Hobbyists and collectors have long bought rare plants with one eye on potential profit — but in today’s market, that’s getting harder to do. Commercialization and the rise of tissue culture have changed the game. With greater supply and faster turnaround, the days of flipping a single plant for a huge return are mostly behind us.

Now, the goalposts have moved. The modern strategy? Building self-sustainable spending — a collection that funds itself over time through smart choices, propagation, and selective reselling.

🩴 Behind the Curtain: The Seller’s Reality

For sellers and growers aiming to create sustainable plant income, there’s one key rule:
Break even first

But it’s not just about aesthetics or rarity anymore. The plant market is shaped by timing, trends, supply levels, and buyer trust — all of which determine what a plant is worth, and how long that value holds.

These insights come directly from our own experience — starting at the very bottom, building from scratch, and learning through every mistake and win along the way.

🔥 Number One Rule: Trends Trump Everything

Rarity means nothing if a plant isn’t trending.
The release of a newer, more “desirable” cultivar can instantly stall sales of older varieties — even if they’re just as rare, aor harder to propgate. Once the spotlight shifts, only a few species retain long-term value.

Popularity drives turnover. Trend visibility often matters more than botanical uniqueness.

🌿 1. Monsteras

Variegated Monsteras remain popular, but as of 2025, only unique or unusual variegation types truly hold strong value. The classic Albo, Aurea, and Mint forms have stabilised, with the market now flooded — causing prices to level out.

💎 Today, value lies in rare mutation patterns such as:
•    Sectoral or half-moon variegation
•    High-contrast marbling
•    Non-reverting or genetically stable lines

There’s also growing interest in new Monstera species showing variegation, such as Monstera Burle Marx Flame — which combines rarity, aesthetic appeal, and limited availability. It ticks all the right boxes for collectors and investors alike

💰 Are They a Good Investment? Yes — but only when focused on distinctive phenotypes, proven stable mutations, or newly released variegated species.

These remain highly sought after and offer stronger long-term viability in an otherwise saturated market.

✅ Pros:
• High visual appeal and collector demand
• Rare phenotypes (e.g. half-moon) still fetch premium prices
• Mature plants can be propagated and sold repeatedly
• Recognisable and beloved across all buyer tiers
• New species (like variegated Burle Marx Flame) offer future growth potential

❌ Cons:
• Classic types (Albo, Mint, Aurea) are oversupplied — especially in NZ
• Many plants on the market have low variegation or unstable genetics
• Prices are trend-driven and can drop quickly
• Tissue culture and widespread propagation have lowered perceived rarity
• Reversion risk in some lines, especially early TC batches lacking selective refinement

🌿 2. Anthuriums

Tissue culture has revolutionised the Anthurium market — making it easier to multiply plants, which in turn has brought prices down and caused saturation in some varieties. But it’s also opened doors: rare types are now more accessible to hobbyists, collectors, and small-scale growers than ever before.

🌱 Mass Production from Seed: A Double-Edged Sword. Seed production allows growers to reproduce popular crosses or experiment with exciting new hybrids. However, the ease of germination and high viability rates mean oversupply can happen quickly — especially when several growers release the same cross at the same time.

Total time from pollination to a saleable plant is often 9 months or longer.
If you’ve created a brand-new cross, expect buyer hesitation — people may hold off if there’s no mature specimen to showcase what the final form or variegation will look like. That’s the gamble of being first: potential hype… or slow uptake.

✂️ Node Cuttings: A Fast-Track Option
Anthuriums are relatively easy to propagate via node cuttings. This gives small growers a key advantage:
• You don’t have to wait 9–12 months like with seed.
• You can preserve variegation or phenotype more reliably than with sexual reproduction.
• And with proper conditions, many species will root and rebound quickly — especially when humidity and warmth are consistent.

💰 Are Anthuriums a Good Investment? Yes — with the right strategy.

Anthuriums can offer a solid long-term return if you're working with the right stock: rare species, stable variegated forms, or high-quality, well-bred hybrids. They're easy to propagate and more accessible than ever thanks to tissue culture and seed-grown advancements.But be mindful — overproduction remains a real risk. To stand out, choose cultivars with:
•    Strong visual traits
•    Stable genetics
•    Reputable mother stock or proven lineage

Their velvety leaves and bold forms continue to attract collectors. And if you're creating unique hybrids or working with rare parent lines, the potential for profit is high — especially when it's your own original cross.

Just don’t bank on bulk production alone — unless you’re working with something that’s actively trending.

