What gardening trends will you see everywhere this year? The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed its 2026 gardening predictions, detailing the what, how and where of growing. Its predictions are based on a variety of factors, including engagement with the public at its gardens and flower shows, retail and industry trends, the latest scientific research and new plant breeding.
For the first time, the RHS suggests climate is the main driver of new gardening activity, as climate change presents problems for gardeners such as flooding and drought, but also possibilities for growing new plants.
Nature-friendly gardening is also on the increase. In light of this, in 2026 the RHS will launch its year-long Bringing Nature Home campaign, which will champion plants’ benefits for wildlife, including pollinators.
Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS, said: “Plant breeders are increasingly responding to changing weather patterns but also the expectations of gardeners who want plants that serve multiple purposes and are robust enough to survive our weather extremes. Cultivated plant diversity is important in future proofing our gardens and 2026 looks set to see some new favourites take hold.”
Are you and your garden on trend? Find out the RHS’s 2026 Gardening Predictions below.
Tabletop veg
The ongoing cost of living crisis will see more people growing their own food to supplement their weekly food shops. New breeding of dwarf varieties means people short on space will be able to grow their own food, and some varieties are attractive enough to rival cut flowers. Popular choices will include table-top chillies, compact aubergines, hanging basket cucumbers and 50cm grape vines. Potted herbs also remain popular, with sales up 10 per cent in the last year across RHS Retail.
Blackcurrants
Blackcurrants are easy to grow and yield masses of fruit that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, However, until now, the berries have been too bitter to eat off the bush. New, sweet varieties such as ‘Ebony’ mean blackcurrants will be back on the menu, and may even usurp blueberries, which require acidic soil to grow and produce smaller yields.
‘In and out’ plants
Thanks to warmer, drier summers, some house plants are more tolerant of outside conditions than they used to be, and may be used to create outdoor displays during the warmer months. Keep an eye out for spider plants and tradescantia in hanging basket and outdoor pot displays, along with lantana and some salvia hybrids.
Home-grown tomatoes
The dry summer of 2025 meant high yields and low incidences of tomato blight, which teh RHS believes could drive increased demand in 2026. RHS Retail saw a 14 per cent uplift in sales in 2025 for tried-and-tested varieties such as ‘Shirley’ and ‘Sungold’, but will be increasing the volume of grafted tomatoes it sells owing to their continued success.
Edible ornamentals
More gardeners are growing plants with multiple uses, including those that are edible but not necessarily grown on the vegetable patch. These include daylilies, borage, dandelions, cowslips, hops, mint, skirret and wood sorrel.
Jungle house plants
House plants have seen a 15 per cent increase in sales in RHS Retail over the last year, beating bedding plants and herbs. Top of the list are Swiss cheese plant (Monstera) followed by dragon trees (Dracaena).
Plants for pollinators
Last year there was more interest in growing plants for pollinators, with drought-tolerant Persica roses and single-flower dahlias proving popular. RHS Retail is predicting primroses will increase in popularity in early spring.
