On this episode of The Plant Movement Podcast, we welcome Alex Barth of Troy’s Tropics Inc., based in Sarasota, Florida. Alex made the five-hour drive to join us in person and share his story of growth, adaptation, and resilience in the Green Industry.
Alex grew up surrounded by plants thanks to his father, a terrestrial biologist focused on wetlands and conservation. That early exposure shaped his passion for horticulture and led him from planting trees as a child to launching his own business, The Plant Whisperer, before eventually joining Troy’s Tropics in 2014. What started as a landscape division soon grew into a thriving wholesale nursery serving landscapers, garden centers, and beyond.
In our conversation, Alex opens up about:
- Selling to garden centers and strategies for creating additional revenue streams.
- The challenges of expanding from retail into wholesale while staying rooted in quality and service.
- Navigating hurricanes, market shifts, and the need to adapt quickly in Florida’s fast-growing landscape.
- Building strong relationships and why collaboration beats competition in the nursery world.
- How social media—especially Instagram—now drives more than half of Troy’s Tropics’ sales.
- The importance of educating and inspiring the next generation to keep the industry alive.
From growing bougainvilleas and native plants to running propagation houses and offering full-service landscaping, Alex shares the lessons he’s learned while helping Troy’s Tropics scale from 10 employees to nearly 90. His perspective is grounded in faith, hard work, and a belief that relationships are the backbone of the Green Industry.
This episode is packed with insights for growers, garden centers, landscapers, and anyone passionate about plants and business growth.
Connect with Alex and see what’s happening at the nursery on Instagram: @TroysTropics
Troy's Tropics
Web: troystropics.com
Follow IG: https://www.instagram.com/troystropicssarasota
The Plant Movement Podcast
Email: eddie@theplantmovementnetwork.com & willie@theplantmovementnetwork.com
Call: (305) 216-5320
Web: https://www.theplantmovement.com
Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/theplantmovementpodcast
A's Ornamental Nursery
WE GROW | WE SOURCE | WE DELIVER
Call: (305) 216-5320
Web: https://www.asornamental.com
Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/asornamentalnursery
The Nursery Growers
Call: 786-522-4942
Email: info@thenurserygrowers.com
IG: www.instagram.com/thenurserygrowers
web: www.thenurserygrowers.com
Plant Logistics Co.
(Delivering Landscape Plant Material Throughout the State of Florida)
Call: (305) 912-3098
Web: https://www.plantlogisticsco.com
Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/plantlogistics
Directed and Produced by Eddie EVDNT Gonzalez
Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast/youtube video are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial, accounting, or legal advice. I can’t promise that the information shared on my posts is appropriate for you or anyone else. By listening to this podcast/youtube video, you agree to hold me harmless from any ramifications, financial or otherwise, that occur to you as a result of acting on information found in this podcast/youtube video.
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