DOWNERS GROVE, IL — National Garden Bureau (NGB) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Green Thumb Awards. This year’s recipients represent the absolute pinnacle of horticultural innovation, recognized for their unique features, great growth habits, exceptional resilience and groundbreaking aesthetics.
The Green Thumb Professional’s Choice Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts based on five criteria: innovation, garden performance, appeal, durability, and reliability. In addition, the Green Thumb People’s Choice Award winners are voted on by thousands of home gardeners to determine the People’s Choice winners.
“This year’s winners showcase a shift toward ‘purposeful gardening,’” says NGB President Alicain Carlson. “From a disease resistant basil to plants for celebrations, these plants aren’t just beautiful—they also solve problems for the modern gardener.”
The 2026 “Professional’s Choice” Green Thumb Award Winners Include:
- Garden Product: WaterPlants from Unique Gardener
- Perennial: Crocosmia Dark Fire from Monrovia Nursery
The 2026 “People’s Choice” Green Thumb Award Winners Include:
- Garden Product: Sunshine Black Bear Potting Mix from SunGro Horticulture
- Houseplant: Pothos Yellow Sunrise from Costa Nursery
- Perennial: Festuca Glow Sticks from Concept Plants
For more information about the National Garden Bureau and the Green Thumb Awards, please visit ngb.org.
National Garden Bureau is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 with a mission to disseminate basic instructions for home gardeners. NGB publishes and sponsors the annual “Year Of” program featuring ornamentals, edibles and more, including new introductions, which are especially suited to home gardens.
