always dreamed about it. I turned 50 years old this year and this Morning I woke up really ready to do this. Right now I’m working two jobs in the medical field but I’m ready to do something I love. Word gets around at work how I love dealing with houseplants and I make houseplant arrangements for co workers. I constantly order plants from different states for myself.. I want to order and sell plants and exotic plants from all over. Any advice will be appreciated.

October 2, 2018 at 7:39 am

You can test drive our members area, http://backyardgrowers.com/join , for $7 in just a few weeks. I highly recommend it, you can bounce your ideas off the members. House plants are a little different than most of us do but I’m sure you could sell them on facebook. Many of us sell tens of thousands of dollars worth of plants on facebook right now. We discuss that all the time.

March 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm

How do you find Growers or nursery for Air Plants? The only thing I find is online. I am looking into having a side business.

March 20, 2018 at 6:28 pm

Air plants? You want to grow just one kind of plant? Not being familiar with them this would be a better question for our members. http://backyardgrowers.com/join

February 23, 2018 at 12:38 pm

I just wanted to say thanks Mike for all the inspiration and hope you deliver to those of us willing to listen. I just decided to dive in last year. A few, short years ago, I purchased a small 6 acre plot of farmland to retire on. We’ve decided to work it now and move onto it as soon as we can. We’re almost done building a little house and I’ve already started growing starters in my basement where I currently live. My starters are doing splendid. I’ll be setting up shop at a couple of farmers markets this year to jump start my networking and the next step is contacting local retail businesses about selling my plants wholesale to them as well as Craigslist, eBay, ETSY, and eventually Amazon. Where there is a will, there is a way. We want this soooo baaaad! Folks, you just have to want it bad enough and you can achieve this, but you have to get started somewhere…just start. Once you start, you’ll probably kill a few plants and make quite a few mistakes, but you will learn from them in a way that reading can never teach. Sure, I buy books and download purchased instruction all the time, but you still need to just do it. What I buy to read often times just ends up being information I already learned with mistakes, but it’s nice to re-inforce your confidence by reading that you ARE doing it right after all…it really helps to boost your confidence and morale which is really important when you’re starting on an entrepreneurial path.

February 23, 2018 at 6:18 pm

Thanks Marilyn, I appreciate that.

March 10, 2018 at 10:08 pm

I am farely new in indoor modern plant bussines, and I love it, but it s not easy or I don t know how to find the market to sell them? Any advice would be very appreciated! Thank You!

March 11, 2018 at 9:21 am

Learning where and how to sell the plants that you grow is something that we discuss on a nearly daily basis in the members area, http://backyardgrowers.com/join , the 30 day test drive is only $7.00 and we’ll begin accepting new members soon.

August 12, 2018 at 1:13 pm

I like that you are looking at selling your plants online, but what about the regulations from each state.? Are you going to certify your stock for just your state, or others? Curious, because I would like to do this, too. The USDA keeps a lot of invasive pests out of our farmlands, so I am not against them on this one!

February 10, 2018 at 10:12 pm

Hey I am all for making money. If you are making good money why not offer your knowledge for free. I do it all the time. I have a nursery in Maryland. Here is some free advice. In Maryland the nursery license is 110 dollars a year. Buy seeds {vegetable,, herb and flower} in bulk cheap. Sell plants a foot tall for 2 bucks. Make money. Far better prices than garden centers or box stores. Buy 1000 seeds for 10 bucks. Grow 700 plants and sell them 2 bucks. 1400 bucks.. Get the idea.

February 11, 2018 at 11:22 am

Apparently I don’t offer free information? And here I thought the one thousand posts on this site and the 85 youtube videos and all of the content on http://japanesemaplelovers.com/ and http://freeplants.com was free for the reading and watching. Apparently I need to do a better job. Thanks for pointing that out.

February 23, 2018 at 7:26 pm

Question. For a small home business like this what are the laws and how to with getting a licence and selling across state line through mail?

February 24, 2018 at 8:54 am

Getting licensed to grow and sell plants is quite easy. Selling across state lines is also pretty easy unless you want to ship from the east coast to the west. That’s challenging and most just don’t do it, the market in your surrounding states is plenty large enough.

January 10, 2018 at 8:19 am

You forgot to mention that EVERY state and also the federal government require licensing and permits, fines are steep. It is illegal to send, mail, deliver, and transport plants and soil in many states and its illegal on a federal level to cross state lines with plants, soil without permits.

September 19, 2017 at 12:28 pm

Was wondering if you knew anything about selling air plants. I am planning on selling homemade air plant holders with the air plant. Do you know if I need a nursery license for this? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

September 20, 2017 at 7:53 am

Everybody who grows or sells live plants has to be licensed by the state. It’s a means of pest control.

October 19, 2016 at 1:18 pm

I dug up a couple of crepe myrtle trees last week, I planted the biggest, but I had a lot of roots I didn’t do anything to the roots until today, my question is will the roots survive even after I planted them

October 20, 2016 at 8:29 am

Roots? I don’t think Crape Myrtle will grow from just a root. Most do them as softwood cuttings. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/01/easy-summertime-plant-propagation-techniques-can-home/

December 16, 2016 at 5:13 pm

I’m very interested in making a plant business here in this small town and goldsmith Everyone is always eating jalapenos and onions and produce cabbage all of it Tomatoes carrots anything you can think of there’s nothing but dry there’s no produce here

October 2, 2015 at 3:11 am

Is this website still running? The latest post is from Nov 2014.

October 2, 2015 at 6:30 am

This website is alive and well and updated on a regular basis, https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/ , as a matter of fact I’m doing a new post this morning, we shoot new video on a regular basis and I interact with the members for at least an hour a day answering questions in the private members area.

November 11, 2014 at 10:59 am

Hi Mike, I love growing trumpet plants and they are so beautiful , I grow tons and give them to friends and family. I really don’t have land I just grow on my patio and any empty spot I can find. I am obsessed with these plants and would love to do this for a living but doubt I can without property, any suggestions. Never thought I would love anything as much as fishing but I love this new hobby.

August 1, 2014 at 12:49 pm

I have plants I want to sell. Do I need any kind of license, certification or what not? If I do how do I get legal, so I can properly sell them? Thanks, Julia

August 3, 2014 at 10:41 am

All of these questions are answered in the many products that we offer, but the short answer is, yes, you need a license, much like any business. If you order the little booklet offered on this site that will allow you access to other products not openly advertised here.

December 16, 2016 at 5:14 pm

Where do you live I’m very interested in buying plants with their affordable price

December 26, 2012 at 6:34 pm

Hello Mike. I have been recieving your emails for a few years now and very soon I will be sending you the money for your system. Thank you for all the hope and helpful e mails.

December 27, 2012 at 7:06 am

Trisha, that’s great news! I can’t wait to have you on board growing small plants that make other people happy. -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

March 31, 2016 at 7:51 pm

Hi mike thanks for the info.im very intrrested in your program but right now im out of town. I currently have a small worm bussiness and i want to grow plants for profit talk doon. .

April 3, 2016 at 8:45 am

Steve, details about most of our product can be found here. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/10/backyard-nursery-tools-of-the-trade-things-to-turn-you-into-a-successful-grower/

December 3, 2012 at 5:52 pm

I probably have evey bit of your information that has been advertised- maybe, not completely sure about. I am an old lady and totally love to read about gardening. I grow roses. I have had 78 beautiful roses but down to about thirty now. The last two summers really messed them up. Hopefully we will get a well dug by springtime- then I plan on gardening all I want. Till then I am thinking of all kinds of possibiliies.

November 20, 2012 at 4:26 pm

exp. Is the worst teacher. Yes i would spend 47 bucks to learn from mikes mistakes and success

November 20, 2012 at 10:41 am

sold! ! ! Im diggen thru my couch right now

November 20, 2012 at 6:08 pm

Ben, I really hope you find the money in the couch! And I hope doing so changes your life for the better! Thanks, Mike

November 19, 2012 at 9:37 am

One correction, people can’t always find money fir what they really want. Sometimes, we can’t even find money for what we really need. I’ve got cuttings started, no clue where to sell them this time of year, and can’t afford your book. Medical condition + no help= needs unmet and “wants” unfulfilled. Sometimes, it really is that bad so don’t minimize it, please.

