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It may be Fall as I’m writing this, with crisp leaves and brilliant auburn hues, but I’m still gardening–in the Sims 4.
Following up on previous games in The Sims franchise, there are now more plants and features than ever, which is why I’m giving you a guide to all things gardening, with a plant list, to get you started.
Whether you want to sell produce, create your own makeshift career, or just get some joy out of watching crops grow, gardening is both rewarding and, at times, challenging. It’s also one of my favorite ways to make a home feel distinct, and get just a little feel of farming gameplay, especially after a rumor about a Country Living expansion pack turned out to be fake.
Farming expansion pack aside, there’s still plenty to do in Sims 4. So if you like gardening, in real life or in a virtual one, or just want a new channel of revenue for your Sims, read on. Consider this your guide to all things gardening, with a plant list so you can plan.
Is Gardening New to Sims 4?
Gardening isn’t new to the Sims 4–far from it. While the plant list has changed and there are new features, gardening as a system has been a mainstay of the Sims franchise since The Sims Unleashed, the 2002 expansion pack for the original Sims generation that introduced the concept of growing and tending plants.
Here’s a snapshot of the history of gardening in the Sims, to see just how it has evolved over two decades.
Sims Unleashed
The Sims Unleashed, when it was released, was truly innovative for its time. Not only did the expansion introduce gardening; it also came with 125 new items, 5 new careers, and the ability to own cats, dogs, and small pets, such as birds, fish, and reptiles.
The gardening was more advanced than you might imagine. To begin gardening, you need to buy a gardening pilot and seeds, which were both located under a new plant tool in Build Mode. After buying seeds from the community garden center shop, plants required weeding, watering, and tending. Sims could harvest and store things such as green beans and tomatoes, as well as carrots and lettuce.
The main dangers included pests; predators like rabbits; and not caring for the crops properly. One of my favorite features includes the introduction of the Scarecrow, which has since reappeared in subsequent Sims games.
Sims 2
Gardening was introduced in Sims 2: Seasons Expansion Pack. If the original Sims introduction of gardening was innovative, it was just as much in Sims 2– in part because now weather added benefits and challenges to gardening, for a more fully fleshed and realistic experience, and, for me, remains one of the most memorable additions.
Now gardening was not only a way to grow crops but a talent. As Sims became more experienced, they were able to earn talent badges, and gardening itself became more efficient. Just like with the original Sims, in Sims 2 seeds could be planted in gardening plots, with additional options for fertilizing and compositing. Tending required not only watering but also spraying with pesticides. Water was made easier by buying the new sprinklers.
Orchard trees; the ability to juice; greenhouses; a garden club, and new comfort buffs complemented a more nuanced system. Certain plants could be grown at different times of the year, and crops were given different values based upon their health rating.
Sims 3
A big step in the right direction for gardening came in the Sims 3. Unlike previous Sims games, the gardening system came with the base game, which means you could enjoy it without purchasing a single expansion pack.
Gardening became a skill, and tied in with traits like Green Thumb and Gatherer; challenges; and the ability to earn a lifetime reward for points. Previous options like weeding, fertilizing, and water was still an option. Now Sims could also produce in even more ways, from cooking to nectar making, mixology, and even for fishing bait and making jam.
The gardening experience was enhanced with expansions, with more capabilities and rare plants. Herbs and coffee beans were options alongside a growing list of plants, and there was a new, enhanced fertilizer system, with quality ratings from putrid to perfect.
What is New About Gardening in the Sims 4? Your Guide
As is the case with gardening from previous generations, Sims 4 took many features introduced in Sims 2 and 3 and added some more. Like Sims 3, gardening was introduced in the base game, though the Seasons and other dlc packs do enhance your experience.
While Sims 4 started out with arguably more basic features that some even considered a step back, an overhaul before the release of the Sims 4 Seasons expansion pack introduced nuance to grafting, watering, plant evolution, and more.
At the same time, gardening in Sims 4, with its new features, will still feel familiar to any players who enjoyed gardening in Sims 2 and Sims 3.
Preparation
As with other games, you’ll first need to purchase seeds, either from Build Mode or from a computer. You’ll also need single garden pots (50 simoleons) or planter boxes, which hold a tree or up to four plants (200 simoleons). You have the option to plant both inside and outside, and, if you have Seasons installed, you may want to consider constructing a greenhouse.
To plant, simply place your seeds from your inventory in your pots or boxes.
Tending Plants
The next step is to make sure you at least tend your plants so they grow. Sims 4 actually makes this easy by having certain times of day when it’s best to do things. Mornings around 6am game time are when plants should be watered and checked for weeds. You’ll want to look for an average of 6 harvestable fruit or vegetables per plant. Plant quality is rated as Normal, Nice, Excellent, Magnificent, or Perfect.
