GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Taylor Thigpen, the county’s renowned plant king, has officially passed the "green" torch to someone else.

PlantKingUSA, Thigpen’s plant business, skyrocketed to great heights when it was established almost five years ago. Recently, Thigpen decided to sell the company to pursue other passions. 

Owner Chadwick Hurston now reigns as the new king of the plants in Green Cove Springs. Hurston said he and Thigpen are third or fourth cousins, meaning the company will surely stay in the family. 

At 8 years old, Thigpen joined Clay County’s 4-H program. Learning about and being involved with horticulture influenced him greatly, Thigpen said. 

“I kind of learned a lot about houseplants. A lot about entrepreneurship and just different skills that are needed in society,” Thigpen said.

At the start of the pandemic, Thigpen said some leftover plants prompted him to start selling cuttings of the plants online. With only $5 to his name, Thigpen said he made $500 in the first week of selling. 

The company eventually grew even more, working with growers worldwide to sell various plants and shipping over 10,000 plants to all 50 states. Thigpen said he was even able to begin employing local youth.

“Which was very exciting,” he said. “To give them another opportunity to work and earn some money themselves. And, also learn the skills of working and [the] importance of earning income.”

Thigpen said that although it was an incredible journey, all good things must come to an end. Preparing to attend college out-of-state at Notre Dame, PlantKingUSA wasn’t 100% his passion, but pursuing higher education was. As a freshman, Thigpen is studying global affairs and social entrepreneurship, which he hopes will continue him on his path of helping others. 

Additionally, Thigpen said he continues to be a grant writer for local non-profits in the county. 

“Now, I get to see the business that I started from the ground up continue to go while I’m following my passions, as well,” Thigpen said. 

Hurston and his wife, co-owner Analyssa, are still in touch with Thigpen, who continues to send them tips and tricks. 

Amid the hardships of owning a business, Hurston said he is grateful for the opportunity and has many goals. These include expanding from just online selling to going commercial.

“We’ve found that there is a need for commercial businesses to have plants in their space of business to bring alive their office space,” Hurston said. “And, so, we also want to expand in that aspect. Offering different services, whether it be just selling plants or almost like a lawn care service.” 

Hurston said he and his wife are excited for what’s to come and hope to continue keeping the legacy alive.