Wang Lisheng, a 32-year-old retired soldier in Zhengzhuang subdistrict, Caoxian county, Heze, Shandong province, has accumulated his wealth through succulent plants.

Wang Lisheng displays a succulent plant at a planting base in Heze. [Photo/Dazhong News]

In recent years, customers have been more and more interested in succulent plants, which have small, soft, and cute appearances and are easy to care for.

During his eight years in the military, Wang learned about succulent planting technologies. Following his release, he began a succulent plant business.

Wang recalled that starting a business is full of difficulties. He toured throughout China and even went abroad for a period to master advanced planting and maintenance techniques.

Succulent plants have cute shapes and are easy to care for. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Wang's business eventually took a proper route after a few years of ups and downs.

He created a horticultural business with the help of the local government, and the number of succulent plant greenhouses have grown to over 30, with a planting area of around 200,000 square meters and varieties of succulents amounting to over 1,000. It has grown into southwest Shandong's largest succulent planting base.

"Now, I regularly sell more than 50 varieties online, and I can earn three to four million yuan ($474,600 to $632,800) a year," Wang said.

Wang said that he will build a more professional e-commerce team, bring more job opportunities to local villagers, increase farmers' incomes, and contribute to rural revitalization.

Villagers work at one of Wang's succulent plant greenhouses. [Photo/Dazhong News]