6 trends and takeaways from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

"Naturalistic planting with cultivated species gives the garden a gently matured feel, while a palette of pale purples, creams, oranges and deep reds creates a warm, earthy and restorative atmosphere."

The use of perennial ornamental plants is in line with trends we’ve seen in North America. According to our own Garden Center magazine's 2025-2026 State of the Industry Report, perennial sales continue to challenge annuals in top sales year over year.

2. Plants to dye with

A fascinating trend identified by Clare Foster of House & Garden is the use of functional plants, specifically plants that could be used for natural dyes:

"One of the plants I kept seeing in different gardens at this year's Chelsea Flower Show was a dye plant, woad (Isatis tinctoria), a striking ornamental plant in its own right. Drought tolerant and easy to grow, it is a brassica relative that has striking yellow flowers maturing to small, acid yellow pods. Growing plants to make your own natural dyes is a theme all over the show this year."

Functional plants make sense in an uncertain economy. Given the rise in edible plants, flowers suitable for cutting and perennials, it could be that consumers are looking for plants that can do more than simply look pretty over a single growing season.

The emphasis on plants that feed the family, allow the beauty to be brought indoors, return every season and offer alternative uses is very real and a trend that growers and retailers should pay attention to.  

3. 'Edimental,' my dear

This year, the RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden was the edimental focal point, largely due to a collaboration with soccer player David Beckham, who grows his own vegetables in a garden on his estate. The edible features of the garden include wheat and large cabbages that lined the border.  

As vegetable gardening continues to gain ground for American consumers, garden retailers should consider ways to encourage the use of edible plants in ornamental beds.

4. Gnomes find a home

Much of that was to do with charity. British celebrities were tasked with painting gnomes to be auctioned off, with proceeds going to young gardeners. Still, the ban meant that gnomes could roam the entire show grounds.

There’s a real feeling in the lift of the gnome ban that the RHS is acknowledging that in order to thrive, gardening needs to be accessible and fun for all, regardless of one’s personal aversion to kitsch.

Viva la gnome.

5. AI in design

As with seemingly every current cultural space, the Chelsea Flower Show was not immune to AI controversy in 2026. At the core of the concern were three gardens designed entirely with the AI app Spacelift, launched by Matt Keightley, the award-winning garden designer to the royals.

AI has been used at Chelsea before. In 2025 it was leveraged as a way to interpret data about plant growth and health in Tom Massey’s "intelligent" garden. But up until this year, the technology had not been used entirely for design.

According to a report from The Guardian, several Chelsea garden designers protested Spacelift’s presence at the show, with one even calling it a "betrayal" by the RHS. Behind the anger is the idea that the collaborative and creative process of garden design could be completely automated and perhaps put designers out of business.

In a statement, representatives of Spacelift argued that the app was simply intended to expand access to garden design for those who had been priced out of the ability to use a human garden designer to create their space.

The lesson is that horticultural professionals need to have AI design on their radar, should it become widely adopted. Will it change the supply chain? Will it create difficulties in marketing? How will the algorithms recommend plants, and whose breeding will they recommend first?

It’s all to be seen, but preparation is key.  

Designer James Whiting, who won gold for the display, told the BBC that he focused on using houseplants specifically to appeal to a younger generation that may not have access to garden beds for permanent plantings.

Garden pros can take a note from this decidedly unique display that consumers may garden for a wide variety of reasons, including creating a sensual space. Understanding consumer impulses around why they plant can help brands, growers and retailers build a more purposeful selection that speaks to a broad variety of plant enthusiasts.