Engineer-turned-florist Lohith Reddy left his career to build Lohith Flora, a thriving flower farm in Bengaluru. From gerberas to chrysanthemums, his innovative approach now earns Rs 7 lakh/month.

Lohith Reddy, a 31-year-old from Kommasandra, Bengaluru, Karnataka, transitioned from a promising tech career to profitable flower farming, turning his passion into a thriving Rs 7 lakh/month agribusiness. Coming from a family of traditional farmers, he was well-versed in the discipline and hard work required in agriculture.

His family owned four acres of farmland in Kommasandra, cultivating crops like ragi and lentils. Despite earning an engineering degree in electronics from Vemana Institute of Technology, VTU, Lohith chose floriculture over the corporate world. Today, his innovative approach to flower farming has made him a successful agripreneur, inspiring many aspiring farmers and agribusiness enthusiasts.

From Childhood Passion to Flower Farming Success

Lohith Reddy fascination with flowers began in his school years, inspired by his cousin, Gopal S Reddy, who had been cultivating and selling flowers since 1995. Gopal shift to protected cultivation farming gave Lohith hands-on exposure to floriculture, shaping his future in agriculture.

“I used to look after the flowers, see how they grew, and that when my interest in commercial flower farming began,” Lohith shares. This early experience fueled his passion, eventually leading him to build a thriving Rs 7 lakh/month flower farming business in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

How Lohith Reddy Took Over a Rose Farm and Built a Rs 7 Lakh/Month Floriculture Business

In 2013, Lohith Reddy cousin, Gopal S Reddy, began cultivating roses on his land. However, when Gopal later moved to the UK, he left the farm behind. This created the perfect opportunity for Lohith, who had always been passionate about flower farming, to take over and manage the operations.

Seizing this chance, Lohith transformed the farm with innovative techniques, eventually growing it into a highly successful Rs 7 lakh/month floriculture business in Bengaluru, Karnataka. His journey from a tech career to commercial flower farming continues to inspire aspiring agripreneur.

From Engineering Graduate to Successful Flower Farming Entrepreneur

“After completing my engineering, I realized I wanted to gain hands-on experience in flower farming,” shares Lohith Reddy. This decision marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey into the world of floriculture.

While continuing his cousin rose cultivation, Lohith delved deeper into floriculture, exploring innovative techniques and expanding his knowledge. His dedication eventually transformed his passion into a thriving Rs 7 lakh/month flower farming business in Bengaluru, Karnataka, inspiring many aspiring agripreneur.

Lohith Reddy Rs 15 Lakh Investment That Kickstarted a Thriving Flower Farming Business

In 2018, Lohith Reddy made his first major move into commercial floriculture. “I invested Rs 15 lakh to set up my farm, including Rs 8 lakh for a polyhouse and Rs 4 lakh to purchase 12,000 gerbera plants from a nursery in Pune,” he recalls.

Focusing on gerbera flowers for their high yield and longevity, he started selling 40,000 to 50,000 flowers per month in Bengaluru, generating around Rs 1.5 lakh monthly. “Gerbera was a smart choice as it yields for over three years if maintained well. I wanted a stable source of income initially,” he explains.

This early success fueled his ambition, allowing him to diversify and scale his flower farming venture into a highly profitable Rs 7 lakh/month business.

Tapping into the Untapped Chrysanthemum Market

While gerberas brought initial success, Lohith Reddy was always seeking new opportunities to grow his flower business. “When I started, I realized chrysanthemum was not being grown much. Very few farmers cultivated it, and the demand was not that high. But I saw the potential,” he recalls.

Taking a calculated risk, Lohith diversified his farm by dedicating 4,000 square meters to chrysanthemums while maintaining 2,000 square meters for gerberas. His decision paid off—chrysanthemums proved to be a game-changer due to their high market demand, wide color variety, and versatile usage.

This strategic expansion further strengthened Lohith floriculture business, propelling it into a highly profitable Rs 7 lakh/month venture.

Challenges in Chrysanthemum Farming

Expanding into chrysanthemum farming came with its own set of challenges. One major hurdle Lohith Reddy faced was the flower sensitivity to light. “Chrysanthemum is a light-sensitive crop. It requires 17-18 hours of darkness, which is only possible during winter. Managing this in Bengaluru longer summer days was a challenge,” he explains.

Additionally, he noticed differences in quality between chrysanthemums grown in India and those cultivated abroad. Determined to find the best fit for the local climate, he experimented with multiple varieties, including pink Santini, yellow Santini, and red Calimero.

His persistence in optimizing quality and adapting to environmental challenges played a key role in strengthening his floriculture business, helping him scale it into a successful Rs 7 lakh/month venture.

