UK launches £3M plant health research hub

May 12, 2026

The Royal Horticultural Society and Animal and Plant Health Agency have announced a major new partnership to launch a £3 million National Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health, designed to tackle current and future threats to the UK’s gardens, landscapes, and horticulture industry.

Backed by funding from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the initiative will unite scientific experts, industry leaders, and environmental specialists to strengthen plant biosecurity and protect Britain’s 23 million gardens. The UK horticulture sector currently contributes around £38 billion to the national economy and supports more than 722,000 jobs across the country.

The new Centre will operate through a virtual network of specialists working across RHS and APHA locations nationwide. Its primary goal will be to identify high-risk plant health issues, develop effective research-based solutions, and provide practical management strategies for growers, landscapers, and home gardeners.

Among the major plant health threats being monitored are Bemisia tabaci, a destructive insect known for spreading damaging crop diseases; Phytophthora species, harmful water moulds responsible for widespread plant losses; and Rose Rosette virus, a serious disease that can rapidly destroy rose plants.

The RHS will also use its network of more than 600,000 members to improve public awareness around plant biosecurity and help monitor emerging garden health concerns throughout the UK. Recent RHS gardening reports identified honey fungus and phytophthora root rot among the most common plant diseases affecting British gardens in 2025.

The announcement coincides with National Plant Health Week, taking place from 11–17 May, highlighting the growing importance of protecting plants, trees, and green spaces from climate-related and global threats.

Defra Chief Plant Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence stated that climate change and global trade are increasing the number and complexity of risks facing UK plants. She explained that the new Centre represents a major advancement in strengthening national biosecurity through scientific innovation and collaborative research.

APHA Chief Executive Richard Lewis added that the partnership between APHA, Defra, and the RHS will play a crucial role in defending the UK against existing and emerging plant health threats while safeguarding borders and ecosystems.

RHS Director of Science and Collections Professor Alistair Griffiths emphasized that combining advanced scientific research with practical horticultural expertise will help support a thriving environmental horticulture industry while delivering economic, environmental, and wellbeing benefits for communities and gardeners alike.

The National Centre for Environmental Horticulture and Plant Health also supports the UK’s Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain 2023–2028 and aligns with government plans to drive economic growth through innovation, science, and sustainable technology.