14-12-2019 20 Most Profitable Crops Small Farms Can Grow and Sell - Small Business Trends

Events Resource Center Magazine Contact Us December 14, 2019

MARKETING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FINANCE ADVICE RESOURCES

Trending: Customer Satisfaction Nextiva Branding Holidays About Us   |   Advertise

SUBSCRIBE
20 Examples of Profitable Crops for Small
Follow @smallbiztrends
Farms 72K people like this. Sign Up to see
Like
what your friends like.
Mar 28, 2019 by Annie Pilon In Product Lists 3

71 28
86 | Subscribe to our Newsletter
Shares 8 Submit

Winning is Easy!
Complete this survey today and enter
your name for a chance to win a $100
gift card.  
Enter now!

Get Featured

If you’re interested in turning your love of crops and plants into a business,
business POLL
there’s no shortage of opportunities. Whether you have a large piece of land or a
small, indoor garden, you can find a type of crop that you can sell to other What best describes your
companies or directly to consumers. holiday vacation plans?

Off to the beach

Most Profitable Crops Shopping and sightseeing

Here are some of the most profitable ones to consider. Visiting family

A long weekend at home

Lavender
Doing home improvement
Lavender can be used in just about everything, from food flavoring to medicines to projects
fragrances. Its essential oil is among the most popular in the thriving wellness
Who has time for vacations?
space as well.
Vote
Bamboo View Results / See All Polls

Bamboo is mainly sold as a potted plant or landscaping feature. What makes it

especially profitable is its ability to grow very quickly. You can produce a lot of
product without a ton of space.

Basil

Basil is a popular herb used in tons of different dishes. You can easily grow it
indoors or in a small container garden. If you plan on growing it outdoors, it thrives

https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/most-profitable-crops.html 1/5
14-12-2019 20 Most Profitable Crops Small Farms Can Grow and Sell - Small Business Trends

in warm, humid environments. Then you can sell it to food producers, grocery
MARKETING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FINANCE ADVICE RESOURCES
stores, or directly to consumers at farmer’s markets.

Cilantro

Cilantro is another popular herb that doesn’t require much space to grow. In
addition to is unique flavor, it can also be used as a digestive aid, so it is popular
with medicinal companies that make supplements.

Chives

Chives can be grown indoors or out. And unlike many other herbs, they’re fairly
hardy. So you can plant them in nearly any climate throughout the U.S.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a very popular plant within the health and wellness industry. It’s used in
a variety of medicines, supplements and teas. It does take awhile to get started.
But once your crops yield, you can expect major profits due to the high worldwide
demand.

Gourmet Garlic

Garlic can be used in just about any type of dish. But regular garlic is fairly plentiful
and doesn’t command a very high price. However, there are a few species that are
considered “gourmet,” since they’re a bit more rare. If you’re willing to invest in
these upfront, they can really pay off over time.

Arugula

Arugula is a type of leafy green that provides a zippy flavor in salads or side dishes.
It’s very popular in trendy farm-to-table restaurants. But you could also sell it to
health conscious consumers at farmer’s markets.

Corn

Corn has been one of the most prominent crops in the country for a long time,
particularly in the Midwest. It does require a fair amount of space. But it can be
used for everything from animal feed to fuel.

Soybeans

Soybeans are fairly similar to corn in a lot of ways. They thrive in similar conditions
and can be used in food, feed, and a variety of other products.

Wheat

Wheat is a popular crop to grow throughout the Great Plains states. But you can
also grow it on a small scale in a backyard or small row garden. It’s fairly hardy, and
there are many different varieties that can lead to very high grain yields.

Sorghum

Sorghum is a type of grain that is often used in syrups and beverages. It thrives in
warm climates. So it’s perfect for any location that enjoys long summers. It’s
especially popular at the moment due to the rise of craft beer and home brewing
hobbyists.

