Hoffmann Family of Companies acquires Smith Gardens, Pacific Plug & Liner

Hoffmann Family of Companies, a family-owned private equity firm based in the United States, on Jan. 29 announced it has acquired a majority interest in Smith Gardens, a family-owned and operated greenhouse growing company headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, which also includes Pacific Plug & Liner.

In 2026, Smith Gardens will celebrate 125 years of growing plants in the Pacific Northwest. Today, the company is led by the fourth generation of the Smith family — Eric and Mark Smith — with members of the fifth generation already actively involved. Smith Gardens will continue under Eric and Mark’s leadership, as they retain partial ownership and remain in their leadership roles.

Smith Gardens operates five major growing facilities across the Pacific Northwest and California, including:

• Bellingham, Washington
• Mount Vernon, Washington
• Marysville, Washington
• Aurora, Oregon
• Watsonville, California (home of Pacific Plug & Liner)

Smith Gardens operates more than 4 million square feet of greenhouses, with more than 100 acres of outdoor production space, and employs 1,200 people. In addition to producing and delivering annual and perennial ornamental plants, the company also operates a merchandising service division. 

The acquisition also includes Pacific Plug & Liner, Smith Gardens’ young plant propagation division. Located 9 miles from Monterey Bay, Pacific Plug & Liner uses its coastal climate to produce specialty plugs and liners in 250,000 square feet of greenhouse space. This part of the company is known for perennials, young plant varieties and trend-driven programs that support customers and retailers.

Hoffmann said the partnership expands its growing agricultural vertical into a new geographic region, complementing its existing holdings in California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Mexico. The company has more than 125 global brands and more than 22,000 employees in its total portfolio, with businesses located in 30 countries.

Hoffmann Family of Companies has accelerated its acquisition of horticulture companies in recent years, having previously purchased Illinois-based N.G. Heimos Greenhouses in 2025, California specialty produce supplier Bay Area Herbs & Specialties in 2025 and Missouri IGC Hillermann Nursery & Florist in 2022, as well as Town and Country Nursery and Ferguson Valley Nurseries, both in Missouri, in 2021.

"We are very proud to have Smith Gardens join our agriculture vertical and to add another outstanding family-owned business to our portfolio," said Greg Hoffmann, CEO of Hoffmann Family of Companies’ real estate arm. "Eric, Mark and their team have built a remarkable company, and we believe they will achieve even greater success with expanded resources, invested capital and the support system we provide."

"When we met the Hoffmann family, it quickly became clear that they value long-term relationships, customer focus and growing a great team — just as we do. As we considered a partner for the next phase of our growth, culture was a top priority, and we found the right alignment here," said Eric Smith, CEO of Smith Gardens. "Mark and I are honored to remain at the helm and maintain the continuity that began with our great-grandfather and has guided our family through every generation."

"We’ve been familiar with the impressive companies within Hoffmann’s agricultural vertical," added Mark Smith, chief planning officer of Smith Gardens. "We see a bright future in partnership with the Hoffmann family as we continue to uphold our mission: ‘Our Business is Growing’: People, Plants, and Opportunity. Together, we’ll keep delivering the quality and service our customers know and trust."

The deal team was led by Clayton Jones.

Hoffmann's Agricultural Vertical produces herbs, wine, plants, flowers, golf products and dairy products. The family’s holdings represent close to 5,500 acres of land, including:

California:

• Bay Area Herbs & Specialties
• Smith Gardens

Florida:

• American Farms
• Old Collier Golf Club
• Old Corkscrew Golf Club (Pandion Club)
• Kaleidoscope Florist
• Topiary Creations

Illinois:

• Hoffmann Heimos Greenhouses
• Meyer Farms
• Millstadt Young Plants
• World Wide Farms

Mexico:

• World Wide Farms

Missouri:

• Augusta Winery
• Balducci Vineyards
• Ferguson Valley Nurseries
• Hoffmann Heimos Greenhouses
• Hoffmann Hillerman Nursery
• Knoernschild Vineyards
• Micky’s Minis
• Montelle Vineyards
• Mount Pleasant Estates
• Town & Country Nursery

Oregon:

• Smith Gardens

Washington:

• Smith Gardens