November 20, 2012 at 6:07 pm

Jules, all you have to do is sell the cuttings you have and you’ll have some income. If you root cuttings of really nice flowering shrubs, people will buy them. It’s as simple as that. I understand the financial issues that people face. I hope you can find a way to make this work. I’m not trying to minimize your situation. That’s why I work so hard to give away information and techniques that people can use to earn some extra money.

I don’t get paid for making a video or writing a 700 word blog post and I’ve been doing them for 14 years. Often times it takes me hours to take photos, edit the photos, get them posted on the blog then write an article, then send a newsletter. All of those things I do for free. Nobody pays me for that. I wish they did, but they don’t.

So in some ways you and I are in a similar situation. We have to find a way to get compensated for the time we devote to our craft.

February 23, 2018 at 12:49 pm

Take good care of your cuttings so they are prized specimens. Place a FREE AD on Craigslist and either let people come to your home on an as-needed basis or hold a plant yard sale once a month or so during the warmer seasons. Post great pictures on Craigslist to make people drool over your plants. Also, grow your little plants into large, blooming (if they are the flowering type), bushy plants. If you can’t afford containers, recycle anything that will hold a plant. If you are connected with your neighbors, ask them to bring you their empty, plastic, food containers. The large, plastic, coffee containers are great for this. Price your plants accordingly…not too high (especially if you are using recycled containers in lieu of actual plant containers) but not too low either – you want to make the sale and your work worthwhile. Be knowledgeable about the plants you grew, be friendly and answer questions willingly and graciously. You will do fine.

October 31, 2012 at 1:24 pm

I have been receiving emails from you for a long time I have decided to get more info from you on how to get started. What do I need to do on my end….I will need to know the how to’s, prices & so on! It sounds like I would be able to get started pretty cheaply I hope. Thank you for all the tips & knowledge you’ve shared. Hope to hear from you soon….Mary

November 1, 2012 at 11:24 am

Mary, Yes, you can get started with a really small amount of money. In the book that comes with my system, “Small Plants, Big Profits from Home” I share with you all kinds of strategies on pricing and how to sell the plants that you grow.

October 31, 2012 at 11:48 am

mike i have been reading all the mail you send i take your advice have engouraged my daughter who has a horse farm to start a nursery she already has her green house up-she will be starting some sales soon- can we order plants and trees from you? how is the fall busines on trees and shubery? thanks for all the advice.

November 1, 2012 at 11:26 am

Edna, at this time I am not shipping any plants. But during the growing season I invite members to my nursery for a day of learning and meeting the other members and many people buy small plants from me on those visit. Fall is a great time to sell plants. Most of our members sell all spring, summer and fall. Make sure you get the system so you get started on the right foot. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 28, 2012 at 3:32 pm

Mike I joined your backyardnursery a long time ago.I want to get started growing plants for a business,but i was trying to be careful not to get a plant that i could not take cuttings from.I don’t have the message board,so how can i find cuttings to buy to get started off,and what would be the best to grow and sell.I am in lower zone 7 in Marion Al. I need to get started off with either some different types of cuttings or a few plants that i can take cuttings from and not get into trouble for selling them.I don’t know what would be best to grow here.I could use your help.

Thank You Ronnie

November 20, 2012 at 6:00 pm

Ronnie, get the new book that recently came out, Small Plants, Big Profits from Home. Lots of good stuff in that book and answers to all of your questions. When it came out I offered it to all of my existing customers at a discount. In the book I explain in detail what you can and cannot propagate.

October 28, 2012 at 7:41 am

I have loved growing for years and you have inspired me to start my little business. I just ordered your growing system. Thanks you mike. I am getting started now. It is October 28th, and I have already taken some cutting from you flowering tree. Wish me luck. Question Mike, can I put them outside? I don’t have a cold house yet but working on it. Let me know. Also why do you use sand? Looking forward to your answer.

October 28, 2012 at 9:45 am

Cindy, all of my cuttings are outside and will be all winter. We use sand because it drains well and the cuttings don’t rot. It makes for a great rooting medium. Thanks for buying my system, you will enjoy it I’m sure.

October 27, 2012 at 11:42 pm

Hi Mike, about a week ago I recieved your Small Plants,Big Profits from Home dvds and book. Well, I finished watching the dvds and finished reading your book also. Guess what going to start watching the dvds and reading the book again to catch anything that I might of missed. Your system is well worth the money. It is a great system that covers every angle of the business. Thanks so much, hard earned money very well spent!!! 🙂

November 20, 2012 at 5:57 pm

Frank, thank you so much for your kind words. I really try hard to make sure people get great value. I want to see your succeed at this!

October 27, 2012 at 11:06 pm

thanks Mike

October 27, 2012 at 8:06 pm

About how much physical space is required to start a backyard plant business? Our backyard is wide, but not deep, and has a good amount of shade. Sunlight would seem to be an essential factor. Thanks for all the great info and encouragement!

October 28, 2012 at 9:59 am

Laura, honestly? You can start a small backyard nursery in an area 5′ by 10′ and easily produce hundreds of plants. My first backyard nursery was only 1/20 of an acre. Two areas, one was 30′ by 40′ and the other was about 20′ by 70′. I grew and sold tens of thousands of plants in those small areas. If I lived in a mobile home park and I would still grow and sell plants. A cutting only needs about one square inch while it is rooting and if you want to grow it another year or two it really only needs about 16″ square inches. That’s 4″ by 4″.

More space is not always a good thing. I now have lots of room and I am making all kinds of mistakes because I spread out too much. I am now in the process of trying to get my operation back to what I had when I had less room to work with. You can grow a lot of plants in a small space and once a cutting has roots you can sell it. My system comes with an report that explains that in detail. Get started right now and join the fun! http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 27, 2012 at 12:03 pm

Hi Mike, I just watched your arborvitae plantings video and loved the wooden box you made for all your new plantings. My question is, I have a few trees in the back of my yard and this year hundreds of little ones came up around them by themselves. I replanted a few but not sure what to do with the rest. I live in Wisconsin so I am afraid that the snow will kill all of them. Do you have any ideas?

Love what you do. Thanks Charlotte

October 27, 2012 at 4:01 pm

Charlotte, chances are the snow and cold will not harm the seedlings. If the trees are hardy to your area they should over winter just fine. Plants are a lot more durable and cold hardy than we think.

November 17, 2012 at 1:02 pm

Charlotte – I am a South Dakota native now living in PA. The on thing that will NOT kill your little plants is snow. Snow is a perfect insulater – underneath snow the temperature is always a perfect 32 degrees. Try it yourself some time when it’s really cold. Take a bottle (plastic, please!) of soda, toss it into a snowbank so it’s completely covered, and leave it outside all night. The soda will still be liquid in the morning because the snow has insulated it right at 32 degrees. Even cold weather should not be a problem for these plants if they are native to your area, but if you have lots of leaves, you could rake them up and cover your little plants to give them some protection if it does not snow. I know MIke will have lots of other ideas, too, but I hope what I wrote will also help out. Try the snow thing. It really works! 😉 Lynn McMillen

October 25, 2012 at 7:25 am

Mike. What kind of sand should I get? Here in Florida there are many varieties.

October 25, 2012 at 6:08 pm

Janet, almost any sand will work, but the more coarse the better. Water should run through it, not sit on top of the sand.

