Succulent plants in the Bandong community in Rugao, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The lives of villagers in the Bandong community in Rugao, Nantong have been greatly improved because of the flourishing flower industry that the community has developed over the past few years, local media outlets reported.

The community has been growing succulent plants as well as small and micro potted plants in a flower and horticulture industrial park that spans more than 20 hectares.

The park has created jobs for more than 100 local residents and increased the per capita income of Bandong to 38,000 yuan ($5,867.2).

Among those who have benefited is Ma Qiaoyu, whose family used to earn a living by farming.

"Farming a hectare of land generated less than 7,500 yuan a year," said Ma.

Today, the family runs three green houses in the industrial park, with each green house capable of generating between 30,000 and 50,000 yuan in profits.

In addition to potted plants and out-of-season vegetables, the community has also encouraged farmers to grow succulent plants to cater to the increasing market demand.

According to Xie Donglian, one of the community leaders, more than 200 kinds of succulent plants are planted over an area of 13 hectares.

Xie noted that the plantation, which sold up to 200,000 succulent plants online and offline last year, has become a popular destination for succulent plant enthusiasts.