The RHS London Urban Garden Show 2018 is taking place on 27th and 28th October, and it’s going to be a fantastic event of seasonal plants, talks, workshops – and me, of course!
But who is Mr Plant Geek without his Weird and Wacky-ness? Not only will I host the Weird and Wacky Plant Show, but there’ll be lots more weird and wacky things to see. Here’s a taste…
1. UV Garden by Rob Stacewicz
If you ever wanted to see glow in the dark plants, you’ll get your chance at the London Urban Garden Show. This exhibit by garden designer and horticulturist Rob Stacewicz features plants which flouresce under UV light. Walk around and watch as these plants light up!
2. Houseplants by Bloom Box Club
Plant subscription service Bloom Box Club will be exhibiting the most exciting and trendy houseplants. From the weird to the wonderful, you’d love to have any of these in your home!
3. Aquascapes by George Farmer Studios
Get swept away by the magical art of aquascaping. George Farmer will exhibit the most beautiful aquascapes, featuring underwater plants, hard materials and even animals! Try your hand at making your own aquascape in George’s exciting workshop.
4. Unique plants galore with The Palace Gardener
Browse so many unique plants by The Palace Gardener at the London Urban Garden Show, from insect eaters, to cacti, to succulents. You’ll also find a range of beautiful pots here, so if you find a plant you love, you can bet you’ll find a fabulous container to display it in.
5. Create a Tinyjohn terrarium with London Terrariums
Terrariums have become so popular lately, with the tiny glass gardens being so practical for apartments and other small spaces. In this workshop, you can learn how a terrarium works and have a go at making your own with London Terrariums. Get as creative as you want, and take yours home to display.
6. Succulent love with Peng Succulents
Cassie Peng of Peng Succulents will be selling all sorts of weird and wacky succulents, from pretty Echeveria to clusters of Haworthia.
Find them in a range of sizes, from cute and petite to oversized!
7. Bonsai beauties with Driftwood Bonsai
If you’ve ever wanted to be a zen gardener, Driftwood Bonsai‘s amazing miniatures are a great way to get started. Driftwood specialise in field grown and collected trees, which range in size and shape. Pick your fave and take it home!
8. Jar gardens with Judith Baehner
Create an orchid jar garden, or ‘jarden’, with indoor plant guru Judith Baehner of Het Groenlab. You’ll learn how to build your garden and which plants can go inside it, and then take it home to display.
9. Crazy hybrids with Surreal Succulents
Specialising in the rare and unusual, Surreal Succulents are offering all sorts of succulents to add to your collection. Keep an eye out for their one of a kind hybrids, which are sure to blow your mind!
10. Alllll the Auriculas
Big Auricula fan? You’ll love W & S Lockyer Auriculas. This family run nursery specialise in this happy plant, and will have many different varieties on offer for you to browse.
11. Gill’s Weird Plants
Airplants are weird – and that’s cool! Weird Plants by Gill will be exhibiting so many weird and cool Tillandsia plants, which are perfect for low maintenance gardeners and even those with a fear of houseplants!
12. A miscellany of Dahlias
Naomi Slade is talking about the wonderful world of Dahlias, just before my talk on the 28th. Go beyond the garden with Naomi, to history, myth, biochemistry and breeding. Dahlias are so much more than they appear…
Which talk, workshop or exhibitor’s stand are you most looking forward to seeing at the London Urban Garden Show? Comment below, or come find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook – and writes a plant-focused Substack called Grow This, Not That.