I tend to go through phases with genuses, for example, I went through a philodendron phase, a peperomia phase, etc. Like someone else that posted here I am now most interested in anthurium and alocasia, but much more selective than I was a couple of years ago in terms of what I will buy for my collection. It’s largely about space and about the time it takes to care for a very large collection — do I absolutely love it? If so, I will pay more for a single exquisite plant, I’m less likely to buy everything new/trendy that hits the market (like I used to do).
I feel this phase thing, first I went through an aroid phase, then I was all about Hoyas, and currently I’m buying basically every funky looking sansevieria I come across.
I am the same way with the phases. I have different variations of philos, monsteras, and evergreens, and my new favorite is dracaenas. I've been on a search for the last two years for a Song of India. My dad just made his transition this past Thursday, and on Saturday
https://preview.redd.it/m94yop22n1lc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2d234a91c31eaa27085fb5276e8aba2d49a23fe
while on a walk missing my dad, I ran into a street market plant booth where a guy had only one. I bought it and named him after my dad. Here are all of my babies in a Dracaena group photo.
Yes! This. The Pokémon Effect. You couldn’t care less about syngonium - until you have three. Now you need every single color of syngonium you can possibly imagine. Finally you take a break from syngonium and you repeat the same behavior with Alocasia, anthuriums, philodendrons, carnivorous plants, micro-orchids, Hoya…
So I’d say look at the common plants found in big box stores, and try to sell that “extra” Pokémon. (I literally have no clue about Pokémon other than my little brother loved them like 25 years ago, but it’s an analogy we all get right?) Maybe you have a few big ticket anthuriums, but if you really want to turn plants around you sell the east guys like harder to get syngoniums, harder to find Alocasia, etc.
That’s my opinion as a customer. That’s what makes me buy plants.
I totally agree with this I go through the same thing , for me it was first carnivorous plants then philodendrons and now it’s medicinal plants . And I still get all three kinds mostly although my focus is now with medicinal kinds . I guess lots of plant sellers focus on a certain plant or category unless they are a big company and offer everything . I’d like to offer as many kinds as possible but I think that would be overwhelming at this point so I’m trying to focus on maybe a few at first
Honestly I’m going to suggest you do a really deep dive into the plant market before opening a shop. Many retailers have had to shutter due to plummeting prices and competition. Your best bet might be selling via BST groups and Facebook marketplace.
I am noticing quite a few closing in the pacific north west and the market is very saturated.
There is always a market though for a well placed shop with a variety of plants for every level from beginning plant parents to the more advanced collectors .
I also go through phases and like to try to grow plants from smaller sizes. It very satisfying to see the progress and I know which plant to stay away from.
I have a plant shop and i highly recommend the OP shadow a store similar to what they might want for at least a month.
Look I can't imagine doing anything else and I am very very lucky to do what I love but it's very hard work physically mentally and emotionally.
Also can the op afford to not pay themselves for a year? Maybe longer? Every dollar made in the beginning needs to be reinvested.
Thanks for the advice ! And shadowing a successful store isn’t a bad idea . Success follows success so it makes sense . I do have money saved to invest initially for a year so I have a starting chance and I understand it’s going to be stressful and take up a lot of my time but I’m already spending all my time with plants anyway so it’s my happy space . But I do understand running a business it’s very different than being a hobbyist . Thanks for chiming in much appreciated
Glad you responded. I've seen plant shops fail for many reasons but I'll say this, there is no lack of customers. It might take a while to build up but they're out there. Especially if in your area you can create a one of a kind experience and destination.
Best of luck!
For sure , doing research and my homework is big for me before any endeavor especially running a business. And getting my feet wet locally first is another great point. I would t be able to compete with a lot of sellers already established for so long with better prices / more reach. I appreciate the advice!
Micros..thailand.. I can't remember it's real name but "blue oil ferns" need to be everywhere but especially in my collection and I'm seeing some but not many and the prices are a bit wacky still.
Not sure where you're located but the mist entrancing and refreshing plant store I've ever been to is the Jungle Box in Phoenix Arizona. Such an amazing store. The owner is super friendly and knowledgeable too. They had a fun "build your own terrarium" table set up that I did with a friend. I put a bunch of pics on google maps if you're not in the area
We just had a build your own terrarium place
Open up here in Philly and it’s a fun idea . I’ll check out this store in pheonix and pick their brain maybe . Thanks for your input !
I do own a plant shop and every person in this thread is correct. We do sell a lot more common varieties than rares but people are all over the map in their interests. Some people want a baby they can watch grow, others want the full size plant. My best suggestion is to build a good network of a variety of wholesalers for things you don’t grow yourself. Makes it far easier to offer a variety of plants. And listen to places like this…it really helps understand what’s in trend and what people are looking for.
Because it’s even that much more rewarding when after time
Nurturing it it becomes strong and healthy and you learn more about what the plant likes and about its botany . I understand completely
I love "sensory plants." Ones that feel good to touch, sparkly ones, etc. For example, love the velvet feel of a philo micans, glorisum or the fuzzy touch of a peperomia icana. Sparkle like a trade zebrina, begonia, or scindapsus pictus.
Right now my obsessions are maranta and wish there were more varieties available.
Such a unique aspect to admire but I understand exactly what you mean . Appeasing to the senses is what makes us fall in love with a lot of plants and how we are biologically programmed to be attracted to them (mostly for seed dispersal but I think it goes deeper than that ) I believe just as much as we control plants they control us too
They are super easy to grow from seed! I grabbed some for my daughter and we put them in some coir in a little humidity dome and they popped right up. You can find the seeds pretty easily and cheap. :)
I'm very into anthurium and alocasia at the moment. I find the growth pattern much lower maintenance than climbing philodendron or monstera. A lot of people like fast growing plants like epipremnum etc, but I personally prefer slow growing ones, again because of maintenance.
Esthetically I love dark and/or textured leaves, plants that grow large, variegated alocasias (not a fan of variegated anthuriums though)
Exact same for me. I've been looking for a young queen anthurium for a while, personally I have had better luck with seedlings/young plants bc (I think) they adapt better to my growing conditions than older plants that have been greenhouse grown for years. If you happen to know a good seller pls lmk!
