From orchid festivals and houseplant markets to rare plant fairs and aquatic mega-events, here’s your one-stop calendar for UK tropical, terrarium, and indoor plant lovers. Bookmark this page — we’ll keep it updated.Jump to:
At-a-Glance Dates
| Date | Event | Location | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb – 2 Mar 2025 | Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025 | Kew, London | Iconic winter orchid showcase inside the Princess of Wales Conservatory. |
| 14 – 16 Mar 2025 | RHS Orchid Show (Wisley) | RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey | Meet specialist growers; buy quality orchids & hear from experts. |
| Mar – Sept 2025 (multiple) | Rare Plant Fairs (national programme) | Various venues | Specialist nurseries; rare & unusual plants—often great prices. |
| 8 – 11 May 2025 | Festival of Houseplants @ RHS Malvern Spring Festival | Three Counties Showground, Malvern | Workshops + premium indoor plant shopping with Green Rooms Market. |
| 1 Jun 2025 | Tregrehan Rare Plant Fair | Par, Cornwall | Top specialist nurseries; free entry to the fair itself. |
| 5 Jul 2025 | Cactus & Succulent Show (Hastings) | Alexandra Park Greenhouse, Hastings | BCSS branch show; great for xeric terrarium ideas & starter plants. |
| 20 – 21 Sept 2025 | AQUAH 2025 | NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire | Huge aquatic show — perfect for hardscape, epiphytes and paludarium ideas. |
| 5 Oct 2025 | BCSS Annual Show (Birmingham) | Birmingham Botanical Gardens | National-level cactus & succulent displays and vendors. |
| 19 – 23 May 2026 | RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 | Royal Hospital Chelsea, London | Global flagship show; indoor plant and terrarium inspiration aplenty. |
Always check organiser pages before travelling — dates/times can change.
Event Details (with links)
Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 2025 – 1 Feb to 2 Mar 2025
Where: Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew.
Official info: Kew — Orchid Festival 2025.
Why go: One of the UK’s most beloved winter plant events; spectacular orchid installations and curated displays.
RHS Orchid Show (Wisley) – 14–16 Mar 2025
Where: RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey.
Official info: RHS — Orchid Show at Wisley.
Why go: Specialist growers, expert talks, and quality orchid shopping.
Rare Plant Fairs – March to September 2025 (multiple venues & dates)
Where: Nationwide — including Wells, Evenley Wood, Quenington, Salthrop House, Bath (American Museum & Gardens), Kingston Bagpuize, High Glanau, Waterperry and more.
Official info & dates: Rare Plant Fair — 2025 dates.
Why go: Hand-picked nurseries selling unusual plants — superb for terrarium/vivarium-friendly species.
Festival of Houseplants @ RHS Malvern Spring Festival – 8–11 May 2025
Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
Official info: RHS Malvern — Festival of Houseplants (with Green Rooms Market).
Why go: Workshops, expert advice, and premium houseplant shopping.
Tregrehan Rare Plant Fair – 1 Jun 2025
Where: Tregrehan Garden, Par, Cornwall.
Official info: Tregrehan Garden — Plant Fair.
Why go: Stellar specialist nursery line-up; free entry to the fair (garden entry separate).
Cactus & Succulent Shows (selected highlights)
- Hastings — Alexandra Park Greenhouse (Sat 5 Jul 2025): BCSS Rother Valley Branch events page.
- BCSS Annual Show — Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Sun 5 Oct 2025): Birmingham Botanical Gardens event page.
Why go: Ideal for arid terraria/xeric scapes; find small, architectural plants and advice direct from experienced growers.
AQUAH 2025 – 20–21 Sept 2025
Where: NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Official info: NAEC Stoneleigh — AQUAH 2025 | AQUAH official site.
Why go: The UK’s big aquatic weekend — superb for hardscape (stone/wood), epiphytes, mosses, and lighting ideas that translate beautifully to paludariums and terrariums.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 – 19–23 May 2026
Where: Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.
Official info: RHS — Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
Why go: The flagship — cutting-edge displays, houseplant trends, and inspiration for indoor jungles. Book early.
Planning Tips for Terrarium & Vivarium Buyers
Heading to a show to source plants for a terrarium or vivarium? These guides will save you time (and money) and help you get better results when you get home:
- Ultimate Guide to Building a Bioactive Vivarium — plan layout, layers and planting.
- Selecting & Maintaining Vivarium Plants (Scientific Guide) — choose plants that thrive long-term.
- Top 5 Plants for Bioactive Vivariums — easy wins for beginners.
- Tropical Mosses for Vivariums — choosing, placing, and keeping moss lush.
- How to Clean Vivarium Glass Safely — keep viewing panes crystal clear.
- The Ultimate Vivarium Setup Guide (UK, 2025) — heat, humidity, lighting & more.
Pro tip: Shows are busy — bring a tote, cash/card, and a list. If you’re buying epiphytes or moss for a high-humidity setup, review our water quality notes and refresh routine before planting.
Know an event we’ve missed?
Drop us a message — we’ll add credible UK events that help tropical, terrarium, vivarium, and houseplant keepers find great plants.