Spraying
Spraying plants is a key to gardening success in the Sims 4, especially if you have Seasons installed. But even without the additional pests that come with Seasons, bugs can still eat away at your plants. You should spray if you see insects, but not at will; I recommend checking daily.
Plant Evolution
Plant evolution is unique to the Sims 4, and tied directly to produce quality. You’ll be given the option to evolve plants when there is a glittering icon surrounding them. Plants evolve simply by tending to them properly, though they tend to evolve best indoors, and weather can have an impact.
If you’re impatient like me, you can also use plant evolution in the Sims 4 to make gardening quicker. Perfect Plants will grow faster if you evolve every time the option pops up. You can further speed up the process by collecting a rare plant and grafting it to your Perfect Plant.
Grafting
One of the most interesting new additions to gardening in Sims 4 is grafting. For this option, your Sim will have to be at a level 5 in the gardening skill, so be patient. Grafting is there to make the garden more efficient, meaning plants will require less maintenance. Grafting basically means that you’re splicing the tissue of one plant and joining it with another.
An added bonus comes if you have the Seasons expansion. A plant that can be grown all year can be grafted with another to make the second plant usable outside of its typical season.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing plants in the Sims 4 requires your Sim to have a level 3 of the gardening skill, and ties directly in with plant evolution. Fertilizer improves the quality of your produce. Fish and other plants can be used as fertilizers, with different values assigned. The most expensive fish are the best fertilizers, and the game will limit how often you fertilize your plants.
Gardening Skill Levels
Gardening skill levels, as you’ve seen, are very important to understand if you want to be successful in Sims 4. It’s also important to note that certain traits and aspirations are helpful in getting your skills up faster, or motivating your Sim, especially the Loves the Outdoors trait and Freelance Botanist Aspiration.
- Level One: No perks
- Level Two: You can start learning quicker by researching gardening on a computer
- Level Three: Start fertilizing your plants
- Level Four: You can now talk to your plants ( to fulfill social needs)
- Level Five: Cut and graft your plants
- Level Seven: Can weed and water simultaneously using a new “Tend Garden” interaction
- Level Eight: Sell multiply harvestable at once
- Level Ten: Rare seed packets can be purchased
Seasons Features
If you do have the Seasons Expansion, there are a few considerations beyond the weather. Not only do you have more options for gardening in Sims 4, but you’ll also need to keep new challenges in mind.
Weather and Seasons
Of course, the most obvious difference between gardening in the Sims 4 Base Game vs gardening with Sims 4 Seasons is when and how you can garden. Certain plants are season-specific, and inclement weather can impact how you tend your plants. Plants that are out of season cannot grow, evolve, or be fertilized outdoors.
Beekeeping
While not technically part of the gardening system, beekeeping actually does enhance your gardening. You’ll need to purchase the Bertie’s Bee Box from the Outdoor Activities section in the Buy catalog.
Beekeeping takes patience and requires you to bond with and establish a healthy relationship with your bees. With patience, however, you can accelerate the rate of fertilization. Place your bee box within 3-5 squares of the plant for the best impact.
Sims 4 Plant List
One of the most impressive aspects of gardening in the Sims 4 is the sheer number of plants and plant types. There are unique plants to several game packs and expansion packs, and countless harvestable even with the base game.
This is not exhaustive but includes plants you’ll most engage with, broken down by plant type. Seasons for harvesting, of course, will only apply if you have Sims 4 Seasons installed.
