How to Sell Herb Plants
Selling herb plants may start as a hobby, but develop into a serious business. Knowledge about the health benefits of certain herbs will help you market your items to a niche interested in nutritional products and cooking with natural ingredients. Start out by growing herbs for your family. Once you have refined your process and have some plants left over, sell them to your friends and neighbors. Before you know it, you may have a thriving business that will need your full-time attention.
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Things You'll Need
- Herb seeds
- Planting pots
- Wheelbarrow
- Trowel
- Pest deterrents
- Fertilizers
Instructions
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Select the types of herbs that you will be growing and buy the seeds. Use an online supplier, such as Johnny's Selected Seeds or Territorial Seed Company, after comparing costs for the same herb.
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Find the right place to grow your herbs. The Horticultural MU Guide advises planting your smallest seeds indoors in late winter in pots or flats. The starts will need light and cool — but not too cold — temperatures. Since you will be selling the plants, you will not need to transfer them to the ground.
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Sell the plants in early spring if you do not intend to market a mature herb. Alternatively, sell the herb plants in late spring or early summer when the leaves have matured and are ready to be cut, if your customer wants to use the herb right away.
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Approach local nurseries and ask if they are interested in purchasing your herb plants to sell to their customers. Your profit will be smaller so that the nurseries may mark up the herbs for sale, but the higher sales volume offers the potential of making more money.
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Go to local health food stores or community co-ops and talk to the managers. Ask if they buy herb plants from local suppliers. You may need to grow a larger inventory if the plants are a popular item.
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Talk to chefs at your local restaurants. In some areas, restaurants grow their own herbs and produce to ensure the freshness of their ingredients. If an establishment is unable to do so, its management may be interested in developing a business relationship with you.
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Sell to the public. Attend as many farmers markets as possible in and around your area. Allow the public to see the quality of your products. If possible, let them sample dried herbs or a dish made with the plants that you grow. Pass out flyers and brochures to those who stop by your table.
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Tips & Warnings
Buy a business insurance policy that protects you from claims of liability.
References
Resources
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