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Netanya Sadoff
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- Thread Author
- #1
From apples to zucchini, the agriculture/horticulture (AgHort) building at the Minnesota State Fair is jam-packed with home-grown contributions vying to be awarded in their category of choice. You’ve probably heard of many of the exhibits: there’s the giant pumpkins, the always-charming scarecrows, and of course, the famous crop art show. Beyond the crowd-generators, the AgHort building is also the home of one of the country’s longest-running horticulture competitions: The Minnesota Potted Plant show.
Join me as I document my journey participating in the 2026 plant show to show that anyone (yes, that means you!) can become an award-winning plant parent.
Firstly, you must decide which of your houseplants to enter in the competition. It goes without saying healthy and robust houseplants are your best choices; what might be less obvious however are the other factors the judges weigh in inspecting the show entries.
Before you begin, I would also recommend finding out the class and category of the plant or plants you wish to enter. If you don’t already know, also find out the scientific name (and if possible, the variety or cultivar) of your plant. You can do this later during show registration, but it’s good to come prepared beforehand! Of course, please check out the full show rules before you compete yourself! Rules are subject to change before next year.
Based on the show rules and guidelines, I ruled out many of my plants from competing. Some were too large, some were too new (or green, if you will!), and I am not too proud to admit that one or two had some pests on them. In the end, I chose to enter a small Pilea peperomioides (aka Chinese money plant) I have dubbed Peter the Pilea. This spunky little plant has grown handsomely since I purchased him last winter, and I was excited to show him off to the world!.
This is the plant I entered to the potted plant show. I call him Peter the Pilea.
If you’re going to be showing off your plant to thousands, you may as well make it look jaw-droppingly amazing! Groom your plant before the show to make it shine against its competitors. To get my plant ready, I did the following:
Now that my plant is neat and groomed, I gave it one last watering at home before the show. Then, it’s off to the state fair!
Registration and plant drop-off for the potted plant show occurs the afternoon before the fair kicks off. There, the show volunteers will help you fill out the required paperwork. Then, they will show you where to place your plant for judging. Once situated, I spent some time introducing myself and talking with the other exhibitors about our plants. For me, this included the guy who would end up winning first in class for his own Pilea peperomioides plant. Taking the time to learn from others at the show about their own journeys and tips for plant care is one of the most valuable parts of the experience, at least for me!
Once I was done with registration, the hardest step begins: waiting for my submission to be judged. The judges will be at work carefully examining every detail on the show plants and determining first place from second and the rest until the fair opens the following morning.
Left: My plant (left foreground) among some of the houseplants at the show. Center: The Best-in-Show winning houseplant for 2026 Right: A closer shot showing my plant on the show table.
The next day, I arrived bright and early to the first day of the fair to find out how my plant did in the show. To my delight, I found out I scored a third place ribbon for Peter the Pilea! People came up and congratulated me on the placement as I proudly took photos of the win. It was great going around and seeing all of the other placements too; I gathered inspiration for my own plantings and indoor containers for next year and beyond.
The Minnesota Potted Plant Show only goes the first two days of the state fair. Afterwards, I picked up my plant from the exhibit hall and brought it back to its home on my kitchen plant table. My mind is already swimming with ideas for the 2027 plant show, and I can’t wait to enter once more! I hope to see even more submissions next year, as nothing gets me more amped than a healthy competition.
Coming home with a ribbon in hand is an incredible (and addictive) feeling!
Netanya Sadoff is a bold young writer and educator with a passion for all things gardening. A lifelong plant enthusiast, Netanya is delighted to contribute to Northern Gardener as their Marketing Intern since June 2025.
Follow them @Net.Sadoff on Instagram.
The post Room to Grow: Potted Plant Show Palooza! appeared first on Northern Gardener.
Join me as I document my journey participating in the 2026 plant show to show that anyone (yes, that means you!) can become an award-winning plant parent.
Pre-show preparations
Firstly, you must decide which of your houseplants to enter in the competition. It goes without saying healthy and robust houseplants are your best choices; what might be less obvious however are the other factors the judges weigh in inspecting the show entries.
Here are a few rules to follow when choosing your entry:
- Do not submit plants with pests or diseases
- Plant containers must be no larger than 14in in diameter
- Containers cannot contain plants of different species or varieties (unless otherwise noted)
- houseplants must have been in your care for at least 6 months prior to the show
- container decorations should be removed or moved to the side or lip of the container.
Before you begin, I would also recommend finding out the class and category of the plant or plants you wish to enter. If you don’t already know, also find out the scientific name (and if possible, the variety or cultivar) of your plant. You can do this later during show registration, but it’s good to come prepared beforehand! Of course, please check out the full show rules before you compete yourself! Rules are subject to change before next year.
Based on the show rules and guidelines, I ruled out many of my plants from competing. Some were too large, some were too new (or green, if you will!), and I am not too proud to admit that one or two had some pests on them. In the end, I chose to enter a small Pilea peperomioides (aka Chinese money plant) I have dubbed Peter the Pilea. This spunky little plant has grown handsomely since I purchased him last winter, and I was excited to show him off to the world!.
This is the plant I entered to the potted plant show. I call him Peter the Pilea.
Give your plant a Makeover
If you’re going to be showing off your plant to thousands, you may as well make it look jaw-droppingly amazing! Groom your plant before the show to make it shine against its competitors. To get my plant ready, I did the following:
- Dusted the leaves with a moist microfiber cloth
- Trimmed imperfect or damaged leaves with mini-snips (link)
- Hot-glued my parakeet decoration to the lip of the container
Now that my plant is neat and groomed, I gave it one last watering at home before the show. Then, it’s off to the state fair!
Getting registered
Registration and plant drop-off for the potted plant show occurs the afternoon before the fair kicks off. There, the show volunteers will help you fill out the required paperwork. Then, they will show you where to place your plant for judging. Once situated, I spent some time introducing myself and talking with the other exhibitors about our plants. For me, this included the guy who would end up winning first in class for his own Pilea peperomioides plant. Taking the time to learn from others at the show about their own journeys and tips for plant care is one of the most valuable parts of the experience, at least for me!
Once I was done with registration, the hardest step begins: waiting for my submission to be judged. The judges will be at work carefully examining every detail on the show plants and determining first place from second and the rest until the fair opens the following morning.
Left: My plant (left foreground) among some of the houseplants at the show. Center: The Best-in-Show winning houseplant for 2026 Right: A closer shot showing my plant on the show table.
The next day, I arrived bright and early to the first day of the fair to find out how my plant did in the show. To my delight, I found out I scored a third place ribbon for Peter the Pilea! People came up and congratulated me on the placement as I proudly took photos of the win. It was great going around and seeing all of the other placements too; I gathered inspiration for my own plantings and indoor containers for next year and beyond.
After the show
The Minnesota Potted Plant Show only goes the first two days of the state fair. Afterwards, I picked up my plant from the exhibit hall and brought it back to its home on my kitchen plant table. My mind is already swimming with ideas for the 2027 plant show, and I can’t wait to enter once more! I hope to see even more submissions next year, as nothing gets me more amped than a healthy competition.
Coming home with a ribbon in hand is an incredible (and addictive) feeling!
Netanya Sadoff is a bold young writer and educator with a passion for all things gardening. A lifelong plant enthusiast, Netanya is delighted to contribute to Northern Gardener as their Marketing Intern since June 2025.
Follow them @Net.Sadoff on Instagram.
The post Room to Grow: Potted Plant Show Palooza! appeared first on Northern Gardener.