NGB announces 2026 Green Thumb Award winners

The National Garden Bureau (NGB) has announced 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 Dipladenia Sun Parasol FiredUp Coral from Suntory Flowers in the Annual category. The Edible winner is Basil Treviso from GardenGenetics and Seeds by Design. WaterPlants from Unique Gardener received the Garden Product award, while Streptocarpus Lady Slippers Blue Vein from GreenFuse Botanicals was selected as Houseplant of the year. In the Perennial category, the winner is Crocosmia Dark Fire from Monrovia Nursery, and the Shrub award goes to Hydrangea Centennial Ruby from Monrovia Nursery.

The 2026 “People’s Choice” Green Thumb Award winners include Sunflower Sunfinity Yellow-Red Bicolor from Syngenta Flowers as the top Annual. The Edible award was given to Tomato BadaBing! from A.P. Whaley Seeds. Sunshine Black Bear Potting Mix from SunGro Horticulture earned the Garden Product honor, and Pothos Yellow Sunrise from Costa Nursery was chosen as Houseplant of the Year. Festuca Glow Sticks from Concept Plants received the Perennial award, while Azalea Encore Autumn Kiss from Plant Development Services Inc. was named the winning Shrub.