Maryland’s horticulture industry grows to $1.76B
Maryland’s horticulture industry generated an estimated $1.76 billion in sales in 2024, with growth largely driven by landscaping services, according to a new economic survey conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore on behalf of the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association (MNLGA).
The “2024 Statistical Profile and Economic Survey of the Maryland Horticulture Industry” provides a detailed look at sales trends, workforce conditions, sourcing, and stewardship practices across licensed growers, retailers and landscape contractors statewide.
Landscaping Continues to Lead Sales Growth
Among major business types, landscaping firms were the only segment to post year-over-year growth, with sales increasing 12% from 2023 to 2024 and an additional 9% increase projected for 2025. Growers and retailers reported modest declines in 2024, reflecting tighter margins and rising costs, though growers anticipated slight improvement in 2025.
Wholesale and retail plant sales together accounted for two-thirds of total industry sales, with woody plants representing the largest plant category, followed by herbaceous perennials and annuals.
An Industry Defined by Local Ownership and Regional Supply Chains
The survey confirms that Maryland’s horticulture sector remains predominantly owner-operated and regionally rooted:
- 81% of businesses are family-owned
- 72% of plant sales stayed in Maryland in 2024
- An estimated $463 million in plant sales were sourced from Maryland-grown materials
- Nearly 40% of plants sold originated in-state
These figures highlight the extent to which the industry relies on local production, regional distribution, and long-standing customer relationships.
Labor Costs and Availability Remain Primary Constraints
Despite steady demand, respondents consistently identified high operating costs (36%) and labor costs (35%) as the most significant barriers to growth. Labor availability, broader economic conditions, and weather variability were also cited as persistent challenges.
The industry employed an estimated 21,271 workers in 2024. Average hourly wages varied by role and region, with managers earning nearly $31 per hour, supervisors just over $26 per hour, experienced laborers earning $19 per hour, and inexperienced laborers earning $16 per hour.
Stewardship Practices Integrated into Operations
Environmental management practices remain common across business types. More than half of respondents reported using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), primarily citing improvements in plant quality and reduced losses. A quarter of respondents reported land enrolled in preservation or conservation programs, and many businesses use water-efficient irrigation and monitoring systems as part of standard operations.
Regional Differences Reflect Market Conditions
Central and Western Maryland accounted for approximately 71% of total statewide sales, driven by wholesale plant sales, retail operations, and landscape installation services. Southern Maryland represented the second-largest regional share, while Upper and Lower Shore businesses played a smaller but locally significant role in regional economies.
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