The green industry in Florida is making a substantial contribution to the state’s economy, generating billions of dollars and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. According to a report by Farm Credit of Central Florida, sectors such as nurseries, landscaping services, and floriculture are key drivers of this economic impact. The nursery segment alone has contributed over $1 billion in wages statewide, while landscaping accounts for more than $7 billion in payroll, underlining its significance in employment and income generation. n nOne example of this growth is Rosales Nursery in Plant City, founded by Emmanuel Perez in 2012. Starting with just 20 plants, the business has expanded significantly due to rising consumer interest in outdoor aesthetics and sustainable gardening. Perez notes that demand remains consistent throughout the year, making the sector more stable compared to other agricultural fields that face seasonal downturns. n nStevan Novakovic, senior economist at Farm Credit of Central Florida, emphasized that both direct and indirect economic benefits stem from these industries. The expansion is further fueled by population growth, which increases the need for residential landscaping and urban greenery. Nurseries not only supply plants but also support ancillary services such as design consultation and installation, creating an ecosystem of interdependent businesses. n nPerez highlighted that many customers seek guidance in planning their gardens, allowing his team to offer creative solutions tailored to individual needs. This personalized service strengthens customer relationships and fosters long-term loyalty. The report also indicates that operations like his have helped generate over 8,000 jobs specifically within the nursery sector across the state. n nWith increasing awareness of water-efficient and shade-adapted plant varieties, the industry continues to innovate while meeting environmental and aesthetic demands. As urban development expands, the role of green spaces in improving quality of life becomes more pronounced, reinforcing the value of sustained investment in horticultural enterprises. n
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Economic impact of the green industry
PLANT CITY, Fla. — Florida’s green industry is seeing “green” and helping bring in billions to the economy. n nIt’s an industry that’s created over 200,000 jobs here in Florida. Some of those positions are in the nursery business. n nThe green industry in Florida is growing, and nurseries aren’t staying behind. One nursery in Plant City says they’re seeing more people looking for ways to beautify their landscape. n nAmong a sea of flowers, Emmanuel Perez loves being outdoors. n n”The plants help you relax and help you feel good,” he said. n nHe’s the owner of Rosales Nursery in Plant City, which he opened back in 2012. Before this, he worked at a nursery himself. n n“I had curiosity, and that’s how I started,” Perez said. n nHe started with selling 20 plants, and it’s now grown to hundreds. n nPerez said he’s been able to expand his nursery thanks to the growing demand. n n”Nurseries are similar to strawberry fields and similar to farmers, but with this nursery industry, it’s more stable with hardly any low season,” he said. “There’s always work.” n nNurseries like Perez’s have helped create more than 8,000 jobs, according to the economic impact of Florida’s green industry report done by the Farm Credit of Central Florida. n nStevan Novakovic is the senior economist for the Farm Credit of Central Florida. He said the green industry is composed of nurseries, landscapers, florists and more. n nEach of them have direct and indirect economic impacts. n n“Nursery provides over a billion dollars in wages across the state. The landscape side is over $7 billion in wages across the state. This supports an immense number of jobs.” n nFrom plants that need little water to those that only grow in the shade, Perez said this industry lets him be creative. n n”We have a lot of clients who need help designing their garden, while landscapers don’t, but they do often purchase from us,” he said. n nHe’s helping create a special place for families to enjoy, and it gives him hope that he’ll get to share his love for plants with more people too. n nThe report completed by the Farm Credit of Central Florida also credits the growing population as a factor of the growing economic impact.