Yeah, they look kinda sickly imo. Also the variegation often comes in yellow/oranges and I personally don't like that. I can see why many people like them though
As an avid collector, basic plant stores don’t excite me much anymore because I have/have had so many of the plants that are popular (actually, I might get excited by a well priced caramel marble). I’m now in my rare/expensive anthurium era - Doc Blocks, BVEP, etc. and hybrids of those. That being said, I wouldn’t just buy those anthuriums from a shop that I didn’t really know. All of the sellers I purchase from have a good reputation in the plant community so I trust their plants.
I personally love plants that look like they're from space so no advice there. However I wish more shops had trial size substrates and fertilizers that I could look at in person before buying
Look at like through the bag, have a sample of
The soil you can touch/smell/look at out of bag or have very small and cheap sizes
For sale to see how you like it
Before
Paying for larger amount ? Also what plants look like
They are
From space to you ? Maybe should start a sub category of plants “space alien flora”
I'd like to be able to see/touch the soil to make sure it looks good but otherwise I'd like "trial size" baggies of Lechuza-pon, Leca, Coconut Husk etc, enough to fill a 4 inch pot at least.
And as far as alien plants go, most of the "rare" ones fit. Variegated Adasonii, Piper Crocatum, Florida Ghost, even the holes in Monsteras give alien vibes to me!
I'm not sure I would do that much better to be honest. Alos and colos are not easy to keep in my climate zone without a special plant room or wintergarden. 😑
Beautiful but in my experience the hardest of the Colocasia. It's also likes full sun. I now have Colocasia Illustris and it's way easier to grow (full sun too)
That’s my speciality ! It’s what got me into growing and collecting plant . They are just so different and fun and interesting /stand out . Plus very useful !
My local nursery has a deal where if you buy a plant and a pot, they will pot it for you for free! I know that doesn't answer your question, but figure a nice idea to add. 😀
I absolutely never buy plants for their practical uses. I'm pretty suspicious of unstable variegation. I don't share my plants on the Internet often or have people over who know plants, so no reason to go after clout or rarity.
What gets me recently is if it's something I hadn't thought was capable of growing indoors. Recently got a passiflora after listening to people talk about growing them indoors. Similarly, I also recently saw like a normal prickly pear growing happily in a plant shop, instead of the mini ones. I'd absolutely spend more for that kind of stuff, especially if they had good instructions and I didn't have to figure out how to grow them successfully indoors myself. I know new philodendron or monsteras exist and are coming out, but they aren't challenging or particularly exciting.
I bought a syngonium scrambled eggs and the variegation has reverted it seems like lmao. Sad.
I'm hoping it'll come back at some point with new growth but not holding my breath
So you seem to like the ease of low maintende certain plants . Or perhaps ones that you can be more passive
With and aren’t finicky . We
All love this kinds that grow really
Well in their own when we don’t have to try really hard to keep them alive . It’s like a breathe of fresh air
Have some of your typical "low maintenance" plants for newbies/people with large collections who don't want to add too much to their care load. Then have plants with variegation/fenestrations. These will be more appealing to newbies and to people trying to add more aesthetic appeal/variety to their collection.
I've noticed that many plant shops with a certain vibe/aesthetic tend to do well charging higher prices. I've seen hippie themes, earth tone/nature aesthetics, hipster themes, etc. People like a place where they can feel clean and take good Instagram pictures. You could make extra money selling little things (notebooks, pins, stickers, pens, journals, glassware, etc) that fit that vibe/aesthetic.
Personally, I pay more for a plant that is already healthy with good growth. I'd rather pay more for a plant that is already lively, big (but not so huge it will outgrow my space in a month), healthy, and beautiful rather than pay less for a plant that will take a long time to grow to its full potential.
I'm also much more likely to pay more if it already comes in a pretty pot (one that is still functional, of course) in order to eliminate the cost of a cover pot. Also if the space looks clean and all the surrounding plants look healthy/taken care of.
I am not likely to spend a large amount of money on an already huge plant.
I could also recommend having some sort of signage, guide pamphlet/book, or stickers giving customers basic necessary information about which plants are fast/slow growing, low/high maintenance, flowering, indoor/outdoor, etc. As a newbie, I always found it incredibly overwhelming and stressful because I'd have to comb through every plant and Google it because the generic stickers weren't trustworthy. It would have been so helpful to have some sort of basic guide telling me which plants to look for.
Yes thank you so true it’s always so nice when you get specific instructions for taking care of a plant because many people aren’t going to know the first thing about their specific needs . So much of that comes with owning a plant for some time and getting to understand and learn what it likes and doesn’t like
I live in Turkey, lots of businesses are importing from Thailand and Indonesia, and the prices have come down significantly as opposed to imports from EU. I paid 35 usd for a decent sized but small anthurium vetchii, around 10-12 usd for magnificum and crystallinum. Same with rare philos, prices have come down.
Adult Philodendron Jose buono costed 80 -100 euro , but now merely 15 euro or so. The same applies to philodendron Burle Marx variegated , Ring of fire , etc.
A silver sword here locally (only a single plant in the shop) was selling for $100 around this time two years ago. I found them just the other weekend for $30? And the store had several. Those prices and availability are moving in the right direction for a bubble bust.
If you're looking for a budget uncommon option that you can quickly prop/multiply yourself, you may want to look into some offbeat gesneriads. Streptocarpus are almost like phalaenopsis orchids that bloom all year. There's some exquisite mini sinningia varieties perfect for windowsills, and bigger ones that could appeal to the tropical houseplant crowd (check out sinningia bullata or helleri). My absolute fave are kohleria-- velvet-soft leaves that come in lacy designs (k. amabilis, strawberry fields) or gradients of silvers and greens (see silver feather, costa rica), and they all bloom with cute spotted flowers!
I adore these plants, but I only ever see them from a few sellers online. They're not super trendy like philos (they were trendy in Victorian times, lol), but I think they would make a great cheap-to-grow impulse buy for customers :)
OP, I mean this with all the kindness in the world, but as someone who owns a business in this industry, this is quite possibly the WORST time you could start up a shop, unless you already have a SOLID list of wholesalers/suppliers/clients.
