How to Start a Dried Flower Business

Part 1 - How to start a Dried Flower business - Background

A dried flower business will sell dried flowers to hobbyists or craft stores. A flower preservation business will save important flowers, like wedding bouquets, for interested parties. Owners may do one or both of these services, but they are separate. Dried flowers do have a demand amongst a variety of people who use them to finish their craft projects. Flower preservation is perfect for those who want to scrapbook their memories, or fill boxes and chests with important mementos. Demand has increased for dried flowers over the past few years, as more people discover easy and fun DIY challenges.

You may also be interested in additional unique business ideas.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Dried Flower 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 dried flower business?

Initial costs are typically wrapped up in gardening supplies. You may need to lease vacant land if you don’t have enough space in your own home to grow the crops you want. Community gardens can cut down severely on leasing costs if you don’t currently have enough land, though you may be limited on space. Owners may also purchase flowers too, though this method can get very expensive.

Owners may also need a state permit to conduct their affairs, with each state having different requirements and regulations. If you choose to freeze-dry bouquets for flower preservation, you will need a good specimen chamber for the best results. This professional equipment may cost up to $1,600. You may want to start your own website, or invest in online advertising to attract customers. A basic website service will cost about $16 a month. Most people can start this business with less than $2,000 in their pocket total.

What are the ongoing expenses for a dried flower business?

Ongoing expenses can include the following, depending on whether or not you grow your own flowers or buy from a wholesaler.

• Gardening supplies

• Website maintenance

• Equipment replacement

• Staff salaries

• Flower purchases

• Land upkeep (e.g., leasing costs, tilling, etc.)

Who is the target market?

You’re looking for people who love to make their own decorations. Lampshades, bags, and candle holders are just a few decor items that would benefit from dried flowers, meaning there are a wide range of hobbyists available.

You may also want to market to those who want to keep their bouquets from different events intact, and store them in special keepsake places. For example, a child may want their dried flowers in a family chest from their First Communion or middle-school graduation.

How does a dried flower business make money?

Maintaining a garden and crops doesn’t necessarily take very much money to do, and flowers are some of the most profitable plants to sell on the market. Those who run these businesses can base their prices based on demand in the area. The key is finding a steady group of hobbyists who come to rely solely on your flowers.

How much can you charge customers?

This is heavily dependent on the types of services you offer. Bouquet preservation can run a person up to $700. A full dried flower bouquet of a variety of different bulbs may run up to $20. One type of plant, like lavender, may be closer to $7 or $8.

How much profit can a dried flower business make?

Flower drying businesses can make hundreds of thousands of dollars with the right marketing and services, even if most people use it as a supplemental income. If you can charge even $200 to preserve bouquets from important events, it’s about $18,000 or more in profit you’ll make for every 100 orders you have. Dried flowers can also net you very high profit margins, especially if you grow and dry them yourself. If you sell 100 bouquets at $16, that’s potentially $1500 in pure profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Attend every trade and craft show to get more clients, and consider making your own specialty crafts using your dried flowers. Offer personalized services for people (e.g., spelling out someone’s name in flowers). Expanding your business to preservation can also be a good way to maintain your profits if you start with dried flowers only. Market yourself heavily especially around formal dances (e.g., homecoming, winter formal, and prom), and during wedding season.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a dried flower business?

This business is normally started as a part-time enterprise (at least at first). Here are some activities that may be included in the normal day of a dried flower business owner:

• Finding craft shows/stores to partner with

• Marketing services online and in-person to hobbyists.

• Growing and maintaining a garden

• Drying out plants

• Freeze drying plants

• Choosing new crops for your business

• Harvesting flowers at the proper time

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful dried flower business?

The first thing you’ll need is in-depth knowledge of how flower drying works. From oven to glycerin drying, there are a variety of ways to reach your goal. Those who need dried flowers for centerpieces may want a different look/feel than those who will use them for their homemade sandals. New business owners will also need people skills to find either direct clients in their area, or to make relationships with larger retail craft stores.

What is the growth potential for a dried flower business?

Normally this business is done as a side venture to a person’s full-time job, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Flower drying can grow exponentially if you establish yourself in a community as the go-to for decorative plants or sentimental keepsakes.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a dried flower business?

All flower drying businesses should develop service contracts with the stores they supply. These contracts may be boilerplate, but they need to include provisions for payment failures, legal disputes, and ordering hiccups.

How and when to build a team

Normally you won’t need to build a team at the beginning. However, if you do start to find that your demand heavily outweighs the supply, you can hire other gardeners and teach them how to do what you do.

Part 2 - Is a Dried Flower business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Dried Flower business in 90 days