Spotlight on Innovation: 2026 Arett Open House New Product Winners
Each year, the Arett Open House shines a spotlight on innovation through its dedicated New Products Section, giving lawn and garden retailers an early look at products poised to make an impact in the coming season.
Retailers were invited to explore the display and vote for their favorites. After the votes were counted, three products rose to the top. From eye-catching outdoor décor to plant-supporting probiotics and approachable soil testing, this year’s winners offer fresh ways for retailers to educate, inspire, and engage their customers.
🥇 1st Place: Echo Valley – 10-Inch Lava Globe
A mesmerizing glow for outdoor spaces.
Echo Valley’s 10-Inch Lava Globe combines artisan craftsmanship with an attention-grabbing simulated flame effect. Produced from hand-blown, hand-laid mosaic glass, this decorative accent creates a warm, flickering glow that brings color and movement to patios, gardens, and other outdoor living spaces.
Its solar-powered design requires no electrical wiring, making it easy for customers to place wherever they want to add atmosphere.
Key features:
Hand-blown, hand-laid mosaic glass construction
Stunning simulated flame-lighting effect
Spring-loaded, winged solar LED light module
Solar-rechargeable battery included
Weatherproof rubber seal that helps protect against moisture
Retail takeaway: The Lava Globe’s colorful mosaic design and simulated flame effect make it an ideal display product. Merchandise it in a dimly lit area or outdoor-living vignette so customers can experience the effect firsthand. It also makes an appealing gift for shoppers looking to add personality and ambiance to their outdoor spaces.
🥈 2nd Place: MitoGrow – “It’s Not Dead Yet” Probiotics for Plants
Extra support when plants need it most.
MitoGrow’s “It’s Not Dead Yet” is a probiotic plant-care product designed to help plants withstand the inevitable stresses they encounter. It works alongside a customer’s favorite fertilizer, making it an easy addition to an existing plant-care routine.
By supporting plant survival and encouraging a lusher, fuller canopy, “It’s Not Dead Yet” offers customers a practical option when their plants are struggling—or when they simply want to give them additional support.
Key benefits:
Helps protect plants from inevitable stress
Improves plant survival
Works with a customer’s preferred fertilizer
Supports a lusher, fuller canopy
Fits easily into an existing plant-care routine
Retail takeaway: The memorable name naturally invites conversation and makes this product stand out on the shelf. Position it alongside fertilizers, potting mixes, transplanting products, and plant-care solutions to encourage add-on purchases. It is also a strong option for educational displays focused on helping customers revive and support stressed plants.
🥉 3rd Place: Luster Leaf Products – Soil Microbial Test Kit
Simple soil insights from the convenience of home.
The Luster Leaf Products Soil Microbial Test Kit makes it easy for gardeners to better understand the conditions beneath their plants. Its capsule system and patented color comparators provide quick, at-home results for soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash.
With enough components for 20 tests—five each for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash—the kit allows customers to evaluate several areas throughout their yard or garden. Straightforward instructions make it accessible to beginners while still offering useful information for experienced gardeners.
Key features:
Provides quick, at-home results for soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash
Features an easy-to-use capsule system
Includes patented color comparators
Contains supplies for 20 tests: five each for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash
Allows customers to test multiple areas of a yard or garden
Includes simple, detailed instructions
Features a soil pH preference list covering more than 450 plants
Retail takeaway: Soil testing is a natural starting point for customers who want better results from their gardens. Merchandise this kit near fertilizers, soil amendments, lawn-care products, and gardening tools to help shoppers move from identifying a soil need to choosing the right solution.
Why These Products Stand Out
This year’s winners reflect the range of opportunities available to lawn and garden retailers. Echo Valley’s Lava Globe adds color and atmosphere to outdoor spaces. MitoGrow’s “It’s Not Dead Yet” offers a memorable approach to plant support, while Luster Leaf Products’ test kit gives gardeners accessible information for making more confident soil-care decisions.
Together, these products combine visual appeal, practical benefits, and strong opportunities for in-store storytelling. Adding award-winning products like these to your assortment can help differentiate your store, encourage add-on purchases, and give customers new reasons to explore the lawn and garden category. Shop these products and vendors on Arett.com!