Leena Pettigrew’s journey into the world of houseplants started in 2017 when she received her first plant, a golden Pothos, which unfortunately did not survive. Years later, while redecorating her home in Houston with her husband Marquise, she bought a couple of succulents to fill the empty corners. This small hobby grew into an obsession, leading her to sell her extra houseplants online through the home décor marketplace website Palmstreet. Over the course of a year, from July 2023 to July 2024, Pettigrew generated almost $148,600 in revenue, storing up to 1,000 plants at a time in her garage.
Despite working a full-time I.T. job that earns her around $90,000 a year, Pettigrew spends about 20 hours a week sourcing, selling, and shipping plants for her side hustle. In addition, she serves as a consultant for Palmstreet, helping to train new sellers. With the help of her husband and five contract employees, Pettigrew’s side hustle has become profitable enough to replace Marquise’s former full-time income. The couple now runs the business together from their garage-turned-greenhouse.
To establish her business, Pettigrew immersed herself in the world of plant care through YouTube videos. Selling houseplants initially proved to be an administrative challenge, requiring her to keep track of purchases and expenses meticulously in spreadsheets. However, after discovering Palmstreet at a houseplant fair in Houston, she began utilizing the platform’s online store and livestreamed auction system to streamline her sales process.
Pettigrew’s livestream auctions have now become a successful revenue-generating method, allowing her to sell around 100 plants per stream. By increasing her prices and offering larger plants, such as Monsteras, Pettigrew has been able to charge more per plant, starting at $30 compared to her previous starting price of $5. The extra income has enabled Marquise to reduce his hours at the auto repair shop he co-owns with Pettigrew and take a step back from his full-time job.
Managing contract workers for her side hustle has been a less stressful experience for Pettigrew compared to running the auto shop full-time. With employees relying only on part-time work, the business’ success does not feel as high-stakes. In addition to her I.T. job and the houseplant side hustle, the couple has multiple other streams of income, including the virtual mechanic gig Marquise picked up in his spare time.
Looking to the future, Pettigrew aims to potentially sell the auto shop, move to Florida, and open her own greenhouse within the next year or two. This would allow her and Marquise to work part-time while pursuing other passions, such as volunteer preaching work. The couple’s multiple streams of income have not only supported their businesses but have also funded trips around Texas to maintain their sanity amidst the demands of working from home with their side hustle in the garage.
