10 Gardening Trends That Will Transform Your Yard in 2026, According to Experts

Just like fashion, gardening trends come and go according to the cultural zeitgeist. Manicured box hedges were all the rage, for example, but nowadays people are leaning into options that are easier to care for and support local wildlife.

So, what’s in the forecast for 2026? We reached out to experts for their predictions on everything we’ll be seeing in the garden next year. 

Hardy Hybrids

Back in the ‘90s, there was a big movement toward growing low-maintenance, disease-resistant flowers. The trade-off? They lacked fragrance and were fragile. Now, we’re seeing more hybrids that give us the best of both worlds, notes Juliet Howe, gardening expert and founder of Twigs Designs. 

“Happily, horticultural breakthroughs have given us plenty of new hybrids that [have] big, beautiful varieties—with lots of color, scent, and texture—yet resilience from pests,” she says. 

Fun Fruit Trees

Fruit trees are also getting in on the hardy hybrid trend. “After COVID, people really leaned into that self-sufficient homesteading vibe, and while it’s cooled off a bit, fruit trees are still a small luxury that adds a lot to a yard,” says Brian Flood, gardening expert and CEO at Moon Valley Nurseries.

“As we head into 2026, we’re already seeing a slight shift away from standard lemon and orange trees, and more consumers are exploring innovative hybrid varieties, including nectaplum, apricot-plum, and 'fruit salad' trees," he says.

Cutting Gardens

With hardier flowers, cutting gardens are booming. “Today’s gardeners are embracing the joy of clipping and arranging the blooms in their gardens to transport nature inside, and also for the joy of sharing their bounty with others," says Howe.

Planting From Seed

Gardening enthusiasts are becoming more comfortable finessing their green thumbs and are opting to grow plants from seed rather than starts. Sam Tall, a gardening expert and second-generation owner of City Farmers Nursery, says he’s noticed more people going this route.

“[It] allows for a greater variety of vegetables and a deeper learning experience, rather than relying solely on ready-made starts,” he notes. “This is partially because of cost, because starts are more [expensive], and because seed preservation and exploration are arts worth exploring.” 

Sustainable Gardening

The shift toward more sustainability has increased in recent years, and that will only continue, Howe tells us.

“Gardens of the past may have relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but these left the soil bereft of nutrients and the beneficial insects we need,” she says. “Today’s gardener takes a more forward-thinking approach.”

In addition to curbing pesticide use, they’re also supporting plants with home compost, native varieties, and companion planting. 

Palatable Peppers

The trend of growing the hottest peppers is fading as gardeners prioritize more flavorful varieties over sheer heat.

“While Ghost Peppers and Carolina Reapers had their moments, folks do want their food to be edible,” Tall notes. “Serranos, Scotch Bonnets, and even classic Anaheim peppers are great for cooking, and have immense range.” 

Geometric Designs

Instead of random plants and trees everywhere, people are looking for clear vision and order in their landscape design. “Minimalistic, modern aesthetics are influencing both residential and commercial landscape design,” says Flood.

“As we head into 2026, more customers are looking for clustered, organized plantings, with clean lines and eye-catching geometric formations," he adds.

Pocket Forests

As a sort of counter to the above trend, more people are also creating natural ecosystems in their own backyards.

“Pocket forests are dense groupings of native trees and plants designed to grow quickly and do their thing with minimal human interference,” says Melissa Rolston, chief strategy officer at Paramount Landscaping Inc. “They're not overly manicured or curated, and that’s the point."

Earth Tone Soils

For decades, black soil—often achieved with biosolids—was highly sought after, but as we move into 2026, people are embracing earth tone options.

“This trend focuses on natural appearance rather than artificial darkness,” Tall says. “The difference between black soil achieved with biosolids versus earthy soil is all about long-term health."

Garden Tech

Technology is everywhere—including in your garden! Howe says one of her favorite new trends is people embracing these new technologies.

“I simply love my soil meter... it gives instant information regarding water, light, and the nutrients in the soil,” she says. Low-flow drip irrigation systems also fall into this category (and coincide with sustainability). 

Howe also notes that the smartphone is a modern gardener’s best friend. “[You have] apps that identify plants, diagnose disease, and identify insects,” she says. “The phone also has a compass that will let you know just what light exposure a garden bed receives.”