Royal Horticultural Society

What Royal Horticultural Society does

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK's leading gardening charity, founded in 1804 and governed by a Royal Charter, dedicated to advancing horticulture for public benefit. It operates five flagship gardens across England (Wisley, Bridgewater, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor), a network of more than 240 Partner Gardens, and runs the world's most prestigious horticultural show, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, alongside Hampton Court, Tatton Park, Wisley, Hyde Hall, Badminton, Sandringham, and Malvern shows. The RHS delivers expert horticultural advice, scientific research, the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) plant-trialling system, the Master of Horticulture qualification, and community programs including Britain in Bloom and the Campaign for School Gardening.

The RHS technology platform centers on the rhs.org.uk website, the RHS Grow mobile application, an online plant database covering 50,000+ plants, and the Lindley Library's horticultural collections, supplemented by the Gardening with the RHS podcast and RHS Roots video series. It operates two wholly-owned trading subsidiaries, RHS Enterprises Ltd (retail) and RHS Special Events Ltd (gala fundraising), whose profits are gift-aided back to the charity.

RHS revenue is generated through six streams: annual membership subscriptions (£59.99 individual / £89.99 joint), flower show ticket sales (£35-£45 typical), retail operations through RHS Plants and Garden Centres, charitable donations and corporate sponsorship, publishing (The Garden magazine, specialist journals, books), and professional qualifications and training. The organization serves home gardeners, schools, communities, horticultural professionals, and specialist plant collectors, with membership and visitor attendance providing the core recurring income base alongside event-driven transactional revenue.

Name

Royal Horticultural Society

Legal name

The Royal Horticultural Society

Website

https://rhs.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1804

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity, founded in 1804, operating five flagship gardens, the Chelsea Flower Show, a 240+ Partner Garden network, and a plant database serving home gardeners, schools, communities, and horticultural professionals through membership subscriptions, events, retail, and qualifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticultural Charity Services

NAICS

Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240), Landscaping Services (561730)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Potted Flowering Plants & Bedding Plants Production (Annuals, Perennials, Plugs) (AFAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seasonal Color, Planting & Horticultural Services (BPABADAL), Native, Pollinator & Drought-Tolerant Garden Installations (HSAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Horticultural charity services
• Gardening publications
• Flower show events
• Plant database resources
• Horticultural qualifications training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees provide the primary recurring revenue stream. Members receive free entry to RHS Gardens, reduced-rate tickets to flower shows, complimentary subscription to The Garden magazine, and access to member-only events and advice services.
2. Flower Show Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales to flagship events including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, and Tatton Park Flower Show. Tickets range from general admission to exclusive members' days.
3. Retail Operations (RHS Enterprises Ltd): Sale of plants, garden equipment, books, and RHS merchandise through RHS Plant Shop (rhsplants.co.uk), RHS Garden Centre shops, and online store. RHS Enterprises Ltd manages commercial retail activities.
4. Donations and Sponsorship: Charitable donations from members and supporters, corporate sponsorships from companies like Roebuck Estates, AKT London, Hello Fresh, and Stressless for shows and gardens, and funding from trusts including Clore Duffield Foundation and Julia Rausing Trust.
5. Publishing: Revenue from The Garden magazine subscription, RHS publications, books, and educational materials covering horticulture, garden design, and plant care.
6. Professional Qualifications and Training: Revenue from horticultural qualifications, training courses, and professional development programs for horticulture practitioners and aspiring gardeners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity, delivering its mission through annual memberships that unlock access to five flagship gardens and 240+ Partner Gardens, a portfolio of prestigious flower shows (Chelsea, Hampton Court, Tatton Park, Wisley, Hyde Hall, Badminton, Sandringham, Malvern), and an authoritative content ecosystem spanning The Garden magazine, books, podcasts, the RHS Grow app, and a 50,000+ plant database with Award of Garden Merit designations. It also runs professional qualifications (including the Master of Horticulture), the Lindley Library, community programs (Britain in Bloom, Campaign for School Gardening), and operates trading subsidiaries RHS Enterprises Ltd and RHS Special Events Ltd for retail and event fundraising.

