text: plant selling license? i know that in order to start a business you need a business license and if you plan to sell food you need a food selling license. do you need a plant selling license if you plan on selling plants? plants as in house plants, not bouquets. i reside in california. i have lived and worked in the garden center field in new york, pennsylvania, connecticut and rhode island and in all four states you needed a license from the state.  it usually comes from the department of agriculture.  we brought plant material in from california and i'm pretty sure we had to have the nurseries license number or a copy on file for our records.  i am sure you need a license to sell plant goods in california, check with your dept. of agriculture.