10 Fun and beautiful things to cultivate that can save or make you money.

By Nurture Culture | 01/14/2025

Growing plants and flowers in your backyard can save you money or be a profitable venture. If you choose varieties that are in high demand, easy to cultivate, and offer good returns on investment. Below is a list of some easy to grow and some of the most profitable plants and flowers, along with cultivation tips and instructions for each. Growing your own food has many health benefits. You can control the quality and freshness and avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals.

1. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

  • Profit Potential: Lavender is a highly sought-after flower for essential oils, dried bouquets, sachets, teas, and culinary uses.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Prefers a Mediterranean climate but can grow in USDA zones 5-9.
    • Sun: Full sun (at least 8 hours of sunlight per day).
    • Soil: Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
    • Water: Water moderately but ensure the soil drains well. Lavender is drought-tolerant once established.
    • Care: Prune the plant annually after flowering to keep it compact and healthy.
  • Profit Tips: Dried lavender flowers, essential oils, and lavender plants themselves are in high demand. The flowers can be harvested and sold fresh or dried. Lavender oil, in particular, can be sold at a high price.

2. Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Mint, Rosemary, etc.)

  • Profit Potential: Fresh herbs are popular in culinary markets, and dried herbs can be sold to restaurants, farmers’ markets, or in bulk to herbal suppliers.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Herbs generally thrive in USDA zones 3-10, depending on the specific herb.
    • Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours per day).
    • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil. Most herbs prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH.
    • Water: Water regularly but do not overwater. Ensure the soil has good drainage.
    • Care: Harvest herbs by cutting back to the base to encourage new growth. Regularly trim to maintain a healthy and bushy plant.
  • Profit Tips: Fresh-cut herbs are especially profitable, particularly in local markets and restaurants. Specialty herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint often sell for a premium.

3. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)

  • Profit Potential: Peonies are highly prized as cut flowers for weddings, events, and floral arrangements. They also have a long shelf life after being cut.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: USDA zones 3-8.
    • Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil that’s rich in organic matter.
    • Water: Regular watering, but do not over-saturate. Peonies do not like wet feet.
    • Care: Peonies require time to establish. Once established, they can live for decades, producing beautiful flowers each spring.
  • Profit Tips: Peonies are a great flower for bouquets and floral arrangements. They are especially profitable if you sell to florists or directly to event planners, as they are highly desirable for weddings.

4. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

  • Profit Potential: Sunflowers are popular as cut flowers and can also be harvested for their seeds, which can be sold to health food stores or used for oil production.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: USDA zones 3-9.
    • Sun: Full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day).
    • Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil.
    • Water: Regular watering, especially during dry spells. Ensure good drainage to avoid waterlogging.
    • Care: Sunflowers require space to grow, as they can get quite tall (up to 10 feet). Stake the taller varieties for support.
  • Profit Tips: Cut sunflowers are highly popular at farmers’ markets and florists. Additionally, sunflower seeds can be harvested and sold as snacks, in bulk, or to be pressed for oil.

5. Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)

  • Profit Potential: Zinnias are colorful, easy-to-grow flowers that are in high demand for bouquets and floral arrangements.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: USDA zones 3-10.
    • Sun: Full sun.
    • Soil: Well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
    • Water: Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
    • Care: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Keep the plants spaced to avoid overcrowding.
  • Profit Tips: Zinnias are relatively easy to grow, and they bloom throughout the summer. They’re a favorite for cut flower sales because of their bright colors and long vase life.

6. Tulips (Tulipa spp.)

  • Profit Potential: Tulips are a popular flower in early spring and are often sold as cut flowers or in bulbs.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Best grown in USDA zones 3-8.
    • Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
    • Water: Moderate watering; tulips do not like soggy soil.
    • Care: Tulips need to be planted in fall, as they require a period of cold to bloom properly in the spring.
  • Profit Tips: Tulips are extremely profitable for early-season flower sales. Selling tulip bulbs and fresh-cut flowers can be a great revenue stream in spring.

7. Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus)

  • Profit Potential: Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. While it requires a bit of space and effort to harvest, the returns can be extraordinary.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: USDA zones 6-9.
    • Sun: Full sun.
    • Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil.
    • Water: Water sparingly. Saffron crocus prefers dry conditions once the bulbs are established.
    • Care: Saffron is harvested in the fall. The delicate red stigmas (which become the spice) must be carefully hand-harvested and dried.
  • Profit Tips: While the initial investment is high (in terms of time and effort), saffron can be incredibly lucrative once you have a reliable harvest. Selling the dried saffron threads can bring in significant income.

8. Gourmet Mushrooms (e.g., Shiitake, Oyster Mushrooms)

  • Profit Potential: Specialty mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane can be highly profitable, especially when grown in small, controlled environments.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Indoor or shaded outdoor environment; requires a moist climate.
    • Sun: Indirect light (some mushrooms can be grown indoors).
    • Soil: Mushrooms grow best on logs (for shiitakes) or in sterilized sawdust, straw, or other organic material for other varieties.
    • Water: Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy. Mist regularly if growing indoors.
    • Care: Harvest when the caps are fully open. Mushrooms grow quickly and can be harvested multiple times per year.
  • Profit Tips: Gourmet mushrooms are increasingly popular in the culinary world. They can be sold fresh or dried, and many chefs are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, locally grown mushrooms.

9. Edible Flowers (e.g., Nasturtiums, Violets, Marigolds)

  • Profit Potential: Edible flowers are in demand for their use in culinary dishes, teas, and as garnishes for salads, cakes, and cocktails.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Most edible flowers grow well in USDA zones 3-10, depending on the species.
    • Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
    • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
    • Water: Regular watering, but avoid over-watering.
    • Care: Harvest flowers in the morning when they are fully open but before they begin to wilt. Regularly deadhead to encourage new blooms.
  • Profit Tips: Edible flowers such as nasturtiums, violas, and marigolds can be sold fresh or dried. They have a growing niche in the culinary world, especially in high-end restaurants.

10. Microgreens (e.g., Arugula, Basil, Radish, Mustard)

  • Profit Potential: Microgreens are extremely popular in health-conscious communities and high-end restaurants. They are quick to grow and can be sold at a high price per pound.
  • Growing Instructions:
    • Climate: Grows well indoors or outdoors in USDA zones 4-10.
    • Sun: Full sun (indoors, provide grow lights).
    • Soil: Use a soilless mix for best results.
    • Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
    • Care: Harvest microgreens when they are about 1-2 inches tall, usually within 7-14 days of sowing.
  • Profit Tips: Microgreens are in high demand due to their flavor and nutritional content. Growing them indoors in small spaces can yield large returns. They can be sold to restaurants, at farmers’ markets, or through direct delivery to local consumers.

Some of the most profitable plants and flowers to grow in your backyard include lavender, peonies, sunflowers, herbs, zinnias, tulips, saffron crocus, gourmet mushrooms, edible flowers, and microgreens. The key to success is selecting plants that match your climate and growing conditions, carefully tending to their care, and finding markets for selling your products. Whether you are selling at farmers’ markets, supplying local florists, or offering value-added products like essential oils and dried flowers, these plants can turn a backyard garden into a profitable venture.

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