October 23, 2012 at 9:08 am

Being 200 yards from Lake Eufaula in SE Oklahoma, soil here is about 90% sand, and as it’s in the Old Black Oak forest, is shaded much of the time, so space for planting is limited. I have a 60 foot by 20 foot natural compost pile where leaves, grass clippings, and other compostable material is used that I’ve been maintaining for 6 years now, which is generating some good humus with plenty of redworms. My plan is to use an area adjacent to our home that is a clearing about 150 feet by 200 feet to grow cuttings and seedlings after propagating in my 8′ by 16′ greenhouse. Much of what I plan to use is an abundance of seeds available naturally from white and pink dogwood trees, Walnut trees, Oak trees, Hickory trees, as well as numerous Scabiosa, Coreopsis, Mum, Iris, Daffodil, and Forsythia cuttings that are so prolific in propagating themselves. As there are no nurseries anywhere within a 20 mile radius, once sufficiently growing, I expect that sales should come easily and plan on offering very special prices for neighbors and customers to bring their own containers and dig them up themselves with my guidance. I’ve also got an over-abundance of bright blue Spider Wort, Morning Glory in three colors, and ‘Butterfly’ vines, which I’m trying to get out of my gardens as they will essentially take over and strangle other plants, but would be great for those just wanting some color with hardly any maintenance! My biggest problems are all of the local ‘critters’, especially this years over-abundance of grass hoppers and snakes, 3 of which are venomous and sometimes get very aggressive. Aside from that, the deer don’t seem to bother any of those plants but do a great job of keeping the indigenous grass under control. Now, if I could just get the squirrels to co-operate…………..

October 22, 2012 at 5:24 am

Mike I have been following you for a while now. I live in Australia and was wondering if your system would be good here? Thank you Kind Regards Susanne

November 20, 2012 at 5:55 pm

Susanne, Over the years I’ve had a number of people use my system in Austraila and New Zealand with great results. Right now we have a gal in Australia that we here from quite often and she is having a blast growing and selling small plants from home. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 21, 2012 at 1:55 pm

Dear Mike and Duston at Backyard Growers-

Please share about the definitions of the differnces between natural non-patented plants and those plants that are patented by corporations.

I believe early on in my readings of your online materials… way over a year ago, I read some about the world of plants …about how backyard nursery growers are engaged with our natural non-patented plants that we ARE free to grow for profit, versus those plants patented and owned by corporations, that we are NOT permitted to grow for profit.?

Will you please explain because maybe others also may find this of interest to fully understand what I think is true, that we are learning to propagate our natural plants help them flourish and maintain our rights to do so.

I have no idea how many starts at the average plant nursery outlet are patented but our local big center told me alot of them are. Mgr alos told me I could propagate for myself but not for sales profit.

I have no idea how much of the plant world is illegal off-limits, but Monsanto keeps buying up companies that made organic heirloom non- patented self-pollinating seeds and taking them off the market to destroy the competition for their hybridized seed that do not produce plants that produce fertile seeds. The hybrids are not able to, so gardeners and farmers have to go buy new seeds stock everytime they want to plant their crops.

This unnatural monopoly also obliterates plant’s natural abilities to adapt their DNA to the micro-climate and soils and conditions of your custom site specific criteria. Many of the old self- pollinating non-patented seed companies would tell you that it was better to get seeds from a similar AG zone as your garden/nursery or farm rather than from an AG zone drastically different. Also that to improve further you let some of your best plants go fully to seed every year as the seeds with good care of course will continue to adapt and improve to your site location.

I do not know if Monsanto is claiming patents now for the real seeds companies they bought up… or if they may use the real seeds as part of their Genetically Modified Organisms “Frankenfoods”. GMOs or Bio-Engineered is where multi-national corporations are gene splicing stuff so an ear of corn may be part chicken genes or whatever. We have demanded GMO on labelling and ingredients lists at least and indeed here in CA we have a ballot measure demanding this which we are working hard to see win. GMO crops are not proven to be safe. Indeed the studies with mice (poor mice!) show huge tumors on mice fed GMO foods and much shorter lives. These corps are now into GMO Salmon that is way bigger than natural river Salmon. If nothing else we do not want our natural real native Salmon varieties crossing with the GMOs. Many countries do not allow GMOs due to no industry studies whatsoever and all scientific independent studies show horrors of deadly side effects. USDA DOES NOT CARE AND BIG AG-BIZ spends $40 million or more to fight labelling with Super-PAC ads that lie.

I am an ardent advocate for citizens of USA to reclaim our natural fertile organic self-pollinating un-patented seeds and protect, preserve and propagate, propagate, propagate!

Please help me develope the definitions of the seeds/plants world here, because I am suffering from all the war on real so I am fumbling and mumbling as I research this as the foundation information as I see it for the family nursery plants propagation and learning center. We are ripe and ready for a complete up-to-date over-view that we can begin with and teach to ourselves and our youth education projects. Our schools are eager to engage and being an old retired school teacher that went to school with organic gardening classes in the school yards, I am eager to develope education programs that get in depth and not confusing for sure.

Can we please talk about this or maybe everything I am trying to get very clear wording and understanding about is in Mike’s book? Please let us meet in unity to share the best of the best education for the kids in perpetuity in harmony with Mother Nature

So glad you sent the email now! INSPIRED!

Meaghan Simpson

November 20, 2012 at 5:53 pm

Megan, I will write something about patented plants on my blog. I thought I did that. I know I address it in my book Easy Plant Propagation and I address it in detail in the new book that comes with my system. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm There are a lot of things that I share with customers that I cannot share here publicly. I’m sure you understand.

October 21, 2012 at 1:13 pm

Just purchased your program and looking forward to starting in the nursery business. I was reading the propagation download and I’m ready to get started.

November 20, 2012 at 5:48 pm

Eric, Thank you and stay tuned. I’m working on a grafting class for our members and we’ll have a great offering of Japanese Maples for sale in early January at rock bottom prices. I’ll Email you with more details. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 21, 2012 at 11:49 am

Hi Mike and Duston! Thanks for being on planet Earth and I love this latest email newsletter taking me to your blog? How can I get back here and read and join in? do I have to purchase your system before I can regularly read and reply?

I adopted Mike and his family as my own and have been on a mission to co-create a small plants propagation business and learning center here with my large family.

I am going to be 68 come November and I want to do this for the rest of my life researching, learning, teaching plants propagations protocols peaceful paradise premises dedicated for perpetuity so the kids and their kid’s kids can carry on and on and on! I am building bridges back to the garden where we belong so we can carry on and on. I am not ready to retire and working with plants will keep me healing and grounding and I will be blessed to help others who are eager to join me.

We are having a business plan meeting on Wed and have a book-keeper lined up. I have family members that are very business savvy both for-profit & non-profit. I don’t have a yard but my family has an organic farm and enough acres … so I don’t exactly fit in to the “just jump in and start starting starts small and little baby steps no. I have to have a real good business plan so I am calling upon our local horticultural knowledge and wisedom aplenty because we will adapt Mike’s PlantGrowersSystem to/for/with organic/no toxic chemicals protocols and products. My very first e-mail to Mike after reading everything on-line was about coming up with a companion organic all the way alternative option program. My mom was an organic gardener since 1930 something and alot of people we knew were too. By the 60’s we started an organic food-co-op in Laguna Beach, CA and became very familiar with CCOF- California Certified Organic Farms standards which are the original and best standards in USA, even today. USDA Organic is not the real clean strict standards and USDA is always pushing to cheat, lie and worse.

My mission is to co-create healthy jobs for family of all ages and that includes some like myself that have health challenges due to injuries from poison synthetic petro-chemicals. Even cancers are chemical injuries diseases so I want to offer everyone the gift of healthy, easy, affordable options to toxics for working in nursery gardening.

Mike wrote that he sees great interest from others for this information and you will be surprised how much fun and easy it is. We have the finest organic backyard or homestead gardeners, nursery businesses, permaculturists and farmers here in my family. We also have many very gifted artists and musicians and healing artists. We are always learning about “the secret life of plants and the benefits of music for plants and other subtle energies that are beyond a doubt beneficial. Plants are magical and they do respond to you!

