The Garden Media Group’s 2026 Garden Trends Report, which was officially released on Sept. 3, is not just a closer look at what is up and coming in gardening, landscape design, and green living. It’s also a milestone: the 25th anniversary of the Garden Media Group team’s forecasting what’s next in the garden world.
“We think the report is packed with insights on how culture, climate, and consumer behavior are shaping our industry,” says Katie Dubow, President of Garden Media Group (GMG). “From Purpose-Driven planting to Barkitecture, the 2026 Garden Trends highlight where customers are headed, and how our industry can meet them there.”
Each year, GMG researches global consumer trends to see what’s happening from home design to fashion, with input from trusted media sources and garden experts worldwide.
In its first report in 2001, GMG predicted outdoor living would be a huge trend. It predicted container gardening in 2003 and the rise of vegetable gardening as early as 2004. GMG also spotted a renewed interest in natives in 2007, the “buy local” movement in 2008, and vertical gardening in 2009.
Whether you’re a grower, a retailer, or anyone else connected to the floriculture industry, there are a number of reasons you should care about lawn and garden trends.
- Be the first to fill these emerging consumer demands.
- Elect or create bestselling new products, enhance customer experiences, and improve services well in advance of the competition.
- Attract customers who are living the trends by speaking their language in your marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns.
2026 Garden Trends Report: Lemonading
In 2026, people are finding sweetness in unexpected places. From cozy games to catios, consumers are embracing small joys and simple pleasures that brighten daily life. GMG calls this cultural shift “Lemonading” – a movement that transforms challenges into opportunities through creativity, mindfulness, and joy. Amid climate anxiety and digital overload, the garden is becoming the place where chaos softens and possibility blooms.
Lemonading isn’t about denying challenges. It’s about reimagining them, one pot, pollinator patch, or pet-friendly corner at a time.
This year’s report identifies several key trends that reflect where consumers are headed and where the green industry has the opportunity to thrive, including:
- Planting with intention to give back to pollinators, communities, and the planet.
- Using data and technology to garden smarter, reduce waste, and build resilience.
- Collecting plants, décor, or tools as an act of self-expression and storytelling.
- 2026’s color of the year.
Download the full report here.