Texas ‘green industry’ shifts to steady, sustainable growth following COVID-era boom
Texas Crop and Weather Report
Texas ornamental horticulture remains a national leader with positive prospects for both industry producers and consumers despite increased input costs and intermittent supply chain disruptions, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
Also referred to as the “green industry,” the ornamental horticulture industry in Texas is diverse and far-reaching, encompassing sectors ranging from farm and garden equipment wholesalers and landscaping services to turfgrass, nursery/greenhouse plant and tree producers and retailers.
Texas green industry sales topped $39 billion in 2025, a 4.5% increase from the previous year, according to an economic report produced by Texas A&M AgriLife for the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.
“If you consider Texas’ economic contributions to the green industry as a whole, we’re one of the top three contributors in the nation, alongside California and Florida,” said Charlie Hall, Ph.D., professor and Ellison Chair in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station.
Hall is a co-author of the 2025 economic report, along with Marco Palma, Ph.D., professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics and interim associate director of Responsive Agriculture at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture.
Industry finds ‘new normal’ in elevated growth
Nationally, the ornamental horticulture industry saw an unprecedented spike in production and sales during the height of the COVID pandemic, when many social activities were limited and people spent more time at home.
Texas alone saw a 43% increase in total industry gross sales between 2019 and 2024. Hall said severe freezes during the winter of 2021 also stimulated purchases of plants to replace those that were lost.
While this expansion has since leveled out, industry sales remain higher than pre-COVID levels, he said.
“We’re still seeing better purchasing trends than we were in 2019, which is great encouragement for the industry,” Hall said. “I’m hoping this is kind of the new normal — I don’t necessarily see us going back to where we were pre-2019.”
Green industry tied to housing sector
Texas’ ongoing population growth and new housing development have undoubtedly been beneficial for the state’s green industry, said Paul Winski, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture program specialist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Katy.
“The green industry is strongly correlated to the housing sector,” he said. “If developments are going in, they require products, such as irrigation, as well as services like landscaping and maintenance.”
Winski said while greenhouses and nurseries can be found across the state, many larger operations have positioned themselves to serve the state’s ever-growing urban-suburban hubs while reducing shipping costs.
“Many of these growers locate themselves near larger metropolitan areas because that’s where the population is; that’s where the market is, and it’s easier and more economical for them to ship their product,” he said.
These savings are helpful given the current rise in input costs, including fuel, fertilizer and imported materials.
Current consumer preference and future outlook
The landscaping and lawn care services sector of the green industry has remained a consistent “bright spot” despite encountering the same factors, Hall said.
“The sector has been able to maintain meaningful growth amid headwinds, showing a value shift toward experiential and service-based outdoor solutions rather than purely product-centric,” he said.
Even during economic downturns, Hall said, certain sectors of the green industry maintain relative safety as they are seen as a form of affordable luxury when other home or personal purchases may be restricted.
“Regardless of how bad the situation is, I can afford a flat of bedding plants or a tree to put in my yard and make myself feel better,” he said.
Looking forward, Hall has a positive outlook for the industry, especially for those who are proactive and remain attuned to customer preferences.
“The winners in the industry will be those who sharpen cost controls, invest in automation or differentiated services, and align with evolving customer preferences for outdoor-living and maintenance services,” he said.
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle
Very dry, hot and windy conditions persisted, further depleting soil moisture. Overall, soil moisture was very short to short. Fire weather watches and warnings have been implemented frequently. Winter wheat, pasture and range conditions were very poor to poor, and forage growth has been limited.
South Plains
The district received up to 1.25 inches of rain in some parts, but conditions remained dry and windy overall. Rainfall helped early planted corn emerge. Wheat silage cutting started, and some producers began irrigating. Dry conditions were inhibiting weed growth, so few producers were spraying. Some producers began spreading fertilizer. There was minimal forage growth in pastures and rangeland, and livestock were receiving supplemental feed.
Rolling Plains
The district received up to 3 inches in some areas, improving soil moisture and pasture conditions. The storms, accompanied by wind and hail, were too late to benefit most wheat acres, which were largely being grazed, cut for hay or turned in for insurance. Only seed wheat was expected to be harvested, and there were concerns about future seed supplies. Spring-planted crops and pastures were recovering, with oats and sunflowers showing improvement. Livestock conditions were generally strong, but producers were considering herd reductions due to dry fields, dwindling grass and fluctuating temperatures. Supplementation continued to maintain herd health, and calving season was winding down. Producers remained hopeful for additional moisture to support crops and livestock.
