In Mississippi, the “Magnolia State” offers a massive growing season, but the high humidity and heavy rainfall create specific challenges for drainage and plant health. In 2026, the state has tightened its focus on professional standards, particularly regarding who can legally use the term “landscaper.”
Here is your guide to launching a landscaping business in Mississippi.
1. Register Your Business Entity
Mississippi is business-friendly, but formal registration is required to operate legally and protect your personal assets.
Form an LLC: This is the most common choice for MS contractors to shield personal savings from business liabilities.
Registration: You will file through the Mississippi Secretary of State’s “One-Stop Shop” portal. The filing fee is approximately $50.
EIN: Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You’ll need this to open a business bank account at local institutions like Trustmark or Renasant Bank.
2. Navigate Mississippi’s Strict Licensing
Mississippi has a very specific legal distinction between “lawn maintenance” and “landscaping”:
Landscape Horticulturist License: If you set or replace plants, design landscapes, or describe yourself as a “landscaper,” you must be licensed by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC).
Note: If you only mow grass and fertilize, you do not need this license, but you are legally prohibited from using the word “landscape” in your business name or advertising.
The Exam & Bond: To get the Horticulturist license, you must pass a state exam (offered quarterly in Starkville) and post a $1,000 surety bond.
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI): If you apply any weed control or pesticides for a fee, you must also obtain a Professional Services License in the category of “Horticultural Weed Control” or “Pesticide Applicator.”
State Board of Contractors (MSBOC): If you take on large commercial or residential “hardscape” projects (like retaining walls or kitchens) exceeding $50,000, you must also hold a license from the MSBOC.
3. Understand Mississippi Tax Laws
Sales Tax: In Mississippi, many services—including grading, excavating, and landscaping—are taxable at the regular retail rate of 7%.
Contractor’s Tax: If you perform a contract over $10,000 (excluding residential), a special 3.5% contractor’s tax may apply instead of the 7% sales tax.
Registration: You must register for a permit with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect and remit these taxes.
4. Secure “Magnolia State” Insurance
General Liability: Essential for covering accidental damage, such as a mower throwing a rock through a window or a crew member hitting a buried gas line.
Workers’ Compensation: In Mississippi, if you have five or more employees, you are legally required to carry Workers’ Comp. However, if you have fewer than five, it is still highly recommended to protect against lawsuits.
Commercial Auto: Essential for hauling trailers and heavy equipment on Mississippi’s state highways.
5. 2026 Mississippi Landscaping Trends
To win the market this year, focus on these local demands:
“Foodscaping” Integration: A top trend for 2026 is blending edibles into ornamental beds—think Blueberry bushes as hedges or Kale tucked into flower borders.
Heat-Hardy Natives: Homeowners want plants that survive the July swelter without a massive water bill. Focus on Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Black-Eyed Susans, and Southern Shield Ferns.
Advanced Drainage Solutions: Because of Mississippi’s heavy clay and high rainfall, expertise in French drains, rain gardens, and permeable pavers is a major revenue driver.
Precision Irrigation: 2026 has seen a surge in “Smart Yards,” where Wi-Fi-connected soil moisture sensors prevent overwatering during the humid months.