Bring in Cash with the Exotic

No, I am not talking about dance! Plants are a wonderful way to brighten a home or office and what better way to earn money than to offer people what they haven?t seen before!

Exotic plants could be as simple as African violets or as complicated as tropical air plants. It depends on the level you want to get into the business. That should be your first step. Check out plants on the internet and source the ones you want. Depending on your start-up capital, you may want to begin with just one or two lines and expand later or open your business with a complete range of plants.

Some exotic plants require virtually no special care while others are so fussy you are better off leaving them alone to begin with. You need to choose between growing your products from seed or buying them as starter plants and reselling them once they have reached a decent size. Again, research the plants you wish to carry, to find out which method is more suitable to the level of commitment you want to make.

You will need the usual plant stuff, soil, fertilizer, pots, etc. plus any special equipment your species needs. Most exotic plants do not survive well outside during their early months, if at all. Therefore, you will need to use a large, warm, well-lit, room or greenhouse to grow in.

Advertising is another big must. Since you are selling a specialized product, you need to define your market. Are you selling easy-yet-exotic plants to homemakers or are you aiming to sell the more difficult plants to plant connoisseurs? Once you have defined your target market; submit an advertisement in the local newspapers, and/or hang flyers in areas where your future customers would hang out. Don?t overlook internet marketing either, although you may want to keep to your area of the world; if you aren?t sure how to ship plants safely. Print up some business cards and hand them out every time you meet someone and talk your business up any chance you get.

Now, you have your new little tropical air plants and birds-of-paradise and lilies all lined up in the greenhouse, how do you get them out there to your markets?

Although you could open a storefront, it is costly and probably not a great idea unless you live very far from the city you are targeting. Instead, bring people to your greenhouse. Put up a nice sign at the end of the drive and put your home address on the ads you print. Just keep things tidy. Your clients will be thrilled to actually see where the magic goes on.

Another option, if you wish to keep the operation very small or if you want to expand your existing business; sell exotic seeds. Either gleaned from your personal growing stock, or bought specially and repackaged with your logo, people will love to try their hand at growing strange and beautiful plants. Just be sure to include detailed instructions and a difficulty level on the packet.

Resources:

http://www.fiveanddime.net/wallpaper/exotic-house-plants/December-2005/

http://www.directgardening.com/prodnav.asp?cat_search=Exo&nav=hps&header=House~Plants~-~Exotic