Spring is finally here: the birds are beginning to chirp, the sun is shining and the weather is warming up enough to start gardening (or at the very least, planning your garden for this year). Since the aesthetics of gardens ebb and flow year after year, similarly to fashion trends, we checked in with the pros to find out the biggest gardening trends of 2025. Here, they share their top predictions — think more wildflowers, colors and untamed gardens in yards. Read on for their thoughts to plan the garden of your dreams.
1. More chaos, less organization
Who said gardens have to be orderly? Plants run amok in nature, and gardening pros are expecting people to lean into that natural appearance by forgoing detailed planning and trusting the process more. “Following the popularity of chaos gardening in the past year, we’re seeing a greater interest from gardeners in planting seeds and being surprised by what grows, rather than meticulously planning your garden to yield specific results,” says Rebecca Sears, CMO & resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse.
2. An increase in wildflower gardening
As more people aim to build a chaotic, wild-like garden, they’ll reach for the right plants to create this appearance. “I anticipate an increase in wildflower gardening this season, as wildflowers are an easy, low-maintenance option for those looking to transform their backyards into a serene space,” Sears says. Beginners can try seed pack mixes like Ferry-Morse’s Bulk Wildflower & Flower Seed Mixes or wildflowers such as black-eyed Susans, wild bergamot and butterfly weeds are great starter options.
Growing a wildflower garden doesn’t need to make your entire yard look chaotic either, if you’re not a fan of this trend. You can separate the neatly cut grass from the section of soil that you want your lush garden. Wildflowers also attract pollinators, so be sure to consider if the type of flower you choose attracts specific birds, butterflies or bees because they’ll be roaming around your yard.
3. Adapting to environmental conditions
The types of plants people decide to grow this year may be impacted by the natural disasters and changes in weather in recent years. “As temperatures rise, rainfall patterns shift and extreme weather events become more common, gardeners, farmers and landscapers will need to adapt,” Sears says. After rampant wildfires in California, drought warnings in New York and record-breaking temperatures in Texas — gardeners may begin taking these patterns into consideration more than ever. “We’ve seen more requests for drought-tolerant plant types and expect that trend to continue,” Sears explains.
People interested in adapting their garden to an environment with higher temperatures, less rain and wild fires (like on the West Coast) can look into fire- and drought-resistant plant species. Sears recommends checking the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Chart to determine which plants are best suited for different climates. Choosing fire-resistant plants over highly flammable plants can help in the event of a wild fire by not igniting and helping to reduce the spread of flames from plant to plant. Sources like fire departments also list fire-resistant plants that are suitable to grow in your state’s environment. For instance, succulents, sedum and stonecrop are drought-resistant and fire-resistant options on the West Coast.
4. Using bold colors
Bessinger believes landscaping will be all about color for spring. “Many consumers are looking to attract butterflies and birds to their landscapes and the colors of flowers do that,” she says. Bessinger has noticed that hydrangeas are gaining in popularity, for example. “Along with hydrangeas, pugster butterfly bushes are a hit along with perennials,” she shares.
Wayfair’s new Outdoor Design Trends Report also confirms this trend; it highlights mix and maximalism with full-spectrum colors resonating with homeowners. You can expect to see bolder flower color choices and furniture to create vibrant, eclectic gardens and patio spaces.
5. Tapping into nostalgia
Trends tend to repeat themselves — some say fashion trends have a 20-year cycle — and gardening is no stranger to that repetition. “As nostalgia continues to influence design trends, aesthetics like cottage core will remain popular as well,” Sears says. She expects gardeners to plant more traditional favorites like poppy, cornflower and nasturtium (you can even buy a Cottage Garden Mix to make it easier).
Cottage-style gardens bring back nostalgic memories to the popular styles of past generations (especially of people’s grandparents and parents). The 50s saw tons of brightly colored flowers, garden gnomes and the 60s popularized informal gardens with natural aesthetics. Tapping into the nostalgia of cottage-style gardens and informal, natural gardens with wildflowers are expected to make a comeback.
Wayfair’s Outdoor Design Trend Report also noted that traditional styles and vintage nods will be popular in 2025, blending past aesthetics into modern gardens and yards.
6. Prioritizing eco-friendly gardening methods
Similar to the third trend, the environment is at the forefront of gardeners’ minds this year. “Environmentally-friendly gardens, featuring pollinator-friendly plants and lawn alternatives, will also be in demand this season as gardeners continue to do their part to live more sustainably,” Sears explains.
Organic gardening eliminates the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, which can have negative impacts on the environment (especially waterways like lakes and rivers) and on humans’ health. With the rise of eating organic meals and non-Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), creating an organic garden cuts out the middle man.
7. Gardening to improve mental health
Studies show that gardening offers physical and mental health benefits, and using gardening as a form of wellness will continue to trend this year. “Putting your hands in soil and working with plants is proven to help with stress management, depression and anxiety,” Bessinger explains. Gardening helps you get the physical benefits of moving around and using your body, “while soaking up vital nutrients from the soil and the sun,” Bessinger says.
Plus, the trends of leaning into bright colors and growing your own organic vegetable and fruit gardens can boost one’s mental health as well. “Growing your own flowers and produce also provides beautiful blooms to brighten up your space, and fresh, delicious food to fuel yourself and your loved ones,” Sears says.
8. Native plants in place of yards
Furthering the trend of wildflowers growing in popularity and people prioritizing the environment, expect some people to take it one step further by replacing clean-cut lawns (or sections of the yard) with native plants. Just search “native plant landscaping,” “native plant gardening,” or “backyard biodiversity” on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram and thousands of video results of people sharing their tips appear.
Some native plants and wildflowers also require less water to grow, contribute to biodiversity and support local pollinators — all of which benefit the environment and go along with the above trends. Native plants are also an example of the chaotic gardening trend, as they’re a departure from traditional lawns and will require less maintenance over time since there’s no need to mow grass.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
