“My journey as a flower grower and seller began with a deep love for nature and the simple joy that flowers brings into people’s life,” says Khevo Yhokha, founder of Flourish_flower_co.
In 2019, Yhokha turned her passion for gardening into a full-time pursuit with Flourish_flower_co, a flower farm based at her family’s homestay, Sunrise View Cottage, in Kipfüzha under Kigwema village.
Nestled amid the hills, the farm specialises in cultivating diverse varieties of roses and hydrangeas, catering to both retail and wholesale buyers. Over the years, Flourish_flower_co has grown beyond the local market, with nearly 60 percent of its customers coming from outside Nagaland.
“To be a flower grower has been my career of choice. What started with a small passion gradually grew into a livelihood and a meaningful part of my identity and career,” says the young gardener who also holds a Masters degree in Sociology.
Gardening became a passionate hobby for Khevo who grew up watching her mother nurture flowers with a deep care for nature. Floriculture took years of experience where she learned through trials and errors, studying and understanding seasons, soil conditions and customer’s preferences.
“Selling flowers has been more than just a source of income for me. It has connected me with people from different walks of life with multiple clients not only from the state but through out the country. It taught me the value of patience and finding purpose in what we love to do,” she affirms.
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Khevo believes that floriculture in Nagaland has strong potential in providing self employment and income opportunities. “With favourable cool climate conditions and fertile soil, it is highly suitable to grow flowers in multiple varieties. With the growing demand of flowers for home gardens or for commercial purposes, it can become an even bigger source of livelihood and employment in future,” she highlights.
However, the flower grower acknowledges the risks of cultivating and selling flowers with weather unpredictability being a major challenge besides transportation. “Transportation difficulties, unpredictable weather like continuous heavy rain, hail, intense heat can often damage the delicate plants incurring loss to the business,” shares Khevo.
For someone who wants to start a flower business, Khevo advises that one should not jump directly to the expensive varieties. “Always start small, study your climate and choose low maintenance plants as a beginner. Look after your soil and it will look after your plants,” she suggests.
Despite the challenges, the flower grower notes that gardening is deeply therapeutic where witnessing something grow from one’s hard work is unmatched. “The joy of growing your own flowers hits different!”.
Khevo’s flower farm can be followed on Instagram through @Flourish_flower_co and @theclumsygreenfingers
