A nursery, from the Latin vivarium,[1]​ is a set of agronomic facilities in which all types of plants are grown until they reach the appropriate state for distribution, sale or own consumption.[2]​ That is, nurseries are sites especially dedicated to the production of seedlings of the best quality and at the lowest possible cost.

Any medium production nursery requires at least one:.

And it can have, if it is more complex:

Substrates

The substrate "Substrate (biology)") generally used is blonde peat, or mixtures of this with soil, vermiculite, perlite, slow-release fertilizer and coconut fiber.

Irrigation

Irrigation is crucial for the proper development of the crop, although too much can cause mycosis and other diseases.

Containers

In the seedbed phase, these are usually trays with 60 240 cc sockets where the root ball may have a strong primary non-spiral root and a multitude of secondary roots. During development the plant is transplanted "Transplant (botany)") into larger containers: up to several liters.

Light

Light is necessary for photosynthesis and to avoid mycoses. The selection of wavelengths of its electromagnetic spectrum must be controlled in greenhouses and shadehouses.

Temperature and humidity

The environmental temperature and humidity must be controlled since it affects the degree of perspiration and evaporation "Evaporation (physical process)"), and the appearance of diseases.

Presence of mycorrhizae

Mycorrhizae facilitate the development of plant biomass and its resistance to water stress.