How To Start A Succulent Business

Learn how to make, sell and ship succulents

Are you a plant lover with a passion for succulents? Have you ever dreamed of turning your love for these beautiful plants into a profitable business venture? Well, the time is now! Starting a succulent business can be a rewarding and exciting endeavor, allowing you to share your passion for plants with others while making a living doing what you love.

Succulents have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to their unique beauty, low maintenance requirements, and versatility in various design settings. Whether used as home decor, party favors, or gifts, succulents have captured the hearts of plant enthusiasts and design lovers alike. Starting a succulent business allows you to tap into this growing market demand and share these beautiful plants with a broader audience.

My name is Reese Patton and I have been a succulent entrepreneur who has found incredible success in plant industry, generating six-figures by selling succulents. I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you, guiding and empowering you to start your own thriving succulent business. Through my journey, I've learned invaluable tips, strategies, and lessons that I am eager to pass on to you.

This is why I have created this comprehensive guide to share my expertise and help others pave the way towards plant business success. I have also created a large collection of succulent tutorial videos to show you hands on how to make succulent crafts, succulent care and how to ship succulents. Together, we will dive into the world of succulent entrepreneurship, turn your passion into profit, and create a flourishing businesses that bring joy to both you and your customers.

Explore How to Be Successful with Succulents

Succulent Crafts To Make and Sell

Watch my tutorial videos on DIY Succulent Crafts

Benefits of Starting A Succulent Business

  • Low start-up costs: Starting a succulent business typically requires minimal initial investment, making it accessible for entrepreneurs with limited capital.

  • High demand: Succulents have gained popularity in recent years, and the market demand for these plants continues to grow, creating ample opportunities for sales.

  • Year-round sales potential: Unlike seasonal plants, succulents can be sold year-round, allowing for consistent revenue streams.

  • Diverse product offerings: Succulents come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, providing opportunities to offer diverse product lines and cater to different customer preferences.

  • Low maintenance requirements: Succulents are known for their low maintenance needs, making them appealing to both experienced gardeners and those new to plant care.

  • Ability to tap into various markets: Succulents can be sold to individual consumers, as well as businesses for use in office spaces, weddings, events, and more, expanding the potential customer base.

  • Creative opportunities: The unique and visually appealing nature of succulents allows for creativity in designing and crafting various succulent creations,

  • Convenience & Flexibility….You can work from home if you decide to sell succulents online.

Learn How To Ship Succulents

Watch my Tutorial Videos on how To Package & Ship Succulents

Choose A Niche

When choosing a niche for your succulent business, it's important to consider your interests, market demand, and potential profitability. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on a niche:

  • Personal Passion and Expertise: Consider your personal interests and knowledge. Choose a niche that aligns with your expertise and passion, as it will keep you motivated and allow you to offer a unique perspective and value to your customers.

  • Market Demand: Research and analyze the market demand for different niches within the succulent industry. Explore the popularity of custom arrangements, succulent wreaths, cuttings, succulents for weddings or special occasions, and succulent subscription boxes. Assess the potential customer base and competition in each niche to determine which one has the highest potential for success.

  • Profitability: Evaluate the potential profitability of each niche. Consider factors such as product pricing, sourcing costs, labor, and overhead expenses. Choose a niche that offers a balance between market demand and profitability. Unique Selling Proposition: Determine what sets your succulent business apart from competitors. Look for a niche where you can provide a unique selling point, such as offering highly customized arrangements, unique curated subscription boxes, or a wide range of rare succulent varieties.

  • Target Audience: Identify your target audience and their preferences. Assess which niche aligns well with their needs, whether it's customers looking for customized arrangements for special occasions, plant enthusiasts who enjoy receiving curated succulent boxes regularly, or consumers seeking a convenient way to buy and care for succulents directly.

  • Scalability and Growth Potential: Consider the scalability and growth potential of your chosen niche. Evaluate whether it can be expanded or diversified in the future, allowing you to reach new customers or offer additional products or services.

“Ultimately, choosing a niche for your plant business involves balancing your passions and expertise with market demand and profitability. Conduct thorough research, assess your options, and select a niche that aligns with your goals and has the potential to attract and retain a dedicated customer base.”

Top 10 Selling Succulent Crafts

Get A Free Printable Version Of My Guide On:

How To Start A Succulent Business

Where to buy succulents wholesale

When buying wholesale succulents online, it's always important to research the seller, read customer reviews, and check their policies regarding shipping, returns, and minimum order quantities. Additionally, consider the health and quality of the plants, as well as the packaging and shipping methods used to ensure they arrive in good condition.

Here are my Top 5 Places to buy Succulents

They ship nationwide……

Mountain Crest Gardens: Mountain Crest Gardens offers a wide variety of succulents and cacti available for wholesale purchase. They have a large selection of plants, including rare and hard-to-find species. Their website is user-friendly, and they provide detailed plant descriptions and care instructions.

