How to Start a Botanical Garden Business

Part 1 - How to start a Botanical Garden business - Background

A botanical garden typically refers to an outdoor space where different species of plant life are grown and cultivated. The land may be used for research, conservation, public beautification, or some combination thereof. Botanical gardens may also build a greenhouse space where growing conditions can be controlled all-year round.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Botanical Garden business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a botanical garden business?

Owners have to take into account the cost of the land, salaries of the staff, property taxes, and commercial insurance.

What are the ongoing expenses for a botanical garden business?

Botanical gardens need to account for maintenance costs, staff salaries, third-party services, and commercial insurance.

Who is the target market?

The ideal demographic will depend on the purpose of the botanical garden. You may be looking for cosmetic companies who want to test new scents from different plant species or hybrids. Or you may want to market your business to the general community, so they can enjoy the blooms and learn more about conservation.

How does a botanical garden business make money?

Botanical gardens make money based on their purpose. For example, a botanical garden may have a contract with a university or company to produce research on new plant species. If the space is being used largely for the public, patrons will pay an admission fee to tour the garden. Botanical gardens may also offer guests the chance to become members or rent out the garden for special events (e.g., weddings, etc.).

How much can you charge customers?

If you choose to contract with public or private organizations, the price will be determined by the scope of work and general demand for your services. A typical ticket for an individual adult may cost between $12 to $30, depending on the area and amenities of your garden. Membership fees may be about $75 for a year.

How much profit can a botanical garden business make?

A single garden may welcome as many as 150,000 guests a year (or more). If the average cost of a ticket, the gross revenue would be $1.8 million. After the land is paid off, the profit margin for a botanical garden may be substantial.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Many organizations may need to rent out space for their events, so make the garden as versatile as possible. From weddings to company retreats, there are a variety of ways to utilize your space to make it as profitable as possible.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a botanical garden business?

The majority of an owner’s days will be spent maintaining the land and managing the staff. They’ll make final decisions regarding which species to plant and where to plant them. They’ll do research on new hybrids, seeds, and conservation efforts and evaluate the merits of each new development in their industry. Owners will also need to schedule daily activities, test growing conditions, and manage third-party vendors.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful botanical garden business?

Owners should have an advanced degree in botany and some history with a professional gardening organization. Owners need to understand the exact conditions each plant needs to flourish and what it takes to cultivate them to their fullest potential.

What is the growth potential for a botanical garden business?

The growth potential for a botanical garden depends on the existing options in the area. Many large cities already have a botanical garden space, so owners will need to find a new angle if they’re hoping to stand out. For example, they may want to grow exotic plants from a single region, or offer exclusive services to a private or public organization.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a botanical garden business?

There is no official designation for botanical gardens. Any garden can be called this without challenge. However, it may help for owners to legitimize their business from the very beginning. One way to do this is to be granted an American Public Gardens Association Institutional Membership. This association will evaluate your garden against the following criteria:

• Is the garden open to the public?

• Does it function as an educational display or for site research?

• Will the staff maintain official records for its plants?

• Does the garden employ at least one staff member?

• Will the garden have official labels or educational materials for the public?

Starting a traditional botanical garden will be a huge undertaking, both in terms of expenses and labor. From the cost of the land to the design of the plants and shrubs, owners will likely run into more incidental costs than they realize. Grants or investors may be able to offset some of your costs, depending on the mission statement of your garden. However, owners need to have a solid business plan before they start taking action.

One way to determine the interest level for a botanical garden is to talk to other professionals in the field. They can let you know more about how their garden was financed and what it takes to turn a profit. Or you can talk to a university or corporate leader to learn more about the specific commercial advantages of the growing conditions in your area. They may be open to doing a work-study program that coaches a new generation on how to take full advantage of their limited resources.

You can also consider opening up a smaller version of a botanical garden as a green space for the community. If you live in harsh environmental conditions, you can consider opening a greenhouse to give people access to flowers and color all year round. A smaller, public-facing organization not only exposes people to more varieties of plants and animals, but it may also provide a beautiful backdrop for special functions or private events. For example, couples can use the gardens for their weddings and reception.

How and when to build a team

You’ll likely need to hire a team immediately to tend to the land. Choose people who are curious about the natural world around them. Botanical gardens need people who can test the limits of what we know to discover what we don’t. You’ll also need team members who are comfortable interacting with guests if you choose to open your doors to the public.

Part 2 - Is a Botanical Garden business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Botanical Garden business in 90 days