Online tropical plant retailer sees half-year results bloom

A Leeds-based retailer selling exotic houseplants is celebrating an astounding six months of business which saw over 1,000 exotic houseplants sold, turnover double to £25,000 per month and it win a silver medal at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Grow Tropicals specialises in exotic and rare tropical plants as well as indoor gardening accessories, which launched in April 2020. Since then it has expanded and launched a 3,500 sq ft store in Leeds which opened in March this year while also growing its product ranges, becoming the UK’s only supplier of InSitu terrariums and secured 55 stockist partnerships with garden centres across the UK.

Jacob James, 27, initially launched the business during the first lockdown as a side hustle, before deciding to make the business his full-time priority.

The business has been supported with investment from York-based entrepreneur Tom Maxwell and Otto Mercer, Grow Tropicals director and logistics & product manager.

Discussing the half-year success, James said: “Since launching in April 2020, we have seen incredible results with Grow Tropicals, selling over 1,000 plants in the past six months, doubling our monthly revenue to over £25,000 and building trusted relationships with UK garden centres. The value of the business has jumped fivefold in this time.

“We have ambitious plans for the remainder of our second year of trading and 2022. The Grow Tropicals team is committed to increasing our product offering – with a focus on propagation and sustainability so that we can achieve 70% sustainability as a business by the end of our second year.”

Discussing the future of the business, investor, Maxwell added: “Since launching, Grow Tropicals has been a success, which has resulted in the value of the business increase five-fold in the past six months. The team already have their sights set on expansion with increased offerings, a new unit and team growth.”