If the idea of meticulously planning and caring for a garden brings you nothing but stress, this gardening trend might bring you nothing but joy.

Chaos gardening is a laid-back (and haphazard) approach to gardening, built on the notion that you can garden without expensive tools or extensive know-how, and that embracing the unexpected and unplanned can yield beautiful and bountiful results.

If you’re looking for a reason to let go of the rules and let nature work its magic, look no further.

What Is Chaos Gardening?

It started off as a TikTok trend, but chaos gardening is becoming a more practiced method of planting. It was even featured in some displays at the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show in London.

And, it’s exactly what it sounds like: rebelling against tidy gardens and strict rules about how a garden needs to be organized. It brings to mind an unbridled, colorful countryside of tall grasses and wildflowers, but one that fits in your backyard.