Meet Leena Pettigrew, a full-time IT analyst with a successful online houseplant business run from her garage in Houston. She handles everything from plant sourcing, cultivation, packaging, and selling, diligently dedicating an average of 20 hours a week to earn her $100,000 annual income.
A dash of passion and an eye for market potential turned Leena’s love for houseplants into a profitable venture. Besides selling on her online store, her garage doubles as a sanctuary, nurturing a variety of top-quality houseplants. Her IT background plays a huge role by providing digital solutions to manage orders, streamline business operations, and maintain a beautifully curated online catalog.
The story of Leena’s online success started in 2022, with interest in home decoration through houseplants. Upon joining an online platform in 2023, she saw her business grow. In her first year, she made close to $148,600. By her second year, after expanding to organic, locally sourced plant products, her total revenue jumped to over $295,000, with impressive customer ratings.
In 2025, Leena made a bold step into physical retail, opening a boutique store in her local town, leading to a significant profit of $420,000 within the first six months.
IT expert’s successful home-based plant business
Live-streaming sessions are central to Pettigrew’s growth, where she and her husband auction off plants sourced from local nurseries and online sellers. Despite starting off shy in front of the camera, her entrepreneurial spirit made her an engaging live-streaming host. She understood the importance of being genuinely attached to her craft, while also keeping a unique and engaging persona.
However, running such a business has its challenges. To ensure her growth, Pettigrew has to manage demands such as maintaining a $1,000 inventory for sellers, conducting live-streaming sessions, engaging on social media, and offering detailed plant care. These hurdles demand a unique approach and constant innovation, to not only maintain a large inventory but also to showcase her range of products to potential buyers and foster direct interaction with customers.
While managing a home-based enterprise has its fair share of struggles, such as blending work and personal life, Pettigrew prefers it over their past tense car repair business. Her story underscores the potential of the houseplant industry and how a home-based business can thrive in today’s digital economy.
