7 Gardening Trends to Know for 2025
Landscape professionals share their predictions for the earth-friendly practices set to take over our yards this year
With spring underway, gardens are waking up and the outdoors is beckoning. Take a look at these trend predictions from our panel of experts to see how we might all be using and enjoying our yards this year. From wild planting and permeable landscapes to slow gardening and wildlife corridors, the trends all share an ecological focus and a move toward mindfulness. Read on to find out what landscape professionals on Houzz are forecasting for the year ahead.
2. Permeable Landscapes
Yards that absorb rainwater — much like a sponge — can play an important role in mitigating the risk of flooding and stormwater runoff, and this is something increasingly being considered in landscape design.
“We expect rain to fall in intense storm events more frequently under climate change,” says Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society. Landscapes that can absorb water can help to minimize the flood risk of these events.
“Creating permeable landscapes has become an increasingly important factor,” Ashley says. “In the future, I expect this to develop further, with more use of rain gardens. These slightly sunken pits to which rainwater is routed are filled with plants that cope with both wet and dry conditions. Designed to act as a holding area for water after heavy rain, they allow it to gradually filter into the ground.”
15 Ways to Manage Excess Water in Your Landscape
Yards that absorb rainwater — much like a sponge — can play an important role in mitigating the risk of flooding and stormwater runoff, and this is something increasingly being considered in landscape design.
“We expect rain to fall in intense storm events more frequently under climate change,” says Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society. Landscapes that can absorb water can help to minimize the flood risk of these events.
“Creating permeable landscapes has become an increasingly important factor,” Ashley says. “In the future, I expect this to develop further, with more use of rain gardens. These slightly sunken pits to which rainwater is routed are filled with plants that cope with both wet and dry conditions. Designed to act as a holding area for water after heavy rain, they allow it to gradually filter into the ground.”
15 Ways to Manage Excess Water in Your Landscape
3. Slow Gardening
De Yong predicts a rise in the trend of slow gardening, which she describes as “a mindful approach that emphasizes wellness and a connection with nature.”
“Engaging all five senses is known to reduce stress, and this movement encourages gardeners to embrace the natural rhythms of the seasons, appreciating the process of growth as much as the outcome,” she says.
“This method promotes well-being by reducing stress and encouraging time spent outdoors, and has proven mental and physical health benefits,” she says. “Slow gardening allows individuals to cultivate not just plants, but also a sense of mindfulness and inner peace.”
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
De Yong predicts a rise in the trend of slow gardening, which she describes as “a mindful approach that emphasizes wellness and a connection with nature.”
“Engaging all five senses is known to reduce stress, and this movement encourages gardeners to embrace the natural rhythms of the seasons, appreciating the process of growth as much as the outcome,” she says.
“This method promotes well-being by reducing stress and encouraging time spent outdoors, and has proven mental and physical health benefits,” she says. “Slow gardening allows individuals to cultivate not just plants, but also a sense of mindfulness and inner peace.”
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
4. Yards as Wildlife Corridors
Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes predicts growing interest in the use of yards as wildlife corridors, connecting individual spaces and increasing their environmental benefit.
“People [are] starting to see their [landscapes] as a collective resource for nature,” he says. “Ecologically [focused] gardens over a wider area can deliver larger supportive territories that help wildlife flourish — and also provide safe corridors for nature to travel between different essential resources, such as nesting sites, water and food.
“At its most simple, this can be cutting hedgehog access holes in fences,” Reader says, “but at the more complex level, some neighborhoods are planning planting across multiple [properties], ensuring things such as cohesive tree cover or multiple wildlife food plants.”
Create a Lovely Wildlife-Friendly Garden in a Yard of Any Size
Peter Reader of Peter Reader Landscapes predicts growing interest in the use of yards as wildlife corridors, connecting individual spaces and increasing their environmental benefit.
“People [are] starting to see their [landscapes] as a collective resource for nature,” he says. “Ecologically [focused] gardens over a wider area can deliver larger supportive territories that help wildlife flourish — and also provide safe corridors for nature to travel between different essential resources, such as nesting sites, water and food.
“At its most simple, this can be cutting hedgehog access holes in fences,” Reader says, “but at the more complex level, some neighborhoods are planning planting across multiple [properties], ensuring things such as cohesive tree cover or multiple wildlife food plants.”
