The RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20 to May 24 is just around the corner, and here on the Gardens team we’re gearing up for another jam-packed day of taking in astounding sights of incredible florals, innovative garden designs, and admirable displays from independent nurseries.
There really is so much to take in at Chelsea, and navigating your very first show can be overwhelming. I first attended Chelsea when previously working for the RHS and can honestly say nothing comes close to feasting your eyes on this world-renowned show in-person for the first time. It’s no wonder around 170,000 gardeners and celebrities go along each year to soak up the latest Chelsea Flower Show design trends and backyard ideas from the very best in the industry.
With so much to see and do on the day, it really is best to show up prepared. Trust me, the hours seem to just slip away while you’re smelling the glorious scents of thousands of flowers, which is why I always plan my day in advance. Over the last few years of attending, I’ve also picked up some insider know-how that will help every first time visitor get the most out of their visit. You can thank me later.
(Image credit: Future/Jacky Hobbs)
RHS Chelsea Flower Show: 5 tips for first time visitors
There’s still time to grab RHS Chelsea Flower Show tickets if you’re keen to see all that’s on offer at the show this year.
It’s hard to express just how many plants from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show you will gaze upon during your visit, and the magnitude of design talent is hard to believe until you see it.
That’s why I’ve always found doing some research ahead of attending is worth it. You can plan an itinerary, make sure you set time aside to see the things you’re most excited about, and find out about the designers and charities involved ahead of time.
1. Plan a route around the showground
(Image credit: Future/Jacky Hobbs)
With 16 Show Gardens, a Feature Garden, five Container Gardens, a further five Balcony Gardens, plus the Houseplant Studios, the All About Plants Gardens, and The Great Pavilion to explore, planning your route around the show is a must.
Of course, it’s ideal to make time to see everything, but it’s definitely worth making a priority list with the gardens and exhibitors you’re most excited to see. This is especially important for when the show gets its busiest and you’re wavering through crowds.
Use the RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens web page to help you do this. Perhaps you’ll wander down Main Avenue to see all the Show Gardens at once, or you might choose to weave between the bigger and smaller gardens, taking breaks with a more leisurely stroll through The Great Pavilion.
Something I recommend not rushing past is The London Gate, one of the main entrances to the show located on Royal Hospital Road. Each year, it’s transformed into a dazzling floral display, with columns abundant in ethically sourced English garden plants and flowers, this year curated by Lavender Green Flowers.
You might find it useful to have your plan noted down in this garden journal from Amazon – take it along to also note down your favorite plants and ideas, as it can be difficult to remember absolutely everything you’ve seen.
2. Hit Main Avenue early in the day
(Image credit: Jacky Hobbs/Future)
From my experience, it’s worth getting to the show early in the day and heading to Main Avenue first thing. This is where the Show Gardens are located and beating the crowd is the best way to see each of the gardens in closer detail.
If you’re lucky with timing, designers will be readily available to talk you through their designs and plant lists.
I enjoyed stepping into the WaterAid Garden last year (pictured above), where designer Tom Massey and architect Je Ahn brought together this unforgettable structure and abundant planting to show how to reduce water waste in your yard.
This is also a great opportunity to find out more about some of the incredible charities sponsoring gardens at the show. I’m particularly excited to see The Glasshouse Garden this year, funded by the Project Giving Back initiative to raise awareness about the programme providing women with horticultural training as they approach the end of a prison sentence.
3. Check out the winners
(Image credit: Future/Jacky Hobbs)
It can be easy to be whisked up in the buzz of Chelsea, but don’t forget to also take note of the awards. Exhibitors are judged by an expert panel prior to the show being opened to the public.
Plaques are then set up by the gardens for you to spot, although they can be tricky to see among the vast number of visitors. That’s why it’s worth checking out award results online before attending, to guarantee you won’t miss an award-winning garden that has piqued your interest.
Whether they receive a Bronze award or the Best in Show, all Chelsea exhibitors work hard in the months and years leading up to the show. They meticulously plan every detail before having to quickly bring all the landscaping, infrastructure, and planting together just weeks before the show.
The Bridgerton Garden (pictured above) was designed by first-time Chelsea designer Holly Johnston last year and won a Silver Medal.
4. Don’t forget about houseplants, balconies, and small gardens
(Image credit: Jacky Hobbs/Future)
As a self-proclaimed houseplant fanatic I may be biased, but I think the Houseplant Studios are just as magnificent as the Show Gardens. Located beyond the trade stands you’ll find suites of houseplant displays that are guaranteed to give you indoor garden envy.
With more and more gardeners wanting to hop on houseplant trends, this is the perfect spot to suss out your next purchase. I’ll personally be heading straight to The TerrariROOM by Hugo & Green this year – it’s a terrarium you can literally step into and is planned to be full of indoor ferns.
Keep going and you’ll also find the Balcony and Container Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. Filled with inspiration for urban gardeners, these spaces celebrate maximizing the outdoor space you have available, no matter how small.
Take a look at the jungle goodness of The Addleshaw Goddard Junglette Garden (2024) pictured above, demonstrating how you can create an urban oasis in a small space.
5. Stick around for the plant sale
(Image credit: Future/Jacky Hobbs)
This tip is for attendees of the final day of the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 (24 May). Don’t rush off once you’ve seen everything, you might just miss the chance to take a home an award-winning plant.
Around 4pm a bell rings to signal the Great Plant Sell-Off has begun. This is where exhibitors sell a range of their plants, usually at very discounted prices.
This can be exhibitors in The Great Pavilion and gardens alike, of course bearing in the majority of plants from gardens will be kept for relocation as part of the RHS’ garden legacy scheme.
Nevertheless, it’s an opportunity to get your hands on some really special plants at great prices – there might even be some new plant varieties up for grabs.
Don’t forget your Chelsea Flower Show essentials
Use this beautiful notebook to write down your key takeaways from the show. There’s a lot to see at the event and nearly impossible to remember everything.
It’s likely you’ll pick up lots of leaflets and you might even make some purchases at the trade stands, so having a tote bag handy is wise.
It’s important to stay hydrated at a busy event like the Chelsea Flower Show. There are refill stations for you to use on the grounds.
FAQs
What time should you arrive at the Chelsea Flower Show?
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 (20-24 May) is open between 8am-8pm Tuesday-Friday (plus the Chelsea Late event until 10:30pm on Friday) and 8am-5:30pm on Saturday. While you can arrive at any point in the day, it’s best to arrive as early as possible, even just before the gates open if you can. This is the best way to see the show without fighting your way through busy crowds.
Is there a dress code for the Chelsea Flower Show?
There isn’t necessarily a strict dress code for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but attendees generally dress up in smart-casual attire. It can be a long day on your feet, so comfortable footwear is also recommended.
Careful thought and planning is key to getting the best Chelsea Flower Show 2025 experience. If you can’t go along this year but are waiting in anticipation to see what comes from the show, check out our 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show highlights in the meantime, including a look at how to make your yard flood-resilient with designers Naomi Slade and Dr Ed Barsley.