✅ Pros:
• Strong ROI if hybridising or producing rare seed lines
• Seeds are lightweight, easy to store, and ship globally
• Collectors still seek rare leaf shapes, velvety textures, and complex crosses
• Less saturation on new or seed-only hybrids — more room to stand out

❌ Cons:
• Tissue culture is flooding the market with common types
• Seedlings take time — often 9+ months to reach sellable size
• Popularity (not rarity) drives pricing — and demand can shift quickly

 

🌿 3. Alocasias

Among Alocasias, pink variegations are currently the most in demand, followed closely by albo forms. Recently, there’s been a rise in international interest for aurea variegation, while mint variants have remained relatively stable. New pastel-toned variegations are also gaining traction — making colour-shifting cultivars highly desirable among collectors.

💰 Are Alocasias a Good Investment? Yes — but not if you're chasing quick returns. 

Alocasias can take 12+ months to produce corms, and additional time is needed to sprout and size them for sale. While they multiply quickly through tissue culture, this same speed means TC supply can flood the market fast, bringing prices down.

Success depends on stable growing conditions (light, humidity, and warmth). We recommend growing them in Pon or Stratum — which helps reduce “diva” behaviour and supports strong, reliable root development.

Prices remain high for pinks and pastel collector forms, but TC production is catching up fast. These plants can be fussy, and returns are heavily skill-dependent.

✅ Pros (For Experienced Growers):
• Corms can yield large numbers of plants
• Fast turnover once propagation cycle is established
• High collector demand for niche, standout foliage
• Some cultivars still fetch $800+
• Good sellers at lower price points in bulk due to popularity

❌ Cons / Risks:
• Susceptible to pests (especially spider mites), rot, and dormancy
• Time-intensive to grow corms to saleable size
• TC ramp-up can crash prices for common types
• Requires a controlled environment for reliable results
• High prices can drop fast

💡 Verdict:
Smart for skilled growers with time, patience, and the right setup.
Risky if you're chasing fast flips, lack propagation space, or aren’t prepared to manage their “diva” behaviour.

 

🌿 4. Philodendrons

Philodendrons remain a cornerstone of the rare plant world — but not all are equal when it comes to investment potential.

Many common types have seen price drops due to widespread tissue culture and the ease of node propagation. However, some species are still difficult to multiply, and others suffer from low in vitro variegation stability — traits that help preserve their value.

📌 Example - Some highly variegated species have retained higher prices thanks to:
•    Tight node spacing
•    Slow growth
•    Challenging propagation
In many cases, labs spent years developing stable genetics before viable quantities became available.

There’s also rising demand for new hybrids and tri- or quad-colour variegated forms — a growing 2025 trend among collectors looking for something beyond the classic albo/aurea offerings.

💰 Are They a Good Investment? Yes — selectively, It depends entirely on the species and its market cycle. 

Some Philodendrons allow you to recoup your costs quickly, while others may plateau or fall in demand as trends shift or TC supply increases. Overall, they’re among the most self-sustaining genera — especially if you secure a trending or limited-release cultivar early. These often hold value across all buyer tiers and offer long-term viability.

✅ Pros (Why It’s Worth It):
• Select hybrids and species still fetch high resale prices
• Mature, high-variegation plants retain strong collector demand
• Propagation difficulty adds natural rarity and slower market flooding

❌ Cons (What to Watch):
• Fast-growing TC types are often overvalued and quickly oversupplied
• Low-variegation or juvenile plants can be difficult to resell
• Requires awareness of each cultivar’s current market standing

💡 Verdict:
Know your species. Some are quick flips. Others demand patience — but reward it with long-term value, consistent interest, and a loyal collector base.

🌿 5. Scindapsus

Scindapsus boasts one of the widest ranges of variegation patterns, making many cultivars uniquely beautiful and highly sought after. But that diversity can also be its downfall — too many similar-looking types can dilute buyer interest, especially in smaller markets like New Zealand.

They still maintain a strong, loyal following, but compared to faster-trending genera, Scindapsus isn’t currently leading the charts. They’re generally fast, easy to grow and propagate — though some cultivars are notoriously slow, which can test your patience if you're chasing quick flips.

💰 Are They a Good Investment? Yes — but mainly at scale. 

Producing just one or two plants won’t deliver meaningful returns. The key is selecting cultivars with:

• Stable, eye-catching variegation
• Ongoing collector interest
• Tolerant, reliable growth habits

From there, volume production becomes your best bet for profitability.
Rare or in-demand types will more likely allow you to recoup initial costs and eventually turn a profit.

