For most people, plants are a hobby. For us, they became a business — one that’s supported our family for over 20 years.
When we sold our very first batch of Nandina nanas to a nursery, we made more than $1,000 in a single sale. At the time, I was earning about $400 a week working for someone else. To see that money hit the bank account — all from plants we’d propagated for next to nothing — was life changing.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. In the beginning, we woke up before dawn to set up at local plant markets, grinding it out for every bit of cash flow. These days, it’s easier.
With free tools like Facebook Marketplace, you can sell from home and let customers come to you. You don’t need acres of land either. Some people start with fish tanks full of aquatic plants or a tray of succulents in the backyard. Others grow on-selling stock from wholesalers. There are dozens of ways in.
What We’ve Learned After 20+ Years
Running a nursery has taught us plenty, but the biggest lesson is this: time matters more than money.
We chose to stay small and lifestyle-focused, because we value days outdoors, raising kids, and creating something that brings joy to people’s gardens. A nursery doesn’t have to be a grind. It can be flexible, profitable, and deeply rewarding if you set it up right.
Some plants sell for pocket change. Others sell in bulk and bring in thousands. Unusual plants can fetch a premium. Large, established stock gives instant garden impact and commands higher prices.
Once you understand what sells, you can shape a nursery that fits your goals — whether that’s beer money on the side or replacing your 9–5.
Why We’re Sharing This
We’ve spent more than two decades making a living from plants. Along the way, we’ve figured out what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the common traps.
Our aim with EverydayWits is simple: to create the ultimate guide to starting a profitable plant business. We’ll be sharing the systems, plant choices, and strategies that made our nursery work — no fluff, no theory, just what we actually do.
Join In
Have questions about starting your own plant business? Send them to us. We can’t promise to reply to every message (our time is guarded), but your questions will help shape the guide we’re building.
The skills you learn in plant propagation and selling are yours forever. Whether you just want to earn a little extra cash, or you dream of building a family business with freedom and flexibility, we believe this is still possible — even in a fast-paced world where the big guys keep getting bigger.
Propagation gave us a lifestyle we love. Starting a nursery might just do the same for you.