Create a Lovely Wildlife-Friendly Garden in a Yard of Any Size
5. Prioritizing Soil Health
All our experts agree on the importance of soil health and see the nurturing of it as a trend that will continue to spread. “There’s a growing awareness of the importance of soil heath to sustaining healthy plants,” Ashley says. “This greater understanding and appreciation of how to promote soil health is a boon for all forms of gardening.”
“Good soil is fundamental for supporting plant growth by providing essential nutrients, retaining moisture and fostering beneficial microorganisms,” de Yong says. “There’s a definite movement towards regenerative practices.”
“Looking after the soil organically, rather than filling it with chemicals, is very important,” Reader says. “In fact, soil is a crucial wildlife habitat in itself.”
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
All our experts agree on the importance of soil health and see the nurturing of it as a trend that will continue to spread. “There’s a growing awareness of the importance of soil heath to sustaining healthy plants,” Ashley says. “This greater understanding and appreciation of how to promote soil health is a boon for all forms of gardening.”
“Good soil is fundamental for supporting plant growth by providing essential nutrients, retaining moisture and fostering beneficial microorganisms,” de Yong says. “There’s a definite movement towards regenerative practices.”
“Looking after the soil organically, rather than filling it with chemicals, is very important,” Reader says. “In fact, soil is a crucial wildlife habitat in itself.”
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
6. Plastic Reduction
Ashley predicts an increase in awareness around the use of plastic in landscapes.
“I’m pleased to say that the move towards recycling plastic pots is, at last, starting to take off, driven at least in part by concern among gardeners about the use of plastic,” she says. “More and more nurseries are now either using pots that can easily be recycled or have in-store recycling [programs].
“There’s also growing interest among gardeners in buying bare-root plants, which are supplied without pots, or buying very young plants that come in smaller pots and therefore use less plastic,” she says. “As more suppliers facilitate this, I expect this welcome change to accelerate.”
Ashley predicts an increase in awareness around the use of plastic in landscapes.
“I’m pleased to say that the move towards recycling plastic pots is, at last, starting to take off, driven at least in part by concern among gardeners about the use of plastic,” she says. “More and more nurseries are now either using pots that can easily be recycled or have in-store recycling [programs].
“There’s also growing interest among gardeners in buying bare-root plants, which are supplied without pots, or buying very young plants that come in smaller pots and therefore use less plastic,” she says. “As more suppliers facilitate this, I expect this welcome change to accelerate.”
7. Edible Gardening
The trend for growing fruit and vegetables shows no signs of slowing. “I continue to be asked for vegetable gardens and edible planting,” de Yong says.
“I find many clients are now enthusiastic about edible planting,” Ashley says. “Some want fruit trees; most want herbs in pots. And there’s increasing interest in having raised beds to grow salad and simple vegetables. This can be a superb way of encouraging children into the enjoyment of gardening.
“One of my clients installed three raised beds,” she says, “one for each of their children, who then took on the challenge of tending their own (and comparing their output!) with gusto.”
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
The trend for growing fruit and vegetables shows no signs of slowing. “I continue to be asked for vegetable gardens and edible planting,” de Yong says.
“I find many clients are now enthusiastic about edible planting,” Ashley says. “Some want fruit trees; most want herbs in pots. And there’s increasing interest in having raised beds to grow salad and simple vegetables. This can be a superb way of encouraging children into the enjoyment of gardening.
“One of my clients installed three raised beds,” she says, “one for each of their children, who then took on the challenge of tending their own (and comparing their output!) with gusto.”
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
A looser approach to planting and an appreciation of “wild landscaping” is something all our experts see gaining popularity in the year ahead.
“In line with the trend towards rewilding in public areas, clients now often seek a less neat look for their [plantings],” landscape designer Jane Ashley of Jane Ashley Garden Design says.
“I continue to be asked for wildflower meadow planting,” Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design says.
“Many clients … find it more aesthetically pleasant and welcoming to avoid [landscapes] that are too uniformly neat,” Ashley says, “and the lower maintenance involved fits well with busy lifestyles. Many now regard wilder gardens as a win for wildlife, a win for aesthetic impression and a win for time-saving.”
Find a local landscape designer