Horticulture for Profit: 8 High-Value Crops That Bring the Most Revenue

Cultivating high-value crops is a great way to turn everyday horticulture skills into serious cash. With the right combination of profitable plants, efficient farming techniques and smart marketing, homestead owners and aspiring farmers can succeed in today’s competitive market. Explore eight valuable crops and how to choose what to grow. 

1. Saffron

Retailing for anywhere from $10 to $20 per gram, saffron aptly holds the title of the world’s most expensive spice. The plant boasts a subtly sweet and earthy flavor that gives way to delicate floral and honey notes. Saffron uncovers the brilliant red-golden color of classic dishes such as Spanish paella, risotto alla Milanese and bouillabaisse. Growing saffron is laborious, considering it takes over 50,000 flowers to make just one pound, hence the hefty price tag. 

2. Lavender 

These beautiful, fragrant flowers sell for $5-10 per pound and are highly sought after for their essential oil, used in aromatherapy, cosmetics and culinary applications. Lavender is a low-maintenance, high-value crop that can thrive in stressful conditions, making it a profitable option for small farms. As a slow-growing perennial, the flower may bloom in its first year, but it can take roughly three years to mature fully. The growth rate largely depends on the variety. 

3. Mushrooms 

Fresh mushrooms rake in over $1.3 billion yearly through the produce department alone, reflecting a 19.9% increase in sales over the last 10 years. That’s just the usual varieties like white and brown mushrooms. With several states looking to decriminalize psilocybin shrooms in the coming years, the value could go even higher. The best part is mushrooms are super easy to grow and can be cultivated year-round. They don’t require potting soil, fertilizer or even sunlight — all that’s needed is a substrate, the mycelium spawn and ample space. 

4. Basil 

The retail price for basil varies by where it is sold but generally costs between $4 and $12 per pound. This herb is prominent in many tinctures for treating a variety of ailments, including insect bites, stomach issues, worm infestations and kidney conditions. Basil also enjoys high demand year-round for its culinary uses, adding a rich, distinct flavor to any dish. The plant has a relatively short seed-to-maturity rate and can be harvested within weeks of planting. 

5. Ginseng 

The value of this plant is in its slow-growing roots, which boast a ton of medicinal properties, including blood sugar regulation, flu prevention and cognitive function improvements. Ginseng requires patience to cultivate, as it can take years for the plant to reach full maturity. However, growers can often sell the young rootlets and seeds for income. In 2022, the Virginia Department of Agriculture reported selling 1,600 pounds of wild ginseng roots for nearly $1.1 million. 

6. Goji Berries 

Goji berries are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, making them a popular choice among health-conscious consumers. These high-value crops are quite easy to grow as they are hardy and can tolerate wind and drought once established. Cultivation requires lots of sunlight, especially in the early stages. Goji berries can be sold as fruits or, more commonly as juices, where they can retail for up to $10 a gallon or even higher. 

7. Microgreens 

Microgreens like arugula, kale and lentils require little space to cultivate and are fairly easy to sustain in various climates. These leafy vegetables are celebrated for their nutritional value and intense flavors, so there’s usually year-round market demand. These crops sell for an average of $25 – $40 per pound wholesale. One of the best things about microgreens is their scalability. Farmers can start growing a few trays and make a few hundred dollars monthly within weeks. 

8. Bamboo 

Renowned for its strength and endurance, bamboo has been a highly profitable crop used across various industries since ancient times. The plant shoots up fast, growing around 1.5 inches per hour, averaging nearly three feet daily. That means farmers can begin harvesting and selling them for profit within a short period. Another thing to love about bamboo is its sustainability factor — it produces 35% more oxygen and sequesters more CO2 than any other plant. Bamboo has a slightly higher startup cost and requires at least an acre to make the effort profitable, but the profit margin is high, making it well worth the effort.

Considerations for Selecting What High-Value Crops to Grow

With so many crops to grow for profit, deciding which ones to cultivate can be difficult. Generally, it comes down to a number of factors, in addition to the obvious ones like proper soil and climate conditions. These include: 

Income Goal

Before starting the project, it is essential to take a step back and consider the revenue goals and their viability. Is this a side hustle or a full-time endeavor? This consideration will dictate how much of the crops to cultivate to meet the set goals. It will also impact the initial investment required to get the project off the ground. 

Cash Value Per Pound or Kilogram 

What a crop sells for will determine how much profit it can generate relative to the work involved in cultivating it. Generally, the production costs — seeds, fertilizers, pest control, storage, packaging and time input — should never exceed the potential profitability. 

Selling the Produce 

Decide whether it’s more practical to sell the crops wholesale or retail. Each segment has a different set of customers, so the sales and marketing dynamics will also differ. Another consideration is whether to sell the produce as is directly to consumers or transform it into value-added products before putting it on the market. 

Growing Cycle 

The more times per year a crop yields sellable produce, the better. Some plants take weeks, while others take years. Each has its distinct advantages and disadvantages. For example, fast-growing crops often require more attention, which may not be ideal for the casual farmer. 

Space Requirements 

The amount of space needed can often dictate what crops are grown. Some plants can be grown in trays and stacked on vertical shelves, while others may require vast stretches of land. Maximizing the output per square foot or acre is essential to improving yield and determining the profit potential. 

Cultivate High-Value Crops for Profit

One of the best things about farming is it will never go out of style. Whether the economy dips or soars, there will always be demand for agricultural products. The key is to understand which ones to cultivate for optimal profitability. Use this handy guide to grow and sell the best high-value crops to improve household revenues.