Common Gardening Plants
Plant | Can Sell for (without upgrades) | Pack & Where to Find in Game | Season |
Apple | $3 | BG; seed packet | Fall |
Basil | $2 | BG; seed packet | Summer, Fall |
Bell Pepper | $3 | Seasons; seed packet | Summer |
Blue Bells | $2 | BG; seed packet | Spring, Summer |
Carrots | $3 | BG; seed packet | Spring, Fall |
Camomille/ Toxic Camomille | $8/ $4 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Summer |
Daisy | $2 | BG; seed packet | Spring |
Elderberry/ Noxious Elderberry | $2/ $2 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Fall, Summer |
Grapes | $6 | BG; seed packet | Fall |
Green Peas | $3 | Seasons; seed packet | Spring |
Holly | $3 | Seasons; seed packet | Fall, Winter |
Lemons | $6 | BG; Oasis Springs | Unspecified |
Mushrooms | $1 | BG; seed packet | Spring, Fall |
Parsley | $2 | BG; seed packet | Spring, Summer |
Plantains | $3 | BG; seed packet | Summer |
Sage | $3 | BG; Oasis Springs | Unspecified |
Snapdragon | $16 | BG; Willow Creek | Spring, Fall |
Spinach | $1 | BG; seed packet | Winter |
Uncommon Gardening Plants
Plant | Can Sell for (without upgrades) | Pack & Where to Find in Game | Season |
Avocado | $15 | Jungle Adventure; Selvadorado Market | Unspecified |
Black Beans | $2 | Jungle Adventure; Selvadorado Market | Summer, Fall |
Begonia | $23 | Seasons; seed packs | Summer, Fall |
Cherries | $8 | BG; Oasis Springs | Summer |
Christmas Rose | $14 | Seasons; seed packets | Winter |
Coconut | $3 | Island Living; Sulani | Spring, Summer |
Crocus | $9 | Seasons; seed packets | Winter, Spring |
Dahlia | $17 | Seasons; seed packets | Fall |
Fireleaf/ Poison Fireleaf | $2 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Spring, Summer |
Garlic | $4 | Vampires; seed packs and Forgotten Hollow | Unspecified |
Huckleberry | $2 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Summer, Fall |
Kava | $3 | Island Living; Sulani | Spring, Summer |
Lily | $36 | BG; Willow Creek | Summer |
Muckleberry | $3 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Summer, Fall |
Onion | $6 | BG; Willow Creek | Fall, Winter |
Pear | $10 | BG; Willow Creek | Fall, Winter |
Plasma (Fruit) | $6 | Vampires; Forgotten Hollow | Unspecified |
Pineapple | $4 | Island Living; Sulani | Spring, Summer |
Potato | $3 | BG; Willow Creek | Winter |
Rose | $29 | BG; Willow Creek | Spring, Fall |
Snowdrop | $5 | Seasons; seed packets | Winter |
Strawberries | $9 | BG; Willow Creek | Spring |
Tomato | $5 | BG; Oasis Springs | Summer |
Tulip | $14 | BG; Oasis Springs | Spring |
Rare Gardening Plants
Rare seed packs can be purchased on the computer.
Plant | Can Sell for (without upgrades) | Pack & Where to Find in Game | Season |
Bird of Paradise | $51 | BG; seed packs | Spring, Summer |
Blackberry | $3 | BG; Oasis Springs | Summer |
Bonsai Seedlings | $35 | BG; seed packs | Unspecified |
Bizarre Fruit | $2 | Strangerville; Strangerville Shop | Unspecified |
Cow Berry (for Cow Plant) | $180 | BG; Oasis Springs, or Sylvan Glade (Get to Work) | Unspecified |
Death Flower | $240 | BG; seed pack | Winter |
Dragon Fruit | $250 | BG; seed pack | Fall |
Emotion Berries | $5 | Jungle Adventure; Temple | Unspecified |
Growfruit | $30 | BG; seed pack, but hard to find | Unspecified |
Mandrake | $3 | Realm of Magic/ Portal | Spring, Fall |
Money Tree | $1600 | Seasons; Reward Store | Unspecified |
Morel/ False Morel Mushroom | $36/ $6 | Outdoor Retreat; Granite Falls | Spring, Summer |
Orchid | $225 | BG; seed pack | Spring, Winter |
Pomegranate | $30 | BG; Willow Creek | Winter |
Trash Fruit | $1 | BG; seed pack | Unspecified |
Valerian | $3 | Realm of Magic/ Portal | Spring, Fall |
No Rarity
A select few plants are not classified on the rarity scale. This includes Catnip from the Cats & Dogs Expansion (seed pack from the computer); the Fang Flower, Glow Orb, and Quill Fruit from the hidden Alien planet, Sixam that comes from the Get to Work Expansion, and the Sixam Mosquito Trap from the Vampires Pack.
FAQs
Question: Is there a gardening career in Sims4?
Answer: Yes, there are a few careers directly related to the gardening system. The Seasons Expansion gives you the Florist and Botanist career branches, both from the Gardening Career track. Both include active work from home features and are enhanced by traits such as Loves the Outdoors.
Question: How do you get more plants in Sims 4?
Answer: If you’re looking for more plants to garden outside of what Simsa 4 seed packets provide, start looking around different worlds. You’ll find a wealth of plants in Oasis Springs and Willow Creek; Granite Falls if you have Sims 4 Outdoor Retreat, and even some in the jungle and market with the Jungle Adventure Pack. There are also a few plants exclusive to Forgotten Hollow (Vampires Game Pack) and Realm of Magic Game Pack.
Finally, you can find rare seeds by purchasing on a computer, and also new plants through the grafting feature. Meanwhile, more eccentric plants, like Cow Plants, can sometimes be found from fishing.
Question: What is the best fertilizer for gardening in Sims 4?
Answer: The most potent fertilizer is from valuable fish. To get the best fish, you’ll need to play for a while to increase your fishing skill. Shy away from fish like minnows, which are not adequate fertilizers.
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