‘Lemonading’ is the theme for this year and it’s all about resilience.
We live in an age of uncertainty, anxiety, stress and burnout, and it’s a global phenomenon.
That’s the observation of the Garden Media Group, having scoped global consumer trends and consulted with media and other experts for its annual Trends Report for 2026.
They identify where people are, what they want and how they want to live: simplicity over excess, connection instead of consumption and prioritising well-being instead of status and success.
As the saying goes, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. As the theme for 2026, ‘Lemonading’ shines the light on a mindset that turns setbacks into opportunities and builds resilience through creativity.
Gardening, says the report, can help people get there because gardeners are ‘rooted in resilience’ through having to “work with living things, face seasonality, unpredictability and failure as part of the process”.
It’s no secret that gardening has always been immensely therapeutic. As any gardener knows, to garden is to play. We lose ourselves in a world of imagination, possibility and activity, where time has no meaning.’
Research from Oregon State University confirms this. ‘Play is a psychological toolkit; it reframes problems, reduces anxiety, and fuels creativity’.
‘Lemonading’ in the garden, allows us to experiment, to create joyful spaces, and it takes the sting out of failure. After all, if a plant dies, we can repurpose it onto the compost heap and there are always new plants to discover!
Like everything else, gardening is changing and these are some of the trends the Garden Media Group have identified.
Planting for Purpose
Gardening is becoming more purpose driven, and more outward looking. The garden is not just a private sanctuary but can be a driver for change. Gen Z in particular sees the garden as part of a wider eco-system that can work for the good.
“It’s not just what I plant but why I plant it.’ It’s about having a purpose, whether its planting for wildlife, supporting community or school food gardens, or charitable causes through the purchase of plants.
Precision gardening
How we garden is also changing. The key word is precision. Like everything else, gardening is becoming data driven instead of gardening by the rule of thumb. It’s about opting for technology like soil and water sensors, following local weather trends and seeking out ‘bullet proof’ plants that are drought tolerant, low water users and low maintenance.
Curating identity
There have always been avid collectors within the gardening world, and now they are joined by the Gen Z and Millennials who are ‘reclaiming individuality through collecting’. It’s not about so much about what is collected, but the meaning that comes with it, the sense of purpose and the ‘rush’ that comes from finding that sought after item. The good news is that the fastest growing category is plants, and especially indoor plants.
‘Bark’itecture
There is a growing movement towards pet friendly gardening, fuelled by pet owning Millennials and PetTok, amongst others. Surveys say 70% of gardeners are also pet owners, who are looking for ways to reshape their outdoor spaces to meet their pet’s needs. It’s about choosing non-toxic plants, incorporating shade, water and play areas for pets, and pet proofing garden boundaries.
Kusumi colours
Faded petal is the colour of the year. Its described as a ‘pale, dusty colour kissed by ash that is quietly romantic yet distinctly grown up’.
It is elegant and subtle, a gift for gardeners who love delicate pastel tones, that evoke a sense of nostalgia. On a practical level, it tones in with everything, from lush planting to vintage style, even an rustic earthiness. Its not likely to clash with anything and can be used to tone down stronger colour combinations.
Hydrangea Magical Pink Shades is a long flowering hydrangea that changes and deepens in colour as it matures. Plants are compact and robust, good for planting in semi-shade in fertile soil that drains well. www.ballstraathof.co.za
Rose ‘Johannesburg Garden Club’ is a neat disease resistant shrub rose covered with delicate single blooms that dance in the wind and attract bees. A good rose for containers and rosy borders. www.ludwigsroses.co.za
Achillea ‘Fruit Bowl Mix ‘ is a drought tolerant garden and cut flower once it is established. The mix of blooms includes soft salmon, cream, lemon, raspberry and cherry. They make a stunning summer garden show and the blooms have a long vase life. www.kirchhoffs.co.za
Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) has long-lasting flowers, which open over two to three months. Care is minimal as it only requires bright, indirect light and infrequent watering. The potting mix must be almost dry before watering. Phalaenopsis only flowers once a year, which means you don’t need to feel guilty about replacing it with another orchid. Life’s too short to be without flowers. www.lvgplant.co.za
Article and images by Alice Coetzee.
