In light of the RHS banning artificial grass from this week’s Chelsea Flower Show, leading brands Cobra and the Grass People have offered their comments.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, commented: "We’re thrilled to see the RHS standing against artificial grass. We, of course, celebrate lawns and all the benefits that they bring. A freshly cut lawn can’t be beaten. It is the centrepiece of a garden and is aesthetically pleasing but the benefits go far beyond that; lawns can boost drainage and help prevent flooding, they can boost biodiversity, absorb carbon dioxide and encourage nature and wildlife to gardens. Not to mention the mental health benefits that the feel and smell of freshly cut grass brings! Lawns, and green spaces, have been proven to reduce stress and improve mood, with the smell of freshly cut grass releasing endorphins.

"It's such a shame to see lawns being dug up and replaced by plastic alternatives. In a time when we’re all trying to reduce plastic usage, it makes no sense for gardens which are meant to enhance the planet, to be filled with unnecessary and unsightly plastic. Artificial grass is expensive, and not as maintenance-free as people first think as they can get damaged and will ultimately need replacing. Artificial grass creates a barrier to the soil, removing habits for burrowing insects and worms, starving them of food sources and creating a wholly inhabitable space. We support the RHS’s stance and hope to see an ongoing celebration of lawns for many years to come."

Experts at The Grass People have weighed in on the debate, with Chris McIlroy saying: “Although plastic grass is convenient, it doesn’t last forever. It looks good instantly but can wear badly and is then very hard to recycle. Not only that, high quality plastic grass is expensive and requires more maintenance than many people realise. 

“Plastic grass can get very hot as it absorbs heat and can even cause burns. It can also cause injury through friction burns if kids (or adults) are playing on it which means it isn’t always a family friendly option. It can also be tricky for families with pets as cleaning up after them can be difficult.

“Plastic grass also contributes to local flooding as there isn’t any drainage so large volumes of rain water can be displaced and cause problems elsewhere. The production and disposal of plastic grass can also create pollution and destroy spaces for wildlife. 

“On the other hand, real grass is 100% natural, can help with pollution and provides a home for wildlife. A 50x50 foot lawn releases enough oxygen for a family of four, while trapping harmful gases produced by pollution. It’s safe for children and animals to play on and doesn’t need to be cleaned. It’s also great at absorbing noise which is helpful for those living in louder areas or who have noisy neighbours. 

“Although the grass does need to be mown frequently in the summer - during winter a lawn is fairly low maintenance. It can also help improve the quality of the soil and ease the risk of flooding. 

“Some homeowners do face challenges with their grass, such as shade and clay soils which may encourage them to purchase artificial grass, however this can be easily solved with the right seed and know-how.”