With the UK property market remaining competitive, homeowners are increasingly looking for affordable ways to boost their home’s appeal. Impressive renovations and extensions often grab the headlines, but our latest research indicates that the garden may be just as influential in attracting certain buyers and securing the best possible price.
To understand just how much of an impact plants and gardens have on purchasing decisions in 2026, EFlorist commissioned a survey of 2,000 UK adults on kerb appeal, garden features, and the value they believe a well-maintained outdoor space can add to a property.
The results show that first impressions really do count and highlight how thoughtfully planted, well-maintained gardens could be among the smartest investments homeowners make.
Our research found that 89% of people believe an attractive and well-maintained garden adds value to a property.
In fact, only one in ten respondents felt that improving a garden would have no financial impact on a property's value at all.
Our survey respondents were shown two images of the same garden, one in a well maintained and mature state, the other not so much (see below). They were then asked if one was worth more than the other. The results? On average, our respondents thought the well maintained and more mature garden was worth approximately £20,000 more.
While the exact amount would naturally depend on location, property type and the quality of outdoor space, these insights demonstrate how gardens are increasingly viewed as an investment rather than simply somewhere to sit during the summer months.
Nearly a third (31%) of respondents believed an attractive garden could increase the value of a property by more than £10,000, while almost one in ten estimated the increase could be somewhere between £25k - £50k.
Regional differences also emerged.
Respondents in Greater London placed the highest perceived value on attractive gardens, estimating that they could add more than £26,000 to a property’s worth on average. This likely reflects the premium places on outdoor space in areas where gardens are often smaller and more in demand.
| UK Region | Average perceived value added |
|---|---|
Greater London | £26,321 |
South East | £23,500 |
East Midlands | £21,142 |
South West | £21,090 |
Northern Ireland | £19,465 |
West Midlands | £19,022 |
North West | £17,662 |
North East | £15,442 |
Scotland | £15,238 |
Wales | £14,853 |
East of England | £14,550 |
Yorkshire & The Humber | £16,026 |
*UK average | £20,074 |
Not all outdoor spaces are judged equally, and when asked to identify the features of a garden that they believe create the strongest impression of a property, respondents consistently prioritised signs of good maintenance over expensive landscaping.
The most popular features included:
This suggests that buyers are necessarily looking for elaborate garden designs, but rather a space that feels established, welcoming and well-cared for.
Just as certain garden features can attract potential buyers, others can equally put them off arranging a viewing of a property.
Among the most common garden ‘turn-offs’ highlighted in our survey were:
A theme among the most common garden ‘don’ts’ seems to be maintenance, with neglected outdoor spaces unintentionally suggesting to potential buyers that the rest of the property may have been similarly overlooked, even if images of the interiors look immaculate online.
Fortunately, these are often among the easiest issues to resolve before marketing a property. Simple jobs such as mowing lawns, removing visible weeds, trimming borders and introducing seasonal flowers can dramatically improve the perception of a property to a first-time viewer.
An interesting finding from our research is that buyers appear to have something of a love-hate relationship with mature gardens.
While established planting creates a strong first impression, many respondents admitted they’d harbour concerns about the work involved in maintaining it.
The biggest worries included:
This highlights an important balance for homeowners preparing to sell.
Potential buyers appreciate more mature gardens because they look attractive and make a property feel more established. However, they also want the ability to manage the outdoor space without feeling overwhelmed with extra work.
Several interesting regional trends emerged from our research as we delved into data collected from people across different pockets of the UK.
Londoners placed the highest monetary value on attractive gardens, while buyers in Wales and South East were the most likely to say kerb appeal influenced whether or not they’d arrange a viewing on a property.
Scottish residents were especially likely to identify a neatly maintained lawn as the feature of a garden creating the strongest first impression, and those living in the South West expressed the greatest concern around the amount of time required to maintain mature gardens.
Eflorist’s resident expert David Denyer says that improving your garden ahead of putting a property on the market doesn’t need to involve expensive or timely landscaping projects.
“Our research shows that buyers respond to gardens that feel cared for rather than those that have cost a fortune to create and maintain, and small improvements can often make a significant difference to the first impressions a buyer has on a home.
“Introducing seasonal flowers, refreshing containers and hanging baskets around the front door, maintaining a healthy lawn and keeping borders trim all help to create a welcoming space that feels well looked after.
“When choosing plants, opt for reliable varieties that provide colour over a long season, and don’t require constant care and attention. That delicate balance between visual impact and ease of care may be exactly what many potential buyers are looking for in an outdoor space.”
Simple improvements include:
Many of these suggestions can be completed over the course of a single weekend, but have the potential to transform how a property is perceived and valued.