When you start growing plants, it’s natural to want some that won’t take forever to pay off your time and effort. Choosing the right plants can make your gardening not only enjoyable but also financially rewarding.
This article highlights 15 plants that can quickly cover their costs, helping you see returns sooner rather than later. Whether you have a small backyard or a larger space, these plants are known for being practical and profitable choices.
Garlic
Garlic is a great plant to grow if you want a quick return on your effort. Each clove needs about nine square inches of sunny soil to thrive.
You’ll need to water it moderately and ensure the soil drains well. Garlic requires care but can be very rewarding.
Once harvested, it stores well, giving you use for months. Growing garlic in your garden saves you trips to the store and adds fresh flavor to your cooking.
Bamboo
Bamboo grows quickly, making it a smart choice if you want plants that pay for themselves fast. You can harvest it for uses like building materials or crafts.
Many types of bamboo are non-invasive clumpers, so they stay where you plant them without spreading wildly. This makes them easy to manage.
If you like fast results, Southeast Asian bamboos from the Dendrocalamus and Gigantochloa groups grow especially thick and quick, helping your investment grow too.
Lavender
Lavender is a great choice if you want a plant that can pay for itself. You can sell dried bouquets or fresh bundles, which often have good market demand.
It grows well in containers or garden beds with good drainage. Starting with mature plants can save you time and help you harvest sooner.
Besides being profitable, lavender also attracts pollinators and adds a lovely scent to your space.
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is easy to grow and useful in many ways. You can harvest fresh leaves regularly for teas, cooking, or traditional uses.
It grows well in full sun and moist soil, making it a great plant for your garden. Tulsi is known for its calming effects and can help relieve stress naturally.
With minimal care, your Tulsi plant will provide benefits long after you plant it.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
You’ll find snake plants are easy to care for and very resilient. They thrive in low light and need water only occasionally, making them perfect for busy spaces.
These plants grow slowly, but their sturdy, sword-shaped leaves last a long time. They also help improve indoor air quality, giving you a small bonus beyond their low maintenance.
Mini Sweet Peppers
You can grow mini sweet peppers easily, and they produce tasty, bite-sized fruits. These peppers come in bright reds, yellows, and oranges, adding color to your garden and dishes.
They are crisp and sweet, perfect for snacking or salads. Plus, many varieties are nearly seedless, making them a convenient choice for quick enjoyment. Growing them indoors or outdoors works well for most gardeners.
Roses
Roses can be a great choice to add beauty and value to your garden. Fragrant varieties offer a sensory reward that often feels worth the effort.
You don’t need to water some types, like Knock-outs, often, making them low maintenance. Heirloom roses grow true to type and tend to be healthier, which means you get reliable blooms over time.
Fast-growing roses help you see results quicker, so you won’t wait long to enjoy your investment.
Creeping Thyme
You can replace parts of your lawn with creeping thyme to save on water and mowing. It grows quickly, spreads nicely, and stays low, making it ideal for walkways or between stepping stones.
Creeping thyme is drought-tolerant and releases a pleasant aroma when stepped on. It’s easy to grow from seed, either indoors before frost or directly in your garden once the weather warms up.
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan)
If you want a fast-growing, tasty vegetable, Chinese broccoli is a great choice. It grows well even in warmer weather, giving you a longer harvest period.
The plant has thick, crisp stems and tender leaves that work well in many dishes. You only need a small space, and the yields are satisfying. Growing your own saves money since it’s easy to grow from seeds.
Bok Choy
Bok choy grows quickly, often ready to harvest in just 30 to 45 days. This means you get fresh, nutritious greens without a long wait.
You can plant baby bok choy to enjoy tender leaves, which are great in salads or stir-fries.
It doesn’t require much space, making it ideal for small gardens or containers. Plus, bok choy pairs well with plants like cabbage, which can boost your garden’s soil health.
Tat Soi
Tat soi is a fast-growing leafy green that you can harvest quickly, making it a great choice for your garden. It thrives in cooler weather and adds fresh flavor to salads and stir-fries.
You can plant tat soi early in the spring when other greens start to fade. It’s easy to grow and takes up little space, helping you save money on fresh vegetables.
Blood-veined Sorrel
You’ll enjoy growing Blood-veined Sorrel for its unique, tangy flavor and striking red veins on bright green leaves. It’s easy to grow from seed or young plants and thrives in sun or light shade.
This herb does well in most soil types and prefers cooler seasons like spring and fall. You can harvest leaves repeatedly, making it a reliable addition to your garden that adds fresh zest to salads.
Egyptian Walking Onions
You’ll enjoy Egyptian walking onions because they regrow themselves each year. Their unique top bulbs fall off and plant themselves nearby, creating new onion plants without extra effort.
These onions survive winter well and sprout early in spring. Plant them in fall or early spring to get a steady, low-maintenance supply of onions for your kitchen.
Sorrel
Sorrel is a hardy leafy green you can harvest for many months. It grows quickly and stays green even after light frost.
You can use sorrel fresh in salads or cooked for a tangy flavor. It’s high in vitamin C and easy to grow in various climates.
With minimal care, sorrel fills your garden and your kitchen, saving you money on greens throughout the season.
Artichoke
Artichokes can be a great addition to your garden because they produce large, tasty buds you can harvest multiple times. They grow well in mild climates and need a chilling period in spring to thrive.
You can save money by growing your own instead of buying them fresh. Plus, artichokes have an interesting look that adds charm to your garden.