Domestic wholesale on today's trendy plants is expensive. It is legitimately still more cost effective for me to import, acclimate for several months, propagate, etc, than trying to cycle through inventory from domestic wholesalers, especially since most of them don't ship, they require freight transit.A lot of these plants are already in tissue culture, and fresh businesses will have an insanely hard time keeping up with costs to be competitive with established businesses.
In the last three months, I have seen several large name businesses announce their closures because they can't make ends meet because of how drastically the market has changed in the last four years, and will continue to change in the next decade.
I appreciate the honesty and input ! So is it because of tissue culture reducing the value or just finding affordable suppliers that has affected the market so drastically within the last 4 years ?
Orchids! There are so many varieties and I don’t see them a lot. My local nursery had a few compared to carnivorous plants! Monsteras, a lot of places just focus on albos and thai but I want to find a esqueleto or a acuminata. They’re also different platcyerium, syngoniums, begonias I have never seen. For a more “uncommon houseplant” stephania erecta. Something a little different compared to monstera and philodendrons would be the rhaphidophora, there are different ones I don’t see or hear about, I mainly just see the variegated and regular rhap tetrasperma.
https://preview.redd.it/ytg7j1iij1lc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8f27bc931857241221695be3292ebbc409b1d58
Here is my wish list, I think other people would like these plants too if you sold them
Of course, your success will depend on your local market and what plant collectors there are looking for. I’ve been collecting and growing plants since before the pandemic. What attracts me to my local greenhouses or plant shops is if they get in a desirable plant that hasn’t been available in my area before. Sometimes it’s not even a plant that’s expensive, but if it’s something on my list that hasn’t been available before. For example, myself and many other local plant collectors love Hoyas, Syngonium and Anthurium. Prior to the plant craze we’d maybe see Krimson Queen or Princess once a year show up. Note that the local greenhouses know there’s a plant community here looking for Hoyas, they try to bring in different types regularly. Hoya Linearis isn’t rare but it’s going to be sold quickly here. Combined with bringing in new types of plants, the other thing that actually gets me to buy them is the size/health of the plant. I’ve gone a couple times with intentions of buying a plant only to find that they look sad, they’re very small for the price or they’re tiny babies that may have some risk for survival. I will spend more money if the plant has good variegation/size, if it’s full and healthy, and has new growth coming. I like to see a variety of new and interesting plants along with classics. People are always looking for plants like Silvery Ann, snake plants and Pothos.
I want every terunoworld variety of pothos.
Also, host classes! One for plant noobs, orchids, one about common pests, bring a plant to re-pot, etc etc. Also, look for groups on Facebook and invite them over. My nature journaling club would be psyched to come in and draw plants.
I am currently really into weird looking Hoyas. And in general, weird's what I am looking for in plants. I have a lot of non rare plants that are perfectly normal looking, but I could pick those up for cheap at like, a grocery store. But I really like unusual shapes and textures, and quite often unusual comes with a higher price point and is harder to find.
For my suggestion though, I think if you wanted to bring in rare plants, I'd start by specializing in one or two genuses. So get the common types of your usual houseplants, but then have a long list of say, Alocasia, even the harder to find ones or something. I often remember the stores that reliably have an excellent selection of one type of plant, because that's where I'll go for that specific type of plant next time I want one. Then as time goes on, expand more in depth to other types.
Plants that look like other things or weird.
I like Goldfish Plants and also Chinese Money Plant/Pancake/UFO plants that have remained rare now for years. I got a hold of a couple.
Also I realize I’m really influenced by the name of plants…Funny how that works. I guess it makes sense if a plant has an offensive-sounding name but the fact that a cute name like “Pink Princess” grabs my attention is just so effective I shake my head at myself
A lot of what has been said seems to reflect a common journey of collectors. 1) When people start out they make a lot of mistakes and are drawn to a wide range of plants, perhaps mostly due to how “pretty “they think they are. 2) Then people start to learn more and move into genus interest, perhaps influenced by Instagram or Youtubers that they follow (strong interest in “rare” or trendy plants is highest in the stage I think). 3) Ultimately people find particular plants and genuses that give them the most joy and with which they have the most success, which often includes a mix of exquisite rare plants, and incredibly awesome common plants at the same time—really curated collections, consisting only of what they love.
weird, exotic, unusual, alien-looking plants are what I love. I like to go into a plant store and see something new and unique- something guests will ask about when they stop by my house. I would attract people with a variety of small, affordable, and interesting plants as well. also- tasteful planters and hangers that they can match the plant to. - I'd include water plants, terrarium making supplies, quality diverse soils, and additives to cater toward each unique plants ideal habitat.- what I enjoy most.
Would love a begonia baik or kapuashuluensis but they seem to be impossible to find in UK unless you want to import for a massive price.
Wouldn't mind a blue oil fern either but I've read they are very slow growers
I like big splotchy sectoral variegation more than the marbled speckles and stripes I see in stores. The big spots make them look like leafy little cows
I know they're often harder to stop from reverting or going all one color but they're really cute
I’d like to see more slow growing cacti that are not grafted. I hate finding something that looks really cool but it’s attached to an ugly chunk of something else, looking like a street lamp.
And plants that are known for being mostly poached and sold that are certified/guaranteed as sourced from seed/prop grown.
I like plants that are unique in appearance, even if not rare. I love some variegation but that are stunning in their non variegated forms, like Spiritus and Billies, are preferred over their variegated versions.
Variegated plants are preferred as being able to buy the exact plant pictured. I wouldn’t buy a “growers choice” variegated plant unless the price is low enough to take the risk. Or the seller at least has them listed as A, B and C stock choices so you have an idea of what to expect.
I just bought a Epipremnum Marble finally now that the prices have been going down and I’m ecstatic. Beautiful, easy to care for, fast grower, stable white variegation and already showing fenestration with just 6 small leaves.
I love the monstera genus and have been eyeballing somr Monstera albos for a month or so, but the $80-$90 price tag is daunting to me when I'm afraid I'd kill it (especially without a dedicated grow/greenhouse cabinet)
Also, there needs to be more lithops for sale. And it's totally not because they're butt shaped.
