Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
The Garden Center State of the Industry Report documents the health of the independent garden center industry, tracking trends and economic activity. According to Garden Center’s 2024 report, the industry’s growth is slowing after the COVID sales boom and garden centers are turning focus back to their core operation of selling plants.
The report cites annuals and perennials as categories with the biggest increase in spring sales from 2023 to 2024, with independent garden centers (IGCs) reporting perennials sales growth from 17% to 24% year over year.
Indoor plants and hard goods sales decreased overall, with hard goods dropping to 0% from 4% in 2023 and indoor plants decreasing by 8% down to 5% in 2024. Many IGCs also reported annuals and trees/shrubs as a category that saw a significant sales decrease in 2024. Annuals saw the biggest decrease, with only a 3% increase from last year.
In spring 2025, Garden Center predicts customers will lose some interest in houseplants, trees and shrubs but continue to purchase perennials and annuals.
