APOPKA, Fla. — Community and faith groups organized a day of action in Apopka outside Costa Farms, calling on the company to join the Planting Justice program to protect nursery workers.
Costa Farms is the largest houseplant grower in the United States.
The demonstration follows a 2026 report detailing widespread labor abuses across the houseplant sector. Activists are urging Costa Farms to use its position as an industry leader to set higher labor standards.
The houseplant industry is valued at $50 billion. Demonstrators focused on Costa Farms, a South Florida-based company, asking leadership to partner with workers on workplace solutions.
The Planting Justice program seeks to certify responsible nurseries and establish labor standards for other growers in the industry to follow.
Costa Farms has been contacted for comment regarding the demonstration and the activists’ demands.
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