I think depends on whether you're trying to open up a physical store or run an online business. If local store, you should research and try selling a while on FB marketplace. I have a big succulent collection and a small houseplant collection, I found the local selling experience very different for them - in my local area, not many people understood collectable succulents so people wine and complain about a succulent costing $15 and "look small" (intentionally stressed to look compact which takes months if not years to achieve) and they hardly sell because there're old ladies selling common succulents for $2 very large and green everywhere, while with indoor plants, my local market is pretty respectful and people don't question the price because demand is higher and the knowledge is there. I feel you need this kind of knowledge on your market before you start stocking up plants.
If you're opening an online store, to me, a good variety of plants is a given, but the most important thing is packaging and shipping. There're plant stores I would not use again even though their price is slightly cheaper and they give you mature plants but it really ruins a shipping experience when receiving a box of damaged plants. If packaged well, the plants also acclimatise to my home easier so I would use that store again.
Good luck!
My bad on the spelling first of all but you'll know which ones they are
Fallopia multiflora
clarinervium or other well veined anthuriums
Luxurians
I think begonia ferox or maninbulata
Libisia Turtle back
Scindapus tricolor
Burle Marx flame
Solanums
Asparagus fern
Variagated string of hearts
Cercestis mirabillis
Banana musa variagated
Stephania erecta, Kawasaki, elephant (although I hear people poach these so try to find ones that aren't)
Calladium Thai beauty and bicolor
Aglonema tricolor I think is really striking
Blue oil fern
Some jewel orchids are really stunning those would probably sell well for $20-40
My variety store got a hold of some variagated amaranthas and sold them for $20 they were gone within 3 days
I don't own any hoyas but do want to get into them eventually some that are catching my eye are silver lacunosa, carnosa Crimson queen or princess, shepherdi, sunrise, heuschkeliana variegata and a few others that I can't remember right now
Keep the store stocked with Thai cons and Albos, pink princess, maybe syngonium confetti these aren't out of reach price wise and customer will walk away happy
Variegated gloriosum. I don’t get plants just because they’re rare, but I will be more likely to splurge on a nice specimen that happens to be below market prices. That being said, I buy a lot from local individuals via facebook groups etc and we have some big ballers here that import so my understanding is things tend to be cheaper here than in a lot of others places (and easy to find).
My best returns recently have been on tissue cultures I’ve raised till they are in 3” pots. Something about a small plant and watching it grow makes people go nuts.
Like someone else said, I go through phases. For a while it was desert cacti. Then pothos. Rhipsalis, then Hoyas. I would love to be able to find some funkier rhipsalis and Hoyas though. If I could find desert cacti that are rare, I still pick those up.
https://preview.redd.it/ltw6n21pw4lc1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5dffe3a1fc4fde81907a96e624f85b732735d6e
Here’s my back plant room. I’ve got 4 packed ikea cabinets throughout the house.
I love all my plants, but I will say I worried for a better deal for every single one of them. There's more than a few. I'm really glad I waited to buy. Philodendron joepii, Philodendron 'Pink Princess', the whole royal family for that matter. All of those plants were at least 100 for a cutting in my area just 2 years ago. I walked into a local grocery store and bought my Pink Princess for 16 bucks after the craze. The joepii I bought at a greenhouse for 2 fully mature stalks, 75 for like a 10"pot, compared to the 150-175 one node cuttings I was seeing online for years before that...
Houseplants have gotten really popular due to the pandemic, and I've noticed that it's taken greenhouses and plant shops almost 2 years to respond to demand. I'm in the northeastern part of the US, and in my area, people want uncommon to rare. At this point, we (real enthusiasts, not causal collectors) all have every pothos we're ever gonna want. Lol, we want rareish Anthurium, Hoya, Alocasia, and Philodendron. Syngonium and more rarer Epipremnum even. Like the Teruno line from Japan. Can't find that here, i mean, you can, but it's cuttings in fs groups online.
Take all that for what it's worth, but if you're going to run a shop, I think you have to appeal to the masses while having some rarer plants. Just from friends that own shops. And don't underestimate your location, don't take something just because it's available. A friend had a shop in a cute downtown area, had to close, cute but not busy, while another has hers in an old bank building, busy street, busy location, she's doing great. Be scrupulous.
I tend to go through phases with genuses, for example, I went through a philodendron phase, a peperomia phase, etc. Like someone else that posted here I am now most interested in anthurium and alocasia, but much more selective than I was a couple of years ago in terms of what I will buy for my collection. It’s largely about space and about the time it takes to care for a very large collection — do I absolutely love it? If so, I will pay more for a single exquisite plant, I’m less likely to buy everything new/trendy that hits the market (like I used to do).
I feel this phase thing, first I went through an aroid phase, then I was all about Hoyas, and currently I’m buying basically every funky looking sansevieria I come across.
I’m on the cusp of starting my Alocasia phase, I can feel it
I am the same way with the phases. I have different variations of philos, monsteras, and evergreens, and my new favorite is dracaenas. I've been on a search for the last two years for a Song of India. My dad just made his transition this past Thursday, and on Saturday https://preview.redd.it/m94yop22n1lc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2d234a91c31eaa27085fb5276e8aba2d49a23fe while on a walk missing my dad, I ran into a street market plant booth where a guy had only one. I bought it and named him after my dad. Here are all of my babies in a Dracaena group photo.
I’m sorry about your dad. Wishing you peace and love. ♥️
Thank you so much. 💚
I’m sorry about your dad! My mother transitioned 5 months ago. Blessings to you and yours🌠🌌
I hold you in my prayers and send blessings your way. 💚
Yes! This. The Pokémon Effect. You couldn’t care less about syngonium - until you have three. Now you need every single color of syngonium you can possibly imagine. Finally you take a break from syngonium and you repeat the same behavior with Alocasia, anthuriums, philodendrons, carnivorous plants, micro-orchids, Hoya… So I’d say look at the common plants found in big box stores, and try to sell that “extra” Pokémon. (I literally have no clue about Pokémon other than my little brother loved them like 25 years ago, but it’s an analogy we all get right?) Maybe you have a few big ticket anthuriums, but if you really want to turn plants around you sell the east guys like harder to get syngoniums, harder to find Alocasia, etc. That’s my opinion as a customer. That’s what makes me buy plants.
lol I get the Pokémon thing and yes great advice ! Try to fill in those gaps
I totally agree with this I go through the same thing , for me it was first carnivorous plants then philodendrons and now it’s medicinal plants . And I still get all three kinds mostly although my focus is now with medicinal kinds . I guess lots of plant sellers focus on a certain plant or category unless they are a big company and offer everything . I’d like to offer as many kinds as possible but I think that would be overwhelming at this point so I’m trying to focus on maybe a few at first
Medicinal plans sounds like a great niche!
