How To Sell Plants Online: 10 Steps To Success

Selling plants online is a great way to tap into the growing demand for greenery, but setting up a successful online plant store requires careful planning and preparation. Here's a detailed guide to help you get started.

How To Sell Plants Online

1. Find Your Plant Niche

Identify a specific niche within the plant market to set yourself apart. You can decide your niche based on the following factors:

• Types of Plants: Houseplants, succulents, rare plants, air plants, herbs, or native plants.
• Customer Needs: Plants for beginners, pet-safe plants, or plants suited for small spaces.
• Style and Purpose: Aesthetic plants for interior design, plants for offices, or plants with air-purifying properties.

Here is a list of the most common plant niches:

• Indoor Houseplants: Low-maintenance plants ideal for home or office environments (e.g., snake plants, pothos, and philodendrons).
• Succulents and Cacti: Small, water-efficient plants popular for decor and easy care.
• Rare and Exotic Plants: Unique and hard-to-find varieties for plant enthusiasts (e.g., Monstera Thai Constellation, rare orchids).
• Air-Purifying Plants: Plants that are known to improve indoor air quality (e.g., peace lilies, spider plants, and rubber plants).
• Pet-Friendly Plants: Non-toxic plants safe for homes with pets (e.g., calathea, spider plants, and parlor palms).
• Herbs and Edible Plants: Culinary herbs or vegetables for kitchen gardens (e.g., basil, mint, and small pepper plants).
• Flowering Indoor Plants: Houseplants that bloom, adding color and fragrance (e.g., African violets, peace lilies).
• Office Plants: Low-maintenance, aesthetically pleasing plants suitable for workspaces.
• Outdoor Native Plants: Plants native to specific regions, adapted to local climates and ecosystems.
• Small and Miniature Plants: Compact plants that fit well in small spaces or terrariums.
• Hanging and Trailing Plants: Plants that are well-suited for hanging pots or vertical displays (e.g., string of pearls, ivy).

2. Decide Where to Source Your Plants

Deciding where to source your plants is crucial for quality and consistency. Here are a few options:

• Local Nurseries: Partnering with local nurseries can give you access to fresh, healthy plants and reduce shipping times, lowering the risk of damage.
• Wholesale Suppliers: Buying in bulk from wholesalers can be cost-effective, but it may require larger initial investments and careful quality checks.
• Growing Your Own: Growing plants yourself offers complete control over quality and variety. However, this approach requires time, space, and plant care knowledge.
• Plant Auctions and Specialty Growers: For unique or rare plants, auctions or specialized growers are ideal but might be more expensive.

Choose a source that aligns with your budget, plant niche, and quality standards. You should have several sourcing options so you can make comparisons and pick the best choices. Also, scouting around will give you an idea of the current situation in the plant market. 

Not all plants are going to be available year-round. Understanding seasonality will help you plan ahead your business strategy. Try to build relationships with as many suppliers as possible cause even if you are not working with them now.

3. Establish Your Brand

A strong brand will resonate with customers and build trust. A brand is how you separate yourself from a random plant-selling business. Plants are living beings and thus, taking care of them is not simply business. Customers need to be sure that the plant they receive will not be in a horrendous condition.

Here are a few brand elements that you need to establish early on so your brand stands out and is memorable:

• Brand Name: Choose a name that reflects your niche and resonates with your audience.
• Brand Voice and Story: Share your passion for plants, why you started your business, and what makes your plants special.
• Visual Identity: Develop a consistent color palette, logo, and typography that aligns with the aesthetics of your store.

4. Pricing Your Plants

Setting the right price involves considering your costs and understanding the market. 

• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Include plant cost, shipping, packaging, and any care products.
• Competitor Analysis: Research similar online stores to understand pricing trends.
• Profit Margin: Ensure your prices cover all expenses and allow for a reasonable profit, while remaining attractive to customers.

While your brand and service can affect the price of your plants, your pricing should be in an acceptable range based on the market price. After, you are selling the same plant as everyone else.

5. Storing and Taking Care of Your Plants

Quality plant care is essential to keep your stock fresh and healthy. Once you determine the types of plants you’ll be selling, it’s essential to research each variety thoroughly to understand its specific requirements.

In general, you’ll need climate-controlled space to care for your plant inventory properly before shipping to customers. Sonja, who has hired staff to manage her surge in orders, still operates out of her home garage but recently announced plans to move to a dedicated greenhouse facility.

For plant businesses, maintaining tight inventory management is key. Building a relationship with dependable suppliers will help with planning. 

• Environment Control: Ensure adequate light, temperature, and humidity levels in your storage area.
• Regular Maintenance: Implement a routine for watering, trimming, and checking for pests or diseases to maintain plant health.
• Inventory Management: Keep a close eye on stock levels and replenish or rotate plants as needed to avoid overgrowth or decline.

6. Take High-Quality Photos

High-quality photos are key to attracting buyers online. You can hire a professional photographer or take the photos yourself. Either way, as long as you follow the basic rules of photography, you will be able to get amazing photos of your plants.

