If you love gardening and want to turn that passion into extra income, growing specialty crops might be the perfect opportunity for you. Unlike common crops such as grains or vegetables, specialty crops are unique plants that command higher prices due to limited supply and strong demand. Even with a small plot of land, you can earn impressive profits—some growers make up to $60,000 per acre from these high-value plants.
The best part? Most of these crops can be grown part-time, requiring only a few hours a week and a modest investment for seeds or seedlings. Whether you live in the city or countryside, you can start small and scale as you grow. Here are ten of the most profitable and easy-to-grow specialty crops to consider.
1. Lavender
Lavender is one of the most versatile and profitable specialty crops around. Its beautiful purple blooms can be sold fresh in bundles, used to produce essential oils, or dried for sale to florists and crafters. Dried lavender is a favorite material for wreaths, sachets, and floral arrangements.
Beyond the flowers themselves, lavender offers endless value-added product opportunities—from handmade soaps and lotions to aromatherapy and skincare products. Even small growers can make an impressive profit since almost no part of the plant goes to waste. Once established, lavender plants thrive for years and require minimal maintenance.
2. Gourmet Mushrooms
Gourmet mushrooms like oyster and shiitake are among the best urban farming crops because they can be grown indoors, in small spaces, and under controlled conditions. Mushrooms have one of the highest returns per square foot of any specialty crop. For example, a 10x10 growing area can yield up to 25 pounds per square foot per year, worth over $17,000 in sales at $7 per pound.
Oyster mushrooms are fast-growing and in high demand among local chefs, grocery stores, and farmers’ markets. Since most customers prefer to buy them fresh, local growers have a clear advantage over large commercial producers.
3. Woody Ornamentals
Woody ornamentals—often called woodies—include colorful and uniquely shaped branches harvested from trees and shrubs for floral arrangements and crafts. Varieties like Red Twig dogwood, curly willow, holly, pussy willow, and forsythia are highly sought after by florists and decorators.
Unlike annual crops, woody ornamentals provide perennial profits. Once established, these plants can be harvested year after year for decades. As different species bloom and mature throughout the seasons, they offer a steady, year-round income stream.
4. Landscaping Trees and Shrubs
The landscaping industry is booming, and demand for attractive, affordable plants is steady year-round. Growing container trees and shrubs can be an extremely profitable venture. With a small nursery setup, you can grow up to 1,500 potted plants in just 1,000 square feet.
The math is impressive: buy a seedling for under a dollar, add fifty cents for potting and soil, and in two years, you can sell that plant for $15 or more. That’s a 750% profit margin. Because of their consistent demand and low overhead, landscaping plants are one of the most reliable specialty crops for small growers.
5. Bonsai Plants
The art of bonsai has fascinated gardeners for centuries, and today the hobby is growing more popular than ever. From tiny, delicate trees the size of your hand to miniature maples and pines, bonsai plants attract collectors willing to pay premium prices.
There are four main types of bonsai growers:
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Starter trays with untrained seedlings
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Young plants in individual pots
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Partially trained bonsai in ceramic pots
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Fully trained specimen trees for serious collectors
Because bonsai trees are compact, you can grow hundreds in a small greenhouse or backyard. With patience and creativity, bonsai can bring both artistic satisfaction and financial success.
6. Japanese Maples
Few trees capture beauty and elegance like the Japanese maple. For generations, these ornamental trees have been prized by gardeners and collectors worldwide. Small specialty growers can thrive by offering unique or rare varieties that large garden centers can’t stock due to space limitations.
Japanese maples grow well in containers, making them ideal for small-scale nurseries. Their limited supply and high retail prices mean even a small inventory can yield excellent profits. For patient growers, these trees are both a visual and financial delight.
7. Willows
Willows are among the easiest specialty crops to grow and maintain. Their long, flexible shoots—called rods—and soft catkins are used by florists, basket weavers, and craft makers. Varieties such as curly willow and pussy willow are especially popular for their decorative appeal.
A University of Kentucky study found that willow growers can harvest 4–5 tons per acre, which can sell for around $7 per pound. That’s an astonishing $56,000 per acre. Since willows regenerate quickly and require little care, they are a fantastic long-term investment for small growers.
8. Garlic
Garlic may be a simple crop, but gourmet garlic is anything but ordinary. Varieties such as Rocambole, Porcelain, and Purple Stripe—known as “hardneck garlic”—offer rich flavor and texture that chefs love. Customers are willing to pay as much as $10 per pound for premium bulbs.
Another profitable variety is Elephant garlic, a mild, oversized type that can yield up to 15,000 pounds per acre, selling for $6–$8 per pound. Garlic is easy to grow, tolerates diverse soil types, and is resistant to most pests and diseases—earning it the nickname “the mortgage lifter.”
9. Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth and an excellent specialty crop for both landscaping and crafts. With hundreds of varieties, you can choose species that fit your space—from dwarf ornamental bamboos to tall timber varieties.
By growing bamboo in containers, you save space and eliminate the need for digging during sales. Over 600 container plants can fit in a 30' x 40' area, and each five-gallon plant can sell for around $45. Landscapers, homeowners, and designers all love bamboo for its beauty and versatility.
10. Herbs
Few crops offer as many opportunities as herbs. The demand for fresh culinary and medicinal herbs has exploded in recent years, driven by restaurants, health-conscious consumers, and local markets. Herbs like basil, rosemary, mint, thyme, and parsley are always in demand.
Growers can sell herbs fresh to grocery stores and restaurants or create value-added products like teas, soaps, candles, and bath oils. Dried herb packets and “instant herb gardens” also sell well at farmers’ markets. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, you can grow a mix of ethnic and culinary herbs to cater to different customer tastes.
Turning Plants Into Profits
Each of these ten specialty crops offers a unique path to profit. They’re all easy to grow, require minimal land, and are in steady demand. Whether you have a backyard, a greenhouse, or a small plot of farmland, you can start with just a few hundred dollars and grow your way to a thriving business.
The secret is to start small, learn your market, and expand gradually. Choose one or two crops that interest you most and master their growing and selling process. With care, patience, and creativity, your garden can become more than a hobby—it can become a profitable small business that rewards both your hands and your wallet.
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