In 2026, home gardening is more than a pastime. It is a thriving hobby that blends wellness, sustainability, and self-sufficiency, and Americans are spending more on it than ever.
Households spent a record $79.0 billion on lawn and garden in 2025, and 63.6% of gardeners plan to plant more and expand their gardens this year. Younger gardeners are leading the way, with millennials and Gen Z the most likely to garden more in 2026.
Whether you’re plotting your next plot, doing some composting or just curious, these 25 statistics from the National Gardening Survey, Axiom, Tractor Supply and other sources show where the hobby stands right now.
Gardening’s appeal lies in its accessibility: from container setups on balconies to big veggie patches, it offers fresh food, exercise and a break from screens. Let’s dig into the data.
Key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US lawn and garden spending, 2025 (record) | $79.0 billion (up 13.5%) | 2026 National Gardening Survey |
| Average spending per household, 2025 (record) | $740 (up 18.3%) | 2026 National Gardening Survey |
| Households that left gardening in 2025 | About 4.5 million | 2026 National Gardening Survey |
| Gardeners planning to plant more and expand in 2026 | 63.6% (up from 55.9%) | Axiom 2026 Gardening Outlook |
| Gardeners expecting to spend more in 2026 | 42.8% | Axiom 2026 Gardening Outlook |
| Millennials / Gen Z expecting to garden more in 2026 | 66.7% / 65.2% | Axiom via Garden Center |
| U.S. households tending gardens | 71.5 million | RubyHome |
| Homesteaders who grow vegetables, fruits or herbs | 73% | Tractor Supply 2026 Homesteading Report |
| Gardeners planning a vegetable garden in 2026 | 50.3% | Axiom 2026 Gardening Outlook |
| Vegetable gardeners who grow tomatoes | 86% | National Gardening Association via Greenhouse Canada |
Gardening Participation and Demographics: Who’s Getting Their Hands Dirty?
- 71.5 million U.S. households tend gardens, representing about 185.9 million people.
- About 4.5 million households left gardening in 2025, according to the 2026 National Gardening Survey, even as the households that stayed spent more than ever.
- 63.6% of gardeners plan to plant more and expand their gardens in 2026, up from 55.9% the year before, a 13.8% jump.
- 50.2% of gardeners expect to spend more time gardening in 2026, according to Axiom.
- 66.7% of millennials and 65.2% of Gen Z gardeners expect to garden more in 2026, the highest of any age group.
- In 2025, 66.7% of millennials and 63.8% of Gen Z spent more time gardening than the year before, the biggest increase since 2022.
- 41.3% of U.S. households grew some of their own food in the National Gardening Association’s most recent food gardening count (2021), up from 33.1% in 2019.
- 80% of U.S. households did some gardening in 2022, a five-year high at the time, according to the National Gardening Survey.
- 73% of homesteaders grow vegetables, fruits or herbs and 59% garden indoors, according to Tractor Supply’s 2026 Homesteading Report.
- 68% of 18- to 34-year-olds identify as garden lovers, compared with just 24% of those aged 35-44.
Economic Impact: The Hidden ROI of Your Hobby Patch
- Americans spent an all-time high of $79.0 billion on lawn and garden in 2025, up 13.5% from 2024.
- The average gardening household spent a record $740 in 2025, up 18.3% in a single year.
- 42.8% of gardeners expect to spend more money gardening in 2026, led by millennials at 63.9%, then Gen Z at 49.3% and Gen X at 31.4%.
- 49.5% of gardeners spent more money in 2025 than the year before, with millennials highest at 61.1%.
- The average U.S. garden yields $600 in produce annually, netting about $530 per household after $70 in supply costs.
- 86% of homesteaders say grocery prices pushed them to grow or produce food at home, and they report a median savings of $480 a year.
- Over half of gardeners said inflation was a major factor in how they garden, according to the National Gardening Survey.
- The global gardening equipment market is worth about $102.13 billion, growing at 6.3% a year through 2030.
Popular Practices and Trends: What Hobbyists Are Planting Now
- 50.3% of gardeners plan to create vegetable gardens in 2026, the number two project on their list.
- 26.2% plan to add more container gardens in 2026, up from 22.3% in 2025, ideal for patios and apartments.
- 86% of vegetable gardeners grow tomatoes, the undisputed king of hobby harvests, followed by cucumbers and peppers.
- 17% of U.S. adults are buying plants native to their region, and 28% buy plants that help native bees, butterflies and birds, according to the National Gardening Survey.
- 12% of U.S. adults are converting part of their lawn to a natural or wildflower landscape.
- 45.7% of home gardeners want more blooms, fruits and vegetables in 2026, while only 38% were highly satisfied with their 2025 results.
- 62% of homesteaders learn new skills on YouTube, and 51% of Gen Z homesteaders turn to TikTok.
Conclusion: Why Gardening Statistics Signal a Hobby Renaissance
These 25 statistics paint a clear picture of gardening in 2026: fewer households overall, but the ones that garden are planting more, spending more and getting younger. From backyard vegetable beds to native plantings, the hobby feeds families and gives back to wildlife.
With half of gardeners planning a vegetable garden this year, now’s the time to sow your own success. Grab seeds, check the stats, and start digging. For more, check National Gardening Association surveys or Axiom’s 2026 Gardening Outlook.
Keep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people garden in the US?
About 71.5 million U.S. households tend gardens, representing about 185.9 million people, according to RubyHome. The 2026 National Gardening Survey found about 4.5 million households left gardening in 2025, but the households that stayed spent a record amount.
Are younger people getting into gardening?
Yes, younger adults are leading the hobby. Axiom’s 2026 Gardening Outlook found 66.7% of millennials and 65.2% of Gen Z gardeners expect to garden more in 2026, and 63.9% of millennials expect to spend more money on it.
How much money can a home garden save?
The average U.S. garden yields $600 in produce a year, according to Today’s Homeowner, which nets roughly $530 after about $70 in supply costs. Tractor Supply’s 2026 Homesteading Report found homesteaders save a median of $480 a year by producing more of their own food and goods.
How much do Americans spend on gardening?
Americans spent a record $79.0 billion on lawn and garden in 2025, up 13.5% from 2024, according to the 2026 National Gardening Survey. The average gardening household spent a record $740, and 42.8% of gardeners expect to spend even more in 2026, according to Axiom.
What is the most popular vegetable for home gardeners?
Tomatoes are the most popular choice, grown by 86% of vegetable gardeners according to the National Gardening Association, followed by cucumbers and peppers. In 2026, 50.3% of gardeners plan to create vegetable gardens, according to Axiom.
How many gardeners plan to grow more in 2026?
About 63.6% of gardeners plan to plant more and expand their gardens in 2026, up from 55.9% a year earlier, according to Axiom’s 2026 Gardening Outlook. About half, 50.2%, expect to spend more time gardening this year.