Grandma Meaghan Simpson wants to give you the gift of non-toxic gardening so your work is part of your health insurance plan. Reclaim your lives from BIG CHEM and mother nature will LOVE you back aplenty! Well I got really carried away dreaming of inviting others to join me at the farm to play live acoustic music for our nursery plants and already have lots of very gifted volunteers and our family radio music-show hosts will donate recordings that we can play in the nursery. We are gonna have alot of fun and we want to share it with you because YOU are already part of my family and I want you to have the healthiest happy lives and contrary to some popular opinion, it is easy really easy and affordable. You will probably say, “now why didn’t I think of that!? It’s sooo simple!”

MIKE YOU ALWAYS SAY, STAY INSPIRED! WELL THANKS TO YOU AND YOURS, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT I AM INSPIRED AND PLAN TO ATTEND A SHINDIG AT YOUR PLACE ONE DAY, SO IT IS MY JOY AGAIN TO OFFER YOU AN INVITATION TO OUR FARM AND FAMILY SHINDIG THAT WE WILL HAVE IN YOUR HONOR SOMEDAY… WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN Maybe make it with a great update story in Mother Earth News… who knows?

How can I continue to read and write with this??? Please send me an email at my newsletter address: [email protected] I am computer impaired low-tech HELP!

Blessings- Meaghan Simpson

October 20, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Mike, I tried rooting azaleas in the spring and got maybe 4 plants out of 50. Itried again in august and got 0 out of 50. I dont know if the sand is too fine or if they got water logged. Any ideas? Regards, Harry

November 20, 2012 at 5:45 pm

Harry, if the stems rotted the sand is too wet. If the leaves dried out, the humidity wasn’t high enough. You should have great results doing them in late June, put the propagation box in a shaded area. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 19, 2012 at 11:53 pm

Mike,I lovegardening and all that entails, my dream would be to have a self sufficient farm; I appreciate your emails and all the information you share. I grow my own herbs,, some vegetables and a couple of fruit trees and vines, however, all plants are in pots on a patioin the apartment complex that Ilive. Do you have any suggestions on propagating small plants for profit in my situtation. Catherine L Ross, San Antonio, TX

October 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm

Mike, I just finished reading about making cuttings and was surprised that you can do evergreens. How would I do cedar, spruce and pine cuttings for rooting new shrubs for natural barriers or fences around my own gardens? I prefer using natural as opposed to manmade fencing but buying all those shrubs can be very costly. Katie

October 17, 2012 at 11:35 am

Oops! Sorry Duston; I just noticed I missplelled/typo’d your name . . .

October 17, 2012 at 11:30 am

Hi Mike, We first found your info doing a search on the internet at a time when we were building a greenhouse for a start-up nursery and tree farm. I did purchase your growing system (CDs and lit.) at the time and we have been over it a time or two since then (back in Q4 2010 or Q1 2011).

We found much of your information you share so freely to be very valuable and have followed your lead and contacted a couple of your sources for plants and hard goods and I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work and dedication (and Dunston, etc.), which, as I said has been very welcome and valuable as we continue to try to grow our business.

I was employed as a telecommnications engineer, but left that job (and just turned down another of the same type) so my wife, Debbie, and I can work together to pursue our shared passion – plants!

We’re both nearing retirement age, but we’ve brought our two sons into the mix, so we’re hoping things will progress so they can take over what we started and keep it going for them and their families.

I’ll send you some pics one day soon, if you would like, of the greenhouse now filled to overflowing with plants we hope to sell both wholesale and retail in the coming spring and summer.

Thanks again for all the great info and good luck to you and yours as your business and efforts expand for the future.

Rob & Debbie . . .

PS Really like the ‘new’ website and videos, all of which I intend to watch and refer to often; keep up the great work . . .

October 17, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Rob, thank you so much for your kind words. It sounds like you and your family are really digging into this business. I was just at a big box store today and I am amazed at how much they are charging for most of the plants in their garden area. $25.00 for a potted Burning Bush! All of that only means great opportunity for us who grow and at home and have very little overhead compared to larger nurseries. You should do well. I wish you and your family the best life has to offer. -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 17, 2012 at 3:27 am

I still have a few buts also as still trying to get the family farm livable. Not to mention water seems to be the bain in my life right now. We will hopefully be running new pipe from the water well this week to the house and mobile. Also the irrigation at the farm, first when they switched from ditches to under ground pipes they broke the pipe that came to us. They fixed that after it got figured out like a month or so later. Everyone else has pressure but not me as our water goes into a holding pond. Of course the old pump died this year too so water barely comes out of the sprinklers. GRRRRR!

Where I live in town the landlord and I have been fixing the water system we put in 2 seasons ago, pipes broke an other one slipped. At least in town I always have hoses to drag and water pressure. I had a plant sale this summer and everyone just wanted to buy my strawberry plants.

October 16, 2012 at 5:48 pm

I’ll do it when I stop traveling and settle down in one place. lol I still propagate plants when I am around the home base and then I have to find homes for them. I’ve got some houseplants and herbs rooting right now.

Hans, that’s really cool!

October 16, 2012 at 3:53 pm

I started propagating muscadine vines for the first time this year. I sell more than I can grow. My 8 weeks old rooted cutting sell for $4.99. I ship all over the South.

November 20, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Hans, that’s what I like to hear. I’m sure some of our members would like to buy from you as well.

October 16, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Well all your e-mails are encouraging and keep me inspired! I just collect a good batch of maple seeds that I am going to try to grow next spring. Thanks for the information that you send!

October 16, 2012 at 3:01 pm

I purchased your Backyard Growing System last year (i believe)for $37.00. How is this information different/better? I’m asking out of curiosity, and in no way am I trying to imply anything. Due to health reasons, I never used the first system I purchased but I love plants, need money, and like the idea of having my own backyard nursery.

November 20, 2012 at 5:41 pm

Carol, this summer, 2012 I spent three weeks writing the book that now comes with my system. Some of the information is new, one of the DVDs is also new. The previous system contained a great deal of information, but people wanted physical products, so that’s what we did. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 16, 2012 at 2:50 pm

The “Don’t have the money right now is my excuse”, but I’ve bought the Book and video, so I am reading and learning what to do. Right after getting the System, I have moved, got a mortgage, lost my job, then my new tenants abandoned their lease, so the income I expected to get dried up pretty fast. But I’m employed again, and trying to find my new budget so I’m hesitant to buy the materials and supplies I need to get started. But I can see why getting started sooner than later means that I could have another income producing source sooner than later, so I’ll keep reading and do what I can as I can. Thanks for the encouragement on all the different excuses people have.

October 16, 2012 at 2:01 pm

I’m with you Mike, I do landscape maitnance and my customers are always needing replacement plants,something new to add to their landscape, and flea markets are great also!! thinking about a website but…yep there is the but!! I will keep website in mind, for now it’s word of mouth. thanks for all your info..it has helped and inspired me!!! life is a garden..dig it!!

October 16, 2012 at 1:19 pm

I love plants, have for more years than I can count. You have certainly given me a lot to think about. I am pottin and rootin a few plants. Just to get the feel of it. Thinking seriously about it. Thanks so much.

November 20, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Jackie, good luck with the things that you are rooting and potting now. You could be up to speed so much faster with all of the information that is in my system, and you won’t make a lot of mistakes by not having good information. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm

October 16, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Between the economy and my health issues, I am not employed now. I will be losing my home. I will probably be living on property in the country that my son owns in a trailer home. If he keeps his end of the bargain I will be in definitely start by growing small plants with your system. I have been doing the same on a small scale here in town to grow my own perennials and ornamental plants. Plus I grow my annual flowers and veggie plants on a home made lighted plant stand starting in February so they are ready to plant in late May. IF you ever have another free offer of your planting system, please make sure I am in the contest. I have saved all your emails over the past decade and I have learned so much. Thank you for all the time you put into your emails and your books on how to set up starter system of growing plants at home. Looking forward to your next email, Rebecca J. Shumaker

October 16, 2012 at 7:02 pm

Rebecca, I will from time to time be giving away gifts to those who post comments on this site. However, I really have to do it randomly and not select who I want to receive the gift.

