Near the ‘Bhatkeko Pul’ in Chabahil, a vibrant sanctuary brimming with fruit plants, radiant flowers, and lush greenery stands — Maya Nursery.
Founded by Bishnu Krishna Prajapati in 2060 BS, the nursery is now expertly managed by his son, Bikesh Prajapati who grew up alongside the nursery and the business.
Having learned the craft from his father, he took full responsibility of the nursery a decade ago. “I have two brothers,” says Bikesh, “they are active in their own fields. I wanted to continue the business my father started. Presently, while Bishnu focuses on gardening projects such as planting saplings and creating gardens, Bikesh handles the daily operations of Maya Nursery.
From dubo to flowers
Bikesh recalls that even in the early days, in 2060 BS, Kathmandu’s homes tasked nurseries with creating and maintaining gardens.
“At that time, the houses in Kathmandu were spacious,” he recalls. “The city’s spacious houses and open spaces made it ideal for planting lush green grass (dubo), which was in high demand.”
However, over the years, both the market and customer preferences have evolved significantly. The nursery, once known for its dubo trade, now sees a growing demand for flowers and indoor plants. The shift reflects broader changes in urban gardening trends, where decorative and air-purifying plants have become more popular than ever.
Expanding services: From sales to care
Initially a simple plant seller, Maya Nursery has diversified its services to meet the needs of today’s busy, eco-conscious customers. Bikesh identified an opportunity in catering to people who love plants but lack the time or expertise to care for them. As a result, the nursery now offers comprehensive services that include plant care, garden maintenance, and even plant rentals.
“Not everyone knows how to properly care for plants,” Bikesh explains. “You need to understand how to fertilize, how often to water, which plants require sunlight and which need shade. We provide these services to ensure the health of every plant we sell.”
In addition to retailing plants from their Chabahil garden, Maya Nursery now rents plants for homes, offices, hotels, and even events like music video shoots and films. When plants are delivered, the nursery can also provide caretakers to ensure the plants thrive, although the customer is responsible for paying the service. “The nursery does not book this fee, it goes straight to the gardeners.”
When renting plants, the customer initially pays the full price of the plant. Caretakers from the nursery visit the plants from time to time. Bikesh says, “We go there from time to time and change the plants, fertilise them, and water them.”
Maya Nursery’s clients include well-known businesses such as Shangri-La Development Bank, for which they manage plants at all of the bank’s branches.
Renting plants operates on a unique model: the customer pays the full price of the plant upfront, after which the nursery staff periodically visits to care for them, changing plants when necessary, watering and applying fertilisers. Bikesh notes that if a plant is damaged or dies, the customer is responsible for purchasing a replacement.
The nursery charges a service fee of NRs 3,500 for weekly or on-demand fertilising services at various locations, including homes, offices, and banks.
Imported plants are the foundation of the nursery industry
One of the challenges facing Nepal’s nursery industry is the dependence on imports for most flower plants and seeds. To import in this way, those operating businesses must be affiliated with the nursery association.
Maya Nursery sources its seeds from countries like the United States, the Netherlands, and primarily, India. Bikesh explains, “We bring flowers in accordance with the seasons, ensuring we have the right plants at the right time.”
Plants have been imported since the establishment of Maya Nursery, with a large portion of their stock arriving from Kolkata, India.
Challenges of space and rent
Bikesh’s father initially invested five lakh rupees to start Maya Nursery on three and a half ropanis of land in 2060. However, as Kathmandu’s urbanisation progressed and open spaces dwindled, the nursery’s space shrank to just 12 anaa.
“The rent for land started increasing rapidly,” Bikesh recalls. “At a certain point, it became too expensive, so we moved to a smaller space.”
Despite these challenges, the nursery continues to thrive. It currently employs five people, with Bikesh’s family also dedicating time to the business. His father, mother and Bikesh himself all contribute to the nursery’s day-to-day operations.
Impact of the pandemic on business
Like many businesses, Maya Nursery felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic downturn led to a shift in consumer priorities, with spending on decorative plants taking a backseat to essential goods. Bikesh observes, “The pandemic has slowed business, as people are now focusing on necessities rather than desires.”
Seasonal flowers and high-margin indoor plants
While seasonal flowers generate high turnover, Bikesh notes that the margins on these plants are not as significant. On the other hand, indoor plants, which require more specialised care, yield a higher profit. For gardening projects such as planting saplings, Maya Nursery charges NRs 30 per square foot for the plants themselves, with additional costs for labor and transportation bringing the total to 50 rupees per square foot.
Even plants seek care
Having worked closely with plants for years, Bikesh has developed a deep understanding of their needs. He emphasises that plants, like all living things, require regular attention. “Water is essential,” he explains. “Fertiliser is their nutrition, which must be applied every two to three months to keep the plants healthy.”
Indoor plants need water about once a week to 10 days, while seasonal flowers require more frequent watering. Additionally, Bikesh advises that indoor plants should be exposed to sunlight periodically, but care must be taken not to place them in direct sunlight if they’re sensitive.
Many customers, unaware of how to care for their plants, often face issues like plant death. Bikesh takes time to teach them the proper care techniques, explaining that over-watering is a common mistake.
A future in Nepal
Despite the challenges of running a business in Nepal, Bikesh is proud of the work he’s doing and remains committed to keeping his father’s legacy alive. “It’s better to stay in Nepal if you can,” he says. “But many young people leave because there isn’t enough support from the government for businesses. If the government creates a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs, there are great opportunities here.”
Maya Nursery may have started as a small family venture, but it has grown into a thriving business that offers much more than just plants—it’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and love for nature that has been passed down through generations.