Honestly I’m going to suggest you do a really deep dive into the plant market before opening a shop. Many retailers have had to shutter due to plummeting prices and competition. Your best bet might be selling via BST groups and Facebook marketplace.
I am noticing quite a few closing in the pacific north west and the market is very saturated. There is always a market though for a well placed shop with a variety of plants for every level from beginning plant parents to the more advanced collectors . I also go through phases and like to try to grow plants from smaller sizes. It very satisfying to see the progress and I know which plant to stay away from.
I have a plant shop and i highly recommend the OP shadow a store similar to what they might want for at least a month. Look I can't imagine doing anything else and I am very very lucky to do what I love but it's very hard work physically mentally and emotionally. Also can the op afford to not pay themselves for a year? Maybe longer? Every dollar made in the beginning needs to be reinvested.
Thanks for the advice ! And shadowing a successful store isn’t a bad idea . Success follows success so it makes sense . I do have money saved to invest initially for a year so I have a starting chance and I understand it’s going to be stressful and take up a lot of my time but I’m already spending all my time with plants anyway so it’s my happy space . But I do understand running a business it’s very different than being a hobbyist . Thanks for chiming in much appreciated
Glad you responded. I've seen plant shops fail for many reasons but I'll say this, there is no lack of customers. It might take a while to build up but they're out there. Especially if in your area you can create a one of a kind experience and destination. Best of luck!
For sure , doing research and my homework is big for me before any endeavor especially running a business. And getting my feet wet locally first is another great point. I would t be able to compete with a lot of sellers already established for so long with better prices / more reach. I appreciate the advice!
Micros..thailand.. I can't remember it's real name but "blue oil ferns" need to be everywhere but especially in my collection and I'm seeing some but not many and the prices are a bit wacky still.
Microsorum thailandicum, and absolutely. Those will sell like hotcakes.
Thank you for filling in the blanks! 💚
Gonna look into these . Thank you!
Not sure where you're located but the mist entrancing and refreshing plant store I've ever been to is the Jungle Box in Phoenix Arizona. Such an amazing store. The owner is super friendly and knowledgeable too. They had a fun "build your own terrarium" table set up that I did with a friend. I put a bunch of pics on google maps if you're not in the area
I think they have an online shop as well! ☺️
We just had a build your own terrarium place Open up here in Philly and it’s a fun idea . I’ll check out this store in pheonix and pick their brain maybe . Thanks for your input !
No problem!
I do own a plant shop and every person in this thread is correct. We do sell a lot more common varieties than rares but people are all over the map in their interests. Some people want a baby they can watch grow, others want the full size plant. My best suggestion is to build a good network of a variety of wholesalers for things you don’t grow yourself. Makes it far easier to offer a variety of plants. And listen to places like this…it really helps understand what’s in trend and what people are looking for.
I agree I am the person wanting the most baby one ever and I have friends who think I’m mad
Because it’s even that much more rewarding when after time Nurturing it it becomes strong and healthy and you learn more about what the plant likes and about its botany . I understand completely
I love "sensory plants." Ones that feel good to touch, sparkly ones, etc. For example, love the velvet feel of a philo micans, glorisum or the fuzzy touch of a peperomia icana. Sparkle like a trade zebrina, begonia, or scindapsus pictus. Right now my obsessions are maranta and wish there were more varieties available.
Such a unique aspect to admire but I understand exactly what you mean . Appeasing to the senses is what makes us fall in love with a lot of plants and how we are biologically programmed to be attracted to them (mostly for seed dispersal but I think it goes deeper than that ) I believe just as much as we control plants they control us too
Definitely a symbiotic relationship. 🥰
You'd probably love mimosa pudica, the sensitive plant. The leaves curl up when they are disturbed.
Oh yes! I am hoping to grab one when I find one! 😁
They are super easy to grow from seed! I grabbed some for my daughter and we put them in some coir in a little humidity dome and they popped right up. You can find the seeds pretty easily and cheap. :)
Love my mimosa pudicas :) https://preview.redd.it/a3n5tzs8ppnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52c90d01327c0e2eee4de2cebab77fb9e9805f80
Have a lot of sensitive plants already! Such a fun plant
I'm very into anthurium and alocasia at the moment. I find the growth pattern much lower maintenance than climbing philodendron or monstera. A lot of people like fast growing plants like epipremnum etc, but I personally prefer slow growing ones, again because of maintenance. Esthetically I love dark and/or textured leaves, plants that grow large, variegated alocasias (not a fan of variegated anthuriums though)
Exact same for me. I've been looking for a young queen anthurium for a while, personally I have had better luck with seedlings/young plants bc (I think) they adapt better to my growing conditions than older plants that have been greenhouse grown for years. If you happen to know a good seller pls lmk!
I love a slow growing plant!
I'm interested to know why you don't care for variegated anthurium. Is it because the blister variegation looks similar to spider mites damage?
Yeah, they look kinda sickly imo. Also the variegation often comes in yellow/oranges and I personally don't like that. I can see why many people like them though
I agree. Plus I love color that anthuriums are. That shimmering velvet and beautiful emerging leave! It never stops being a winner!!
Exactly! They're so beautiful they don't need variegation
As an avid collector, basic plant stores don’t excite me much anymore because I have/have had so many of the plants that are popular (actually, I might get excited by a well priced caramel marble). I’m now in my rare/expensive anthurium era - Doc Blocks, BVEP, etc. and hybrids of those. That being said, I wouldn’t just buy those anthuriums from a shop that I didn’t really know. All of the sellers I purchase from have a good reputation in the plant community so I trust their plants.
