RHS Urban Show: Manchester’s Mayfield Depot to host first ever houseplant and urban gardening show

The Royal Horticultural Society is coming to Manchester’s Mayfield Depot next year for its first ever show dedicated to urban gardening and houseplants.

From 18-24 April, 2024, the historic former railway station turned rave venue will be filled with all the inspiration needed to encourage city dwellers to grow plants for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The Urban Show will be unlike the RHS’ traditional outdoor shows, taking place indoors and in a particularly industrial setting.

Urban growing has grown in popularity over the last few years, with more and more young people introducing plants into their lives. The show will focus on innovative gardening features for small city spaces and urban farming, with immersive plant installations, talks, workshops and plant nurseries selling a variety of houseplants and other plants suitable for smaller spaces. The event will also explore other ways in which horticulture influences modern life, for example in interior design, art, wellness and sustainability.

Helena Pettit, Director of Gardens & Shows said: “In recent years there’s been a real gardening boom and we believe more young people living in cities are now growing plants.

“So we are so excited to be bringing a new RHS Show dedicated to urban gardening to the centre of Manchester next year.  The RHS Urban Show aims to bring gardening to a new audience and demonstrate that if you have plants you are a gardener.

“There is so much great work already happening across the city to make it greener and we are excited to help support this growing movement. We want to get even more people living in the UK’s second largest city inspired to grow plants and connect to the natural world.

“With over 80% of the UK population living in towns and cities, the new show will enable more urban dwellers to garden, especially where access to green spaces can be limited.”

More information about the show will be released closer to the time, however if you would like to exhibit at the show then you can register your interest on the RHS website.

Tickets go on sale for RHS members on 21 September, and tickets for the general public go on sale on 28 September.