U.S. Horticulture Sales Reach $18.3 Billion in 2024, Driven by Expansion and New Crop Segments

07 April 2026, Washington: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Servicehas released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties, reporting total U.S. horticulture sales of $18.3 billion across floriculture, nursery, and specialty crop segments.

The latest census, the only comprehensive dataset covering the sector nationwide, indicates steady growth since 2019. The increase in both sales value and the number of operations is partly attributed to the inclusion of emerging segments such as mushrooms and hemp grown under protected conditions. In total, 23,060 horticulture operations were recorded across the United States in 2024.

First conducted in 1889, the census remains a critical benchmark for tracking structural and economic changes in horticulture. According to NASS Administrator Joseph L. Parsons, the dataset continues to serve as a vital tool for understanding the sector’s contribution to local, state, and national economies, while also capturing shifts in production trends over time.

Production remains geographically concentrated. Ten states accounted for 67% of total U.S. horticulture sales, with California leading at $3.07 billion, followed by Florida at $2.15 billion and Oregon at $1.29 billion.

Across commodities, nursery stock retained its position as the largest segment, generating $5.34 billion in sales, up 17% from 2019. Annual bedding and garden plants followed at $2.67 billion, reflecting a 19% increase. Significant growth was also observed in sod, sprigs, and plugs, which rose 34% to $1.70 billion, while potted herbaceous perennials saw one of the fastest expansions, increasing 47% to $1.36 billion.

Other segments also recorded notable gains. Potted flowering plants reached $1.29 billion, up 7%, while propagative materials, including bareroot and unfinished plants, totaled $780 million, reflecting an 8% increase. Food crops grown under protection emerged as a fast-growing category, reaching $1.01 billion, up 44% compared to 2019.

Structural dynamics within the industry reveal a contrast between ownership and revenue concentration. Family- or individually-owned farms accounted for 56% of total operations, yet corporate entities dominated in value terms, contributing 63% of total sales, equivalent to $11.6 billion.

On the cost side, total industry expenses increased by 33% over the five-year period, with labor remaining the largest cost component, accounting for 36% of total expenditures in 2024. This highlights ongoing labor intensity and cost pressures within the sector.

As part of the broader Census of Agriculture program, the Census of Horticultural Specialties provides detailed insights into production, sales, expenses, and operational structures. The 2024 edition includes all operations reporting at least $10,000 in horticultural sales in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, offering one of the most comprehensive snapshots of the U.S. horticulture industry to date.

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