August M
Tabletop vegetables could soon become the centrepiece of British homes, replacing traditional bouquets of cut flowers. The shift is among the Royal Horticultural Society’s predictions for gardening trends in 2026, reflecting changing tastes and a warming climate.
The forecast, reported by the Guardian, highlights how plant breeding, weather extremes and consumer habits are reshaping how people garden and decorate their homes.
Veg on display
Instead of floral arrangements, the RHS says mini-planters of edible crops will take pride of place indoors.
Dwarf varieties of aubergines, chillies, peppers and tomatoes are being developed to be both ornamental and productive.
These compact plants are designed to thrive in small spaces while contributing modestly to household food supplies.
According to the RHS, they are increasingly popular with gardeners looking for practical and attractive alternatives to cut flowers.
The charity said the trend is driven by plant breeders responding to demand for crops that fit modern living spaces.
Growing smaller
Guy Barter, the RHS’s chief horticulturalist, said breeders see small vegetable plants as a fast-growing market. “Small veg plants are seen by plant breeders and nurseries as an expanding market,” he said.
He added that compact cultivars now offer “a good crop of quality produce” while being easy to grow and visually appealing. Barter noted that seeds, plug plants and small pots are widely available through mail order and garden centres.
He said these plants are well suited to cold frames, cloches or sunny windowsills, particularly where greenhouse space is limited, the Guardian reports.
Climate pressure
The RHS said prolonged dry weather has also influenced planting choices. After one of the driest springs and summers on record, gardeners are increasingly choosing drought-tolerant varieties.
Rose breeders have been crossbreeding traditional roses with central Asian species adapted to hot, arid climates. Barter said Rosa persica has been used to improve drought and disease resistance, with new cultivars performing strongly during recent extremes.
Adapting habits
Another trend highlighted is the rise of “in-and-out plants”. Traditionally indoor species such as spider plants and tradescantia are now being used outdoors in summer baskets and pots.
The RHS said plants like lantana, lomandra and salvia hybrids are also becoming viable outdoor options. Tomatoes remain especially popular, with sales up 14% after a hot summer, a trend expected to continue.
Gardeners are also rethinking water use, from slow-release water butts to trials of AI-enabled systems that empty based on weather forecasts.
Sources: The Guardian
