Selling plants online is one of the best ways to tap into the growing market for green spaces, whether indoors or out.

With 15 years of eCommerce experience under my belt, I can tell you this: it’s not as hard as you think. Here’s the roadmap to start making money by selling plants online.

How to start selling plants online – Step by Step

Step 1: Choose Your Niche

The first step? Get laser-focused on what you’ll sell. Are you diving into trendy houseplants like Monsteras and fiddle-leaf figs? Or maybe you’re into hardy outdoor plants, succulents, or exotic species?

Pick one niche and own it.

Why?

Because trying to sell everything to everyone means you’ll sell nothing to no one. Specializing makes it easier to market, set prices, and attract loyal customers.

Step 2: Source Your Plants

Here’s the deal: you can’t sell what you don’t have.
You’ve got two options:

• Grow them yourself: Perfect if you’re starting small and have a green thumb.
• Partner with suppliers: Find wholesalers or local growers who’ll provide you with quality plants at a margin you can work with.

Whatever you choose, quality control is everything. Nobody wants to receive a plant that’s half-dead.

Step 3: Set Up Your Online Store

You don’t need to hire a coder for this. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Wix make setting up a store super simple.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Clean photos: Natural lighting works best. Show off your plants in all their leafy glory.
• Details matter: Describe the care required, size, and any quirks about the plant.
• Mobile-friendly design: Most people shop on their phones, so make sure the site looks great on smaller screens.

Step 4: Cover the Legal Stuff

Before you ship anything, check the local and international regulations. Plants often fall under strict laws due to agriculture and pest control issues.

Get the right licenses for your area, and know what you can and cannot sell or ship across borders.

Skipping this step could lead to big headaches later.

Step 5: Price Your Plants

Your pricing strategy can make or break you.
Here’s how I do it:

1. Check your competitors. What are they charging for similar plants?
2. Factor in all costs—plants, packaging, shipping, and your time.
3. Add a margin that keeps you profitable but competitive.

Pro tip: Don’t underprice just to beat the competition. It cheapens your brand, and you’ll struggle to make a profit.

Step 6: Nail the Shipping Process

Shipping live plants isn’t like sending a pair of shoes. If your plants arrive wilted or damaged, you’ll lose customers.
Here’s how to do it right:

• Packaging: Use biodegradable materials to keep plants stable and hydrated. Plastic sleeves and paper wraps are a must.
• Timing: Ship early in the week to avoid plants sitting in transit over the weekend.
• Carriers: Use reliable options that handle fragile goods well.

Step 7: Promote Like Crazy

Once your store’s up, it’s time to get the word out. This is where the fun starts.

• Social media: Instagram and Pinterest are goldmines for plant lovers. Share photos, care tips, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Email marketing: Start building a list of plant enthusiasts. Send them deals, new arrivals, and care guides.
• Collaborations: Partner with influencers or plant bloggers to get exposure.

Step 8: Crush Customer Service

The easiest way to tank your business? Bad customer service. Respond fast to questions about orders, shipping, or plant care.
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews—these are worth their weight in gold.

Step 9: Monitor and Improve

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use tools like Google Analytics to see how people are finding your store and what they’re buying.

If a certain type of plant sells out quickly, stock more. If a product doesn’t move, drop it or rethink your marketing.

Why Selling Plants Online is a Perfect Bootstrapping Idea

Over at Bootstrapping eCommerce, we’re all about smart, lean ways to launch online businesses—and selling plants is one of the most brilliant ideas I’ve come across. Here’s why:

1. Low Startup Costs

You don’t need massive investments to get started. A few pots, soil, and some space to grow (or a small batch from a supplier) is all it takes.

2. High Demand, Evergreen Market

Plants are timeless. Whether it’s succulents, indoor plants, or gardening staples, the demand stays strong. Plus, trends like urban gardening and sustainable living are only making plants more popular.

3. Easy to Scale

Start small with local sales on platforms like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Once you gain traction, scale up to your own eCommerce site and expand your product range.

4. Built-In Customer Loyalty

Plant buyers often become repeat customers. They’ll come back for pots, tools, fertilizers, and more plants to grow their collections.

5. Great Side Hustle Potential

You can bootstrap this business while keeping your day job. Test the waters without diving into major financial commitments.

If you’re looking for a practical, low-cost way to start an eCommerce business, selling plants is a no-brainer. Follow these steps, start small, and grow as you learn. It’s a business that can be as rewarding as it is profitable.