The Succulent Source: The Succulent Source is a family-owned and operated nursery that specializes in succulents for wholesale. They offer a vast selection of succulent varieties, including individual plants and trays. They have an easy-to-navigate website and provide helpful care information for each plant.

Leaf & Clay: Leaf & Clay is an online succulent retailer that also offers wholesale options. They provide a range of succulent collections and individual plants. Their website is visually appealing and easy to use, and they offer discounts for bulk purchases.

Altman Plants: Altman Plants is one of the largest wholesale succulent growers and suppliers in the United States. They offer a diverse selection of succulent varieties and ship nationwide. Their website provides detailed information about each plant, including size and growing requirements.

Succulent Gardens: Succulent Gardens is a wholesale succulent nursery located in California. They offer a wide variety of succulents and cacti, including both common and rare species. Their website showcases their plants with helpful photographs and provides care instructions.

I live in Kentucky and thought I Could never start my succulent business without local succulent wholesalers....I am so glad I came across Successulent and downloaded this free guide....I found that many succulent wholesale companies ship nationwide.
— ~Irene McGillis

Make Succulent Greeting Cards

Download my free succulent inspired digital graphics to use on your own greeting cards.

When starting a succulent business, there are several pros and cons to consider when it comes to shipping succulents.

Pros of Shipping Succulents:

  • Expanded Market Reach: Shipping allows you to sell your succulents to customers beyond your local area, providing access to a larger customer base and potential sales

  • Convenience for Customers: Shipping offers convenience for customers who may not be able to visit your physical store or nursery.

  • Seasonal Sales: Shipping enables you to sell succulents year-round, even if certain varieties are not in season locally.

Cons of Shipping Succulents:

  • Risk of Damage: During transit, succulents can experience damage, such as broken stems, leaves, or root damage, if not packaged properly.

  • Shipping Costs: Shipping expenses, including packaging supplies, shipping fees, and insurance, can add up and impact your overall profit margin.

  • Transit Time: Succulents may need to endure several days in transit, which can be stressful for the plants and increase the risk of damage.

  • Complex Packaging: Shipping succulents requires specialized packaging techniques to ensure the plants arrive in good condition, including proper cushioning and protecting the plants from extreme temperatures.

'While it is important to balance the advantages and disadvantages of shipping succulents for your business based on your specific goals, For my situation much of my success was because I was able to ship my succulent gift boxes nationwide. Which really help me reach a larger audience and obtain much higher sales.

Remember, shipping succulents successfully requires attention to detail, adherence to best practices for packaging, strategic planning, and continuous evaluation of your shipping processes to optimize the experience for both you and your customers.

Please feel free to my library of succulent tutorial videos, designed specifically for succulent business owners like you who want to learn how to effectively package and ship a range of succulent products. My hands-on video tutorials provide step-by-step guidance on packaging succulent arrangements, wreaths, cuttings, gift boxes, and more. We understand that your time is valuable, which is why I have curated these brief yet impactful courses to deliver only the essential information you need. Whether you're a beginner or already have some experience, these courses will equip you with the skills and techniques necessary to ensure your succulent products arrive at their destination in perfect condition

By Shipping my succulent gifts I was able to sell more products and reach more customers.....So don’t let the cons scare you.
— ~Reese

How To Market Your Plant Business

And Start Making Money With Succulents

Marketing your business effectively is crucial for attracting customers and driving sales. Here are some key steps to market your business:
— ~Reese

1. Define your target audience: Identify your ideal customers and understand their needs, demographics, and preferences.

2. Develop a marketing strategy: Create a comprehensive plan that outlines your marketing goals, target audience, positioning, messaging, and channels to reach your audience.

3. Build a strong brand: Create a compelling brand identity that reflects your business values and resonates with your target audience. This includes developing a memorable logo, website, and consistent visual elements.

4. Utilize online marketing channels: Establish a strong online presence through a website, blog, and social media platforms. Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website's visibility on search engines.

5. Content marketing: Create valuable and engaging content that educates or entertains your target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and podcasts.

6. Social media marketing: Engage with your audience on popular social media platforms. Share relevant content, run contests or giveaways, and interact with followers to build brand loyalty.

7. Email marketing: Build an email list and regularly send out newsletters or promotional emails to keep your audience informed about new products, discounts, or events.

8. Collaborate with influencers: Partner with relevant influencers or bloggers who have a large following in your industry. They can help promote your products or services to their audience.

9. Online advertising: Consider using online advertising platforms such as Google Ads, social media ads, or display ads to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website.

10. Offline marketing: Don't neglect traditional marketing methods like printed materials (business cards, brochures, flyers), local events, or networking opportunities relevant to your industry.

11. Gather customer reviews and testimonials: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews or testimonials on your website, social media profiles, or review sites. Positive reviews can significantly impact your reputation and attract new customers.

12. Analyze and optimize: Regularly track your marketing efforts and analyze the results. Identify what works and what doesn't, and make necessary adjustments to improve your marketing strategy.

Remember that marketing is an ongoing process, so keep experimenting, learning, and adapting your strategies to meet the changing needs of your target audience.
— Reese