Minnesota direct-to-consumer guide, 2026
Plants & Flowers
Perennials, trees, shrubs, annuals, vegetable starts, and cut flowers.
Nursery Certificate RequiredWhat is covered and what needs a different path
What’s covered
- Annuals, houseplants, and vegetable plants (not nursery stock)
- Nursery stock (perennials, trees, shrubs) with a live plant dealer certificate
- Cut flowers you grow, sold direct
Needs a different path
- Selling nursery stock without a certificate
- Plants on Minnesota’s noxious weed lists
- Uncertified stock brought in from other states
Three compliance steps
Know what counts
Nursery stock covers perennials, trees, and shrubs. Annuals, houseplants, and vegetable plants are not nursery stock, but ask MDA if you ship out of state.
Get the certificate
Apply for a Live Plant Dealer Certificate: $50 base, plus $100 grower inspection if you grow stock, plus $10 per acre over half an acre. Private individuals may skip it only under $2,000, 10 days a year, and with certified Minnesota-grown stock.
Sell only certified, clean stock
Keep documents that show stock was inspected. Never sell noxious weeds or pest-infested plants.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Live plant dealer certificate | Required for businesses of any size selling nursery stock | MDA |
| Base fee | $50 per location | MDA |
| Grower inspection | $100 if you grow nursery stock | MDA |
| Individual exemption | Not a business; $2,000 or less; 10 days; Minnesota-grown certified stock | MDA |
| Sales tax | Ornamental plants taxable; food plants and seeds generally exempt | MN Revenue |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a certificate to sell tomato plants?
Vegetable plants are not nursery stock, so the nursery certificate does not apply to them.
Can I sell hosta divisions at a plant swap?
Perennials are nursery stock. Private individuals can skip the certificate only within the $2,000, 10-day limit.
Do cut flowers need a certificate?
Cut flowers are not nursery stock.
Printable checklist
- Identify each plant as nursery stock or not
- Live plant dealer certificate if selling nursery stock
- Certified stock documents on hand
- No noxious weeds or pest-infested stock
- Sales tax category for plants
Sales tax treatment of food plants is from general Minnesota exemption rules; not re-read here.