If you thought the gardening boom was slowing down… think again. Axiom’s latest nationwide research shows gardeners didn’t just keep planting in 2025, they doubled down. And the momentum going into 2026 is even stronger. Despite economic uncertainty, job changes, and inflation, people carved out more time, dedicated more budget, and expanded their gardens at the fastest pace we’ve seen since 2022.
Axiom CEO Mike Reiber summed it up perfectly: “The data paints a promising picture for the 2026 gardening market.” And he’s right—gardeners aren’t just interested; they’re energized.
Let’s dig into the highlights.
Gardeners were not shy about getting their hands dirty last year. Nearly 48% spent more time gardening in 2025, the highest jump we’ve seen in years. Even more impressive? A huge share didn’t just add a few hours, they dramatically increased their time. Those who doubled their gardening time shot up 41% compared to 2024.
And wallets opened, too. Almost half (49.5%) spent more money on their gardens, an 11.5% jump year over year. If you felt like your customers were more engaged, they absolutely were.
If 2025 was big, 2026 looks downright explosive. More than half of consumers expect to spend more time gardening, and 42.8% plan to spend more money. But the real headline? A record-breaking 64% say they intend to plant more and expand their gardens. That’s expansion-level optimism and it signals major opportunity for retailers, suppliers, and brands.
Behind this surge is a powerful force: Gen Y and Gen Z. These younger gardeners aren’t dabbling; they’re driving the market. In 2025, two-thirds of them increased their time in the garden, nearly double the rate of Gen X. And they’re entering 2026 ready to invest, with 63–66% saying they plan to spend even more.
Adventurous, curious, and willing to put real dollars into their outdoor spaces, Gen Y and Gen Z are becoming the backbone of the gardening economy and a big reason why 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the industry.
When it comes to buying plants, one thing is clear: shoppers want exactly what they want. Specific plant variety (36%) remains the #1 driver in purchasing decisions. Price trails far behind. In fact, 77% are willing to pay more just to get the color or variety they’re after.
They’ll even go out of their way with over half willing to drive 6–10 miles for the perfect bloom. And with 55% shopping from a list, it’s a good reminder that clarity, accuracy, and specific plant information matter more than ever.
Independent Garden Centers showed real strength in 2025. Nearly 40% of gardeners visited an IGC 4–7 times, and just as many stayed more than 30 minutes per visit. What keeps them there? Inspiration. Thirty-seven percent say it’s the top factor that would make them spend more time and money. And IGCs just earned a major win, they’ve overtaken websites as the leading source for plant guidance. With 22% of gardeners turning to them first, shoppers see IGCs as having the most knowledgeable staff in retail. Even in a digital world, trust still grows face-to-face.
From rising budgets to younger gardeners, the message is clear: gardening interest isn’t slowing, it’s accelerating. The real question for 2026 is whether the industry is ready to meet shoppers with the plants, guidance, and inspiration they expect.
With gardening enthusiasm rising, younger shoppers flooding the market, and consumers seeking more inspiration and plant-specific guidance, Independent Garden Centers are perfectly positioned as long as they have the tools to meet these expectations. That’s where PlantTAGG delivers unmatched value.
PlantTAGG gives IGCs a powerful way to turn today’s trends into tomorrow’s growth:
- Meet the demand for accuracy and specificity. Shoppers care about exact varieties. PlantTAGG’s hyper-local, plant-specific guidance arms your team with instant answers and gives customers total confidence in their choices.
- Extend inspiration beyond the aisles. When customers leave your store, PlantTAGG keeps them connected with personalized care reminders, education, and timely guidance, supporting success and driving repeat visits.
- Serve the new generation of gardeners. Gen Y and Gen Z expect mobile-first information, clarity, and convenience. PlantTAGG delivers all three, right from your store shelves.
- Strengthen trust where it matters. With IGCs now the top source for plant guidance, PlantTAGG enhances your authority by ensuring every recommendation is accurate, consistent, and tailored to each shopper’s location.
- Drive loyalty through successful outcomes. When customers succeed, they buy more. PlantTAGG helps them choose better, grow better, and return more often.
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most opportunity-rich years the industry has seen in a decade. PlantTAGG helps IGCs rise to the moment by empowering staff, inspiring shoppers, and turning enthusiasm into long-term growth.
If you’re ready to capture more visits, more sales, and more loyalty in 2026, PlantTAGG is ready to help!