✅ Pros:
• Easy to propagate
• Useful for building variety in your collection
• Many cultivars still hold decent resale value
• Can offset hobby costs when scaled

❌ Cons:
• Oversupply risk from too many similar cultivars
• Some varieties grow very slowly
• Not currently a top-trending genus
• Limited return if only producing in small quantities

💡 Verdict:
Scindapsus is rarely a top-dollar flip, but as part of a well-rounded growing or sales strategy, it plays a strong supporting role. With volume, the right cultivar, and some patience, Scindapsus can absolutely support a self-sustaining hobby — and rarer, high-demand varieties still offer solid return potential.

 

🌿 6. Hoyas

Hoyas have maintained consistent popularity over time — unlike some genera that spike and crash with trends, Hoyas remain a reliable favourite among collectors. Their combination of beautiful foliage, fragrant blooms, and ease of care means they’re always in demand, even when market focus shifts elsewhere.

The Hoya world is vast — with new species and hybrids emerging regularly. While some types remain under the radar, others (like splashy or variegated forms) maintain strong interest due to their distinct look and long-lived collectability.

Tissue culture has had less impact here compared to other genera, but availability is increasing. Even so, prices on rare or slow-to-propagate Hoyas remain strong, especially for unique leaf shapes, growth habits, or bloom colours.

💰 Are they a good investment? Yes — particularly for steady, long-term returns.

Hoyas are slow but reliable. You won’t always flip them fast, but a well-grown mother plant can provide ongoing propagation material for years.

✅ Pros:
• Consistent buyer demand year-round
• Hardy, easy-care nature appeals to a broad audience
• High visual variation across leaf types and flowers
• New hybrids keep things fresh without flooding the market
• Good shelf life and transport resilience

❌ Cons:
• Slow growth and rooting can delay turnaround time
• Some collectors focus heavily on flower performance — making unscented or non-blooming lines harder to sell
• Rare forms can still take time to “catch on” in smaller markets

💡 Verdict:
Hoyas are a slow burn — but a smart one. They’re not your fastest flippers, but they bring reliable returns, loyal fans, and ongoing propagation opportunities. Excellent for collectors who want long-term hobby sustainability over hype-driven cycles.

 

🌵 7. Oddball Plants

Some plants don’t fit neatly into the usual Monstera–Philodendron–Anthurium collector cycle — but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth growing.
In fact, oddball plants (those that are unique, underrepresented, or from less-hyped genera) can offer surprising value and opportunity — especially when the market is saturated with “the usual suspects.”

💡 Good “Oddball” Picks for 2025 in NZ

Homalomena – Somewhat new to the mainstream scene, but long admired in private collections. These plants resemble peace lilies in care and are delightfully expressive — they’ll definitely let you know when they’re unhappy. When young, they need high humidity, but once established, they acclimate well to typical household conditions. They thrive in moist soil and are extremely thirsty — but lush, rewarding, and full of personality.

Variegated Musa – Prices have dropped, making them a much more accessible statement plant.

Begonia – Variegated begonias have entered the market. We highly recommend investing in them for their unique aesthetics and rising popularity.

Syngonium – A bit “been there, done that” lately. No standout new varieties, but pink splash and red tri-colour still sell well — if priced right.

Epipremnum – A few new cultivars have emerged. Easy-care and attractive, though often overlooked in favour of Monstera.

These plants tend to stand out, spark curiosity, and hold novelty appeal — perfect for collectors who want something different.

💰 Are they a good investment? Yes — selectively.

It depends entirely on the species, whether it’s trending, and how visually appealing or unique it is. Oddball plants aren’t guaranteed top-dollar flips, but they can thrive in the right niche with the right buyer base.

✅ Pros:
• Eye-catching = easy social media engagement
• Often not mass-produced → lower supply = more intrigue
• Buyers love a statement piece or conversation starter
• Can add depth and personality to a collection
• Less price competition due to fewer sellers

❌ Cons:
• Smaller buyer pool = slower turnover
• Less known = more education needed to justify price
• May confuse new buyers who aren’t sure what they’re getting
• Often grow slower or have specific care requirements

💡 Verdict:
We’ve found limited runs of oddball plants work best — especially when paired with strong photos, short care guides, and a good story behind the plant.
The uniqueness draws attention, and if it’s hardy or visually rewarding, people will talk.
They may not be volume sellers, but they build brand character and attract adventurous collectors.

Oddball plants aren’t your bread and butter — but they’re the secret sauce that sets your collection or store apart. A few thoughtful additions can give your offering a creative edge, especially if you're building a loyal customer base that values originality.
They might not sell fast, but when they sell — they often sell well. 🌿