How Do I Join the RHS as a Member and What Membership Options Are Available?

You can join the RHS by choosing a membership type on its "Join the RHS" page and completing the online application; the available options listed by the RHS are Individual & Joint membership, Gift membership, Life & Senior Life membership, Student membership, and RHS Patrons. The right choice depends on whether you are joining for yourself, buying for someone else, or joining as a student or patron. The RHS website does not publish current prices or payment details in the material available here, so check the membership pages for the latest cost and terms before applying.

Membership options and who each is for

The RHS groups its membership offers under "Join the RHS" in the main menu. Based on the options named on the site:

The site also lists an "About membership" page and an "Activate gift membership" link, which indicates that gift memberships are purchased first and then activated by the recipient.

How to join online

1. Go to the RHS website (rhs.org.uk).
2. Open the Membership menu and select Become a member, or use the Join the RHS link in the navigation.
3. Review the membership types on the Join the RHS page and pick the one that matches your situation (individual, joint, gift, life, student, or patron).
4. Follow the application steps for that membership type and complete any payment requested.
5. After joining, use Log in or Register under My RHS to set up and manage your account.

Expected result: you receive confirmation of your membership and can access My RHS to manage your details.

Buying and activating a gift membership

Gift membership follows a two-step pattern on the RHS site: the buyer purchases it, and the recipient activates it using the Activate gift membership link under the membership section. If you are the recipient, open that page and follow the activation steps rather than trying to register as a new member from scratch. The site does not detail the exact activation fields here, so have the gift confirmation details to hand when you start.

What membership gives you

The RHS describes itself as the UK's leading gardening charity, and its membership pages sit alongside its gardens, flower shows, and advice sections. Membership is presented as the way to support that work and take part in it. The site's structure points to the main areas members engage with:

• Gardens — RHS Bridgewater, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, and Wisley, plus RHS Partner Gardens.
• Shows — including RHS Chelsea Flower Show, RHS Malvern Spring Festival, RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, and others listed with future dates.
• Advice — growing guides, pests and diseases help, and a beginners' guide.

The available material does not spell out which specific benefits or ticket privileges attach to each membership tier, so confirm the benefits listed on the Join the RHS page for the tier you choose before paying.

Managing your membership after joining

Once you are a member, use My RHS in the top navigation. Existing members select Log in; new members select Register to create an online account. This is where you manage your membership details and access member content.

Common sticking points

• Gift membership activation: recipients should use the dedicated activation link, not the standard new-member sign-up.
• Choosing a tier: if you are unsure between Individual & Joint, Life, Student, or Patrons, compare the benefit descriptions on each option's page rather than assuming they are identical.
• Current costs: prices and payment methods are not included in the information available here, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as unverified until you check the RHS site.