The Top 11 Gardening Trends for 2024, So Far

You might think there are no new ideas in gardening, but the trends this year bring plenty of exciting ideas to refresh your landscaping and make planting—and enjoying—your garden even more enjoyable.

Mocktail or Cocktail-Themed Gardens

If you're a fan of growing a vegetable or herb garden, consider reserving a section of your garden beds for a cocktail or mocktail garden. This space can provide freshly picked ingredients for your favorite beverages, such as berries, fruit, small tomatoes, cucumber slices for garnish, and a variety of herbs to muddle or mix in.

"Mocktail gardens are a trend that’s gaining traction as people swap cocktails for artfully crafted drinks using fresh garden herbs like mint, lavender, and rosemary," explains Sara Brooks, chief marketing officer of Yardzen.

Pollinator and Native Plant Gardens

The trend of growing outdoor plants native to your area has been gaining popularity for years, as people seek to create gardens that support local ecosystems while being easier to care for during extreme weather conditions like temperature fluctuations and heavy rainfall.

Bonus: Cultivating local native plants can enhance the beauty of your garden. "Yards look their best when they incorporate plants, materials, and colors found in regional wildlands," says Cate Singleton, director of design at Tilly Design. "Utilizing local native plant species, boulders, and stones from nearby sources gives your yard a sense of connection to the broader region. It’s a way to show pride in where you live."

Rain Gardens

Gardens can serve more purposes than just looking pretty, and rain gardens are the perfect example of a garden that does double duty. By planting moisture-loving plants in lower areas of your yard, you'll help these plants thrive with minimal maintenance while addressing excess water that could lead to flooding. "This is the perfect chance to make your yard work for you," says Singleton. "Rain gardens help collect surface runoff and allow it to filter back into the groundwater system. By focusing on gravels and water-loving plants, you can create a rainwater filtration system and reduce your utility bills. It’s a win-win!"

Front Yard Gardens

The front yard, once dominated by simple landscaping and a vast lawn, is now becoming a space where gardens are taking center stage. "I’m seeing more and more people cut down or eliminate their front lawns and replace them with native, pollinator-friendly landscapes," says Singleton. "Many are adding berms for added privacy and winding paths for easy access through the garden."

Moon Gardens

While most gardeners focus on creating beautiful gardens for the daytime, more are now designing spaces that come alive once the sun sets. "Gardens intended for moonlight viewing have become quite popular," says Singleton. "These gardens feature plants with white or pale blue blooms and silvery-grey foliage that shine under the moon's glow."

Goth Gardens

Think of this garden style as the darker counterpart to a moon garden's luminous beauty. Goth gardens are like something from Wednesday Addams' dream, with dark-colored flowers and plants that evoke drama—imagine blood-red Black Magic roses, black Queen of the Night tulips, or Black Barlow columbine.

"Goth gardens are a prime example of personal expression and individuality taking shape," says Brooks. "People want something distinctive that reflects their tastes, not just in landscaping but in all aspects of life. Goth gardens have a cohesive, monochromatic appearance that feels carefully curated, making them ideal for both small and large spaces as they look great up close or from afar."

Drought-Tolerant Plants

As gardeners plan their spaces, more are taking into account the maintenance needs of plants before making their selections. "We’re noticing a shift in the types of plants used to define garden styles, with a trend toward low-maintenance options," says Singleton. "Some styles still require large lawns, but drought-tolerant turf grasses are becoming more common. Evergreen plants that need less water and trimming are replacing traditional hedges, and native flowering shrubs are stepping in for older varieties that demand soil amendments and constant pruning."

Fairy Gardens

Embrace the magical and whimsical charm of your garden with this rising garden trend. "When you think of a fairy garden, picture a delightful stone pathway, a lush garden filled with ornamental grasses, vibrant blooms, and an array of colors," says Singleton. "A fairy garden offers homeowners a fun opportunity to express their personality through their garden."

Scent Gardens

While the visual appeal of your garden will always be important, more gardeners are focusing on plants that offer delightful scents as well. "In garden trends, we’re seeing a resurgence of romantic gardens that feature blooms that invigorate the senses," says Brooks. "Think roses, verbena, gardenias, lavender, and rosemary."

YOLO Yards

In recent years, outdoor spaces have become the focus of much attention—from designing full outdoor living rooms with movie setups to adding saunas, hot tubs, and tiki bars. This trend is only expected to continue growing.

"We predict that 2024 will be the year of the backyard escape," says Brooks. "Homeowners, from millennials in their first homes to boomers in their forever homes, are staying in place longer than expected due to interest rates. They're now transforming their outdoor spaces into the perfect retreat for their ultimate retirement right in their own backyards."

"Imagine cozy outdoor lounges for sipping coffee, plantings designed to attract butterflies and birds, peaceful walkways leading from social spaces to serene gardens, and raised garden beds to make gardening easier on the body," Brooks says.

Bespoke Gardens

Arguably the most significant garden trend of all? Simply selecting plants that bring you joy when you're outdoors, while blending in aspects of the trends you love to create your ideal space. "More and more, people are picking elements from various styles that resonate with them, crafting a deeply personalized space that isn’t tied down or limited to a single style," says Brooks.