Trends Shaping Lawn & Garden in 2027

According to the 2027 Garden Trends Report: Digging for Dopamine, people check their phones about 205 times a day. That’s a lot. Is it any wonder many of us are looking for ways to escape the stress neuroscience calls “dopamine burnout?” While it may be difficult to tune out technology, more people are changing their phone habits to prioritize their mental wellness. In a major cultural shift, people are putting down their phones, turning off the television, taking a break from computers, and heading outside to their gardens. This is good news for hardware stores. Lawn and Garden is expected to continue strong sales through 2027. However, attracting young gardeners and plant enthusiasts today requires next-level customer service and more.

Know What’s Trending
The report identifies seven trends independent retailers need to know to stay in tune with customers and understand what motivates them to buy specific products and plants. A person living in an apartment will have different needs than someone who owns a home with a big backyard. Whether you operate a full-service garden center or a hardware store that sells plants as a niche business, it’s essential to communicate effectively and be open to new ideas.

• OutdoorRX: Therapeutic horticulture goes mainstream.
• Show Up Culture: Low-pressure, phone-free gatherings centered on shared activities like planting workshops.
• Let’s Go Rococo: Maximalist garden aesthetics—lush, abundant, colorful,
• Where the Wild Things Aren’t: “Feral whimsey” nature play area for animals.
• Drop it Like it’s Hot: Limited-edition plant “drops” that create urgency and collectability.
• Proof of Soil: Regenerative gardening and sustainability credibility.
• Color of the Year: A new palette driving plant and décor choices.

Demand for garden supplies and plants will undoubtedly keep growing. Gardeners are a diverse group of individuals whose interests can change with the season. Retailers that succeed in this category can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.

Should Hardware Stores Sell Live Goods?
Yes, if they do it correctly. Live plants are great impulse items and bring more shoppers into the store. Caring for plants and growing a healthy garden requires purchasing potting soil, fertilizers, mulch, gloves, hand tools, and other equipment. These add-on sales can double or triple the transaction amount. Nursery stock and soil treatments sales are projected to reach $26 billion by 2027.

However, selling live goods also has downsides. Plants require daily care and die quickly when neglected. Shrinkage and waste due to dead inventory can be costly. Staff must know plants, water them correctly, and identify pests and diseases. Seasonality is a major factor, so good planning is essential. Most sales happen in the Spring, so ordering too early or too late is a missed opportunity. Because live goods have higher margins, the goal is to minimize shrinkage and maximize add-on sales. Several steps can improve profitability.

• Focus on high-turn items like annuals, herbs, vegetable starts, and perennials.
• Bundle products with plants (kits, fertilizers, soils, etc.)
• Tie seasonal promotions to trends (pollinator gardens, edible landscaping, therapeutic horticulture, feral whimsy.

Keep it simple and start with a small, curated assortment. Try plants that sell quickly and need minimal special attention. Easy-to-grow options include annuals, herbs, vegetables, common perennials, and pollinator attractors.

Choose the Right Vendor
Look for growers who add value beyond the monetary transaction. Consider if they offer rack programs, guaranteed sales, and merchandising support. Sources for live plants include regional growers and greenhouses. They typically have the freshest plants and the lowest freight costs. Nursery distributors are another good option because they specialize in supporting independent retailers. Lastly, grower networks can simplify the buying process through pre-booked seasonal programs and marketing support.

Show Up Culture in Action
Planting workshops are a community activity every store can afford to host. They give customers time to enjoy learning how to grow plants and let people opt out of answering calls for a few hours. Digital Detox will become more common to manage anxiety and stress. Other increasingly popular social activities include flower arranging, gardening clubs, and plant swaps. Parents with children are ensuring that everyone spends more time outdoors. Statistics indicate 75% of kids prefer being outdoors. Forty-six percent of Gen Z have decided to limit their screen time.

Independent retailers that continually engage the community through workshops, planting days, and seasonal activities are building a loyal customer base and setting their stores apart from big-box competitors. Current gardening trends, along with society’s interest in the therapeutic benefits of plants, create an ideal climate for garden centers and hardware stores to thrive.