Some people are born with a green thumb and others have to cultivate it. Then there are others who simply aren’t interested in digging in the dirt. If you happen to belong to the first group you can use your talents to provide a service for the later group.

When I was girl my parents had a garden. To this day I still enjoy gardening and seeing vegetables grow. I am not very good with houseplants though so artificial plants are best for me.

Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

1. AFRICAN VIOLETS – Specialize in the propagation and care of this popular indoor plant.  Nurture, hybridize and sell when in full bloom.  Sell accessories and supplies.

2. ARTIFICAL PLANTS – Make your specialty artificial flowers and plants.  Sell a selection of arrangements, baskets and special occasion creations; take custom orders.

3. CACTUS CULTURE – Propagate, grow, groom and arrange native and exotic cacti for retail and wholesale market.  Prepare little information booklets for each species.

4. CUT FLOWER BUSINESS – Grow and supply freshly cut flowers to markets and florists in your area.  Offer a variety of seasonal or specialize in one (or two) greenhouse/ shade house grown varieties.

5. ELEPHANT GARLIC – Specialize in growing and marketing this remarkable, delicious giant garlic for gourmet restaurants and stores.  Sell fresh, dried and frozen.

6. EXOTIC VEGETABLES – Grow high value plants (chives, watercress, capers).  Use a small greenhouse to produce big profits.  Deliver fresh to restaurants and stores.

7. EXOTIC PLANTS – Raise and sell especially valuable plants, such as four leaf clovers, rare mosses or delicate begonias.  Advertise and display often at fairs and shows.

8. FOWER ARRANGING – Arrange flowers for parties, banquets, office functions, from general decor to head table centerpieces.  Make up displays to sell through stores.

9. FLOWER DRYING – Raise or buy dryable flowers and shrubs for retail and wholesale customers: one kind packets or arrangements.  Sell kits with complete instructions.

10. FREEZE DRY FLOWERS – With your equipment freeze dry and preserve wedding bouquets, corsages, centerpieces.  Add this service to florist or nursery business for extra income.

11. HANGING PLANTS – Specialize in hanging plants of all sizes and descriptions.  Display when in peak condition in various types of attractive pots, holders and hangers.

12. HERB HOUSE – Grow, process, and sell herbs that grow well in your area (or greenhouse. Package products separately and in blends (e.g. pickling preparations).

13. HERB PLANTS – Provide live, healthy potted herbs (basil, chives, borage) for really
fresh seasoning to gourmet restaurants.  Exchange for new plants as needed.

15. MINIATURE GARDENS – Create various sizes of garden-like displays of live plants for hospital sick rooms, boxes for balconies, rooftop planters, offices and residences.

16. MUSHROOM CULTURE – Grow and sell mushrooms.  Fill standing gourmet restaurant and store orders, advertise for retail sales.  Can, freeze or dry leftovers and stems.

17. NATIVE PLANTS – Become an expert on plants native to your locale.  Grow, propagate and improve.  Raise the value of your plants and seeds by enclosing an informative brochure in each pack.
18. POTTED PLANTS – Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted plants.  Display in attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full foliage.

19. SEED PACKETS – Collect, sort, label and sell packets of selected wildflowers or plants native to your area.  Include instructions, history and folklore on each package.

20. SEED DEALER – Buy bulk seeds from suppliers or farmers.  Repackage into small packets and blends. Add instructions and package along with folklore info; wholesale to local markets.

21. SILK FLOWER RENTALS – Make up silk flower arrangements for weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs and banquets.  Sell, rent and offer do-it-yourself baskets, centerpieces, etc.

22. TERRARIUMS – Start and nurture plants in bottles and plastic containers that require little if any watering. Grow plants to peak of attractiveness and sell, container and all.

23. WILD BERRIES – Pick, preserve and sell wild blackberries, gooseberries, etc.  Prepare different forms, but always emphasize that they are genuine wild products.

24. WILDFLOWER SEEDS – In your travels, gather wildflower seeds.  Seal and label, then take home and cultivate to produce seeds for packets “from around the nation.”

25. WILDFLOWER PLANTS.  Start, nurture and market when ready, genuine wildflowers and plants of local interest. Have small brochures printed for each plant (this sells them).

Samantha Gregory

Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.

Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.

She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.