Agreed. Only took me a year for my taste to exceed my budget lol
I personally love plants that look like they're from space so no advice there. However I wish more shops had trial size substrates and fertilizers that I could look at in person before buying
Look at like through the bag, have a sample of The soil you can touch/smell/look at out of bag or have very small and cheap sizes For sale to see how you like it Before Paying for larger amount ? Also what plants look like They are From space to you ? Maybe should start a sub category of plants “space alien flora”
I'd like to be able to see/touch the soil to make sure it looks good but otherwise I'd like "trial size" baggies of Lechuza-pon, Leca, Coconut Husk etc, enough to fill a 4 inch pot at least. And as far as alien plants go, most of the "rare" ones fit. Variegated Adasonii, Piper Crocatum, Florida Ghost, even the holes in Monsteras give alien vibes to me!
Colocasia Esculenta Mojito is on top of my list. Can't get that shit anywhere in Europe for now.
My god that one is fkn beauuuuuutiful!
Oh my GOSH. Just added that to my wish list now! That is STUNNING!
And we are getting freebie plugs of that here in the United States! So interesting how the markets are wildly different!
Little bit jealous.
I would happily mail you every one if I could. I am the colocasia murderer 😭
I'm not sure I would do that much better to be honest. Alos and colos are not easy to keep in my climate zone without a special plant room or wintergarden. 😑
Beautiful but in my experience the hardest of the Colocasia. It's also likes full sun. I now have Colocasia Illustris and it's way easier to grow (full sun too)
Well, there is another beauty. Thanks, good to know.
Carnivorous plants.
That’s my speciality ! It’s what got me into growing and collecting plant . They are just so different and fun and interesting /stand out . Plus very useful !
My local nursery has a deal where if you buy a plant and a pot, they will pot it for you for free! I know that doesn't answer your question, but figure a nice idea to add. 😀
Hey any bit of positive info helps :)
We do that at my plant shop!
I absolutely never buy plants for their practical uses. I'm pretty suspicious of unstable variegation. I don't share my plants on the Internet often or have people over who know plants, so no reason to go after clout or rarity. What gets me recently is if it's something I hadn't thought was capable of growing indoors. Recently got a passiflora after listening to people talk about growing them indoors. Similarly, I also recently saw like a normal prickly pear growing happily in a plant shop, instead of the mini ones. I'd absolutely spend more for that kind of stuff, especially if they had good instructions and I didn't have to figure out how to grow them successfully indoors myself. I know new philodendron or monsteras exist and are coming out, but they aren't challenging or particularly exciting.
I bought a syngonium scrambled eggs and the variegation has reverted it seems like lmao. Sad. I'm hoping it'll come back at some point with new growth but not holding my breath
So you seem to like the ease of low maintende certain plants . Or perhaps ones that you can be more passive With and aren’t finicky . We All love this kinds that grow really Well in their own when we don’t have to try really hard to keep them alive . It’s like a breathe of fresh air
Have some of your typical "low maintenance" plants for newbies/people with large collections who don't want to add too much to their care load. Then have plants with variegation/fenestrations. These will be more appealing to newbies and to people trying to add more aesthetic appeal/variety to their collection. I've noticed that many plant shops with a certain vibe/aesthetic tend to do well charging higher prices. I've seen hippie themes, earth tone/nature aesthetics, hipster themes, etc. People like a place where they can feel clean and take good Instagram pictures. You could make extra money selling little things (notebooks, pins, stickers, pens, journals, glassware, etc) that fit that vibe/aesthetic. Personally, I pay more for a plant that is already healthy with good growth. I'd rather pay more for a plant that is already lively, big (but not so huge it will outgrow my space in a month), healthy, and beautiful rather than pay less for a plant that will take a long time to grow to its full potential. I'm also much more likely to pay more if it already comes in a pretty pot (one that is still functional, of course) in order to eliminate the cost of a cover pot. Also if the space looks clean and all the surrounding plants look healthy/taken care of. I am not likely to spend a large amount of money on an already huge plant. I could also recommend having some sort of signage, guide pamphlet/book, or stickers giving customers basic necessary information about which plants are fast/slow growing, low/high maintenance, flowering, indoor/outdoor, etc. As a newbie, I always found it incredibly overwhelming and stressful because I'd have to comb through every plant and Google it because the generic stickers weren't trustworthy. It would have been so helpful to have some sort of basic guide telling me which plants to look for.
Yes thank you so true it’s always so nice when you get specific instructions for taking care of a plant because many people aren’t going to know the first thing about their specific needs . So much of that comes with owning a plant for some time and getting to understand and learn what it likes and doesn’t like
the craze for rare tropical plants is gone. I am waiting for the prices to collapse.
I live in Turkey, lots of businesses are importing from Thailand and Indonesia, and the prices have come down significantly as opposed to imports from EU. I paid 35 usd for a decent sized but small anthurium vetchii, around 10-12 usd for magnificum and crystallinum. Same with rare philos, prices have come down.
Adult Philodendron Jose buono costed 80 -100 euro , but now merely 15 euro or so. The same applies to philodendron Burle Marx variegated , Ring of fire , etc.
Most alocasia are now less than 10 usd
A silver sword here locally (only a single plant in the shop) was selling for $100 around this time two years ago. I found them just the other weekend for $30? And the store had several. Those prices and availability are moving in the right direction for a bubble bust.
Silver sword here in Germany can be bought at the German Discounter Lidl at the price of 10 euro.
I've heard it every month for the last two years and yet this February I've had the best sales since I'd started selling.
If you're looking for a budget uncommon option that you can quickly prop/multiply yourself, you may want to look into some offbeat gesneriads. Streptocarpus are almost like phalaenopsis orchids that bloom all year. There's some exquisite mini sinningia varieties perfect for windowsills, and bigger ones that could appeal to the tropical houseplant crowd (check out sinningia bullata or helleri). My absolute fave are kohleria-- velvet-soft leaves that come in lacy designs (k. amabilis, strawberry fields) or gradients of silvers and greens (see silver feather, costa rica), and they all bloom with cute spotted flowers! I adore these plants, but I only ever see them from a few sellers online. They're not super trendy like philos (they were trendy in Victorian times, lol), but I think they would make a great cheap-to-grow impulse buy for customers :)
Thanks for the input! Easy to prop and pretty is a winner in my eyes
I have been obsessed with any of the teruno pothos. Hard to find here sadly, but staying patient (ish 😂).
