It’s common in today’s culture that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram popularize trends and start new jargon, and it’s even taking place in the gardening world.
There’s a new term that’s making the rounds and it’s getting a lot of attention: it’s called chaos gardening, originally inspired by the wildness and density of traditional cottage gardens. The term caught fire through TikTok videos, and currently, there are thousands of videos you can peruse on the subject.
But what exactly is chaos gardening? And how do you capture the look and feel in your own garden?
What Is Chaos Gardening?
According to Linda Vater, plant expert on behalf of Southern Living® Plant Collection, chaos gardening is a relaxed, intuitive style of gardening where structure and rules take a backseat to creativity and spontaneity.
“Instead of rigid plans, gardeners let nature take the lead—mixing flowers, herbs and shrubs freely and allowing them to grow in unexpected, often beautiful ways,” she describes.
She thinks that in today’s fast-paced, perfection-obsessed world, chaos gardening offers a refreshing alternative.
“It celebrates imperfection, play and experimentation—something more gardeners are embracing as they seek joy and ease in their outdoor spaces,” she says. “The trend also aligns with the broader movement toward naturalistic, pollinator-friendly landscapes.”
What Are the Benefits?
Vater loves the low-maintenance nature of chaos gardening, saying that a chaos garden thrives with minimal planning and upkeep, “making it perfect for beginners or busy gardeners.” Additionally, she says that this form of gardening encourages creativity, supports biodiversity and allows gardeners to try new plant varieties without overthinking.
There are a few downsides to chaos gardening to consider as well. Vater says that because there’s less structure, it can be tricky to manage if aggressive plants take over or if certain blooms don’t thrive in their chosen spot.
“You may need to intervene occasionally to relocate struggling plants or pull weeds that crash the party,” she says. “Still, these are small trade-offs for the freedom chaos gardening offers.”
How to Start a Chaos Garden
In a chaos garden, you can freely mix together different plant varieties, like veggies, herbs and flowers, and scatter them randomly throughout (say goodbye to perfect rows!). Everything gets to grow and flourish wherever it pleases. You can also just toss together a chaos garden, using leftover seeds and wildflower blends, and you don’t need to come up with a complicated layout. Natural selection will allow the strongest of the bunch thrive in your garden, but you can move plants around as needed.
“Start by letting your heart lead the way at the garden center—skip the shopping list and pick what excites you,” Vater says. “Choose low-maintenance, pest- and disease-resistant plants that provide year-round interest and color. Give your seeded flower beds some gentle structure with easy-care evergreen shrubs.”
She adds that as the season progresses, don’t be afraid to lightly edit your garden. She advises, “Move a plant to a sunnier spot, or thin out areas where competition is stiff. Just remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about personality.”
Related: What Is a Cottage Garden? Plus Key Characteristics of this Romantic Look
Calling All Type-B Gardeners! This Laid-Back Method is For You first appeared on Dengarden on May 22, 2025