The Minnesota State Horticultural Society Potted Plant Show Schedule

Thursday & Friday, August 27 & 28

Contacts/Questions: northerngardener.org/judging or Lara@northerngardener.org

Show Co-Chairs: Rose Martinson hartlegilmangardens@gmail.com,

Barb Gasterland barbski1@icloud.com

Presented by: MHS Judging and Exhibiting Committee

Entries accepted Wednesday, August 26, 2026The Minnesota Horticultural Society invites everyone (members and non-members) to participate in this longstanding Minnesota State Fair tradition on August 27 and 28, 2026. All gardeners, garden clubs, and specialty plant societies are eligible to compete for ribbons and cash prizes, as described below. In addition, schools and commercial growers are welcome to display an educational exhibit. If you wish to reserve table space for large displays, contact a chairperson listed above.

A link to registration will be available after June 1, 2026.

The Plants and Show Rules

Houseplants must have been owned and grown by the exhibitor for a minimum of six months.

Annuals must have been under the horticulture care of the exhibitor by June 1. Combination

plantings should be grown together for six weeks or longer.

All entered plants must be in pots and growing. No cut material allowed. Covered tables and

counters will be provided. Pots should have a maximum diameter of 14 inches, except where

noted. This rule is strictly adhered to.

Exhibitors must fill out entry tags with correct Division, Class, and variety.

a. For example: Division = A. Indoor Flowering Class = A4. Orchids

Variety = A4-c Phalaenopsis.

The scientific name of the plant (genus, species, variety/cultivar) must be included to qualify for

highest points. A pot or container may contain more than one plant of the same variety but

cannot have multiple varieties, except where noted. Please ask for help at check-in if uncertain.

All plants grown in climate-controlled structures must be identified at check-in with a special

mark by the chairperson.

No artificial plant material is allowed anywhere in the show (ribbon roses, paper flowers, plastic

garlands, and the like). This means anything that is intended to look like a plant must be real

plant material. No live animals or taxidermy.

All collections of plants (Divisions M1 or M2) must be exhibited in separate pots and labeled

correctly: genus, species, variety/cultivar.

Groom your plants before you leave home. Plants with pests and /or diseases will be disqualified.

9. The judges' decision on awards is final.

Plant Drop Off & Pick Up

-The show will use diligence to ensure the safety of articles entered for exhibition after

arrival and placement; but under no circumstances will claim responsibility for any loss

or damage.

-The exhibitor shall indemnify the fair and management, against all legal or other

proceedings.

-The chairpersons reserve the right to remove any exhibit from the show at their

discretion.

1. 2. 3. Drop Off: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Agriculture/Horticulture Building. Registration

and set-up hours: Group Exhibitors, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individual competition plants, 12 p.m.

until 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration information:

Enter the State Fairgrounds at Underwood Street off Como Avenue, Gate 7. https://

www.mnstatefair.org/general-info/maps/ the entrance is on the south side of the building on

Judson Avenue.

Be sure to pick up a parking pass for Friday pickup when you drop off your plant.

All exhibits must remain in place until 9 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026. It is the responsibility

of the exhibitor to pick up their plant material at that time. You must have the parking pass you

picked up on Wednesday. Plants will be disposed of after 10 pm Friday if not picked up.

https://www.mnstatefair.org/general-info/maps/