The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has faced criticism for selling products that harm wildflowers and insects, despite its public messaging about protecting biodiversity. In 2022, the RHS announced that it would no longer categorise slugs and snails as pests and acknowledged their importance in the garden ecosystem. However, campaigners argue that the sale of slug and snail killers, weedkillers, and other bug killers on the RHS website and in RHS garden centres contradicts this commitment.
They point out that traditional slug pellets contain metaldehyde, a toxic ingredient that harms slugs as well as birds and other wildlife that consume them. Weedkillers can also harm plants and organisms beyond those targeted, including pollinators. Even “organic” and “environmentally friendly” labelled products may contain harmful substances.
The Wildlife Trusts, which partnered with the RHS ten years ago to promote wildlife gardening, supports the use of non-toxic pesticides and encourages plant biodiversity.
The RHS has responded to the criticism by pledging to remove all chemical products from its retail range in its gardens, shops and advice, by early May. It has also cancelled branded licensing for weedkiller and slug pellets and is working to remove the last products that control weeds or bugs. However, campaigners argue that broader changes to gardening culture are necessary to allow wildflowers and weeds to flourish, rather than viewing them as problems to be eradicated.
