Kernock Park Plants' Bruce Harnett, Hayloft Plant's Megan Green and Yvonne Marquenie of Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland will be on a panel with HortWeek new plants writer Michael Perry discussing how we should understand today’s plant consumer.
Questions that will be answered include:
1. Are consumers buying different types of plants compared with previous years?
What trends are rising or fading across houseplants, hardy plants, edibles, climate-resilient choices, or low-maintenance varieties?
2. Do different consumer groups appear in different digital or physical spaces?
How do younger houseplant enthusiasts, traditional gardeners, landscapers, eco-conscious buyers, or first-time homeowners differ in where they shop and get inspiration?
3. Are consumers becoming more knowledgeable and demanding about sustainability — such as peat-free products, heat-grown plants, provenance, and environmental impact?
How should marketing evolve for a more aware, eco-driven audience?
4. Are we still promoting plants that don’t perform well for consumers?
How can the industry protect trust by focusing on reliable, resilient, real-world performers?
Digital Marketing & Online Presence
5. Which social media platforms are most effective for plant marketing today — and how should content differ across each?
6. How relevant and effective are plant-related websites in 2025?
Are growers, retailers, and brands providing the inspiration, education, and seamless shopping experience modern consumers expect?
7. Are influencers representing plants and horticulture authentically?
Who stands out — and what separates genuine plant voices from trend-driven accounts?
8. What’s the best plant-related marketing campaign or product launch you’ve seen recently — and why did it work?
Was it the message, visuals, partnerships, sustainability storytelling, or timing?
In-Store, Experiential & Real-World Marketing
9. How can in-store promotional activity be improved to drive stronger plant sales?
Could better layouts, storytelling, sensory displays, POS materials, QR learning, or staff training boost impact?
10. How important is real-life marketing in 2025 — including pop-ups, plant installations, workshops, and flower shows?
Are experiential touchpoints now more influential than digital ads?
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