The National Plant Show is shaping up to be the largest yet, with more than 260 exhibitor stands already confirmed. The event attracts more than 1,200 visitors each year and brings the entire industry together under one roof to showcase the latest plants, products and the best of UK environmental horticulture. The event runs from Wednesday 17 to Thursday 18 June 2026, and this year marks the 15th live show at NAEC Stoneleigh.
Visitors will be able to explore two bustling exhibition halls packed with innovative displays and industry-leading exhibitors. The prestigious New Plant Awards take centre stage, showcasing the very latest plant introductions and highlighting the creativity and excellence across the industry.
A brand-new addition to the National Plant Show for 2026 is the Sinclair Collaboration Area, sponsored by Sinclair — growing media specialists at the forefront of innovation and performance. It is a zone where visitors can network with colleagues and customers, join a seminar or grab a coffee while reflecting on the many stands they’ve visited.
The seminar programme on Wednesday 17 June opens with a New Plant Awards Highlights session at 10:30, led by Pippa Greenwood, Horticulture Manager at the HTA, alongside the New Plant Award Judges. This is followed by a Women in Horticulture Networking Event at 11:30, a Policy Talk led by the HTA Policy and Public Affairs Team at 13:00, a Technical Workshop led by Wayne Brough, the HTA’s Technical Horticulture Manager, at 14:30, and a YPHA Networking Event at 16:00. On Thursday 18 June, the programme includes a further Technical Workshop with Wayne Brough at 10:30, an OHAS Networking Event at 11:30, and the Nuffield Scholarship Announcement by Alan Down at 13:00, with more opportunities still to be announced.
The New Plant Awards, sponsored by ICL Group, are the beating heart of the National Plant Show and a prestigious recognition of excellence in the horticultural industry. Over the years the awards have grown in prestige and are now the place to find the next best-selling plant for garden centres. They recognise the most innovative and exceptional plant varieties, showcasing their unique features, outstanding performance, and exceptional beauty, and serve as an important platform for plant breeders, growers, and marketers to introduce their latest creations to the industry and to the public.
Attracting over 150 entries in 2025, this year’s New Plant Awards will be displayed across two New Plant Areas — one in the centre of Hall 1 and the other in Hall 2, marked out by the pink carpet. Entries are judged by an expert panel on the first day of the show, and winners will be announced in the New Plant Area during the media preview on Wednesday 18 June 2026. The seven categories are Annuals, Tender Perennials and Container & Basket Plants; Cacti & Succulents; Flowering Houseplants; Foliage Houseplants; Herbaceous Perennials; Shrubs (including Conifers) & Climbers; and Trees. There will also be a visitor vote, sponsored by Floramedia, with visitors invited to identify their favourite new plant from the seven Best in Category winners by placing a token into the voting boxes near the show entrance. The winner of the visitor vote will be announced on Thursday 19 June 2026.
The HTA Village is a vibrant area at the heart of the show and a go-to hub for all things HTA. Visitors can discover new industry initiatives, meet the HTA team and get expert advice, learn about key topics such as Policy, Your Garden Year, and Plant Health & Biosecurity, explore the benefits of HTA Membership, find out more about the National Garden Gift Card scheme, and grab a free coffee from the café at the HTA Village.
Registration for the National Plant Show is available here. Exhibitors can enter the New Plant Awards before Tuesday 19 May 2026 via the link here.
