The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has released its list of the 10 top gardening trends of 2026. They encompass indoor and outdoor trends, from growing cut flowers and fruit, to using AI in the garden and installing gardens that benefit the environment and support important ecological functions.
Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture at PHS, says “Gardening continues to evolve as people explore new ways to connect with nature, express creativity, and grow food and beauty in their own spaces.” He adds, “From innovative houseplant displays and water-wise gravel gardens to cutting-edge AI tools and rewilding practices, the 2026 trends reflect how gardeners are experimenting, learning, and finding joy in every corner of their gardens.” Here are the top 10 trends:
1. Gardening Innovations
These innovations include smart design and originality, along with a focus on sustainability and versatility.
Plants: for example, Petunia ‘Firefly’ is a genetically modified cultivar, with petals that feature flecks that glow in the dark. How about that?
Gardening mediums: 2nd Sand from Organic Mechanics is made from recycled glass and can be mixed with soil to improve drainage or used decoratively.
Eco-conscious design: items like sustainable climbing poles, made from potato skins and elephant grass, support twining houseplants and fit perfectly into modern indoor gardens.
2. Rewilding
Homeowners and landowners permit part of their properties to go wild — inviting in native species and deterring invasives.
3. Gravel Gardens
This type of garden promotes water-wise gardening and also has a strong visual appeal. It’s also environmentally sound.
4. Growing Cut Flowers
There are more boutique flower farms across the country — a trend that shows growing interest in local, fresh seasonal flowers. Popular flowers include dahlias, zinnias, and heirloom annuals.
5. Garden to the Max
This trend celebrates bold abundant gardens where anyone would notice the creativity and color. Perfect for gardeners who love lots of color throughout the landscape.
6. Houseplants
The pandemic in 2020 started this trend, and it’s been growing ever since. Popular ones include aroids, mostly because they can be collectible and are in high demand for their unusual foliage patterns. These may include Monstera, Philodendron, Pothos.
7. Fruit Growing
In the South, gardeners are exploring the native paw paw (Asimina triloba). and there’s an annual Serviceberry festival in Pennsylvania. Other popular fruits include the Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki), the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), paw paw cultivars ‘Susquehanna’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Wabash’, ‘Rebecca’s Gold’, and ‘Sunflower’, the serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) and the fig, Ficus carica Fignomenal.
8. AI. It’s now used for design and plant ID, but watch out for misinformation.
9. Hydrangeas.
Many new cultivars are introduced every year, and there’s an annual global trade show, CULTIVATE, in Columbus, Ohio, where you can see many of the new ones for the first time.
10. Gardens that support ecology.
Native plants. Reducing or eliminating lawns creates habitat for beneficial insects. Native plants like butterfly milkweed (shown in photo above) attract pollinator-friendly species.
The PHS Gold Medal Program promotes trees, shrubs, and perennials that support wildlife and provide food for birds.
Habitat piles and bee hotels can be fashioned from twigs, branches, and perennial stems that decompose and offer shelter for animals, insects, and birds. So — leave everything in place!
Photo: PHS
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