Lawn & Garden Seeds

Report Overview

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This report covers the US market for lawn and garden seeds, which include seeds for lawns, gardens, potted plants, and houseplants. Service revenues, bulk items, live goods, and agricultural products are excluded from the scope of this study.

Markets include:

• residential
• golf courses
• government and institutional
• commercial and industrial
• commercial nurseries and garden centers, and other markets such as sod farms, cemeteries, and turf areas in privately owned sports venues

Demand by product, market, and end user (consumer/DIY and professional/DIFM) is shown at the manufacturers’ level. Historical data (2009, 2014, and 2019) and forecasts for 2024 and 2029 are provided for lawn and garden growing media in current dollars.

Data from the US Census Department were consulted in the preparation of this study and a list of related codes is presented here for informational purposes. However, these codes may not include all products covered in this report or may exclude some products of interest and the data have thus been adjusted accordingly.

Demand for lawn and garden seeds is expected to rise 3.3% per year to $1.1 billion in 2024. Gains will be supported by healthy growth in lawn and garden activities in the residential segment and by expanding emphasis on attractive outdoor spaces. Shifting consumer preferences will support greater demand for ornamental and edible gardening seeds as well as for seeds with improved traits.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Will Promote Higher DIY Gardening Participation Rates

With people spending substantially more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of households are participating in their own lawn and garden maintenance. Many – though not all – new participants in DIY gardening activities are expected to continue with the hobby beyond the end of the pandemic. Additionally, increased time at home has prompted many households to install and expand outdoor living spaces, as these areas encourage safer socialization. As homeowners will want to keep these spaces aesthetically pleasing, the increase in landscaping is expected to support demand for seeds over the long term.

While rising participation in gardening will boost demand for lawn and garden seeds used by consumers, it will also support demand for live goods purchased from nurseries – which typically raise plants from seed – as live plants are generally considered by new gardeners to be easier to work with.

Ornamentals & Vegetable Seeds to Show Better Growth than Lawn & Turf Seeds

While US culture will continue to place a high value on attractive, well-maintained lawns, the average lawn size in the US is expected to continue to decline as new lot sizes shrink and households convert lawn space to gardens or xeriscaping for environmental purposes. Lower rates of lawn reseeding will limit growth in grass and turf seed demand.

However, the rising importance of attractive, comfortable outdoor living spaces will promote demand for ornamental seeds and plants for use in gardens and pots. Additionally, the continued resurgence of interest in edible gardening will support gains in demand for vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds.

Improved Seed Traits to Boost Demand in Value Terms

Consumers – particularly those new to lawn and garden activities – continue to value seeds and plants with improved traits, such as:

• drought tolerance
• disease resistance
• longer bloom times
• herbicide tolerance
• lower maintenance requirements

Most seeds with these traits are fairly advanced products that result from significant scientific research, and as such are generally more expensive.