Happy New Year! 2018 is here, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Horticulture is continuing to become popular with millennials and city people. It’s not just hippies who are filling their spaces with green, but anyone looking to grow their own herbs and veg or improve their space and health. From talking to fellow Londoners and watching the ever-increasing presence of plants on Instagram, I’ve put together a few predicted trends for 2018…
1.High-street plants
No longer hidden in gardencentres, plants are making their way into our favourite high-street stores, making them accessible to everyone for homeware and gifts. Oxford Street’s Topshop, Anthropologie, & Other Stories pop ups, as well as many others, have flowers, cacti and succulents on sale. Boutique plant shops and workshops, such as Prick, Grace & Thorn, Botany and Conservatory Archives are also increasing in number, with the latter holding a pop up in Liberty London.
2. Botanical remedies
Last year we were putting botanicals in our cocktails, this year we’ll be using them to boost our healthy and heal our ailments. Homeopathic remedies and flower oils have been around for centuries, but a host of new brands using homegrown plants to provide natural remedies and ingredients is sparking our inspiration. Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon Balm are a few of the easy-to-grow herbs that can be used to aid issues such as insomnia, digestion and lack of energy. Take a trip to the wonderful Chelsea Physic Garden to be inspired.
3. Grow your own
For many of us, growing salad and veg is something we’ve been experimenting with for a while. But with people generally becoming health and environmentally conscious, more non-gardeners are being inspired to create their own veg patches and herb gardens. If you’re daunted by the idea of growing from seed, young plants are available online and from supermarkets and gardencentres, giving you a head start and confidence for your first edibles.
4. Indoor gardening
It may be an oxymoron, but it’s a reality if you live in a city without a patio or garden. Why should those with less space miss out? Houseplants are becoming more popular than ever (the cacti and succulent craze continues), and so are salad, herbs and veg that can be grown in the kitchen or on the windowsill. The benefits of clean air plants are not lost on urban homes and offices, boosting a rise in indoor gardening. Check out Patch, the online plant shop helping you choose the best plant for your home or office.
5. Organics
We’re becoming more aware of the direct impact we’re having on the world around us, and are consequently taking steps to minimise the damage. Rather than reaching for chemicals and mass produced supermarket produce, there’s a movement towards natural gardening ranges and organic options, with concern around soil quality and appetite for the health benefits of organic food.
The Garden Fairy 