Product overview

The Royal Horticultural Society operates a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered on its charitable mission to help people and plants grow. The core offerings include publications (The Garden magazine, The Plant Review, The Orchid Review Yearbook, and books), digital platforms (the rhs.org.uk website and RHS Grow app), and audio/video content (Gardening with the RHS podcast and RHS Roots video podcast). The RHS maintains five gardens as visitor attractions and organizes prestigious flower shows including the Chelsea Flower Show. Educational services include RHS Libraries with e-books/audiobooks, qualifications and training programs, and the Campaign for School Gardening. Community engagement programs include Britain in Bloom and RHS Expert Groups. The organization also operates e-commerce through RHS Plants and RHS Prints, and offers membership with various benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RHS Membership Annual subscription membership programme for individuals and families (Individual, Joint, Gift, Life & Senior Life, Students, Patrons tiers) granting free entry to RHS Gardens, free or discounted entry to 240+ Partner Gardens, reduced show tickets, monthly The Garden magazine, expert gardening advice, and member-only events. Targeted at amateur home gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and the general public in the UK.
• RHS Flower Shows Ticketed series of prestigious horticultural shows including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, RHS Wisley Flower Show, RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show, RHS Badminton Flower Show, RHS Sandringham Flower Show, RHS Tatton Park Flower Show and Malvern Shows. Open to the public with general admission tickets and premium/VIP experiences, with discounted access for RHS members. Chelsea alone attracts over 168,000 visitors.
• The Garden Magazine Highest-circulation gardening magazine in the UK, published monthly in digital or print format for RHS members, featuring practical gardening advice, garden visits, plant profiles, expert advice, show coverage, and RHS news.
• The Plant Review In-depth specialist publication for plant enthusiasts featuring detailed articles about plants, their cultivation, and horticulture. Targeted at serious gardeners, plant collectors, and specialist society members.
• The Orchid Review Yearbook Annual yearbook providing in-depth reading on orchids, celebrating and deepening understanding of the species. Targeted at orchid enthusiasts, growers, and specialist society members.
• RHS Publications (Books) Range of gardening books including encyclopedias, grow-your-own titles, garden design books, and specialist plant guides. Available in RHS garden centres, bookshops, and online. Targeted at home gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
• Gardening with the RHS Podcast Award-winning weekly podcast offering seasonal gardening advice, inspiration, and practical solutions from RHS experts, garden designers, scientists, and horticulture professionals. Distributed on major podcast platforms. Targeted at home gardeners and the general public.
• RHS Roots Video Podcast Twice-monthly video podcast hosted by DJ Jo Whiley exploring gardens and life stories of well-known personalities and the plants that shaped them. Targeted at lifestyle audiences and home gardeners.
• RHS Grow App Mobile application packed with trusted gardening know-how, providing personalised plant care guidance, gardening tips, and plant recommendations based on user location and garden conditions. Free to download via iOS and Android. Targeted at home gardeners.
• RHS Plants Online Shop (rhsplants.co.uk) E-commerce platform for purchasing plants, seeds, garden equipment, RHS merchandise, and gifting items, operated by RHS Enterprises Ltd. Delivers directly to UK customers. Targeted at home gardeners.
• RHS Prints Online Shop (rhsprints.co.uk) E-commerce platform selling botanical prints and RHS merchandise. Targeted at home gardeners, art buyers, and gift purchasers.
• RHS Gardens Visitor Experience Five flagship gardens (Wisley in Surrey, Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire, Hyde Hall in Essex, Rosemoor in Devon) offering visitor experiences, horticultural inspiration, retail shops, cafes, plant centres, and educational programming. Free for members; day tickets for non-members. Targeted at home gardeners, families, schools, and tourists in the UK.
• RHS Qualifications and Training Educational offerings including RHS Qualifications, courses, workshops, bursaries, work-based training, and the Master of Horticulture programme for professional development in horticulture. Targeted at aspiring and professional horticulturists.
• RHS Plant Database and Plant Finder Online plant finder tool and database of 50,000+ plants with detailed growing conditions, care instructions, pest and disease management, and Award of Garden Merit (AGM) designations, with integrated shop functionality. Free to access online at rhs.org.uk/plants. Targeted at home gardeners, horticultural professionals, and plant collectors.