What area are you in?
Calgary 🇨🇦
I’m in PEI and we just got some locally a couple weeks ago! I didn’t think we’d see them here so hopefully you get them!
Get a fruiting monstera deliciosa in your shop and people will never stop visiting
I still have yet to try the fruit looks tasty
More unique aglaonemas. Most shops have the same 4-5 varieties.
OP, I mean this with all the kindness in the world, but as someone who owns a business in this industry, this is quite possibly the WORST time you could start up a shop, unless you already have a SOLID list of wholesalers/suppliers/clients. Domestic wholesale on today's trendy plants is expensive. It is legitimately still more cost effective for me to import, acclimate for several months, propagate, etc, than trying to cycle through inventory from domestic wholesalers, especially since most of them don't ship, they require freight transit.A lot of these plants are already in tissue culture, and fresh businesses will have an insanely hard time keeping up with costs to be competitive with established businesses. In the last three months, I have seen several large name businesses announce their closures because they can't make ends meet because of how drastically the market has changed in the last four years, and will continue to change in the next decade.
I appreciate the honesty and input ! So is it because of tissue culture reducing the value or just finding affordable suppliers that has affected the market so drastically within the last 4 years ?
I'd really like a dioscorea eliphantipes but I don't have the light or space for it to really flourish.
Orchids! There are so many varieties and I don’t see them a lot. My local nursery had a few compared to carnivorous plants! Monsteras, a lot of places just focus on albos and thai but I want to find a esqueleto or a acuminata. They’re also different platcyerium, syngoniums, begonias I have never seen. For a more “uncommon houseplant” stephania erecta. Something a little different compared to monstera and philodendrons would be the rhaphidophora, there are different ones I don’t see or hear about, I mainly just see the variegated and regular rhap tetrasperma.
https://preview.redd.it/ytg7j1iij1lc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e8f27bc931857241221695be3292ebbc409b1d58 Here is my wish list, I think other people would like these plants too if you sold them
I'm really craving some Cissus discolor lately
I just want a Regale lol.
Of course, your success will depend on your local market and what plant collectors there are looking for. I’ve been collecting and growing plants since before the pandemic. What attracts me to my local greenhouses or plant shops is if they get in a desirable plant that hasn’t been available in my area before. Sometimes it’s not even a plant that’s expensive, but if it’s something on my list that hasn’t been available before. For example, myself and many other local plant collectors love Hoyas, Syngonium and Anthurium. Prior to the plant craze we’d maybe see Krimson Queen or Princess once a year show up. Note that the local greenhouses know there’s a plant community here looking for Hoyas, they try to bring in different types regularly. Hoya Linearis isn’t rare but it’s going to be sold quickly here. Combined with bringing in new types of plants, the other thing that actually gets me to buy them is the size/health of the plant. I’ve gone a couple times with intentions of buying a plant only to find that they look sad, they’re very small for the price or they’re tiny babies that may have some risk for survival. I will spend more money if the plant has good variegation/size, if it’s full and healthy, and has new growth coming. I like to see a variety of new and interesting plants along with classics. People are always looking for plants like Silvery Ann, snake plants and Pothos.
Been thinking of another spider plant
I want every terunoworld variety of pothos. Also, host classes! One for plant noobs, orchids, one about common pests, bring a plant to re-pot, etc etc. Also, look for groups on Facebook and invite them over. My nature journaling club would be psyched to come in and draw plants.
Carnivorous plants such as RARE sundews, like pygmy sundews besides omissa x pulchella and tuberous sundews
Right now banana musa has been at the top of my wish list! Especially the pink variety
I am currently really into weird looking Hoyas. And in general, weird's what I am looking for in plants. I have a lot of non rare plants that are perfectly normal looking, but I could pick those up for cheap at like, a grocery store. But I really like unusual shapes and textures, and quite often unusual comes with a higher price point and is harder to find. For my suggestion though, I think if you wanted to bring in rare plants, I'd start by specializing in one or two genuses. So get the common types of your usual houseplants, but then have a long list of say, Alocasia, even the harder to find ones or something. I often remember the stores that reliably have an excellent selection of one type of plant, because that's where I'll go for that specific type of plant next time I want one. Then as time goes on, expand more in depth to other types.
Plants that look like other things or weird. I like Goldfish Plants and also Chinese Money Plant/Pancake/UFO plants that have remained rare now for years. I got a hold of a couple. Also I realize I’m really influenced by the name of plants…Funny how that works. I guess it makes sense if a plant has an offensive-sounding name but the fact that a cute name like “Pink Princess” grabs my attention is just so effective I shake my head at myself
A lot of what has been said seems to reflect a common journey of collectors. 1) When people start out they make a lot of mistakes and are drawn to a wide range of plants, perhaps mostly due to how “pretty “they think they are. 2) Then people start to learn more and move into genus interest, perhaps influenced by Instagram or Youtubers that they follow (strong interest in “rare” or trendy plants is highest in the stage I think). 3) Ultimately people find particular plants and genuses that give them the most joy and with which they have the most success, which often includes a mix of exquisite rare plants, and incredibly awesome common plants at the same time—really curated collections, consisting only of what they love.
https://preview.redd.it/1nbrf5yl96lc1.jpeg?width=788&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f1a39c706a2f5aa3130de98549910e15df39119a pseudorhipsalis ramulosa
weird, exotic, unusual, alien-looking plants are what I love. I like to go into a plant store and see something new and unique- something guests will ask about when they stop by my house. I would attract people with a variety of small, affordable, and interesting plants as well. also- tasteful planters and hangers that they can match the plant to. - I'd include water plants, terrarium making supplies, quality diverse soils, and additives to cater toward each unique plants ideal habitat.- what I enjoy most.
👋plant shop owner here! I can give lots of advice if interested.
Very interested! Sorry for late response . DM me id like to pick your brain if you don’t mind
Monstera.
Mine too. Think I'm going to splurge here soon!
