11 Garden Trends to Try in 2024, From Sensory Gardens to Food Forests

There may still be snow on the ground in many parts of the country, but that isn't stopping gardeners from planning their 2024 landscapes. This year, gardeners are focused on making their spaces more sustainable, pollinator-friendly, and engaging. From native plants that can survive on the land's natural rainfall to pollinator-friendly ornamental grasses and gardening styles that improve biodiversity, these are the gardening trends experts say will be big this year.

Sensory Gardens

This year, expect to see landscapes that are more than just something beautiful to look at. Sensory gardens, which are meant to stimulate all five senses, are a trend that is currently on the rise. This gardening style is designed to help you better connect with nature, as well as promote mindfulness and reduce stress. From the sound of a bird bath to the touch of ornamental grasses, there are plenty of ways to stimulate more of the senses when meandering through your garden.

Food Forests

Growing food at home isn't a new idea, but food forests have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to feed local communities in urban areas. This practice is one you can expect to start seeing more of on an individual level, too. A food forest is a system in which edible, harvestable crops are produced in a self-sustaining, multi-layer setting, with the first layer being fungi or root crops and the top layer being large trees.

Gothic Garden Design

While you can still expect to see colorful, whimsical gardens in 2024, moodier, dramatic palettes are also experiencing a surge in popularity. Gothic garden design is a trend that's expected to dominate landscapes this year, according to a trend report by Garden Media. To lean into this movement, consider growing plants that bloom in dark hues and incorporate gothic-inspired statues and pottery into your garden.

Tropical Plants

Expect to see more tropical plants being grown as houseplants and in the garden this year. Beloved for their large, brightly-color foliage, these plants are a unique addition to any setting. Even if you don't live in the tropics, there are plenty of tropical plants that can be grown from anywhere, including low-maintenance favorites like snake plants and pothos.

Ornamental Grasses

While ornamental grasses have often been used as filler plants in the garden, they will take a front seat in 2024. Beautiful and easy to grow, these grasses are a favorite in colder regions due to their hardiness and resilience against harsh temperatures. What's more, ornamental grasses provide food and habitat for wildlife, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity.

English Cottage Garden

The pressure to maintain a perfectly manicured landscape is taking a backseat as more and more gardeners are opting for whimsical free-form designs, like the English cottage garden. "Think unfussy wildflowers, romantic arbors, meandering gravel paths, and mixing and matching plants and styles in a way that feels natural and whimsical," says Zolene Quindoy, the head horticulturist at Yardzen.

Maximalism

While maximalism has been an interior design style for decades, it's finally having a moment outdoors, too, says Quindoy. "This trend is all about creating landscapes that are energizing, vibrant, and fun," she says. "It might play out as an eclectic and wild perennial-filled meadowscape or a layered hillside tropical garden paired with playful handmade tile for hardscaping." No matter what look you're going for color, volume, and texture are key to a successful maximalist garden.

Grass Lawns Alternatives

Many gardeners are opting for alternatives to traditional turf lawns as a way cut back on water usage and make their landscapes more eco-friendly. "Coming off another extremely hot summer, sprinkled with news of monarch extinction, extreme water restrictions in the West, drought expanding to new regions, and more, homeowners all over the country are proactively seeking out sustainable design solutions for their yards," Quindoy says. "We'll continue to see homeowners who want to reduce water-intensive lawns and replace them with alternative species like clover," Quindoy says.

Pollinator Gardens

Pollinator-friendly landscapes provide food for essential pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even pats. "People are more attuned to the environmental benefits of saving bees and are noticing what bees and other pollinators offer their gardens, so they're planting flowers—like daisies, lavender, lilacs, and honeysuckles—that encourage these visitors rather than shooing them away," says Mallory Micetich, an expert with Angi.

Meadow Lawns

Meadow lawns prioritize native and pollinator plants to create a garden that is water-wise and supports biodiversity. This growing trend is desired by many gardeners thanks to its natural, unfussy, and informal nature. "The style favors soft and wild ornamental grasses like silver grass, lomandra, and blue fescue, which give you an organic look that requires little upkeep," Quindoy says.

Xeriscaping

Droughts and water shortages are nothing new, but the way homeowners respond to them has drastically changed. One way people are managing is with xeriscaping, says Quindoy. This landscaping style in all about growing plants that require little to zero irrigation. It's becoming increasingly common in areas like Southern California, where gardeners are growing plants native to their area, like agave, cacti, and other desert plants that can survive off the land's annual rainfall.