Potted Plant Show - Northern Gardener

Miss your chance to enter?

add your name to our interest list for next year!

Your favorite pothos could win a ribbon!

First-time exhibitors are welcome at the MHS Potted Plant Show during the State Fair—no membership, expertise or advance registration required. Choose a plant, clean it up and bring it to the fairgrounds Wednesday, August 26, between noon and 5:30 p.m.

Plant drop-off:	Wednesday, August 26th, Noon – 5:30 PM
Show dates:	Thursday & Friday, August 27th – 28th
Plant pickup:	Friday, August 28th, 9 – 10 PM

HOW TO ENTER (VIDEO) DROP-OFF MAP

2026 Show Rules

Learn more about rules for entry, plant divisions and classes, and information about group or commercial entry.

VIEW SHOW RULES

Think you need to be a plant expert? You don’t.

Have a houseplant, succulent, patio pot, hanging basket, terrarium, fairy garden, herb or vegetable plant you’re proud of? Bring it to the Minnesota State Fair Potted Plant Show.

First-time exhibitors, children, MHS members and non-members are all welcome. There is no advance registration for individual entries—just bring your plant during the Wednesday drop-off window. Volunteers will help you at check-in if you aren’t sure which category your plant belongs in.

Plants compete for ribbons and cash prizes, but the best reason to enter is to share something you’ve grown with thousands of fellow plant lovers.

Enter in three easy steps

Choose your plant. Most potted plants qualify, including common houseplants, succulents, cacti, patio plants, hanging baskets, terrariums, fairy gardens, herbs and vegetables.
Give it a quick cleanup. Remove dead leaves, wipe the pot and check carefully for pests or disease. Most pots must be no more than 14 inches across.
Bring it to the fairgrounds. Individual entries are accepted Wednesday, August 26, from noon–5:30 p.m. Enter Gate 7 from Como Avenue and follow the map to the south entrance of the Agriculture Horticulture Building.

You may fill out your plant tag before arriving, but you don’t have to. If you don’t know your plant’s scientific name or exact class, bring any nursery tag or information you have and ask for help at check-in.

Popular Entry Categories

Flowering houseplants and orchids

Pothos, philodendrons, ferns, and other houseplants

Bonsai, kokedama and topiary

Coleus, geraniums, petunias and other patio plants

Hanging baskets and mixed containers

Terrariums and fairy gardens

Succulents, aloe, euphorbia and cacti plants

Potted herbs, peppers, tomatoes and other edible plants

First-time and children’s entries

FAQs

Do I need to be an MHS member?

No. The show is open to members and non-members.

Do individual exhibitors register in advance?

No. Bring your plant during the Wednesday drop-off window and register onsite.

Can I enter more than one plant?

Yes. You may enter multiple plants, provided they are different varieties.

Do I need to know the scientific name?

No—you can still enter. Including the scientific name helps an entry qualify for the highest possible points. Please research it beforehand if you can, but volunteers can assist when you arrive.

How long must I have owned the plant?

Houseplants must have been owned and grown by you for at least six months. Annuals must have been in your care by June 1, and combination plantings must have grown together for at least six weeks.

What happens after the show?

Pick up your plant Friday beginning at 9 p.m. Be sure to collect a Friday parking pass when you drop off your entry. Plants not collected by 10 p.m. will be disposed of.