Lohith Reddy Innovation in Floriculture

Lohith Reddy continued experimenting and refining his farming methods, leveraging Bengaluru moderate climate (22–30°C), which proved ideal for growing high-quality chrysanthemums. Through trial and error, he gained a deep understanding of the flower requirements. “You can manage chrysanthemum farming using artificial methods, such as installing nets to control light exposure or sprinkling water to maintain optimal humidity,” he explains.

In the early days, Lohith faced a steep learning curve. “We did not have much technical knowledge at first. It was all about figuring things out on our own. But over time, I realized we needed help from breeders to improve our varieties,” he shares.

His persistence paid off. Today, his chrysanthemum farm, Lohith Flora, has grown into a thriving business. “After 2023, I converted 2.5 acres of my land to exclusively grow chrysanthemums,” he says, solidifying his position as a successful agripreneur in India floriculture industry.

Scaling His Chrysanthemum Business

Through dedication and innovation, Lohith Reddy built a strong foundation for his floriculture business. One key lesson he learned early on was the importance of quality. He observed that many farmers were growing low-quality chrysanthemums, leading to shorter shelf life. “When people are paying Rs 500-600 for a bunch of flowers, they expect them to stay fresh for more than a week. We made sure our flowers remained fresh and durable, which helped us build a loyal customer base,” he explains.

As Lohith Flora grew, he began exploring new markets beyond Bengaluru. Initially selling locally, he soon recognized the potential in wholesale markets. “I started selling to wholesalers and event managers, reaching out to various buyers to understand what the market needed. In the beginning, I had to sell at a lower cost to build trust,” he recalls.

This strategic approach allowed Lohith to scale his business, positioning Lohith Flora as a top supplier of premium chrysanthemums while expanding his reach in India growing floriculture industry.

Lohith Reddy Built a Strong Supply Chain for Fresh Flowers

Through extensive market research, Lohith Reddy identified his niche—chrysanthemums were in high demand among event organizers, florists, and wholesalers. As demand grew, he expanded beyond Bengaluru, supplying fresh flowers to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Guwahati. His commitment to quality and freshness helped him stand out in the competitive flower market.

A key factor in his success was building a robust supply chain to ensure timely delivery across India. “We take online orders to supply chrysanthemums in different cities,” he explains. To maintain freshness, Lohith invested in a cold chain system. After harvesting, the flowers are stored in cold storage for hydration, significantly increasing their shelf life. “Weve built a system where we can deliver fresh flowers, and this has helped us grow our customer base significantly,” he adds.

Ashok Agarwal, a flower wholesaler from Jaipur, has been sourcing chrysanthemums from Lohith Flora for the past five years. He shares, “His flowers are always fresh and typically last up to seven days. Due to their excellent quality, they sometimes remain fresh even longer. I can blindly trust him when it comes to buying chrysanthemums because I have never faced any issues or complaints in the past couple of years.”

Lohith dedication to quality and efficient logistics has transformed Lohith Flora into a leading supplier in India floriculture industry.

Boosting the Local Economy

Lohith Flora has grown into a thriving floriculture business, producing 1,500 bunches of chrysanthemums every week and generating a steady income of Rs 7 lakh per month. With monthly expenses—including labor, irrigation, and farm maintenance—ranging between Rs 3-3.5 lakh, Lohith has built a profitable and sustainable enterprise.

“We plant flowers every ten days, ensuring that production remains continuous. The key to success in this business is consistency and understanding market needs,” he explains.

Beyond profits, Lohith Flora plays a crucial role in supporting the local economy. By employing over 20 workers on his farm, Lohith has created jobs and provided a stable livelihood for many, proving that floriculture can be both financially rewarding and socially impactful.

Lohith Reddy Vision to Make Lohith Flora a Household Name

With Lohith Flora flourishing, Lohith Reddy has ambitious plans for the future. He is focused on expanding his reach by strengthening the supply chain and increasing direct customer interactions. “We are working on expanding our presence to serve more customers directly. We aim to make our farm a household name for quality chrysanthemums,” he shares.

Looking ahead, he plans to explore new chrysanthemum varieties and collaborate with breeders to enhance his offerings. Currently, his flowers reach customers through wholesalers, event managers, and florists, but he envisions a shift toward direct-to-consumer sales. “In the near future, we aim to take direct orders from end customers and deliver our flowers straight to their homes—reaching the vases where they truly belong,” he explains.

Lohith journey from an engineering graduate to a successful floriculture entrepreneur is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. “I love spending time amid flowers and greenery and could never stand being confined to a building. It is soul-satisfying to be surrounded by flowers,” he smiles.

With his unwavering dedication and vision, Lohith Flora is set to bloom even brighter, redefining India chrysanthemum industry.

Edited by Gayathri