The supply chain for the plants in your home is more complicated than most people realize. A given houseplant has often passed through several different growers before it reaches the customer.

Plants are initially created by breeders, who develop new lines of genetic stock. These plans are then mass-produced in sterile cultures by laboratories, often all around the world! The cultures are then shipped to young-plant nurseries.

Young-plant nurseries deflask the cultured plants, and acclimate them to regular greenhouse conditions. Their plants are often produced in trays that fit a large number of plants in a small space.

Finishing nurseries then buy large quantities of the young plants, pot them, and grow them until they reach the desired size and specifications.

The finishing nursery then sells to a wholesaler or distributor, who moves the plant into the marketplace. This can be direct-to-consumer, a plant shop, a garden center, or a big box store.

So when you see a plant at any of these places, take a moment to think about how many people did hard work to get it there!