Updated May 2026
Home Gardening Statistics 2026: How Many Americans Garden & What They Grow
30+ home gardening statistics — participation rates, spending, most popular plants, generational trends, and how gardening boomed post-pandemic and kept going through 2026.
Home gardening has experienced a sustained renaissance since 2020. Driven by food security concerns, mental health benefits, and a desire to reconnect with food production, millions of Americans have taken up growing their own. These statistics reveal the full scope of the gardening boom in 2026.
Table of Contents
Participation Rates
55%
of US households participate in lawn and garden activities
— National Gardening Association, 202418M
new gardeners added to the US market since 2020
— NGA, 202472%
of new gardeners report they started due to pandemic food security concerns
— Gardener's World, 202435%
of Gen Z (18–27) garden regularly — the highest young adult rate in 20 years
— NGA, 2024Spending
$63B
total US lawn and garden market in 2023
— NGA Annual Report, 2024$776
average annual household spending on lawn and garden activities
— NGA, 20248.9%
CAGR for the global gardening market projected through 2028
— Grand View Research, 2024$22B
spent specifically on food gardening (vegetables, herbs, fruit)
— NGA, 2024Most Popular Plants
#1
tomatoes — the most commonly grown food plant in US home gardens
— NGA, 2024#2
cucumbers — second most popular vegetable, consistent for 10+ years
— NGA, 2024#3
sweet peppers, beans, and lettuce round out the top 5
— NGA, 202460%
of home gardeners grow herbs — most often basil, parsley, and mint
— NGA, 2024Reported Benefits
90%
of gardeners report gardening positively affects their mental health
— Royal Horticultural Society, 2024$600
average annual savings on groceries for households with food gardens
— NGA, 202430 minutes
average daily gardening activity duration among regular gardeners
— American Horticultural Society, 20242×
higher vegetable consumption in households that grow their own
— CDC, 2023🛒 Top Picks for Home Gardening
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Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Americans garden?
55% of US households participate in lawn and garden activities (NGA, 2024). Since 2020, 18 million new gardeners have joined — with Gen Z showing the highest young adult participation rate in two decades at 35%.
What is the most popular vegetable to grow at home?
Tomatoes, by a wide margin. Cucumbers come in second, followed by sweet peppers, beans, and lettuce — a list that has remained consistent for over a decade. 60% of home gardeners also grow at least one herb, most commonly basil.
How much can a home garden save on groceries?
The NGA estimates $600/year in average grocery savings for households with food gardens. The actual figure varies significantly by garden size, crop selection, and local food prices — vegetable gardens in high-cost urban areas often exceed $1,500/year in savings.
Cite This Page
Home Gardening Statistics 2026: How Many Americans Garden & What They Grow. WhatCanGrow. https://whatcangrow.com/stats/home-gardening-statistics-2026. Accessed 2026.
Home Gardening Statistics 2026: How Many Americans Garden & What They Grow. WhatCanGrow. https://whatcangrow.com/stats/home-gardening-statistics-2026. Accessed 2026.