Chaos gardening isn’t just a trend—It’s a rejection of perfectionism
A new gardening trend is taking root again on TikTok—one that tosses structure and rules out the window completely. Known as "chaos gardening," the viral hobby involves scattering seeds at random and letting nature do the rest. It's part wholesome ritual and part an act of gentle rebellion against an increasingly digital, hyper-curated world. The low-stakes, low-effort chaos gardens are gaining popularity with Gen Z users this spring as they increasingly crave to touch grass and catch a break from digital burnout.
The hashtag #chaosgardening currently has over 8600 posts, while #chaosgarden has over 3500.
What is a chaos garden?
Chaos gardens are similar to what they sound like—by gathering up an assortment of seeds and planting them at random, a variety-driven, wild garden emerges. Chaos gardening is a laid-back approach where, according to Better Homes and Gardens, "meticulous garden planning is thrown out the window." The trend defies traditional gardening standards and embraces natural growth, spontaneity, and a low-stress, laissez-faire gardening attitude.
Chaos gardening can be done with any type of plant, including fruits, flowers, vegetables, trees, grass, and herbs, and can be planted as an accent or border to a yard or convert an entire outdoor space. The risk (and part of the beauty of the chaos) is that some plants will thrive, while others might not, creating an untamed and impromptu aesthetic result.
The origins of chaos gardening
Though it's been around for a while, the trend emerged on TikTok in early 2023. The rise of this style of gardening might be due to a loosening of COVID-19 restrictions and a rise in more outdoor activities. There was also a post-pandemic need by Gen Z to explore the outside world on their terms, cultivating their own aesthetics, rituals, and identities with common hobbies and interests.
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Why are chaos gardens trending again?
Chaos gardens are likely a response to an environment of intensity and stress. This time, instead of being a pushback to the confinement imposed by COVID, chaos gardens are a reaction to high-stress political and social factors (mostly engaged with online) that can feel out of a person's control, especially younger generations.
Much like the reason behind brain rot memes appealing to younger generations, gardening is clinically proven to help reduce stress in a stressful and turbulent world.
According to the American Psychological Association, young adults are reporting higher stress levels than older generations. APA’s 2023 Stress in America survey found that, with 18- to 34-year-olds, the average stress level was a 6 out of 10, compared with a 3.4 among people aged 65 and older.
A soothing rebellion: Gen Z is embracing the mess
Comments on chaos gardening reflect the trend as a productive way to relieve stress and anxiety and lighten one's mood. Along with being less regimented and lower maintenance, the perks of chaos gardening are resonating with young users across TikTok. "Now this is my kind of gardening," read one comment. "Chaos gardening seems like the life for me," read another.
Chaos gardens are a healthy and personalized way to be outdoors, express one's self, and escape the pressures of the external sociopolitical and digital world.
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