2023 Gardening Trends Encourage Responsibility, Sustainability

Recently, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) announced their 2023 gardening trends, which will undoubtedly influence the professional horticulture industry and novice gardeners throughout North America as the growing season emerges in the spring.

Andrew Bunting, PHS’s Vice President of Horticulture, says, “These 2023 gardening trends offer a great way for gardeners to get inspired and get a feel for what professionals at the forefront of this industry are doing in their own gardens. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned expert, these trends can breathe new life into your space, in an approachable way.”

PHS was founded in 1827 and remains committed to its original mission that the power of horticulture can result in a positive social and environmental change within communities. Their list of 2023 gardening trends highlights the rising interest by everyday citizens to be more responsible and impactful with decisions involving their landscapes while being more mindful of their overall carbon footprint. Below are a few of the gardening trends they highlight for 2023.

Ecological Gardening

The Ecological Society of America defines “ecology” as “The study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and the world around them.” To help with that vital connection, gardeners are now incorporating more ecological gardening practices into their landscapes. Native plants provide natural habitats for valuable pollinators, such as bees and Monarch butterflies, along with other insects and birds that provide incredible benefits to the environment.

Utilizing Fallen Leaves

Many homeowners are starting to understand that fallen leaves are a natural powerhouse. They will become beneficial compost over time – enriching the soil with valuable nutrients while feeding microbes in the soil, which creates a healthy soil biology necessary for healthy trees and plants. Fallen leaves also create an additional layer of organic material, making an excellent insulator for fragile plants or newly planted saplings during the cold winter months. However, they should not be left on your lawn, as they can rob the roots of necessary oxygen and encourage snow mold development. Mulching with a lawn mower is a better option.

Reducing the Reliance on Gas-Powered Tools

While gasoline-powered lawn equipment has been the propulsion of choice for decades, homeowners have started to question their environmental impact, especially as automakers begin shifting away from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a gas mower running for one hour emits the same number of pollutants as eleven new cars driving for one hour on the highway. Additionally, the EPA estimates that homeowners spill more than 17 million gallons of gas yearly due to improper fueling – the equivalent of a large oil spill. With more and more lawn equipment available with battery power, homeowners are beginning to switch as the global market is expected to grow from $28.61 billion in 2021 to $43.24 billion by 2029.

Water-Wise Gardens

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service, predicts prolonged and persistent drought in the West. They will experience below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for most of the U.S. and beyond the Canadian border. This reality motivates many homeowners to rethink their overall water usage throughout their property, and the first place they’re looking is outdoors. Homeowners will begin considering more drought-tolerant plants, xeriscaping, and even gravel gardens to conserve water while still adding natural beauty to their landscapes. Some are even replacing their current turf with clover lawns, which require little watering and maintenance.

Crazy for Houseplants

If you question the popularity of houseplants, consider the following facts.

• 7 in 10 millennials call themselves “plant parents.”
• 66% of American households own at least one houseplant.
• Only 15 minutes of interaction with houseplants reduce stress levels.
• Houseplants improve productivity by up to 15%.
• Houseplants remove up to 87% of airborne toxins in just 24 hours.

With influencers and on-trend growing containers turning the once stale industry into a form of self-expression – supporting a homeowner’s overall design sense as an essential part of their home décor – it seems like the popularity of houseplants is here to stay.

For more great ideas about gardening or to read the full list of gardening trends for 2023, please visit PHSOnline.org.