Here are some tips to capture beautiful photos of plants that will appeal to online customers:

• Use Natural Light: Place plants near a window or shoot outside to capture them in soft, natural light. Avoid the harsh midday sun, which can create unwanted shadows and highlights; early morning or late afternoon light is ideal.
• Choose a Clean Background: Use a simple, uncluttered background to make the plant the focal point. Neutral backgrounds, like a white wall or wooden surface, work well to highlight the plant’s colors and details.
• Show Plant Details: Capture close-up shots to showcase the plant’s unique features, such as leaf texture, color, and patterns. Customers appreciate seeing these details to understand the plant’s quality and appearance.
• Highlight Size and Scale: Include an object, like a hand or small tool, to give viewers a sense of the plant’s size. This is especially helpful for online shoppers to gauge if the plant is the right fit for their space.
• Capture Multiple Angles: Take photos from different perspectives – top-down, side, and close-up. This provides a comprehensive view of the plant, making it easier for customers to visualize it in their own environment.
• Use a Tripod for Stability: A tripod helps prevent blurriness, especially in low-light settings. It also allows you to focus more on framing the plant for a sharper, clearer shot.
• Experiment with Mist and Water Drops: Lightly misting plants with water can make them look fresh and vibrant. Water droplets can add a natural look that draws attention to the plant’s texture and health.

7. Build Your Online Store

You have several options when it comes to selling plants online: social media, marketplaces, and websites. While each option has its own advantage, having your own website to sell plants gives you the most control over your brand and business.

Shopify makes it easy to build a beautiful, user-friendly plant store where you can showcase your greenery, share care tips, and reach plant lovers everywhere. With customizable themes, secure payment options, and tools to manage inventory and shipping, Shopify provides everything you need to create a thriving plant business from seed to sale.

When building an online store for plants, there are several unique considerations specific to plant businesses. Here’s a guide on what to keep in mind:

• Clear Product Descriptions: Plant shoppers want to know more than just the plant’s name. Describe the plant’s appearance, growth habits, size at maturity, and light requirements. 
• Care Instructions: Each plant should have clear care tips, such as watering frequency, light needs, temperature tolerance, and humidity levels. This helps buyers feel confident about maintaining their plant’s health.

8. Promote Your Plant Store

If you're starting with a limited budget, focus on free or low-cost marketing tactics that build awareness and attract loyal customers. Begin by creating engaging social media content on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, where visual appeal is key. 

Share tips on plant care, styling ideas, or even behind-the-scenes looks at your business to build a community around your brand. Consistent, valuable content draws in followers who may become your first customers.

Leverage email marketing as a powerful yet affordable tool to nurture relationships. Send newsletters with plant care tips, exclusive offers, or product updates to keep your audience engaged. 

Collaborating with micro-influencers in the plant or home décor space can also help expand your reach affordably. With these simple strategies, you can maximize visibility without breaking the bank.

9. Shipping and Packaging

Shipping plants require careful packaging to ensure they arrive in good condition. Your plant will be thrown around constantly for a while until it reaches the customer. It’s your job to do anything you can to protect it.

To ensure plants survive shipping and arrive in excellent condition, follow these key steps:

• Prepare the Plant: Water the plant a day or two before shipping to keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering as excess moisture can lead to root rot during transit. Trim any damaged leaves and check for pests to ensure the plant is healthy before packing.
• Secure the Soil: Wrap the base of the pot with plastic or a plant-safe wrap to keep the soil in place and prevent spillage. For smaller plants, using damp paper towels around the root ball can help retain moisture if you’re shipping without a pot.
• Use Sturdy, Proper-Sized Boxes: Choose a box that fits the plant snugly without crushing it. Add cushioning, such as bubble wrap or crumpled paper, around the plant to prevent movement and provide shock absorption.
• Provide Adequate Ventilation: For extended transit times, breathable packaging is essential to allow air circulation. Avoid completely sealing plants in plastic bags to reduce the risk of moisture buildup.
• Add Temperature Control if Needed: In cold weather, consider adding a heat pack, and in warmer conditions, use insulation to protect against high temperatures. Timing shipments to avoid extreme weather conditions can also help ensure plant health.
• Clearly Label the Package: Use stickers or labels indicating “Live Plants,” “Fragile,” and “This Side Up” to inform carriers of the need for careful handling.

10. Support and Educate Your Customers

Keeping a plant alive and well can be a very delicate job and your customers might not be fully equipped with all the necessary knowledge. When that happens, it’s you who will have to help them with all your wonderful experience about plants.

By doing so, you will increase customer satisfaction and increase their chance of returning. And as we mentioned above, this is also a wonderful way to find a new customer and showcase your expertise.

Start by providing clear, easy-to-follow care instructions with every plant purchase, covering essentials like light, water, and temperature needs. This not only helps beginners feel confident but also reduces the likelihood of plant returns or replacements due to improper care.

Offer additional resources through your website or social media, such as detailed care guides, troubleshooting tips, and seasonal advice. A blog or video series with topics like “Repotting Tips” or “How to Recognize Common Plant Issues” can help customers feel supported and empowered. 

Consider setting up a customer support system, such as live chat or email, to answer plant care questions and offer guidance. Educating your customers fosters a knowledgeable and loyal community, encouraging repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth for your plant business.

Conclusion

Starting an online plant business can be both rewarding and profitable, especially with the growing demand for greenery in homes and workplaces.

By carefully selecting a niche, sourcing high-quality plants, and providing exceptional customer support, you can build a strong foundation for success. Emphasizing customer education, creating visually appealing online content, and ensuring safe, timely shipping will help you stand out and cultivate loyal customers.

With dedication, strategic planning, and a passion for plants, your online plant business can flourish and bring the joy of greenery to customers near and far.

If you have any difficulty in setting up your online store, feel free to contact NextSky and we will give you the best advice and services.

>>>> Read more:

• How To Sell Photos On Shopify: All You Need To Know
• How to Sell Online Courses (And Be Succesful)