Discover the Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023 from NetPS Plant Finder Tool

Jan 31, 2024
Discover the Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023 from NetPS Plant Finder Tool

In 2023, red creeping thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’) emerged as the most searched-for plant on the NetPS Plant Finder Tool, signaling a shift in customer preferences. And while trees and shrubs continued to dominate the charts, making up 79 of the top 100 plants, this year’s list revealed surprising new favorites alongside enduring classics.

“Our data shows that shoppers are using the Plant Finder tool on their local garden center’s website for pre-shopping planning,” said James Kohut, president of Northscaping and developer of NetPS. “Gardeners are researching plants considered to be ‘long-term investments,’ problem-solving, or more expensive: trees, shrubs and larger perennials.”

Functional, problem-solving plants, such as the creeping thyme, dominated the list at 63 of the top 100. Hedge and screening plants make up 13 of the top 100, with arborvitae being the most popular hedge plant compared to boxwoods in previous years.

With over 35,000 plants and counting, the NetPS Plant Finder Tool, used by over 250 nurseries and garden centers across North America, is reportedly the most robust plant database on the market. In 2023, it was searched more than 23 million times by landscape designers, contractors, home landscapers and gardeners. The top 100 plants are based on which plant pages were viewed the most as a result of these searches. Users generally search for established plants and well-known varieties more than the newer, more recently named, and branded plants.

Here are the top 10 plants from the complete list:

1. Red Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ‘Coccineus’)

Red Creeping Thyme Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

2. Red Sentinel Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Red Sentinel’)

Red Sentinel Astilbe Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

3. Sunburst Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Suncole’)

Sunburst Honeylocust Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

4. Raspberry Splash Lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’)

Raspberry Splash Lungwort Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

5. Sester Dwarf Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Sester Dwarf’)

Sester Dwarf Colorado Spruce Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

6. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)

Green Giant Arborvitae Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

7. Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)

Amur Maple Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

8. Variegated Bishop’s Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegata’)

Variegated Bishop's Goutweed Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

9. Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’)

Bloodgood Japanese Maple Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

10. Tricolor Willow (tree form) (Salix integra ‘Hakuro Nishiki’)

Tricolor Willow Top 100 Searched Plants of 2023

When converting internet views to in-store traffic and purchases, retailers should use investment plants such as these to draw customers into the store and entice them to purchase annuals, houseplants, and impulse buys at the point of purchase.

“Even if trees and shrubs aren’t your biggest sellers, these draw customers off your website and into your store,” Kohut said. The NetPS Plant Finder Tool can help you stay informed about customer preferences, tailor product offerings, and strategically plan inventory and marketing efforts to attract customers both online and to physical stores.

The complete Top 100 list is available on the NetPS Plant Finder website netpsplantfinder.com/About/Top100Plants2023.

To start using the NetPS Plant Finder Tool for your IGC or online shop, please contact James Kohut at [email protected].