• RHS Libraries World-class collection of books and printed materials on gardening, including botanical art, photography, herbarium specimens, archives, and nursery catalogues, accessible at London (Lindley Library) and RHS Garden locations, with e-books and audiobooks available via OverDrive. Targeted at researchers, historians, students, and serious gardeners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free RHS Garden entry for members represents over £100 annual value
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tate BritaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative garden installation at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, funded by Clore Duffield Foundation and Julia Rausing Trust. The partnership combines art and horticulture, bringing Tate's cultural authority to the horticultural world and vice versa.
• The King's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show featuring partnership between RHS horticultural expertise and The King's Foundation's charitable mission focused on building sustainable communities through traditional crafts and horticulture.
• Roebuck EstatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Roebuck Estates provides financial support in exchange for brand association with one of the UK's largest flower shows and hospitality opportunities.
• Hello FreshminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeal kit delivery company sponsoring RHS flower shows, linking food growing and cooking. Partnership supports RHS messaging around growing your own food and sustainable food systems.
• Stressless (Ekornes)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium furniture brand sponsoring RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Partnership connects outdoor living and garden relaxation themes with premium furniture positioning.
• AKT LondonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerActivewear brand sponsoring RHS flower shows, appealing to the active outdoor lifestyle demographic. Partnership brings fashion/lifestyle brand association to gardening events.
• Hugh Lowe FarmsminorOthersPremium strawberry grower supplying Wimbledon Championships and recognized for British horticultural excellence. Represents the high-quality end of British horticulture supply chain.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eden Project: UK charitable visitor attraction in Cornwall centred on horticulture, biomes, and environmental education. Comparable as a UK charity running a signature horticultural venue with educational programmes, ticketing, retail, and event-driven footfall.
• National Garden Scheme: UK charity opening private gardens to the public for charity fundraising. Comparable as a UK garden-focused charity relying on visitor engagement and donations, with overlap on partner gardens and public garden access.
• National Botanic Garden of Wales: Welsh charitable botanic garden with planted collections, science, and visitor programmes. Directly comparable as a UK horticultural charity with gardens, plant collections, and educational mission, though smaller in scale and visitor numbers than RHS.
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: UK charitable botanic garden operating Kew Gardens and Wakehurst with research, visitor attractions, and membership programmes. Closest comparable peer — both are UK horticultural charities with owned gardens, science functions, members, and educational missions.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust: The UK's largest conservation charity, operating historic houses, gardens, and parkland with a multi-million membership base. Overlaps with RHS on membership, garden visitor experiences, and conservation mission, but on a much larger scale and broader heritage remit.
• Historic Royal Palaces: UK independent charity managing unoccupied royal palaces including their historic gardens. Overlaps with RHS on heritage/horticultural visitor experiences, membership programmes, and event-driven revenue, though heritage remit is broader.
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT): UK conservation charity operating nine wetland visitor sites with membership and education programmes. Comparable UK conservation charity structure with visitor attractions, members, and environmental education remit, but focused on wetlands rather than gardens.

Others

• BBC Gardeners' World Magazine (Immediate Media): UK consumer gardening publication and brand, part of Immediate Media. Overlaps with RHS on gardening content, magazine publishing, and audience engagement, but is commercial media rather than a charity, and a key media partner/competitor for gardeners' attention.

Emerging players

• Garden Museum: UK museum and library dedicated to garden history and design. Adjacent to RHS in horticultural heritage, library collections (overlap with Lindley Library), and cultural programming, but narrower in scope and smaller in scale.
• Perennial: UK charity supporting people in horticulture with welfare, advice, and training services. Comparable as a UK horticultural charity, though focused on people welfare rather than gardens and shows — useful adjacent benchmark for charity sector dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/the_rhs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@The_RHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/rhshome
• Instagraminstagram.com/The_RHS
• Pinterestpinterest.co.uk/rhshome
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/royal-horticultural-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Royal Horticultural Society