October 16, 2012 at 11:00 am

We have a small nursery at our house. We grow and sell do some plantings. Check out out website. http://www.tarweednativeplants.com

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How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 11:59am

Table of Contents

Brainstorm an executive summary, create a company description, brainstorm your business goals, describe your services or products, conduct market research, create financial plans, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Every business starts with a vision, which is distilled and communicated through a business plan. In addition to your high-level hopes and dreams, a strong business plan outlines short-term and long-term goals, budget and whatever else you might need to get started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a business plan that you can stick to and help guide your operations as you get started.

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Drafting the Summary

An executive summary is an extremely important first step in your business. You have to be able to put the basic facts of your business in an elevator pitch-style sentence to grab investors’ attention and keep their interest. This should communicate your business’s name, what the products or services you’re selling are and what marketplace you’re entering.

Ask for Help

When drafting the executive summary, you should have a few different options. Enlist a few thought partners to review your executive summary possibilities to determine which one is best.

After you have the executive summary in place, you can work on the company description, which contains more specific information. In the description, you’ll need to include your business’s registered name , your business address and any key employees involved in the business. 

The business description should also include the structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship , limited liability company (LLC) , partnership or corporation. This is the time to specify how much of an ownership stake everyone has in the company. Finally, include a section that outlines the history of the company and how it has evolved over time.

Wherever you are on the business journey, you return to your goals and assess where you are in meeting your in-progress targets and setting new goals to work toward.

Numbers-based Goals

Goals can cover a variety of sections of your business. Financial and profit goals are a given for when you’re establishing your business, but there are other goals to take into account as well with regard to brand awareness and growth. For example, you might want to hit a certain number of followers across social channels or raise your engagement rates.

Another goal could be to attract new investors or find grants if you’re a nonprofit business. If you’re looking to grow, you’ll want to set revenue targets to make that happen as well.

Intangible Goals

Goals unrelated to traceable numbers are important as well. These can include seeing your business’s advertisement reach the general public or receiving a terrific client review. These goals are important for the direction you take your business and the direction you want it to go in the future.

The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you’re offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit in the current market or are providing something necessary or entirely new. If you have any patents or trademarks, this is where you can include those too.

If you have any visual aids, they should be included here as well. This would also be a good place to include pricing strategy and explain your materials.

This is the part of the business plan where you can explain your expertise and different approach in greater depth. Show how what you’re offering is vital to the market and fills an important gap.

You can also situate your business in your industry and compare it to other ones and how you have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other than financial goals, you want to have a budget and set your planned weekly, monthly and annual spending. There are several different costs to consider, such as operational costs.

Business Operations Costs

Rent for your business is the first big cost to factor into your budget. If your business is remote, the cost that replaces rent will be the software that maintains your virtual operations.

Marketing and sales costs should be next on your list. Devoting money to making sure people know about your business is as important as making sure it functions.

Other Costs

Although you can’t anticipate disasters, there are likely to be unanticipated costs that come up at some point in your business’s existence. It’s important to factor these possible costs into your financial plans so you’re not caught totally unaware.

Business plans are important for businesses of all sizes so that you can define where your business is and where you want it to go. Growing your business requires a vision, and giving yourself a roadmap in the form of a business plan will set you up for success.

How do I write a simple business plan?

When you’re working on a business plan, make sure you have as much information as possible so that you can simplify it to the most relevant information. A simple business plan still needs all of the parts included in this article, but you can be very clear and direct.

What are some common mistakes in a business plan?

The most common mistakes in a business plan are common writing issues like grammar errors or misspellings. It’s important to be clear in your sentence structure and proofread your business plan before sending it to any investors or partners.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Julia is a writer in New York and started covering tech and business during the pandemic. She also covers books and the publishing industry.

How to Start an Indoor Plant Care Business

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• Home Business
• Small Business
• Online Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Operations & Success

If you love taking care of plants and dream of becoming your own boss, an indoor plant care business may be for you. You'll need a green thumb and an entrepreneurial spirit to succeed; the bulk of the job involves maintaining plants and flowers in homes and offices . Feeding, watering, trimming, transplanting and replacing them will be your responsibility, keeping houses and business looking attractive with welcoming foliage. 

Since the overhead for indoor plant care is low, you can give this business time to blossom. An annual income of $15,000 is reasonable for a part-time commitment, while a full-time venture can earn as much as $55,000 per year. Income will vary depending on your specific location and clientele. Targeting businesses, shopping malls, office complexes, hotels, and apartments as your clients will net more profit than private homes because of the concentration of work.

Basic plant maintenance required for indoor plant care requires no formal training. Many who start out providing indoor plant care services have prior nursery experience or have logged long hours tending to their own indoor foliage. Having or acquiring know-how in seasonal plant care and in disease and pest control for plants is critical to retaining the trust and patronage of clients.

Benefits of an Indoor Plant Care Business

The start-up capital for an indoor plant care business is very low relative to other businesses; your biggest expenses will be insurance and transportation. You can manage bookkeeping yourself, and if you manage to secure larger clients, such as office buildings or malls, you'll have a large amount of regular income. 

Drawbacks of an Indoor Plant Care Business

In the case of an economic downturn, your services will be the first to be cut. Many clients will view your business as a luxury item and will eliminate your role during budget cuts. This problem can make building a reliable income more difficult. 

Additionally, disease and bugs are a constant threat to plants and your business. A sudden infestation in your area can ruin the plants and your reputation, even when there's nothing you could have done to prevent it. 

What You Need to Get Started

Depending on your state and county regulations, you may need a business license and liability insurance.

Also, you will need to produce marketing materials to help get your first clients. A basic website, business cards, and flyers are usually the most cost-effective measures at the beginning. Word of mouth through friends, family, and social media, can also help build awareness and exposure for your business. 

You will likely need to supply your own tools, so choose well-made items that will last to make the most of your money. Watering cans, pest repellent, fertilizer, soil, shovels, and other tools are all essentials you'll need to bring with you to client sites. 

Establishing relationships with local nurseries can be very beneficial for you. If you build a strong partnership, you may qualify for discounted rates on plants you purchase on behalf of clients, keeping your costs low. Additionally, some nurseries will give you a commission for plants sold.

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Wholesale & Retail

How to Write a Flower Shop Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a flower shop? If YES, here is a complete sample flower shop business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . If you have eyes for colors and designs, as well as have a penchant for beauty, then you may want to tinker with starting your own Flower Shop. The market for both fresh flowers and artificial flower has continued to soar from generation to generation. This is as long as we still have weddings, burials and other special events taking place all around us.

Why Start a Flower Shop?

Fact remains that as insignificant as most people think flower is, it is still a major requirement for weddings (Bouquet for the brides), burial designs (wreath), love gathering and design and decoration of event centers and even worship centers.

No doubt if you are interested in making brides happy on their wedding day or adding colors to people’s events, then you should consider starting your own flower shop. It is indeed a profitable venture especially if you know how to roll with big – time events and wedding planners.

One beauty about this kind of business is that you could decide to specialize in either artificial flowers or natural flowers and also you can decide to specialize in both. With natural flower, you can even start by growing them in a garden in your compound if you have enough space and also you can order your artificial flowers and flower pots directly from the manufacturer at a cheaper rate if you know how to bargain.

A Sample Flower Shop Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

A flower shop is a place where flowers are retailed. The florist industry or flower shops basically retail cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants and artificial flowers. Industry operators purchase these goods from domestic and international flower farms and wholesalers, and then sell them to the general public. This industry excludes operators that primarily function as electronic shopping websites and mail-order companies.

The Florists industry has been on a downward movement over the last five years. Bad economic conditions during the recession period reduced disposable income, dissuading households from making discretionary purchases on flowers and plants.

So also, intensified competition has worsened declining demand; discounted prices for comparable goods online and in supermarkets have led consumers to buy fewer flowers from traditional flower shop. The Florist industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the united states which generates a whooping sum of well over billion annually from more than 35,343 outlets scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 83,208 people. Experts project the florist industry to grow at a 1.4 percent annual rate. No single florist store can boast of having a lion market share in the industry. The Florists industry has minimal barriers to entry, with low start – up capital and no specific licensing requirements.

