Table-top veg, tomatoes and blackcurrants among the RHS’ top Grow Your Own trends to watch for 2026 as consumers look to save money on weekly shop
The continued rising cost of living will see more people supplementing weekly food shops by growing their own tabletop veg and tomatoes, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has said.
Unveiling its gardening predictions for the next year, the society said mini aubergines, chillies and cucumbers, as well as vines, are among the edibles that consumers are set to grow more of in 2026.
“Plant breeders are increasingly responding to changing weather patterns but also the expectations of gardeners who want plants that serve multiple purposes and are robust enough to survive our weather extremes,” said RHS chief horticulturalist, Guy Barter.
Blackcurrants are also set for a resurgence after new, sweeter varieties allow berries to be eaten fresh, and could even see blackcurrants usurp blueberries as a home gardener favourite, according to the RHS.
The society said its predictions are based on engagement with the public across its gardens and shows, as well as retail trends, science research and new plant breeding.
Heralding what it calls the ‘year of the tomato’, the RHS said this year’s dry summer saw home gardeners enjoy bumper yields and blight-free conditions, which it said could drive demand into 2026.
RHS Retail saw a 14 per cent uplift in sales in 2025 for tomato varieties such as Shirley and Sungold, but will be increasing the volume of grafted tomatoes it sells owing to their reliability in poorer conditions.
Other trends set to shape the year in horticulture include ‘jungle’ houseplants and plants for pollinators, including cut flower varieties like Persica roses or single-flower dahlias.
Nostalgia and a long growing period are also thought to be driving viola sales, which are up on previous years, with primroses also expected to benefit from increased sales in early spring.
