Stat of the Week: Functional plants are trending among consumers

Editor Patrick Alan Coleman takes us on a journey in the world of trends across the pond.

From “grasses go wild” and “plants to dye with” to AI in design, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 was a trend-watcher's paradise.

Photo © DrewDuzz/Adobestock

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.  

Click here to unveil more trends from the show.