The majority of flower shops operate as non – employers and the capital costs of establishing retail outlets are not substantial relative to many other retail industries, such as department stores. On the other hand, the high level of competition and market saturation in a declining industry can prove challenging to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their own flower shop – business.

Most players in the florist industry are small- to medium-size establishments that cater to the local community. With this kind of business, if you want to start on a small scale, you can choose to start it as a part time business from your home. All you would need is contacts, business cards and your catalogue.

However, if you intend starting it as a full – time business person, then you should consider renting a shop in an area that is prone to high human and vehicular traffic. The good thing about ensuring that your flower shop is visible to all is so that people may easily walk into your shop to make enquiries even if they aren’t buying at that moment. With that you will be able to build your potential client list that you can use for marketing purpose.

Over and above, the florist industry / flower shop is a profitable industry and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish his or her business; you can chose to start on a small scale in a street corner like the average mom and pop business or you can chose to start on a large scale with several outlets in key cities.

2. Executive Summary

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is a standard and registered flower shop business that will be located in one of the busiest roads in Orlando, Florida. We have been able to lease a facility along a major road that is big enough to fit into the design of the kind of flower shop that we intend launching and the facility is located in a corner piece directly opposite the largest residential estate in Orlando, Florida.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC will be involved in the production / cultivation, commerce and trade of flowers. Our product and services encompasses flower care and handling, floral design or flower arranging, merchandising, and display and flower delivery. We will also sell bulk flowers and related supplies to professionals in the trade.

We are aware that there are several large and small flower shops all around Orlando – Florida, which is why we spent time and resources to conduct our feasibility studies and market survey so as to offer much more than our competitors will be offering. We have self – service options for our customers, and our outlet is well secured with the various payment of options.

Much more than retailing cut flowers, retailing of fresh and artificial flowers, retailing floral arrangements, retailing potted plants and retailing complimentary gift items , our customer care will be second to none in the whole of Orlando, Florida.

We know that our customers are the reason why we are in business which is why we will go the extra mile to get them satisfied when they visit our flower and also to become our loyal customers and ambassadors. Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC will ensure that all our customers are given first class treatment whenever they visit our flower shop.

We have a CRM software that will enable us manage a one on one relationship with our customers no matter how large the numbers of our customers’ base may grow to. We will ensure that we get our customers involved when making some business decisions that directly affect them.

We are aware of the trend in the retail / florist industry and we are not only going to operate a system where our customers would have to come to our flower shop to make purchase or whatever they want but we will also operate an online store and our customers can order flowers and related merchandize online and they will get it delivered to their houses or any location they want us to deliver the goods to within Orlando.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is a family business that is owned by Bernie Vandross and Family. Bernie Vandross is florist per excellence; he has a B.Sc. in Business Administration, with well over 15 years of experience in the florist and retailing industry, working for some of the leading brand in the United States.

Although the business is launching out with just one outlet in Orlando – Florida, but there is a plan to open other outlets all around Florida and perhaps in other key cities in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC is in the florist industry / flower shop line of business to make profits and we will ensure we go all the way to make available a wide range of flowers both natural and artificial and other related merchandize to our clients.

Our product and service offerings are listed below;

• Retailing cut flowers
• Retailing of fresh and artificial flowers
• Retailing floral arrangements
• Retailing potted plants
• Retailing complimentary gift items

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become the leading flower shop – brand in the florist industry in Florida and to establish a one stop flower shop in Orlando and in other cities in Florida.
• Our mission is to establish a flower shop business that will make available a wide range of both fresh / natural and artificial flowers at affordable prices to the residence of Orlando, Florida and other cities in Florida where we intend opening of chains of flower shops.

Our Business Structure

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LCC do not intend to start a flower shop business like the usual mom and pop business around the street corner; our intention of starting a flower shop business is to build a standard and one stop flower shop in Orlando, Florida.

Although our flower shop business might not be as big as other related business that are into retailing, but will ensure that we put the right structure in place that will support the kind of growth that we have in mind while setting up the business.

We will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, honest, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of ten years or more. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
• Shop Manager
• Human Resources and Admin Manager

Merchandize Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

Information Technologist

• Accountants / Cashiers
• Customer Services Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Officer – CEO (Chief Florist):

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Reports to the board

Admin and HR Manager

• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Shop Manager:

• Responsible for managing the daily activities in the store
• Ensures that proper records of goods are kept and our racks and warehouse does not run out of products
• Ensures that the store facility is in tip top shape and goods are properly arranged and easy to locate
• Interfaces with third – party suppliers (vendors)
• Controls goods distribution and supply inventory
• Supervises the workforce
• Responsible for retailing cut flowers
• Responsible for retailing of fresh and artificial flowers
• Responsible for retailing floral arrangements
• Responsible for retailing potted plants
• Responsible for retailing complimentary gift items
• Manages vendor relations, market visits, and the ongoing education and development of the organizations’ buying teams
• Helps to ensure consistent quality of both natural and artificial flowers in our shop
• Responsible for the purchase of flowers and related products for the organizations
• Responsible for planning sales, monitoring inventory, selecting the merchandise, and writing and pricing orders to vendors
• Ensures that the organization operates within stipulated budget.
• Manages external research and coordinate all the internal sources of information to retain the organizations’ best customers and attract new ones
• Models demographic information and analyze the volumes of transactional data generated by customer purchases
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Manages the organization website
• Handles ecommerce aspect of the business
• Responsible for installing and maintenance of computer software and hardware for the organization
• Manages logistics and supply chain software, Web servers, e-commerce software and POS (point of sale) systems
• Manages the organization’s CCTV
• Handles any other technological and IT related duties.

Accountant / Cashier:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the organization
• Serves as internal auditor for the organization

Client Service Executive

• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with customers on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the human resources and admin manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to customers when they make enquiries
• Responsible for cleaning the shop facility at all times
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Cleans both the interior and exterior of the store facility
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the shop manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

Our intention of starting just one outlet of our flower shop in Orlando, Florida is to test run the business for a period of 2  to 5 years to know if we will invest more money, expand the business and then open other outlets all over Florida.

We are quite aware that there are several Supermarket who retail flowers and flower shops all over Orlando and even in the same location where we intend locating ours, which is why we are following the due process of establishing a business.

We know that if a proper SWOT analysis is conducted for our business, we will be able to position our business to maximize our strength, leverage on the opportunities that will be available to us, mitigate our risks and be welled equipped to confront our threats.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC employed the services of an expert HR and Business Analyst with bias in retailing to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to help us create a Business model that will help us achieve our business goals and objectives.

This is the summary of the SWOT analysis that was conducted for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC;

Our location, the business model we will be operating on (physical flower shop and online flower store), varieties of payment options, wide range of flowers and related products and our excellent customer service culture will definitely count as a strong strength for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC.

A major weakness that may count against us is the fact that we are a new flower shop – business and we don’t have the financial capacity to compete with multi – billion dollars supermarkets who are into retailing of flowers and other big – term florist companies who are into mass production of flowers and related products when it comes to retailing at a rock bottom prices for all their goods.

• Opportunities:

The fact that we are going to be operating our flower shop in one of the busiest streets in Orlando, Florida provides us with unlimited opportunities to sell our flowers and related products to a large number of people. We have been able to conduct thorough feasibility studies and market survey and we know what our potential clients will be looking for when they visit our flower shop; we are well positioned to take on the opportunities that will come our way.

Just like any other business, one of the major threats that we are likely going to face is economic downturn. It is a fact that economic downturn affects purchasing / spending power. Another threat that may likely confront us is the arrival of a new supermarket that is into retailing flowers and other flower shops in same location where ours is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

In this era when the online community is growing rapidly, you would do your business a whole lot of favor if you create your own online presence. One of the easiest ways to get people to see you as an expert in your line of business is to blog constantly about flowers. You may also want to leverage on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and others to publicize your flower business.

You can as well go ahead to open an online flower shop where people can order flowers for their special occasion from your shop. You must ensure that your delivery system (shipping) is efficient if you intend to do well with your online flower shop.

