Gardening Boom Creates U.S. Plant Shortage

When people were stuck at home in 2020, nature and gardens became a refuge. According to Tony Avent, owner of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, “the gardening boom of 2020 continues prominently in 2021.”

The boom started during the pandemic as orders from Gen Xers and Millennials started rising. The uptick in demand is due to young homeowners who support sustainability and the environment more than previous generations.

A shortage exists for long-production plants like trees and shrubs in most big box stores where consumers often buy plants. Retailers are reporting a worse shortage than nurseries due to not propagating.

Photo from Juniper Level Botanic Garden in Raleigh.