Grow Wild is the national outreach learning programme of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. We're on a mission to bring people together to value and enjoy UK-native wildflowers, plants and fungi.

Kew is a world leader in science and education. Its vision is a world where plants and fungi are understood, valued and conserved – because all our lives depend on them.

Grow Wild is integral to Kew’s strategic priorities as it engages new audiences outside of Kew’s two botanic gardens. We’re part of Kew’s Learning and Participation team. This team engages audiences with Kew’s science collections and horticulture through formal and informal learning programmes and community engagement.

Grow Wild activities inspire people to grow together, learn about nature and give back through volunteering, all of which improve wellbeing and transform urban spaces.

Our target audiences are children, young people and adults, especially those unengaged with nature and living in urban and disadvantaged areas.

We focus on UK native plants – especially wildflowers because their species are declining due to habitat loss. Wildflowers are also perfect for introducing people who haven’t sown seeds before to the joys of growing, pollinators and the vibrancy of nature.

Grow Wild also focuses on UK fungi because they’re vital to biodiversity but are often underappreciated. Grow Wild is raising the understanding of and profile of fungi as a fundamental part of the natural world we need to cherish and protect.

Without the UK’s plants and fungi, there would be less colour in our lives and less food and shelter for bees and other wildlife. Grow Wild creates opportunities for people to discover the importance of native species in their own lives, while also building community connections and enhancing wellbeing.