You might not have all the designs and color combination of your flower per time in your shop, but one smart thing you may do for your business is to prepare a comprehensive catalogue that contains all form of flower designs.

Your catalog should be your number one marketing tool so you must ensure that it is well designed and of high quality. You should be ready to always update your catalog when you have new designs – that is where your graphics skills will come in handy.

Another key factor that could help you grow your business fast is to leverage on existing platforms. You can join a florist association in your area, as well as can with wedding and event planners in your area. Better yet, you can also work with caskets seller too. If you are in good business relationship with all these people mentioned, then you can be rest assured that your business will grow in within a short period of time.

8. Our Target Market

There are loads of people who can’t do without flowers either natural or artificial flower and there are loads of functions such as wedding ceremonies, burial ceremonies and many other events. This goes to show that if a flower shop is well positioned, they will continue to sell their products to a wide range of clients on a regular basis.

In view of that, we have positioned our flower shop to service the residence of Orlando, Florida and every other location our flower shop will be located in key cities all over Florida. We have conducted our market research and we have ideas of what our target market would be expecting from us. We are in business to retail a wide range of flowers and related merchandize to the following groups of people;

• Event Planners
• Churches and other religious centers
• Funeral Homes
• Bachelors and Spinsters
• Corporate Executives
• Business People
• About to wed couples
• Expectant Mothers
• Sports Men and Women

Our Competitive Advantage

A close study of the florist industry reveals that the market has become much more intensely competitive over the last decade. As a matter of fact, you have to be highly creative, customer centric and proactive if you must survive in this industry. We are aware of the stiffer competition and we are well prepared to compete favorably with flower shops and other leading supermarkets that are into retailing of flowers in Orlando, Florida.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is launching a standard flower shop that will indeed become the preferred choice of residence of Orlando, Florida. Our flower shop is located in a corner piece property on a busy road directly opposite one of the largest residential estates in Orlando, Florida. We have enough parking space that can accommodate well over 20 cars per time.

One thing is certain, we will ensure that we have a wide range of flowers both natural and artificial and related products available in our shop at all times. It will be difficult for customers to visit our flower shop and not make a purchase of flowers or other related products.

One of our business goals is to make Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC a one stop flower shop. Our excellent customer service culture, online store, various payment options and highly secured facility will serve as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups flower shops) in the florist industry, meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives. We will also give good working conditions and commissions to freelance sales agents that we will recruit from time to time.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is in business to retail a wide range of flowers (both natural and artificial) and related products to the residence of Orlando, Florida. We are in the florist industry to maximize profits and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we achieve or business goals and objectives.

In essence, our source of income will be the retailing of a wide range of flowers and other related products at affordable prices. We will generate income by;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain when it comes to flower shop business, if your shop is well stocked and centrally positioned, you will always attract customers cum sales and that will sure translate to increase in revenue generation for the business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Orlando, Florida and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the florist industry / flower shop line of business and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in Orlando, Florida.

Below is the sales projection for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and other factors as it relates to flower shop start – ups in the United States;

• First Fiscal Year-: $50,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $150,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $450,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same products and customer care services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Before choosing a location for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, we conduct a thorough market survey and feasibility studies in order for us to be able to be able to penetrate the available market and become the preferred choice for residence of Orlando, Florida. We have detailed information and data that we were able to utilize to structure our business to attract the numbers of customers we want to attract per time.

We hired experts who have good understanding of the florist industry / flower shop line of business to help us develop marketing strategies that will help us achieve our business goal of winning a larger percentage of the available market in Orlando.

In other to continue to be in business and grow, we must continue to sell the flowers and related products that are available in our shop which is why we will go all out to empower or sales and marketing team to deliver. In summary, Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC will adopt the following sales and marketing approach to win customers over;

• Open our flower shop in a grand style with a party for all.
• Introduce our flower shop business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to organizations, religious centers, funeral homes, event planners, households and key stake holders in Orlando, Florida
• Ensure that we have a wide range of flowers (natural and artificial) and other related merchandize in our shop at all times.
• Make use of attractive hand bills to create awareness and also to give direction to our flower shop
• Position our signage / flexi banners at strategic places around Orlando
• Position our greeters to welcome and direct potential customers
• Create a loyalty plan that will enable us reward our regular customers
• Engage on road shows within our neighborhood to create awareness for our flower shop.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Despite the fact that our flower shop is well located, we will still go ahead to intensify publicity for the business. We are going to explore all available means to promote Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC. Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC has a long term plan of opening outlets in various locations all around Florida which is why we will deliberately build our brand to be well accepted in Orlando before venturing out.

As a matter of fact, our publicity and advertising strategy is not solely for winning customers over but to effectively communicate our brand. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC;

• Place adverts on community based newspapers, radio stations and TV stations.
• Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from our loyal customers
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+  and other platforms to promote our business.
• Ensure that our we position our banners and billboards in strategic positions all around Orlando, Florida
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
• Contact corporate organizations, households, religious centers, funeral homes and event planners et al by calling them up and informing them of Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC and the products we sell
• Advertise Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC business in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site
• Brand all our official cars and vans and ensure that all our staff members and management staff wears our branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Pricing is one of the key factors that gives leverage to retailers and flower shops, it is normal for consumers to go to places (flower shops) where they can get flowers and related merchandize at cheaper price which is why big player in the florist industry will continue to attract loads of consumers. Products in their store are tagged with the cheapest price you can get anywhere in the United States.

We know we don’t have the capacity to compete with bigger and well – established flower shops, but we will ensure that the prices of all the products that are available in our flower shop are competitive with what is obtainable amongst flower shops within our level.

We are aware that there are contracts for flower supply by government, sports organizations or big religious organization; we will ensure that we abide by the bidding pricing template when we bid for such contracts.

• Payment Options

At Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC, Our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that will be available in every of our outlets;

• Payment by cash
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via online bank transfer (online payment portal)
• Payment via Mobile money
• Payment with check from loyal customers

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our payment plans without any itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business.

The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a flower shop business; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. This is the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Orlando, Florida – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $3,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening of Peak Lane Grocery Store, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580.
• Cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
• Cost for Shop remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (stocking with a wide range of flowers (both natural and artificial, flower pots, and other related merchandize) – $100,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of purchase and installation of CCTVs: $5,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs, Sound System, tables and chairs et al): $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website: $600
• The cost for our opening party: $5,000
• Miscellaneous: $5,000

We would need an estimate of $250,000 to successfully set up our grocery store in Orlando, Florida. Please note that this amount includes the salaries of all the staff for the first month of operation.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is a private business that is solely owned and financed by Bernie Vandross and family. They do not intend to welcome any external business partners, which is why he has decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital to 3 major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $70,000 and soft loan from family members $30,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and document have been signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited with the amount.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to retail our flowers, flower pots and other related merchandize a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Natures Delight™ Flower Shop, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing of facility and remodeling the shop: In Progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed furniture, racks, shelves, computers, electronic appliances, office appliances and CCTV: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Compilation of our list of products that will be available in our shop: Completed
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of flowers, flower pots and related merchandize – In Progress

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Flower Shop Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Flower Shop Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their flower shop companies. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a flower shop business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Flower Shop Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your flower shop business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Flower Shop

If you’re looking to start a flower shop business or grow your existing flower shop company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your flower shop business to improve your chances of success. Your flower shop business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Flower Shop Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for a flower shop business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for flower shop companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a flower shop business.

