Floristry Business

House Plants for Profit

By Nita Robertson, AIFD, CFD

The latest info on todays houseplant market, along with the hottest trends and marketing ideas.

Selling plants can be profitable; however, choosing the right niche is critical. That niche can include green houseplants, flowering plants, succulents, cacti, or specialty or rare types—or even perennials, vegetables or seasonal ones. Find an area of interest to you and your market area—that would be profitable—and develop knowledge of those plants; become the expert in your area on a specific type (or types) of plants. That said, choose your plant inventory carefully, and keep in mind that a diverse selection can attract a broader customer base.

Whats Trending

Increasingly, plant lovers have become interested in collecting unusual and rare houseplant types and varieties, especially plants with interesting foliage patterns, colourings and variegation.

In addition to thoughtfully selecting a houseplant niche, corresponding inventory and quality suppliers, it is important to offer a variety of containers from which customers can choose to pair with their plant purchases. Pay attention to current home décor trends, and offer vessels that are distinctive, desirable, and on trend and that are available in a range of prices.

Marketing Houseplants

Remember that the houseplant market can be competitive, so differentiating yourself through quality, customer service and a unique brand identity is essential for long-term success. Building a community around your brand, where plant enthusiasts can connect and share their experiences, can foster customer loyalty. Develop a strong online and offline presence to market your plant business. Use social media, your website and local advertising to reach potential customers. Here are a few ideas:

• Create a visually appealing website that showcases your range of houseplants, with high-quality images and detailed information about every plant.

• Post high-quality images of your plants, share care tips and engage with your audience on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Post regularly on your social media accounts and website, to keep your audience engaged.

• Run contests, giveaways or challenges that encourage user-generated content and participation.

  • Offer workshops, webinars and/or blog posts on plant care, to help customers nurture their plants successfully. 
  • Create informative videos about plant care, plant styling and the benefits of indoor greenery.

• Employ SEO techniques to ensure your content ranks well on search engines.

• Provide specific care instructions for each plant you sell, both in store and online, to increase the likelihood of success with the plants customers purchase.

• Provide excellent customer service by assisting customers in choosing the right plants for their needs. Ask and answer questions, and elaborate on specific plants’ care requirements.

• If you have a physical store, create an attractive and organised display to showcase your plants. An inviting and well-maintained store can encourage impulse purchases.

Many of your customers may say that they don’t have a green thumb, so make sure your staff is well educated on the plant options to recommend. Try to proactively match your clients with the right plants for not only their settings but also their habits and lifestyles. For example, ask questions about their home, office or whatever setting the plant will be living in—whether the space will receive sunlight or has only artificial light—so you can then assess the plant’s need for sunlight. If your client travels a lot, then it is best to recommend lower-maintenance plants that can survive and thrive with less care.

When selling pot plants, the more knowledgeable your staff are, the more confidence the customer will have in making that purchase. In addition to selling plants, you can add care products, including plant-specific fertilisers and soil mixes, pest-control products, plant lights and more, as well as beautiful, unique pots to give them a complete package. And by giving your customers the tools for success, it will alleviate their anxiety about plant care ensuring they become repeat customers.

To really attract attention for your house plant section consider adding artistic touches to the plants e.g. by incorporating decorative wire accents; handmade trestle structures; gnarly branches; moss or wire spheres; moss; and seasonal accents such as pine cones, branches of winterberries, miniature ornaments and more.

Data Bridge Market Research, a market research and consulting firm in Maharashtra, India, reports that the indoor houseplants market worldwide was valued at USD 17.93 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 26.23 billion by 2029. The growth rate of the indoor plants market in forecast period of 2022 to 2029 is 4.87 percent, so there is plenty of room to be successful with plant sales.