Saffron

Saffron is a spice that comes from saffron crocus bulbs, a purple-blue flower that
thrives in sunny environments. You’ll need a fair amount of space, as each flower

https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/most-profitable-crops.html 2/5
14-12-2019 20 Most Profitable Crops Small Farms Can Grow and Sell - Small Business Trends

only produces a small amount of the spice. But saffron commands a fairly high
MARKETING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FINANCE ADVICE RESOURCES
price tag, making this a particularly profitable crop.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are small and can easily grow in a backyard or small garden. You
can pick the tomatoes constantly throughout the season. So it’s a perfect option for
growers who want a steady yield of crops.

Goji Berries

Goji berries are very popular at the moment because they’re classified as a
“superfood.” With plenty of antioxidants and vitamins, they’re popular in organic
juices, smoothies, and bowls. They’re also fairly hardy and able to thrive in dry
environments.

Hostas

Hostas are a popular plant used in landscaping and gardening. They’re very hardy
and can easily be divided and propagated. So you can continually create more and
sell them to landscaping stores or directly to consumers.

Arborvitae

Arborvitae is a type of small evergreen tree that is popular in landscaping. They can
be sold in small pots or as full-grown trees. You can also propagate them to create
even more to sell over time.

Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitakes and other gourmet mushrooms are very popular in a variety of dishes,
particularly at trendy restaurants and specialty food stores. They also grow
incredibly fast and require very little care.

Flowers

If you have the space to start a flower garden or plant any flowering trees or
shrubs, you could very easily sell potted or cut flowers to local businesses or
directly to consumers at a profit.

Bonsai Plants

Bonsai trees are usually sold as small, potted plants. They’re popular with
collectors and homeowners looking for unique decor. They also require very little
space to grow.

Image: Depositphotos.com

3 Comments ▼

EDITOR'S PICKS

12 Shopify 10 Great Mobile Apps 30 Specialty

Dropshipping for Small Business Vegetables for Your
Partners and Apps Owners on a Budget Small Farm Business

ANNIE PILON

https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/most-profitable-crops.html 3/5
14-12-2019 20 Most Profitable Crops Small Farms Can Grow and Sell - Small Business Trends

MARKETING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FINANCE ADVICE RESOURCES

Annie Pilon is a Senior Staff Writer for Small Business Trends, covering entrepreneur
profiles, interviews, feature stories, community news and in-depth, expert-based
guides. When she’s not writing she can be found on her personal blog Wattlebird, and
Staff exploring all that her home state of Michigan has to offer.

3 Reactions

Robert Brady
March 28, 2019 at 10:14 am
Unless you’ve got a lot of acreage and equipment, making a profit on corn & soybeans will be
an uphill battle. Frankly, I’d avoid anything that is traded in the commodity markets.
Reply

Aira Bongco

March 28, 2019 at 8:19 pm

Many are going into farming nowadays. Even more so in organic farming. The demand is
higher.
Reply

Mr Jobs
July 11, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Having moved to the tropics and leased a little land, I may give one of these options a try.
Leaning towards lavender as it can be dried or turned into oil and kept for as long as it takes to
get a good price. Failing that, just some God old fashioned vegetables for myself!
Reply

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name *

Email *

Website

Post Comment

Follow @smallbiztrends Like 72K Newsletter Signup

https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/most-profitable-crops.html 4/5
14-12-2019 20 Most Profitable Crops Small Farms Can Grow and Sell - Small Business Trends

About Small Business Trends About Contact More

MARKETING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY FINANCE ADVICE RESOURCES
Founded in 2003, Small Business Trends is an award- Company Advertise Motivational Quotes
winning online publication for small business owners, Media Kit Contact Us Small Business News
entrepreneurs and the people who interact with them. It is Announcements Looking for Writers Selling to Small Businesses
one of the most popular independent small business Editorial Calendar Support Infographic Gallery
publications on the web. Resource Center Privacy Cartoon Gallery
Archives Terms Small Business Spotlight
Together with hundreds of expert contributors, Small
Newsletter
Business Trends brings you the news, advice and resources
you need. "Small business success... delivered daily."

Our Other Site

© Copyright 2003 - 2019, Small Business Trends LLC. All rights reserved.
"Small Business Trends" is a registered trademark. Powered by

https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/most-profitable-crops.html 5/5