The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has unveiled its top 10 gardening trends for 2026. Forecasted by horticulturalists at PHS, these trends reflect the ideas and practices that are expected to influence gardeners across the country in the year ahead.

“Gardening continues to evolve as people explore new ways to connect with nature, express creativity, and grow food and beauty in their own spaces,” said Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at PHS, in a prepared statement. “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.”

This year’s list highlights innovations in floral design, landscape practices and ornamental design, as well as indoor growing and lifestyle trends. Many of these trends will be in evidence at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which opens on Feb. 28 and runs through March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

This list provides gardeners of all experience levels with practical guidance and new ways to engage with their outdoor and indoor spaces:

1. Gardening innovations — This year brings a fresh crop of innovations that stand out for their originality and smart design, reflecting a growing focus on sustainability and versatility both indoors and out. In the world of new plants, Petunia ‘Firefly’ has subtle flecks that glow in the dark. A new gardening medium is made from recycled glass that can be mixed into soil to improve drainage or used as a decorative top layer, making it especially well-suited for terrariums and other small-scale plant displays. There also are innovations in climbing plants, with sustainable climbing poles made from a blend of potato skins and elephant grass.

2. Rewilding — Homeowners and landowners are letting portions of their properties “rewild.” This is not simply a matter of letting the landscape go wild but requires some level of intention. It is important for a rewilding project to allow native species to come back while deterring invasive exotics.

3. Gravel gardening — This approach is gaining popularity with many public gardens. This is both an aesthetic approach but also a type of gardening that promotes water-wise gardening with strong visual appeal.

4. Growing cut flowers — Over the last decade, boutique flower farms have reshaped how people grow, buy, and enjoy cut flowers. This movement reflects a growing interest in locally grown flowers that are fresher, more seasonal, and often cultivated using sustainable practices. Popular cut flowers include dahlias, zinnias, and heirloom annuals.

5. Garden to the max — Maximalist garden design celebrates the art of bold and unapologetically abundant spaces, where creativity and color take center stage. This approach is perfect for gardeners who don’t shy away from a profusion of color.

6. The houseplant phenomenon continues — Houseplants have become a global obsession since the pandemic in 2020, making gardening accessible for anyone regardless of space. From homes to offices, houseplants bring beauty and wellness indoors while also becoming a popular way to cleanse the air.

7. Fruit growing — Interest in home fruit growing continues to rise, with several organizations hosting festivals and dedicated efforts to promote specific fruits. Heartwood Nursery in southern Pennsylvania hosts the annual Serviceberry Festival and in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Orchard Project promotes the cultivation of fruiting plants.

8. AI and gardening — Artificial intelligence is now influencing the garden. There are several garden design applications that utilize AI, and many plant identification apps also use AI to help people identify and learn about plants that they see in the wild. Undoubtedly, many have also seen fantastical images of hostas, elephant ears and other plants that seem otherworldly. Many of these are AI generated, so it is important to be aware of misinformation.

9. Hydrangeas, hydrangeas, hydrangeas! — For over 20 years now, there has been a global resurgence of the once old-fashioned hydrangea. While the enthusiasm for many plant groups ebbs and flows over time, hydrangeas have remained popular. Many of the world’s largest plant breeding companies have new hydrangea introductions each year.

10. Gardens that support ecology — People are creating gardens that benefit the environment and support a host of ecological functions. Native plants remain essential, especially pollinator-friendly species that attract the threatened Monarch butterfly. Gardeners are also adopting practices like “leaving the leaves” to create habitat for overwintering insects, and are growing plants that provide food sources for birds. Habitat piles and “bee hotels” are aesthetically arranged piles of twigs, branches, and perennial stems that offer shelter for insects, mammals, and birds as they decompose.