The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, the premier gardening and lifestyle event in the West Midlands, returns to the Three Counties Showground in Malvern from May 8-11, 2025. Celebrated as the Royal Horticultural Society’s first major show of the year, this four-day festival promises an immersive celebration of all things plant-related, with a special emphasis on cutting-edge, accessible, and sustainable indoor gardening. It beckons visitors to explore the rich connections between plants and human life through immersive show gardens, expert-led talks, artisan shopping, and family-friendly activities.
On the back of a successful 2024 edition, as the gardening scene awakens to spring's possibilities, this year's RHS Malvern Spring Festival offers a practically unmatched opportunity to connect with nature, gain expert knowledge, and find inspiration for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Centered on the theme ‘Plants & People’. this edition highlights how greenery enriches people’s physical health, mental well-being, and living spaces—whether in sprawling outdoor gardens or compact urban homes, promising inspiration for gardeners of all levels, food lovers, and families seeking a lively springtime adventure.
The Theme ‘Plants & People’ Explores Nature’s Impact on People’s Lives
The 2025 festival embraces the theme ‘Plants & People', welcoming visitors to explore the deep and multidimensional relationships between humans and the plant world. This thoughtfully chosen theme takes a deep dive into how plants influence virtually every aspect of humans’ existence—from food that nourishes people and the air they breathe to their remarkable effects on humans’ mental and physical well-being.
Throughout the festival, this theme manifests in exhibitions, talks, and interactive displays that demonstrate practical ways to incorporate plants into daily life, regardless of space limitations or gardening experience. Indoor gardening is a key area of focus in this regard. A key focus lies in indoor gardening, exemplified by the returning Festival of Houseplants in collaboration with Green Rooms Market. This year’s edition introduces a new feature: the debut of RHS-judged Indoor Plant Gardens, showcasing innovative designs that merge aesthetics with functionality.
Indoor Gardening as a Centerpiece Attraction
The Festival of Houseplants will be a centerpiece attraction, reflecting the growing popularity of indoor gardening. This specialized area offers a veritable treasure trove for plant enthusiasts. More than just a marketplace, it presents an immersive educational experience where visitors can discover how indoor plants can be accessible, affordable, sustainable, and immensely beneficial to home environments. It will feature more than 50 traders, top-quality independent houseplant shops, growers, and innovative botanical designer-makers, offering visitors access to premium and diverse products.
From sought-after specimen plants to beautiful pots, self-watering planters, peat-free growing mediums, and grow lights, visitors can browse an extensive selection of these premium and diverse products since there will be something for everyone. Everyone will find something to enhance their indoor garden experience.
Eight innovative designs will showcase how houseplants can transform even the smallest spaces into havens of beauty, tranquility, and sustainability. These gardens—evaluated by RHS experts—emphasize accessibility, affordability, and the therapeutic power of indoor greenery. Among the standout creations include ‘Neo Flora’, a collaborative effort by Megan Warren-Davis of Forest Interior and John Tallis of Outdoor Living Gardens. This urban-inspired space addresses teenage anxiety and depression by weaving calming houseplants into a meditative, modern environment.
Equally captivating is ‘The Sensory Sanctuary’ by Jonny Balchandani (The Bearded Plantaholic) and Mo Bhula (The Botanical Archive). This is a tropical-inspired retreat designed to nurture mindfulness through texture, scent, and vibrant foliage. Its inspiration from tropical jungles creates an immersive experience showcasing the restorative power of sensory engagement with plants. For those craving serenity amid urban chaos, ‘Contemporary Living | A Modern Retreat’ by Botanical Interior Design offers a post-pandemic sanctuary where visitors are encouraged to slow down and reconnect with nature. It addresses mental health needs by creating a relaxing urban sanctuary that encourages mindfulness and well-being through deliberate interaction with nature.
Essentially, through these installations, the ‘Plants & People’ concept celebrates not just the beauty of plants but their therapeutic qualities, their role in environmental sustainability, and their ability to create community connections. Collectively, they demonstrate that even minor botanical additions can enhance the quality of life in an urbanized world.
Expert-Led Learning and Inspiration Programs
Complementing the visual spectacle, the festival’s educational programs empower visitors with actionable insights. There will be creative workshops hosted by industry experts, vibrant plant displays, and engaging learning experiences. The Festival of Houseplants Theatre will host daily presentations from renowned plant experts, offering practical guidance for plant enthusiasts.
On Friday, May 9, indoor gardening specialists Ben Newell, Claire Lowrie, and Grow Tropicals will share invaluable tips for introducing greenery into compact spaces—perfect for apartment dwellers or those with limited room. Popular YouTube creator Memo C (@houseplantygoodness) will appear on both Friday and Saturday to help visitors interpret their plants' signals, from yellowing leaves to growth patterns, ensuring healthier varieties.