North
Some portions of the district received 2-4 inches of rain, and subsoil and topsoil conditions were short to adequate. Corn and sorghum, along with spring vegetables, were planted. Earlier-planted corn and sorghum emerged. Oats and winter wheat were fair to good, with the majority headed out. Soybeans were in good shape. Pasture and rangeland were in fair to good condition. Livestock conditions were fair to good, and adequate foliage was available for grazing. The spring calving season was underway. Horn flies were problematic earlier than usual. Hessian fly damage was reported across some counties. June bugs, crane flies, stable flies and house flies were present and abundant.
East
As much as 4.25 inches of rain fell over parts of the district, but some areas remained in drought. Subsoil and topsoil moisture were short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair. Cattle markets continued to exhibit high demand and strong prices. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with some supplementation taking place.
Far West
Soil moisture remained a primary concern, as recent light precipitation events provided minimal benefit due to high winds, warm temperatures and limited infiltration. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels remained very short to short, with only isolated areas reporting adequate moisture. While irrigated crops performed well, dryland crops remained stressed. Irrigation activity was widespread, particularly for cotton preirrigation, pecan orchards and alfalfa, with many producers relying on well water or effluent sources due to the lack of rainfall and delayed surface water availability. Fieldwork remained active, including terminating wheat used as a cover crop, prewatering of cotton, and planting of sorghum and other spring crops. Pasture and rangeland conditions remained poor overall, with limited forage availability. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to fair, with supplemental feeding continuing. Lambing and kidding wrapped up, and some animals were marketed.
West Central
Most of the district received significant rain, ranging from 1-3 inches. The rain, coupled with cooler mornings, helped improve soil moisture conditions. The rain prompted some to plant haygrazer forage early, with hopes of no more freezes. Pasture growth and crop conditions improved. Winter wheat was in fair condition. Pecans budded out and catkins looked strong. Precipitation improved pasture, range and livestock conditions, but supplemental feeding continued. No runoff was available to help refill low stock tanks.
Central
The district saw an average of 1-2.5 inches of rain. Wheat continued to progress ahead of schedule. Corn responded well to the rain and was off to a good start despite a mild setback from an earlier freeze. Despite near record-high fertilizer prices, fertilizer trucks and buggies moved at a steady pace, and producers fertilized and treated weeds in hay fields. Stock tanks remained at acceptable levels. The rain should put improved pastures back on track for increased grazing. Cattle were in fair to good condition, and producers continued supplemental feeding. Hessian fly issues continued to surface due to the mild and dry winter, and crop scouts reported moderate fly maggot infestations in wheat. Leaf rust continued to increase despite a period of dry weather.
Southeast
Rain was sporadic across the district and not enough to improve moisture conditions overall. Soil moisture conditions ranged from very short to surplus. Corn planting was completed, and plants began to emerge. Rice planting was complete, with good emergence overall. Sorghum and cotton planting continued. Oats and wheat were in fair to good condition. Pasture and rangeland conditions varied across the district from poor to good. Livestock conditions were good overall.
Southwest
Rainfall provided relief in some areas of the district, but wildfire danger remained elevated. Landowners and gardeners seeded and transplanted crops in preparation for the rainfall. Sorghum planting neared completion, with cotton planting expected to start soon. Despite the recent rains, rangelands and pastures continued drying as spring temperatures increased. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued, with significant hay movement across the district. Pecan nut casebearer traps have been deployed and will be monitored. Pregnant white-tailed does have been seen, and hummingbirds and turkey were active.
Coastal Bend
Rainfall was limited, and soil moisture continued to decrease. Corn planting was almost complete, with some acreage shifting to sorghum. Cotton planting started but plantings were delayed in some areas due to a lack of moisture. Rice planting continued. Range and pasture conditions remained marginal and in need of additional rain to increase forage suitable for grazing. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued.
South
A cool front brought much-needed rain and lower temperatures, but extreme to exceptional drought conditions persisted. Fuel and fertilizer costs continued to increase overall operating expenses for producers. Wheat and triticale were being cut and baled for hay. Most of the planted corn acreage emerged, but stands were uneven. Very little grain sorghum had been planted, and most cotton was being planted to meet deadlines. Strawberries were being harvested, but the yields were a little lighter than in previous years. Cabbage and onion harvests were in their final stages. Citrus harvesting was nearly complete. Range and pasture conditions continued to decline. Beef cattle producers continued to supplement their herds. Cattle continued to go to market at above-average volumes and in low body conditions, but cattle prices remained strong. Supplemental feeding also continued for wildlife, as habitat conditions declined.
