Amid climate anxiety and digital overload, the garden is becoming the place where chaos softens and possibility blooms.

In 2026, people are finding sweetness in unexpected places, according to Garden Media’s annual trends report.
From cozy games to catios, the report points to consumers embracing small joys and simple pleasures that brighten daily life.
The name given to 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.
This year’s report identifies new key trends that reflect where gardeners are headed and where the green industry has the opportunity to thrive: Lemonading is about curiosity in the face of chaos, asking, “What can I do with this?”
“It’s not about ignoring the hard stuff, but acknowledging it, feeling it, and then asking: How can I grow from this?” the report says. “Lemonading doesn’t pretend everything is okay. It simply allows us to shine light on what’s possible, without losing sight of reality.”
The report says horticulturalists are uniquely positioned to embrace lemonading because they’re rooted in resilience.
“We work with living things, face seasonality, unpredictability, and failure as part of the process,” the authors write. “But we’ve hidden behind perfection: Flawless blooms and pristine plants.”
Lemonading in the garden means: Playing with something new, even if it flops; Turning your space into a joyful, living experiment; Laughing when something dies — and replanting anyway.
The report’s sub-trends directly related to gardeners add purpose and playfulness to their green space.
Purpose Driven Gardening
Gardens are no longer just private sanctuaries, they’re powerful tools for personal expression and collective impact. Today’s gardeners are using their hands and wallets to heal the world.
In a time when many feel overwhelmed by global challenges, gardening offers a way to take tangible, visible action, right outside your door.
The collectibles market is thriving with projected global revenue at $1 trillion by 2033. In the United States, collectibles market is estimated to grow annually 4.8% through 2030.
Etsy reports a 47-percent increase in searches for vintage, botanical, and collectible home décor. Its latest Trend Report revealed shoppers seeking “intentional clutter“ and “personality-driven design” have increased by 27 percent.
eBay redesigned its entire platform in 2025 to attract this exact younger audience, and according to its latest Recommerce Report, 80 percent of Generation Z shoppers bought a collectible or vintage item in the last year.
Collecting is driving real-world buying behavior — from Labubu plushies to plants.
People are chasing after rare cultivars, new foliage colors and variegations.
Each item collected tells a story of place, season, and moment.
Foraging is collecting with a purpose: It teaches seasonal awareness; builds a deeper relationship with nature; transforms the mundane into meaningful; emphasizes impermanence and observation.
‘Bark-itecture’
Pets and gardening go together like peanut butter and jelly. Surveys say 70 percent of gardeners also own pets, and that pets aren’t just companions; 87 percent consider them family.
“#spoiled” is the fourth highest-used term on PetTok. Those who use “#spoiled” for their pets are more likely to care about homes and gardens.
As pet ownership rises, especially among Millennials, it’s unsurprising that gardens and outdoor spaces are evolving to accommodate them.
Monty Don made history by designing a dog-inclusive garden at the 2025 RHS ChelseaFlower Show.
He reminded us that thoughtful design can also be pet-friendly with these key Principles:
• Lush Native Lawn: unusual for a show garden — so dogs can roll around and play.
Diverse lawns are more hardy for pets’ needs, as well as offering many new things to sniff.
However, clover is especially beneficial because it remains green during periods of drought and dog waste, whereas grass will turn yellow.
• Non-Toxic Plants: Choose plants that are safe for pets.
Secure Fencing & Boundaries: Ensure the space is escape-proof with pet-friendly, durable fencing that meets your needs.
• Shade & Water: Provide cool, shaded areas with trees or shrubs and access to water.
• Play & Relaxation Zones: Add agility spaces, splash areas, or comfy resting spots.
Designing outdoor spaces with furry friends in mind is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity for many pet owners.
Make it easy with a curated collection of pet-friendly plants:
Lavender: Plant along paths for a calming scent and natural pest deterrent
Bee Balm: Use in borders to keep curious noses out of the pollinator party
Nepeta Cat’s Pajamas: Edge garden beds; resilient to pet traffic and full of texture
Coral Bell: Add to shaded areas for color without toxic worry
Creeping Thyme: Ideal as a groundcover between stepping stones; soft on paws and fragrant .
Pittosporum: Beautiful variegation makes this a safe and stunning structure shrub
Pet ownership is also reshaping home design, the report says.
Nearly half of pet owners already have dedicated outdoor spaces for their pets, and many more plan to add them.
Homeowners and renters are factoring pets into their outdoor and interior design decisions, creating what’s now dubbed “barkitecture.”
This trend shows no signs of slowing, from feeding stations and catios to custom sleeping areas.
The message is clear — gardens are no longer just for people. They’re for pets, too.
Backyard chicken keeping is booming. Tractor Supply Co. had record chick sales in 2025 — fueled by high egg prices and a shift toward food self-sufficiency and sustainability.
And goats have entered the chat. Therapeutic uses like goat yoga and baby goat cuddles highlight the emotional connection people build with their animals outdoors.
Geese, Runner ducks, quail. These birds are not just a homesteader’s dream, but are trending on social media.
This shift toward self-sufficiency, sustainability, and reconnecting with nature naturally aligns with gardening.
Our yards are evolving into multi-species sanctuaries — places where people, pets, and livestock can coexist harmoniously.