Here are some basic gardening statistics to give you a general idea of the lawn and garden industry. These statistics provide a comprehensive view of current trends and issues in gardening.

Popular plants

Here are some of the most popular plants in each category based on the estimated number of online searches. Data was pulled on February 1, 2024.

Houseplants

Here are the most popular houseplants, according to Home for the Harvest search data (2024):

Snake Plant
Orchid
Spider Plant
Philodendron
Succulents
Begonia
Aloe Vera
ZZ Plant
Christmas Cactus
Peace Lily
Pothos
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Prayer Plant
Dracaena
African Violet
Peperomia
Air Plant
Calathea
String of Pearls
English Ivy

Annual flowers

Here are the most popular annual flowers according to Home for the Harvest search data (2024). This list includes some flowers that are technically perennials or biennials but are typically grown as annuals in home garden settings.

Sunflower
Poppy
Salvia
Dahlia
Marigold
Cosmos
Snapdragon
Morning Glory
Begonia
Zinnia
Fuchsia
Petunia
Lantana
Geranium
Calendula
Coleus
Nasturtium
Pansy
Dianthus
Impatiens

Perennial plants

Here are the most popular garden perennials, according to Home for the Harvest search data (2024):

Lavender
Iris
Peony
Hosta
Viola
Yarrow
Bee Balm
Foxglove
Delphinium
Lupine
Sedum
Phlox
Astilbe
Coreopsis
Hellebore
Coneflower
Catmint
Coral Bells
Daylily
Shasta Daisy

Fruit plants

Here are the most popular fruit plants to grow:

Olive Tree
Fig Tree
Lemon Tree
Cherry Tree
Apple Tree
Peach Tree
Avocado Tree
Pineapple Plant
Mango Tree
Dragon Fruit Plant
Persimmon Tree
Plum Tree
Date Palm
Strawberry Plant
Pear Tree
Blueberry Bush
Pomegranate Tree
Banana Plant
Orange Tree
Grape Vine

Market size

The US plant and flower growing market reached USD $18.5 billion in 2022, up from the 2021 total of 17.2 billion (source: Statista).

US nursery and garden stores were estimated to reach a total revenue of $48.7 billion in 2023. Revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% over the past five years (2018-2022). There were 18,069 nursery and garden businesses in the US in 2023, growing at a rate of 1.0% from 2018 to 2023 (source: IBIS World).

The global market for lawn and gardening consumables was valued at USD $19.50 billion in 2019. The consumables market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% until 2027, meaning it is expected to reach $25.9 billion by 2027. Fertilizers and seeds accounted for over 60% of the overall revenue in 2019. The residential segment led the market, with over 45% share in 2019. North America emerged as the largest regional market in 2019 (source: Grand View Research).

The global market for lawn and garden equipment (mowers, trimmers, edgers, snow throwers) was valued at USD $18.5 billion in 2020. The equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2022 to 2030, meaning it is expected to reach $49 billion by 2030. Lawn trimmers and edgers are the most popular pieces of equipment, accounting for around 50% of the market. North America had the largest market share in 2021 (source: Market Research Future).

The global market for gardening tools (handheld tools and small electrical tools) was valued at USD $8.7 billion in 2022. The tools market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% until 2032, meaning it is expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2032. Shears and pruning tools are the most popular tools. The U.S., China, Germany, Japan, and India are leading in sales (source: Persistence Market Research).

The global market for potting soil and mixes was valued at USD $2.3 billion in 2022. The potting soil market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8, reaching a total market size of USD $3.0 billion by 2028. Key materials include bark, sphagnum moss, perlite, vermiculite, and compost). Growth is driven by the demand for enhancing interior aesthetics and greenery in residential areas and the introduction of sustainable, eco-friendly products (source: IMARC Group).

Consumers

An estimated 80% of American households engaged in gardening in 2022. The average spend on gardening was $616 annually per household (source: National Gardening Association).

A 2023 US study showed that 15% of respondents aged 18 to 29 years stated that they are interested in gardening and plants. The next oldest cohort, aged 30 to 49, had a 23% share of people interested in gardening. The oldest cohort, aged 50 to 64, had a 33% share of respondents interested in growing plants (source: Statista).

The percentage of households engaged in gardening is influenced by various factors. Economic conditions, particularly disposable income, play a crucial role. Households with more disposable income are likelier to invest in gardening as a hobby. Urbanization also affects gardening participation. Limited space can challenge outdoor gardening activities in densely populated areas. However, urban gardening innovations, like vertical gardens, are growing in popularity. Demographic factors, such as age and lifestyle, also influence gardening interests. Younger generations might prefer low-maintenance or indoor plants.

Environmental consciousness significantly impacts gardening trends. Increased awareness about sustainability and organic practices can motivate people to garden. Technological advancements and easy access to online resources also encourage gardening. People can easily find information and join gardening communities online. Additionally, cultural trends driven by social media, content creators, and home improvement shows help shape gardening preferences and participation.

“The price of tap water in the United States varied greatly from city to city in 2021. One of the most expensive cities for tap water in the U.S. is San Francisco, where one cubic meter costs an average of 6.07 U.S. dollars per cubic meter. In comparison, citizens in the Arizona state capital of Phoenix paid, on average, 0.96 U.S. dollars per cubic meter. This is roughly 63 percent lower than the U.S. average.”
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1232861/tap-water-prices-in-selected-us-cities/