For those battling persistent plant problems, Tessa Cobley of Ladybird Plant Care will lead sessions on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday focusing on sustainable pest management through biological control methods. The weekend program culminates with Indoor Plant Garden designers Jonny Balchandani and Mo Bhula sharing their expertise on creating personal indoor jungles that thrive in home environments. Essentially, there will be talks centered on greening small spaces, and demystification of eco-friendly pest control, among other topics.
Workshops and Hands-On Creativity for All
There will also be hands-on workshops led by more industry experts providing opportunities to create sustainable macramé hangers, design living wall art, or pot-striking cacti arrangements. Guests can learn to craft sustainable macrame plant hangers with Hot Pink Hangers for £25 per person, providing both a useful skill and an eco-friendly plant display solution. One can book for this in advance.
Memo from Houseplanty Goodness will also offer step-by-step guidance on creating living wall art for £35 per person, transforming ordinary walls into extraordinary plant displays for those interested in vertical gardening. You can also book your space for this session. Plus, cactus enthusiasts can join Hayley from Mint Plants for a cacti and succulent pot-a-long session at £30 per person—booked in advance—which will provide opportunities for learning proper techniques for these increasingly popular low-maintenance plants. These pre-bookable workshops offer take-home creations and skills that extend the festival experience beyond the event itself.
Enough Spectacular Displays in Show Gardens and Floral Shows
While indoor gardening receives special focus this year, the festival's traditional outdoor elements remain spectacular. Alongside the eight ambitious RHS-judged show gardens that will showcase the latest trends in garden design, sustainable practices, and creative planting combinations, there will also be two immersive feature gardens that explore broader horticultural themes through expansive and detailed landscapes. The inspiring school gardens demonstrate how gardening education is nurturing the next generation of plant enthusiasts, with creative displays designed and executed by local students.
But, a highlight of the displays will be Sarah Gerrard-Jones' (author of 'The Plant Rescuer') breathtaking installation—a 4-meter (12-foot) long, immersive turquoise-framed Victorian-style greenhouse showcasing an extraordinary collection of cacti and succulents. Created in collaboration with Ottershaw Cacti, this immersive exhibit features specimens cultivated by Daniel Jackson, whose 45-year passion for succulents has earned him an impressive collection of more than 30 RHS Gold Medals. It demonstrates the artistic potential of succulent arrangements, inspiring collectors of these increasingly popular plant varieties.
The magnificent Floral Marquee—which is essentially the heart of every RHS show—also returns with over 60 of the UK's most distinguished nurseries displaying their finest plants. This year's RHS Master Grower, Hare Spring Cottage Plants from South Devon, will present a special exhibit highlighting their National Collections, including the spring-flowering bulbous perennial Camassias, which produce striking spikes of starry blooms. Under the direction of Yorkshire-born Stella Exley, this nursery also maintains National Collections of Sidalcea and Uvularia, offering festival attendees the opportunity to view and purchase some of Britain's most carefully cultivated plant varieties.
Horticultural Heroes and Culinary Stars
The festival's speaking program brings together some of the most esteemed names in gardening and cuisine. Horticultural icon Alan Titchmarsh CBE headlines a lineup that features beloved BBC Gardeners' World presenters Rachel de Thame, Adam Frost, and Frances Tophill. These expert gardeners will share insights, answer questions, and provide practical demonstrations throughout the four-day event, making complex gardening concepts approachable for attendees of all experience levels.
The Kitchen Garden Theatre adds a culinary element to the festival with live cooking demonstrations from talented chefs, including ITV This Morning's Marcus Bean. The program culminates with an appearance by culinary legend Raymond Blanc OBE, whose passion for garden-to-table cooking and sustainable food practices perfectly aligns with the festival's spirit. These demonstrations connect ornamental gardening with practical food production, showcasing how growing even a small selection of edible plants can enhance both gardens and mealtimes.
A Complete Festival Experience
Away from its horticultural offerings, the RHS Malvern Spring Festival provides a full day of entertainment and shopping opportunities. The Plant Village and Pavilions offer extensive retail therapy for garden enthusiasts, while artisan food producers present delicious local specialties. Live entertainment creates a festive atmosphere throughout the showground, making this event suitable for the whole family regardless of gardening interests.
With tickets starting from just £16 for a taster ticket and free entry for children under 16, the festival presents exceptional value for days filled with horticultural inspiration, education, and enjoyment. You can, therefore secure your tickets today at rhsmalvern.co.uk and join thousands in the 90-acre Three Counties showground in Malvern, Worcestershire this spring.
