# Plant Nursery > Plant Nursery means the commercial use of structures or land for growing and selling plant materials and related items **Term:** Plant Nursery **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Plant Nursery Means in a Contract Plant Nursery, as a defined term in a contract, describes the commercial use of land, greenhouses, or other structures for growing, cultivating, and selling plant materials, seedlings, trees, shrubs, and associated horticultural supplies. The definition is most often found in leases, land use agreements, and property-related contracts where the parties need to specify exactly what kind of business activity is authorized on the premises. The purpose of including this term is to remove ambiguity about how a tenant, licensee, or occupier may use the property. Without a clear definition, disputes can arise over whether ancillary activities, such as retail sales of gardening tools, landscaping services, or wholesale plant distribution, fall within the scope of the permitted use. By defining Plant Nursery precisely, the contract sets boundaries that protect both the landowner and the operator. This term also interacts with other contractual provisions, such as use restrictions, exclusivity clauses, and maintenance obligations, because a nursery operation often involves irrigation systems, greenhouses, storage of fertilizers or pesticides, and outdoor display areas that may require special handling under the agreement. ## How Plant Nursery Is Defined or Measured Contracts typically define Plant Nursery by reference to the specific activities carried out on the premises rather than by a fixed metric like square footage alone, although physical boundaries and structures are usually described in detail. A definition may list the types of plant materials grown, the presence of greenhouses or shade structures, and whether the business includes wholesale, retail, or both. Some agreements measure the scope of the nursery use by reference to zoning classifications or local planning permissions, since many jurisdictions treat plant nurseries as a distinct land use category subject to specific building codes, water usage rules, or environmental regulations. The contract may cross-reference these external standards to ensure consistency between the private agreement and public law requirements. - Types of plants or materials cultivated (ornamental, edible, wholesale stock) - Structures involved (greenhouses, shade houses, storage sheds) - Associated retail or sales activity permitted on-site - Water, drainage, and waste disposal arrangements tied to cultivation ## Where Plant Nursery Appears in Agreements The term most commonly appears in commercial leases and