National Garden Bureau announces 2026 Green Thumb Award winners

National Garden Bureau has announced the winners of the 2026 Green Thumb Award.

"This year’s recipients represent the absolute pinnacle of horticultural innovation, recognized for their unique features, great growth habits, exceptional resilience and groundbreaking aesthetics," NGB said in a news release.

The Green Thumb Professionals' Choice Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts based on five criteria: innovation, garden performance, appeal, durability and reliability.

The Green Thumb People’s Choice Award winners are voted on by thousands of home gardeners.

“This year’s winners showcase a shift toward 'purposeful gardening,'” said 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 “Professionals' Choice” Green Thumb Award winners are:

Annual: Dipladenia Sun Parasol FiredUp Coral from Suntory Flowers

Edible: Basil Treviso from GardenGenetics and Seeds by Design

Garden Product: WaterPlants from Unique Gardener

Houseplant: Streptocarpus Lady Slippers Blue Vein from Green Fuse Botanicals

Perennial: Crocosmia Dark Fire from Monrovia Nursery

Shrub: Hydrangea Centennial Ruby from Monrovia Nursery

The 2026 “People’s Choice” Green Thumb Award winners are:

Annual: Sunflower Sunfinity Yellow-Red Bicolor from Syngenta Flowers

Edible: Tomato BadaBing! From A.P. Whaley Seeds

Garden Product: Sunshine Black Bear Potting Mix from Sun Gro Horticulture

Houseplant: Pothos Yellow Sunrise from Costa Farms

Perennial: Festuca Glow Sticks from Concept Plants

Shrub: Azalea Encore Autumn Kiss from Plant Development Services, Inc.