Landscaping in 2025: Growth, Grit and Green Horizons
Inspired by the “Pro Landscaper Premium Plus – State of the Nation Industry Survey, August 2025”
The landscaping industry in the UK isn’t just alive and well, it’s thriving, transforming, and ready for more.
According to the latest State of the Nation report from Pro Landscaper Premium Plus, over 76% of surveyed businesses expect growth in 2025, with nearly half predicting revenue increases over 10%.
And it’s not just optimism, 2024 saw 62% of companies grow, especially those in the commercial landscaping sector, which outpaced residential slightly.
But let’s be clear, growth hasn’t come without grit.
🔍 Market Mood: Resilient, Not Reckless
Post-Covid demand for greener spaces collided with inflation, labour shortages, and political red tape. The industry flexed, adapted, and kept digging, literally and figuratively.
With order values holding steady, and conversion rates climbing, 2025 is looking like a year where success will be built on volume, consistency, and operational efficiency, not mega-deals.
🌱 What’s Driving This Surge?
1. Demand for Quality Green Space:
Whether for biodiversity, wellbeing, or aesthetics, outdoor spaces are now critical real estate assets. Commercial and local authority investment is rising, with 67% of firms seeing increased enquiries.
2. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG):
It’s not a buzzword anymore, it’s law. While many firms say BNG’s impact has been limited so far, 18% are already seeing high impact, and planning clarity, better client education, and early collaboration are the keys to unlocking its full potential.
3. Policy-Driven Opportunities:
Labour’s housebuilding push (1.5M homes in 5 years) + changes to wind energy infrastructure = a major chance for landscaping to lead, not follow.
🧠 Industry Priorities: Five Big Levers
1. Skills & Upskilling:
With talent shortages biting hard, 27% are investing in scaling up skills, while BALI and the LI are pushing education and CPD into schools, unis, and career-switcher routes.
2. Productivity through Tech & AI:
From admin automation to AI-assisted design and bidding, tech adoption is emerging as the solution to rising NICs and fuel costs, 31% of businesses are prioritising productivity to counter margin pressure.
3. Collaboration Over Competition:
Whether between suppliers, designers, or clients, partnerships are no longer optional, they’re operational. Delays in planning and disconnects between stakeholders are cited as critical issues.
4. Financial Fortitude:
While 33% saw 10–25% revenue growth in 2024, 2025 targets are more aggressive. NIC increases are adding pressure, with over 55% of businesses facing cost rises over £50K. Firms are responding with tech investment, subcontracting, and leaner ops.
5. Telling Our Story Better:
Public perception still undervalues landscaping. Yet we’re a £38bn contributor to the UK economy, and £18bn of that comes from landscaping alone. The industry is now pushing harder to champion its voice, attract talent, and define its own future.
🚧 What’s Holding Us Back?
Cashflow & Payment Delays (13%)
Labour Cost Increases (18%)
Project Delays (17%)
Material Volatility (13%)
These aren’t new problems, but they’re now structural. Winning firms are the ones embracing change, not waiting for rescue.
✊ The Road Ahead
If 2024 was about surviving the squeeze, 2025 is about claiming our space.
One message comes through loud and clear: collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s the foundation of our future.
“We should collaborate and make our own success... if there’s a lack of respect and value given to the industry, only we can change that.”
Landscapers are no longer “last in the room” they’re at the design table from Day 1. And with climate resilience, urban regeneration, and health and wellbeing now mainstream concerns, the industry has never been more relevant, or more powerful
