Dec 1, 2025

Time and money spent gardening in 2025 highest since 2022

Gardening time and spending in 2025 hit the highest rates since 2022, according to Axiom’s 2026 Gardening Outlook Study.

Planned time and spending for 2026 looks to be even higher, with a record 64% of respondents saying they will plant more and expand their gardens in 2026.

The research was conducted by Axiom, a Minneapolis based marketing firm serving horticultural, agricultural and home improvement markets.

“Data on 2025 activities and expected activities in the coming year paint a promising picture for the 2026 gardening market,” said Mike Reiber, founder and CEO of Axiom. “In spite of economic uncertainty, job losses and inflation, gardeners spent record amounts of time and money on their gardens. Respondents say they’ll likely continue this in 2026 — especially respondents who are 22-28 and 29-44 years of age.”

According to Reiber, key findings related to time and money spent gardening include:

• 47.6% spent more time gardening in 2025 — the highest level since 2022
• Respondents spending 50% more time gardening increased 27% in 2025 versus 2024.
• Respondents spending 100% more time gardening increased 41% in 2025 vs. 2024.
• 49.5% spent more money gardening in 2025 – an 11.5% increase from 2024.
• 42.8% expect to spend more money gardening in 2026.
• 50.2% expect to spend more time gardening in 2026.
• 63.6% will plant more and expand their gardens in 2026.
• Key findings related to Gen Y and Gen Z respondents include:
• Gen Y (66.7%) and Gen Z (63.8%) spent more time gardening in 2025 versus Gen X (33.1%).
• Gen Y (66.7%) and Gen Z (65.2%) expect to spend more time in 2026 versus Gen X (37.2%).
• Gen Y (61.1%) and Gen Z (53.6%) spent more money gardening in 2025 versus Gen X (43.0%).
• Gen Y (63.9%) and Gen Z (49.3%) expect to spend more money in 2026 versus Gen X (31.4%).

Key purchase drivers for garden plants and supplies include:

• Specific variety of plant type (36%) remained the most important decision factor in 2025. Price (19%) and highly descriptive tags (11.6%) were the second and third most important decision factors.
• 77% willing to pay more for the specific color of flower or variety.
• 52.1% willing to drive 6-10 miles for the color or variety they want.
• 55.2% have a shopping list.

Although Home Depot remained the leading purchase outlet for garden supplies and garden plants, mentions of the retailer as the source for most garden product purchases were significantly lower than 2024.

In 2025, 24.6% purchased most of their garden supplies at Home Depot versus 32.2% in 2024 — a decrease of 23.6%.

In 2025, 23.6% purchased most of their garden plants at Home Depot versus 33.9% in 2024 — a decrease of 30.4%.

Lowe’s and Walmart also declined slightly. For the first time ever, Axiom queried respondents about the number of IGC visits, the duration of visits and factors that would increase time and money spent at IGCS.

• 39.3% made 4-7 visits to IGCs during the 2025 gardening season.
• 39% spent more than 30 minutes during each IGC visit.
• 37.1% cited inspiration as No. 1 driver to increase time and money spent at IGCs

According to Reiber, 2025 key information sources for garden plants and gardening supplies include:

• IGCs (22%) surpassed websites (19.8%) as the top information source.
• IGCs (28.5%) cited as having the most knowledgeable store associates of all retailers.
• Google Lens cited as the most important smart phone app to learn about new plants.

For more information on the Axiom 2026 Gardening Outlook Study, download the report here.