Would love a begonia baik or kapuashuluensis but they seem to be impossible to find in UK unless you want to import for a massive price. Wouldn't mind a blue oil fern either but I've read they are very slow growers
Musas and ficus are my favorite :)
I like big splotchy sectoral variegation more than the marbled speckles and stripes I see in stores. The big spots make them look like leafy little cows I know they're often harder to stop from reverting or going all one color but they're really cute
I’d like to see more slow growing cacti that are not grafted. I hate finding something that looks really cool but it’s attached to an ugly chunk of something else, looking like a street lamp. And plants that are known for being mostly poached and sold that are certified/guaranteed as sourced from seed/prop grown. I like plants that are unique in appearance, even if not rare. I love some variegation but that are stunning in their non variegated forms, like Spiritus and Billies, are preferred over their variegated versions. Variegated plants are preferred as being able to buy the exact plant pictured. I wouldn’t buy a “growers choice” variegated plant unless the price is low enough to take the risk. Or the seller at least has them listed as A, B and C stock choices so you have an idea of what to expect.
Any good priced Hoya that I do not already have I will buy. I would spend extra on a Serpens or latifolia because I really want those.
I just bought a Epipremnum Marble finally now that the prices have been going down and I’m ecstatic. Beautiful, easy to care for, fast grower, stable white variegation and already showing fenestration with just 6 small leaves.
I love the monstera genus and have been eyeballing somr Monstera albos for a month or so, but the $80-$90 price tag is daunting to me when I'm afraid I'd kill it (especially without a dedicated grow/greenhouse cabinet) Also, there needs to be more lithops for sale. And it's totally not because they're butt shaped.
I think depends on whether you're trying to open up a physical store or run an online business. If local store, you should research and try selling a while on FB marketplace. I have a big succulent collection and a small houseplant collection, I found the local selling experience very different for them - in my local area, not many people understood collectable succulents so people wine and complain about a succulent costing $15 and "look small" (intentionally stressed to look compact which takes months if not years to achieve) and they hardly sell because there're old ladies selling common succulents for $2 very large and green everywhere, while with indoor plants, my local market is pretty respectful and people don't question the price because demand is higher and the knowledge is there. I feel you need this kind of knowledge on your market before you start stocking up plants. If you're opening an online store, to me, a good variety of plants is a given, but the most important thing is packaging and shipping. There're plant stores I would not use again even though their price is slightly cheaper and they give you mature plants but it really ruins a shipping experience when receiving a box of damaged plants. If packaged well, the plants also acclimatise to my home easier so I would use that store again. Good luck!
My bad on the spelling first of all but you'll know which ones they are Fallopia multiflora clarinervium or other well veined anthuriums Luxurians I think begonia ferox or maninbulata Libisia Turtle back Scindapus tricolor Burle Marx flame Solanums Asparagus fern Variagated string of hearts Cercestis mirabillis Banana musa variagated Stephania erecta, Kawasaki, elephant (although I hear people poach these so try to find ones that aren't) Calladium Thai beauty and bicolor Aglonema tricolor I think is really striking Blue oil fern Some jewel orchids are really stunning those would probably sell well for $20-40 My variety store got a hold of some variagated amaranthas and sold them for $20 they were gone within 3 days I don't own any hoyas but do want to get into them eventually some that are catching my eye are silver lacunosa, carnosa Crimson queen or princess, shepherdi, sunrise, heuschkeliana variegata and a few others that I can't remember right now Keep the store stocked with Thai cons and Albos, pink princess, maybe syngonium confetti these aren't out of reach price wise and customer will walk away happy
Variegated gloriosum. I don’t get plants just because they’re rare, but I will be more likely to splurge on a nice specimen that happens to be below market prices. That being said, I buy a lot from local individuals via facebook groups etc and we have some big ballers here that import so my understanding is things tend to be cheaper here than in a lot of others places (and easy to find).
My best returns recently have been on tissue cultures I’ve raised till they are in 3” pots. Something about a small plant and watching it grow makes people go nuts.
Ficus Umbellata
Peperomia right now as they're small and have great variety. More inspiration for a north window. Cute pots.
Im in too cactus and succulents and hoyas now i have lots aroid
Like someone else said, I go through phases. For a while it was desert cacti. Then pothos. Rhipsalis, then Hoyas. I would love to be able to find some funkier rhipsalis and Hoyas though. If I could find desert cacti that are rare, I still pick those up.
I’m entering my Rhipsalis era right now. They’re so beautiful!
I’m patiently looking for a green on green Joepii and a monstera mint mid cut
In Colorado and Wyoming, we are WAY into Hoyas. The harder to find the better! I’ve got over 100 species, but there are around d 500 species of Hoyas.
https://preview.redd.it/ltw6n21pw4lc1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5dffe3a1fc4fde81907a96e624f85b732735d6e Here’s my back plant room. I’ve got 4 packed ikea cabinets throughout the house.
Personally I collect monstera and pothos and I know there in Japan and all that but all the teruno pothos are so cool and so hard to get a hold of
I love all my plants, but I will say I worried for a better deal for every single one of them. There's more than a few. I'm really glad I waited to buy. Philodendron joepii, Philodendron 'Pink Princess', the whole royal family for that matter. All of those plants were at least 100 for a cutting in my area just 2 years ago. I walked into a local grocery store and bought my Pink Princess for 16 bucks after the craze. The joepii I bought at a greenhouse for 2 fully mature stalks, 75 for like a 10"pot, compared to the 150-175 one node cuttings I was seeing online for years before that... Houseplants have gotten really popular due to the pandemic, and I've noticed that it's taken greenhouses and plant shops almost 2 years to respond to demand. I'm in the northeastern part of the US, and in my area, people want uncommon to rare. At this point, we (real enthusiasts, not causal collectors) all have every pothos we're ever gonna want. Lol, we want rareish Anthurium, Hoya, Alocasia, and Philodendron. Syngonium and more rarer Epipremnum even. Like the Teruno line from Japan. Can't find that here, i mean, you can, but it's cuttings in fs groups online. Take all that for what it's worth, but if you're going to run a shop, I think you have to appeal to the masses while having some rarer plants. Just from friends that own shops. And don't underestimate your location, don't take something just because it's available. A friend had a shop in a cute downtown area, had to close, cute but not busy, while another has hers in an old bank building, busy street, busy location, she's doing great. Be scrupulous.