Starting a Mail-Order Daylily Nursery in Texas: Legal Steps

A Collin County, TX daylily enthusiast wanted to sell online/mail-order. Needed legal/regulatory guidance.

Key Contacts & Resources

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Collin County: collin-tx.tamu.edu. County Horticulture Agent → regulatory guidance, soil testing, business resources.
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): Nursery/floral license requirements, phytosanitary certificates for interstate shipping.
American Hemerocallis Society (AHS): daylilies.org. Cultivar registration, show judges, vendor listings, networking.
USDA APHIS: Federal phytosanitary certificates for shipping across state lines.

Nursery Floral License (TDA) – annual, fee-based.
Inspection/certification for pests/diseases (especially daylily rust, gall midge).
Sales tax permit (Texas Comptroller).
Business entity (LLC recommended) – liability protection.
Shipping compliance: proper packaging, labels, certificates.

Call Collin County Extension: Ask for "nursery license requirements" and "small business horticulture resources."
Join AHS. Connect with Texas daylily growers.
Draft business plan. Start small (local sales, then expand).

Extension and AHS are your best allies. Start with them.

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