Five gardening tips you can try right in Search
This year, gardening is thriving. Google Trends reveals that Americans are embracing more whimsical and chaotic garden designs over meticulously maintained plots. Searches for “chaos flower garden” — a garden with a random scattering of flowers, herbs, and vegetables — first spiked in 2025 before gaining momentum again this year. Interest in starting such gardens surged by 140% in the spring, while searches for “chaos garden seeds” doubled.
People are also seeking ways to maximize their green spaces. Searches for “mini garden” reached an all-time high in 2026 and “tabletop garden” hit a 15-year peak this year.
No matter what size or type of space you have, Google is your digital tool shed. Here are five ways Search can assist with planning, planting, and problem-solving.
1. Visualize a garden in your space using AI Mode in Search
Sometimes it’s difficult to envision how a patch of dirt or corner might look as a garden. Your camera becomes your best tool for planning. Simply take a photo of your space, upload it to AI Mode in Search, and prompt it with something like, “This is my apartment patio. Help me find the best spot for a mini greenhouse for herbs and show me how that looks. Note: my patio faces south and gets plenty of afternoon sun.”
2. Develop a planting plan using Canvas in AI Mode
If you’re new to gardening or want more assurance about your garden’s success, use the Canvas tool in AI Mode to create a comprehensive year-long plan for beautiful flowers all year round. Navigate to AI Mode, tap the plus menu, and select Canvas. Then ask it for help with tasks like creating an Annual Garden Management Plan for a 20×20-foot rose garden. Include a month-by-month task list, a companion planting chart, and crop rotation strategies for the next three seasons. Format this as a professional guide.
3. Design a chaos garden using AI Mode
Use AI Mode to craft a lush, wildflower look without rigid rows. Try asking for help with a prompt like, “I want to start a chaos garden. I have partial shade and limited space. What seed mix should I use and what’s the best strategy for success?”
4. Source supplies locally using Shopping in AI Mode
To ensure you have all necessary items without having to guess, Google can help you quickly find local suppliers. Type the item you need to buy into your search and use the “nearby” filter to see which stores carry what’s available on their shelves. You can also add “near me” to your search and let Google use AI to call around for inventory updates.
5. Get real-time help using Search Live
Imagine enjoying the fruits of your labor, only to notice a dull yellow spreading across healthy-looking tomato leaves. Avoid guesswork by opening Lens in your Google app and snapping a photo of the affected leaves. Ask, “What’s going on with these leaves?” If you prefer an interactive conversation, open Lens and tap “Live” at the bottom of the screen to start using Search Live. From there, you can ask more questions like, “Should I adjust my watering schedule?” or “Should I prune the infected leaves now?”
Key Takeaways
- Google Trends shows a rise in searches for chaotic and whimsical garden designs.
- Ai Mode tools like Canvas can help create detailed gardening plans and manage local inventory.
- Search Live allows users to get real-time assistance from Google’s AI capabilities.
Originally published at blog.google. Curated by AI Maestro.
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