Dallas-based Gardenuity cultivates $5.5 million seed round, sets sights on $19 billion wellness market » Dallas Innovates

Dallas-based Gardenuity has raised $5.5 million in new seed funding as it develops expansion plans, CEO Donna Letier exclusively told Axios this week. The company has raised $7.5 million to date and is focused on the corporate wellness market, estimated to be close to $19 billion in 2021, according to the report.

Last year, North Texas Angel Network made its first syndicated angel investment in Gardenity in November. Six of his NTAN members participated in his $50,000 seed round led by Alan Shor and Steve Lieberman of Anchor Capital and Retail Connection.

Gardenuity, which creates bespoke container gardens and gardening experiences, has recently increased its profile through new partnerships and recognition. These are based on the company's mission to make gardening more accessible for health.

Donna Letier, Gardenuity Co-Founder and CEO [Photo: Gardenuity]

Founded in 2017 by Donna Letier and Julie Eggers, Gardenuity brings technology-enabled gardening to the wellness category. The company provides customized gardens and experiences to consumers and organizations nationwide through its e-commerce platform and B2B corporate partnerships.

Gardenuity is considered a leader in gardening to improve wellbeing, performance, mental health and nutrition. The patent-pending 'Matching' platform pairs customers with their ideal garden based on climate, soil, weather and preferences.

With more than 3 million harvests and 3,000 events completed, Gardenuity works with more than 500 companies, including major companies such as Amazon, Google, Deloitte, Salesforce, Walmart, and JPMorgan Chase, to help employees and customers. has helped sow seeds of health through gardening.

Recent buds of visualization

This month, Gardenuity's gardens were featured in Real Simple magazine's “90 Best Gifts for Women of 2023'' and Men's Health magazine's “55 Best Christmas Gifts for Her'' list, and the company's Pizza Garden kits were advertised.

“We're so happy to be a part of it,” Gardenity posted on social media. “Our gift-giving garden makes gift-giving so easy.”

The company was also ranked highly in Trend Hunter's Top 60 Trends for October. Gardenuity was recognized for its matching technology that customizes gardens based on personalized variables.

Expand your wellness mission

Through customized gardening kits, community experts, and initiatives that connect gardening and mental health, Gardenuity aims to make this activity achievable and rewarding for everyone.

Gardenuity CEO Donna Spafford Letier recently led a self-care gardening session at the Dallas Police Department Wellness Division. The startup called it an honor and shared its vision of “connecting the resilience of gardens to people around the world.”

In a social post, the CEO said: “It was an honor to talk about self-care, happiness and why it's good to get dirty…At Gardenuity, we say 'Growing is good.'

Gardenuity Customized Pink Gardening Kit [Photo: Gardenuity/Business Wire]

Earlier this year, Gardenity announced a new partnership with Travel Nurses Across America in conjunction with National Nursing Week in May. This collaboration launched a year-long program to provide customized pink gardening kits to TNAA's traveling nurses and allied health professionals.

Gardenuity said the initiative aims to help nurses enjoy the research-backed health benefits of gardening and nourish their mental health. When the nurses complete their assignments, they can pay it forward by gifting them mobile gardens to put down roots in their new locations, according to a news release.

Gardenuity also donates a portion of each gardening kit to breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen.

Lettier said the TNAA program specifically “helps front-line nurses heal their bodies and calm their minds.”

Through customized products, community support, and an emphasis on the restorative benefits of gardening, Gardenuity says it aims to prove that gardening is more than just harvesting plants. It's about cultivating overall health.

CEO Routier points to neuroscience research that shows the health benefits of gardening continue to grow. A 2023 study conducted by the University of Colorado and funded by the American Cancer Society found that gardening can help reduce stress and anxiety. “Everywhere you go, people say there's something about gardening that makes them feel good,” said researcher Jill Litt, who found that community gardening helps prevent cancer, chronic disease and mental health disorders. He added that there is evidence that it may play an important role.

The study confirmed that “even novice gardeners can reap tangible health benefits in their first season of this pastime.”

“This is a wonderful piece of art that reminds us of the restorative power of nature,” Lettier said in the post. “When you go out in your patio garden or tend your desktop garden, you realize what nourishes us on every level. It's an activity that feeds the brain.”