How to Make Money Growing Landscaping Plants: A Profitable Green Business Idea

Have you ever looked around and noticed how beautifully landscaped yards, parks, and commercial spaces always have lush trees and shrubs? Someone has to grow those plants—and that someone could be you! If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love for plants into a profitable business, growing landscaping plants can be your golden opportunity. With a little research, effort, and consistency, you can start earning serious income while doing something you truly enjoy.

Why Grow Landscaping Plants?

Landscaping plants are always in demand. Homeowners, landscapers, and property developers all need shrubs, trees, and ornamentals to beautify outdoor spaces. Whether it’s for new construction, yard renovations, or city projects, these plants are constantly being planted, replaced, and maintained. That means there’s a steady market waiting for you.

Unlike seasonal crops, landscaping plants have long-term value. They can be grown in small spaces, such as a backyard or small greenhouse, and sold directly to landscapers or local nurseries. Once established, your plants can provide recurring income year after year with minimal additional cost.

Real-Life Success Stories

Take, for example, Jack and Karen Cooper of Arizona. They specialize in deciduous trees such as cottonwood, maple, and birch. By wholesaling their trees to local nurseries and landscapers, they earn around $80,000 per year—after expenses.

Then there’s Sam Davey, who grows azaleas, Japanese maples, firs, and other popular species on his six-acre farm. His nursery now generates more income than any job he’s ever had before. These are just two examples of everyday people who turned their green thumbs into thriving businesses. Yours could be next.

The Key to Success: Grow What Sells

The first rule of any profitable business is to offer what people actually want. In plant growing, that means producing landscaping plants that are in high demand. But how do you find out what sells?

Start by doing some simple market research:

Visit local garden centers and nurseries.
Take notes on what’s selling. What kinds of trees, shrubs, or potted plants do they keep stocked in large quantities? What are the price ranges? This will give you valuable insights into local demand.
Talk to landscapers.
Landscapers know firsthand which plants are requested most often by their clients. Ask them about their top sellers, seasonal trends, and plants that are hard to find.
Read nursery trade magazines.
These publications share the latest trends and market shifts, helping you stay one step ahead of competitors.
Keep a notebook.
Document plant names, pot sizes, pricing, and notes about demand. Over time, this data will become the foundation for your growing strategy.

By understanding what sells in your region, you can tailor your nursery to produce high-demand species—and watch your profits grow.

Popular Landscaping Plants to Grow and Sell

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few proven winners that buyers love year after year:

1. Table-Top Christmas Trees

As more people live in apartments or condos, full-sized Christmas trees aren’t always practical. That’s where table-top Christmas trees come in! These compact evergreens fit perfectly in smaller spaces and still bring the holiday spirit to life.

Two of the most popular varieties are:

Italian Stone Pine – A hardy tree with a classic Christmas-tree shape.
Elwood Cedar – Known for its soft blue-green foliage and lovely scent.

These mini trees are easy to grow in pots and can sell for premium prices during the holiday season.

2. Bonsai Trees

Bonsai growing is both an art form and a profitable business. Originating in Japan, bonsai involves stunting the growth of a tree or shrub while maintaining its natural shape and beauty.

Bonsai plants are sold in three main categories:

Starter plants – Young, untrained trees for beginners.
Trained plants – Already shaped and pruned for aesthetics.
Specimen bonsai – Fully developed, premium bonsai that can sell for hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

Popular bonsai species include:

Evergreens: Atlas Cedar, Japanese White Pine, and Norway Spruce.
Deciduous trees: Trident Maple, Sargent Crabapple, and Paper Birch.

With patience and skill, bonsai can be one of the most profitable plant ventures.

3. Hypertufa Plant Containers

Here’s a clever way to increase your profits: create your own plant containers. Hypertufa is a lightweight, stone-like material that’s easy and inexpensive to make. By planting your shrubs or succulents in handmade hypertufa pots, you can turn a $3 plant into a $20 product.

To make hypertufa, simply mix:

3 parts Portland cement
4 parts peat moss
5 parts perlite

There are plenty of instructional videos online that show how to craft beautiful, rustic hypertufa containers. They’re perfect for gardeners who want something unique—and they help you stand out in the marketplace.

How to Sell Your Landscaping Plants

Once you’ve got your plants ready, it’s time to start selling. Fortunately, there are many ways to reach buyers—both locally and online.

1. Sell Directly to Landscapers

This is one of the most reliable and profitable ways to sell your plants. Landscapers are always looking for high-quality shrubs and trees at good prices. If you can provide consistent quality and availability, you’ll quickly build repeat business.

Start by introducing yourself to local landscaping companies. Bring samples or photos of your best plants, and offer bulk pricing or discounts for repeat customers.

2. Host Garage or Yard Sales

If your local regulations allow it, hosting a small plant sale from your backyard or driveway can be a great way to attract neighborhood customers.

Advertise your sale in community Facebook groups or local classifieds. Make your ad clear—mention that it’s a plant sale to avoid confusion. Many people love supporting local growers, and this can build word-of-mouth buzz for your business.

3. Use Free Online Marketplaces

Don’t overlook free online advertising options like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Backpage. These platforms allow you to post photos, prices, and contact info—and you can reach hundreds of local buyers for free.

Include details like plant type, size, and care instructions to make your listings stand out.

Tips for Long-Term Success

Stay organized. Keep records of what you grow, sell, and profit from each plant type.
Reinvest in your business. Use profits to expand your variety and improve growing conditions.
Focus on quality. Healthy, well-grown plants will always sell faster than weak or neglected ones.
Network. Build relationships with other growers, landscapers, and suppliers.
Keep learning. The landscaping industry evolves—stay updated on new trends, plant diseases, and techniques.

Growing landscaping plants for profit is one of the most rewarding small business ideas out there. With steady demand, low startup costs, and plenty of creative options, it’s perfect for anyone who loves working with plants.

Whether you specialize in table-top Christmas trees, bonsai, or ornamental shrubs, the formula for success is simple: grow what people want, price it fairly, and deliver consistent quality.

Start small, learn as you grow, and soon you could be running a thriving plant business—making the kind of money you’ve always dreamed of.