Green-fingered retirees were once the archetypal gardeners but now urban Gen Yers and Zers are waking up to the many benefits of tending plants, whether they’re in an allotment, window box, or the home. But how do these garden gurus differ from their parents and grandparents?

Gen Y is embracing gardening, with growing plants and herbs indoors becoming a popular pastime for urban dwellers. Whether to boost wellbeing, bring a sense of calm to urban spaces or simply for its ease of maintenance, gardening is brushing off the soil of its previously stuffy image.

Heritage brand Miracle-Gro has entered the smart home space with its Twelve Indoor Growing System. Targeted at young, time-poor urbanites, it minimizes the effort required to maintain a small yet lush garden, allowing owners to enjoy the benefits of nature without spending hours toiling in soil.

The Plant Hotel – the brainchild of online plant shop Patch – is taking care of people’s plants while they go on holiday. Given people’s growing love affair with house plants, which allow urbanites to connect with nature, brands can cater to green lifestyles and help people outsource domestic tasks.