Selling Houseplants Online

If you have a green thumb, you might be wondering if you can transform your gardening hobby into a business. The answer is yes!

In the digital age we live in, the internet is the perfect platform to connect with other experts, plant lovers, and people who want to bring a slice of nature into their homes.

The truth is: there’s never been a better time to capitalize on your skill and open an online houseplant business. 

Here’s everything you need to know about getting your budding business off the ground – from finding a Reliable Courier Service to selling your plants online.

Sourcing Plants

Selling plants differs from traditional business models because you’re selling a living thing – possibly still in the early growth phase. This means it can take time before your product is ready to go to your customers.

There are two ways to source plants for your online shop. Propagating and growing your own plants in your yard could be a good option if you intend to sell your plants as a hobby and on a smaller scale. However, growing your cuttings and plantlets until they are ready to sell may take some time.

Another option is to buy your plants from a wholesale supplier. You could partner up with your local nursery and buy your plants from them in bulk.  

Sales Channels

When it comes to the sales channels you can use to sell your plants, you have two options: sell them from your own website or sell them via a third-party vendor.

Developing your own e-commerce site has two main advantages – you won’t have to pay any fees or compete with other vendors on a third-party site.

Using a third-party platform to sell your plants online also has advantages – sites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy have an enormous reach.

Shipping Plants

Choosing a reliable courier company is vital because plants are delicate and can easily get damaged during shipping. Look for courier companies that offer same-day shipping to minimize the chance of your plants dying before they arrive.

Packaging your plants with care will also ensure they reach your customers in one piece. Wrap plants in moist paper towels, and use plenty of bubble wrap to make sure they arrive intact.

When shipping plants, some sellers opt to send them bare-root, and some send them in their planters. Bear in mind that shipping plants with their planters will increase the cost of shipping.

Payment Options

One of the main advantages of selling your plants via a third party is not having to worry about payment processing. Using a third party like Amazon may be worth the fees if it means that payments are secure and you’ll get paid on time.

If you decide to sell your plants on your own e-commerce site, you’ll need to think about what payment methods you’ll offer. Using an app like Shopify can keep your customer’s data safe.

The Bottom Line

When starting your online plant store, your expertise will be the most significant factor in your company’s success.

Having the knowledge and know-how to resell or propagate plants from scratch already gives you an advantage – all you need to do is read this guide and start putting your business together.