A “Metrolina plant” refers to a plant grown by Metrolina Greenhouses, one of the largest wholesale plant growers in the United States. This company plays a significant role in the horticultural industry by supplying a vast array of plants to major retailers nationwide. Their large-scale production and widespread distribution network make their plants readily available to consumers.
Who is Metrolina Greenhouses
Metrolina Greenhouses is a family-owned and operated wholesale producer of ornamental plants, established in 1972 by Tom and Vickie VanWingerden, who immigrated from the Netherlands. Starting from a rented 20,000-square-foot greenhouse, the company has grown over five decades. Today, it operates from two main locations in Huntersville, North Carolina, and York, South Carolina, encompassing over 1,000 acres, including more than 200 acres of greenhouses and 200 acres of outdoor growing space.
The Huntersville facility is the largest single-site heated wholesale greenhouse operation in the U.S. Metrolina Greenhouses functions as a wholesale grower, supplying large retail chains rather than selling directly to individual consumers. This business model allows them to produce plants on an immense scale, shipping over 70 million plants annually. The company currently employs around 800 full-time team members, with an additional 1,600 seasonal workers during peak production periods.
The Plants They Produce
Metrolina Greenhouses cultivates a diverse range of ornamental plants to meet various market demands throughout the year. Their extensive product line includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. This variety ensures that consumers can find suitable plants for different seasons and gardening needs.
They also specialize in seasonal favorites such as hardy mums, summer annuals, hanging baskets, and poinsettias. The company produces approximately 70 million plants annually. Metrolina’s research and development team evaluates over 15,000 plant varieties each year in trials to ensure high quality and garden success for consumers.
Where to Find Metrolina Plants
Metrolina Greenhouses utilizes a broad distribution network to ensure their plants reach consumers efficiently. As a wholesale grower, they primarily supply large retail chains rather than operating their own retail outlets. Their plants are commonly found in major home improvement stores, mass merchandisers, and garden centers across 19 states, primarily in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Some of their prominent retail partners include Lowe’s Home Improvement, The Home Depot, and Walmart. Metrolina Greenhouses also fulfills online orders for these retailers, shipping plants directly to consumers’ homes throughout the U.S. This omnichannel approach makes their plants accessible to a wider audience, catering to both in-store shoppers and those who prefer online purchasing.
Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
Metrolina Greenhouses demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement in its operations. The company implemented a water reclamation and recycling system more than two decades ago, allowing them to be largely self-sufficient in their water usage. They capture rainwater and reclaim excess water from within their greenhouses, which is then filtered and ozonated for reuse. In peak production, they can use up to 1 million gallons of water daily, all of which is reclaimed.
The company also focuses on energy efficiency through a biomass boiler system, installed in 2009, which covers approximately 95% of their heating needs at the Huntersville campus. This system uses locally sourced wood byproducts as fuel, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Metrolina Greenhouses also has a robust plastic recycling program, collaborating with retailers to reclaim and reuse millions of pounds of plastic annually, preventing it from ending up in landfills. They reuse approximately 2.5 million trays each year.
Metrolina Greenhouses integrates automation and technology to enhance efficiency and product quality. They utilize automated processes such as robotic transplanters, mechanical shipping belts, and flood floors for irrigation. These advancements improve consistency in growing, reduce labor-intensive tasks, and contribute to overall operational effectiveness. The company’s ongoing research and development efforts ensure they continue to produce high-performing varieties.