Rooted in 1949—and growing strong
Schneider Nursery began in 1949 with a simple promise from our founder: grow plants the right way, treat people fairly, and always be ready for a rainy day. That combination of horticultural craft and financial prudence shaped everything that followed. From the start, the focus was on quality first—plants grown a little larger, a little longer, and a lot better, so customers could see success in the landscape, not just in a pot.
Milestones
1949 — Schneider’s Nursery is founded in Seymour, Indiana.
1970s–1990s — Land base expands steadily to support growing wholesale demand.
2000s — Continued field development; investments in equipment improve efficiency and quality control.
2010s — Retail garden center and greenhouse refreshed; customer experience becomes a strategic focus.
Today — ~750 acres in production and a balanced wholesale/retail business serving the Midwest with plants grown for real-world performance.
Looking ahead
The next generation leads with the same values that started it all: grow excellent plants, give clear guidance, and make it easy for people to succeed—whether that’s a contractor planting a streetscape or a family planting their first tree. We’ll keep investing in better growing practices, smarter logistics, and helpful education, so every Schneider’s plant has the best chance to thrive.
That’s our history—and our promise: rooted in Indiana, grounded in quality, and committed to helping you plant with confidence.
A destination by design
If you’ve visited, you know: Schneider’s isn’t just rows of plants. It’s a place to walk the nursery, wander the greenhouse, bring the family, and imagine what’s possible at home. Scenic views, friendly faces, and practical advice make it a destination customers drive for—from Columbus, Salem, Madison, Bloomington, and beyond. We aim for that “you’ll know it when you feel it” experience: professional, welcoming, and distinctly Schneider’s.
Wholesale strength, retail heart
For decades, wholesale was the engine—supplying landscape contractors, municipalities, and re-wholesalers with dependable, field-grown trees and shrubs. In the 2010s, a renewed focus on the retail garden center and greenhouse brought fresh momentum. Under next-generation leadership, retail grew from roughly a quarter of sales to nearly half, giving the business a balanced revenue mix and an even stronger connection to the community.
Growing the Ground
Beginning with about 150 acres in the 1970s, the nursery expanded deliberately—adding 40 acres, then 20, and then 10–15 acres annually as demand grew. The goal wasn’t bigness for its own sake; it was capacity with control. Rather than rely on heavy borrowing, profits were put back into the land, equipment, and people who make great growing possible. That conservative approach built healthy cash reserves and gave Schneider’s the flexibility to invest when it truly mattered.
A craft built on relationships
Early on, Schneider’s became known as a good neighbor in the Indiana nursery community—sharing referrals, coordinating availability, and building long-term supplier partnerships. That spirit of cooperation, along with careful reinvestment, helped the nursery weather economic ups and downs while keeping standards high. We still believe the fastest way to grow a great business is to help customers and peers succeed.
