What if your garden could do more than just look pretty? What if it could help you earn real money? In Malaysia, where sunlight and rain are abundant, many plants flourish year-round—and some of them are surprisingly profitable. Whether you’re in a terrace house in PJ, a kampung in Negeri Sembilan, or a high-rise in Penang with a small balcony, there are plenty of crops you can grow at home and sell with minimal investment. Here’s your 2025 guide to the most profitable backyard plants Malaysians should grow right now—plus how to market and sell them.
🪴 1. Curry Leaves (Pokok Kari)
Every Malaysian kitchen needs curry leaves. Whether you’re making sambal, curry, or fried chicken, these aromatic leaves are essential. And guess what? People pay good money for a healthy bundle—especially if it’s organic or pesticide-free.
Why It’s Profitable:
- High demand among home cooks and food stalls.
- Grows easily with low maintenance.
- Can be harvested continuously.
Sell Tip:
Package them in banana leaves or brown paper for a kampung-chic look. A small bundle sells for RM2–RM5 in pasar tani or online.
.
🌸 2. Butterfly Pea Flower (Bunga Telang)
Aesthetically pleasing and in trend! Butterfly pea is used to make natural blue drinks, herbal teas, nasi kerabu coloring, and even skincare products.
Why It’s Profitable:
- Can be harvested daily during flowering season.
- Dried bunga telang fetches up to RM8–RM15 per 50g.
- Highly popular on Shopee, Lazada & Instagram shops.
Sell Tip:
Dry them using a dehydrator or under the sun. Package them in resealable pouches with a minimal “natural health” branding. Sell as tea kits, DIY facial packs, or colouring kits.
🌿 3. Pegaga (Gotu Kola)
Pegaga is trending again among urban wellness communities and herbal enthusiasts for its skin, memory, and immunity benefits.
Why It’s Profitable:
- Can be harvested weekly.
- Used in juice, salad, and herbal remedies.
- High appeal for health-conscious buyers.
Sell Tip:
Bundle with a recipe card for pegaga juice or sambal. Promote to wellness groups and home remedy markets on Facebook.
🌶 4. Chilies (Cili Api & Cili Besar)
Hot demand (literally)! Fresh homegrown chili is more pungent, aromatic, and usually pesticide-free—making it highly sought after.
Why It’s Profitable:
- Small space, big yield.
- Consistent market demand.
- Price per kilo fluctuates, often increasing during festive seasons.
Sell Tip:
Offer RM5 mix-packs with red, green, and bird’s eye chilies. Market as “urban heat” or “homegrown fire” bundles.
🍃 5. Pandan Leaves (Daun Pandan)
Used for cooking, fragrance, and even as a cockroach repellent. Pandan plants spread fast and thrive in Malaysian weather.
Why It’s Profitable:
- Can be harvested weekly.
- Dried pandan used in potpourri, bath soaks.
- Essential for traditional kuih and nasi lemak sellers.
Sell Tip:
Offer pandan bundles wrapped in raffia or banana leaves. Also sell dried pandan for scent packs.
🍋 6. Lemongrass (Serai)
Essential for curries, soups, and herbal tea. Plus, it’s mosquito-repelling, making it useful for urban gardeners.
Why It’s Profitable:
- Regrows after harvest.
- Used in multiple industries: culinary, health, spa.
- Easy to grow in pots.
Sell Tip:
Bundle it with pandan or kaffir lime for “Aromatherapy Cooking Packs.” Target zero-waste households and eco-conscious customers.
🍀 7. Daun Kesum (Vietnamese Coriander)
A must-have for laksa and ulam. Daun kesum grows fast in moist soil or water containers—perfect for condo gardeners!
Why It’s Profitable:
- Rarely sold in supermarkets.
- Always in demand for Malaysian dishes.
- Can be harvested weekly.
Sell Tip:
Sell rooted cuttings in mini pots to beginner gardeners or bundle for kitchen use.
📦 How to Sell & Monetize Your Garden Harvest
Growing is just the first step. Here’s how to turn your green thumbs into green cash:
🛒 Where to Sell:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Shopee / Lazada (dried or packaged)
- Community groups (neighbourhood WhatsApp/FB)
- Farmers markets & morning pasar
📸 Presentation Matters:
- Use natural lighting for product photos.
- Add your brand logo on pouches.
- Use eco-friendly packaging (brown paper, glass jars, banana leaves).
💡 Creative Bundles You Can Offer:
- Herbal Tea Starter Kit: Pegaga + Telang + Pandan
- Ulam Set: Pegaga + Kesum + Bunga Kantan
- Aromatic Cooking Trio: Curry Leaf + Pandan + Serai
🧮 Example: Mini Backyard Biz Calculator
Let’s say you harvest just 5 types of herbs weekly and sell RM10 packs:
RM10 x 20 packs/week = RM200/week
RM200/week x 4 = RM800/month
Add value: bundle, dry, and brand it → Potential to hit RM1,000+/month
🚀 Final Tips: Go From Garden to Side Hustle
- Start small: Pick 2–3 plants.
- Document your journey on TikTok or Instagram.
- Reinvest into better packaging or small tools (dehydrator, heat sealer).
Start today — your backyard might just be the most underrated business partner you have. And with Project HARVEST, you’re never gardening alone. Share your Mini Backyard Biz journey with us, @projectharvest on IG.