If you want to start a flower shop business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your flower shop business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of flower shop business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a flower shop business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of flower shop businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the flower shop industry.
• Discuss the type of flower shop business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of flower shop business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of flower shop businesses:

• Retail Flower Shop : this type of flower shop is located in a retail location as part of a  shopping mall, store, or is housed in a stand-alone building. Customers served are typically from the local residential and business areas, with a high rate of repeat customer business. Flower delivery is usually offered at an additional cost.
• In-Store & Online Flower Shop: this type of flower shop supplies flower arrangements in various formats for both walk-in or call-in retail customers and, additionally, serves online retail customers. Pricing for flower arrangements is congruent in both types of sales; however, delivery charges vary according to the type of delivery required.
• Online-Only Flower Shop : As the name suggests, this type of flower shop is concentrated on the primary website of the business and offers numerous floral arrangements created and delivered to customers who order online. No services exist for walk-in or call-in customers and there is no store location.
• Mobile Flower Cart : Customers of a mobile flower cart include those who work in businesses or frequent busy city districts. Mobile flower carts typically carry floral bouquets wrapped in paper or loose arrangements rather than formal floral arrangements that  include vases.

In addition to explaining the type of flower shop business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of flower shop customers served, the number of deliveries made, reaching X number of mobile flower carts, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the flower shop industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the flower shop industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your florist business plan:

• How big is the flower shop industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your flower shop business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your flower shop business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, wedding parties, families and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of flower shop business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other flower shop businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes grocery stores selling loose flowers, flower farms, or wholesale flower markets. You need to mention direct competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of flower shop business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regard to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide packages for wedding floral arrangements?
• Will you offer preferred customer discounts that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer floral arrangements for all budgets?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a florist business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of flower shop company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, social gatherings and corporate events?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your flower shop company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your flower shop business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your flower shop marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your flower shop business, including answering calls, building floral arrangements and delivering them, billing corporate accounts, or restocking your mobile flower cart daily, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell you Xth floral arrangement, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your mobile flower carts to reach your entire city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your flower shop business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing flower shop businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a flower shop business or successfully running a small gift shop.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you sell 50 floral arrangements per day, and/or contract with corporations for monthly floral services? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your flower shop business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a flower shop business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of corporations interested in long-term contracts for floral services.

Writing a business plan for your flower shop business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the flower shop industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful flower shop business.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Flower Shop business plan?

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Boar's Head-linked listeria outbreak: Stop & Shop, Albertsons, Target, other stores affected

What to know about listeria.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeriosis is an infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Health officials are informing the public about the shopping locations that sold Boar's Head deli meat linked to a deadly listeria outbreak.

The recalled Boar's Head deli meat , which has hospitalized nearly 60 people and killed nine others, was sold at stores around the nation.

The United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service published an 825-page document detailing the grocery stores in each state that carried the recalled deli meat that was recalled because of listeria contamination. 

This list was last updated on Aug. 14. 

FILE - Boars Head meats are displayed at a Safeway store on July 31, 2024, in San Rafael, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

To narrow it down for residents, the California Department of Public Health, for example, also published a separate list of all the grocers in the state that have been affected. The list is 25 pages long.

BOAR'S HEAD DEADLY LISTERIA OUTBREAK: FOOD SAFETY LAWYER ASKS CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE

The stores on both lists include local markets and regional and national chains, including Safeway, Vons, Albertson's, Publix, Kroger, Stop & Shop and Target.

Safeway and Vons are owned by Albertsons Companies.

FOX Business reached out to Albertsons Companies, Publix and Target for comment. 

SIX MORE DEATHS LINKED TO BOAR'S HEAD LISTERIA OUTBREAK

Stop & Shop, which has roughly 400 stores throughout the Northeast, said all of its locations were affected. A Stop & Shop spokesperson told FOX Business that it shut down its deli counters twice, once after the initial recall and again after it was expanded, to ensure everything was deep cleaned and sanitized. 

"Stop & Shop removed all impacted Boar's Head products from sale, and we also discarded all other open deli meats and cheeses that could have come into contact with the recalled items," a spokesperson said in a statement. 

The latest on the Boar's Head listeria outbreak

A Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Virginia tied to a deadly food poisoning outbreak repeatedly violated federal regulations, including instances of mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment, newly released records show. LiveNOW from FOX host Mike Pache spoke to Fox New's Nate Foy on the latest.

Its stores do not currently carry anything from the facility in Virginia that produced the recalled meat. 

Boar's Head previously told FOX Business that all operations have been suspended at the Virginia plant, and that no more products will be released until the plant "meets the highest quality and safety standards."

This incident marked the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Boar's Head posted on its website that it's been conducting a rigorous investigation into this issue with the USDA and government regulatory agencies as well as with global food safety experts. 

The CDC is asking consumers to check their homes for any remaining recalled Boar's Head products since they can have a long shelf life. 

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To identify the recalled products, the CDC said consumers should look for "EST. 12612" or "P-12612" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.

Listeria is considered a "hardy germ" that can remain on surfaces, according to the CDC. It can take up to 10 weeks for some people to develop symptoms.

Get updates to this story on FOXBusiness.com .

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2024 College Grads: Get Ready for Student Loan Repayment

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Congratulations on your college graduation! Now, get ready for your next milestone: student loan repayment.

Most student loan borrowers get a six-month grace period after graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment. This grace period applies to all federal student loans and some private loans. Monthly payments begin after your grace period. So, if you graduated in May, your student loan bills could start in November.

Student loan payments can make it difficult to find your financial footing, but there are ways to manage them. Spend a few hours taking stock of your student loan situation before your grace period ends. Then, consider strategies to lower your monthly payments.

Here’s your cheat sheet to Student Loan Repayment 101.

Log into your student loan accounts

Review your student loan situation: How much do you owe? What type of loans do you have? Start by logging into your account on studentaid.gov . On your dashboard, you’ll see how much federal student loan debt you have. In the top-right corner, you’ll see the name of your federal student loan servicer , which is the company the government assigns to manage your repayment.

Create an account on your servicer’s website, too. You’ll manage billing with your servicer. If you have any questions about your student loans, your first step should be calling your servicer’s customer service department.

If you have private student loans, log into your lender’s website to see how much you owe and what your repayment options are. Options vary by lender.

If you’re not sure what type of student loans you have or who your lender is, check your credit report, which may show who holds your debt. You can also contact your school’s financial aid office. They may have records of where your tuition payments came from.

Set up automatic payments

In your servicer account, make sure your contact and billing information are up to date.

Set up student loan autopay to save money and time. For federal student loans, automatic billing will get you a 0.25 percentage point reduction in your interest rate each month. For example, a 5.50% interest rate could be lowered to 5.25%. This could save you money over the life of your loan.

Plus, autopay will help you avoid missing a monthly payment.

Some private lenders also offer an interest rate discount if you set up autopay. Ask your lender if they have this perk.

Choose a repayment plan

Your federal student loan servicer will automatically place you on the standard 10-year repayment plan , which splits your total debt into 120 monthly installments, plus interest.

If you owe a significant sum or your income is low, your monthly payments on the standard plan could be unmanageable. Instead, consider an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan , which caps your monthly payments at 10% to 20% of your discretionary income and potentially extends your repayment term up to 20 or 25 years. The government’s loan simulator can help you estimate monthly and overall payments on different student loan repayment plans.

Currently, borrowers can choose from two IDR plans:

Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) . 

Income-Based Repayment (IBR) . 

Expect major IDR application processing delays. You could be placed into a 60-day or more administrative forbearance after your servicer gets your application, during which payments won’t be due.

» MORE: How the SAVE lawsuits impact IDR plan enrollment

Shop around for lower interest rates

You might be able to shrink your monthly student loan payments by refinancing to a lower interest rate. When you refinance, you replace your existing student loan (or loans) with a new loan that ideally has better repayment terms.

If you already have private student loans, there’s no downside to refinancing if you can get a lower interest rate or better repayment terms. You’ll need a credit score at least in the high 600s, steady income and a monthly debt-to-income ratio below 50% to qualify for the lowest rates. A qualified co-signer can also help you get a better rate.

To explore refinancing options , look for lenders that offer pre-qualification with a soft credit check. Soft credit checks won’t ding your credit score, but hard credit checks could.

Think twice before refinancing your federal student loans, even if you can get a lower interest rate. Refinancing will turn your federal loans into private loans. You’ll permanently forfeit federal borrower protections like access to flexible repayment plans, potential student loan forgiveness and generous forbearance policies.

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