Gardening (The Sims 4)

Gardening

A Sim tending to her garden

For gardening in other Sims games, see Gardening.

Gardening is a skill included in The Sims 4. It primarily focuses on a Sim's ability to grow different types of plants. The plants grown through gardening can be sold or in some cases used in recipes.

Abilities

Level	Ability	Interaction
1	Plant, Water, Weed, Spray for Bugs, Harvest	Plant interaction
2	Evolve	Plant interaction
3	Research Gardening	Computer interaction
4	Talk to plants	Plant interaction
5	Fertilize garden	Plant interaction
6	Other Sims may compliment your garden	Social interaction
7	Buy Farmer's Seed Packets	Computer interaction
7	Take cutting, Grafting, Tend Garden	Plant interaction
8	Ability to spend §50 to re-grow a Bonsai Tree in order to re-shape it	Bonsai interaction
9	Water plants and weed faster	Plant interaction
10	Can mentor other sims	Social interaction

Learning

Gardening is mainly built by tending various garden plants. Sims may also read a gardening skill book to level the skill more quickly and can also "Research Gardening" on any computer, after reaching level 3. At level 4, Sims can "Talk to Plants," which will build the gardening skill and satisfy social needs.

Growing plants

Planting

Starting with level 1 gardening, a Sim can plant flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables on their property, either outdoors on bare earth, or in flower pots. The easiest way to start a garden is to purchase seed packets at a computer or by clicking on a flower pot. Once the Sim received the seed packet, opening it will reveal one of the possible plants at random. Once the plant is placed in a spot where it can be planted, the "Plant" interaction will appear when the Sim clicks on it.

Tending

After it is planted, the Sim can water it to keep it healthy until it grows. When a plant needs to be watered again, its base will appear dry. A normal quality plant will not require weeding or spraying for bugs. Every 12 Sim hours that it remains tended to, it will increase in health, until it is ready to increasing in quality. Every 12 Sim hours that it remains untended (unwatered, covered in weeds, or surrounded by bugs), it will decrease in health until it dies. Its current health is represented by a picture of a daisy when highlighting the plant. The daisy will either be green and smiling, showing it is tended to, or unhappy and red, showing it requires maintenance. The petals around the outside of the daisy will show its progress toward growing in quality or dying. All plants need to be tended to at least once on a daily basis, meaning that even if a plant is not tended to for 12 hours, fully tending it once will provide double the progress of what it lost. None of the plants found on Sixam in The Sims 4: Get to Work require watering.

As plants progress past normal quality, they will start needing to be weeded and eventually sprayed for bugs, in addition to being watered. Weeds and bugs occur randomly and can occur every 24 hours, or not at all. Plants that require weeding will produce small white and yellow flowers around their base. Plants that require the Sim to spray for bugs will have a large number of bugs flying around the plant and will make an audible 'buzzing' sound. Despite the name, the Sixam Mosquito Trap will have no effect on how often plants have to be sprayed for bugs. Starting at level 7, Sims will have the ability to "Tend Garden" which will them to autonomously move between all plants within range, taking care of any tending that the plants need. "Tend Garden" does not autonomously fertilize or harvest plants.

Harvesting

Every so often, plants will produce harvestables. How often, depends on the plant. When it comes time to harvest a plant, it will produce a couple harvestables. If harvested right away, the Sim might receive one harvestable and the plant will be reset, and will be harvestable again after the length of its cycle. If the plant is not harvested as soon as possible, it will continue to produce harvestables until reaching ten, the maximum that any plant can hold. These harvestables can now be eaten, sold, used to plant new plants, or used in cooking or herbalism recipes. Plants can be harvested an unlimited number of times.

Evolve

When plants reach maximum health, they can be evolved by a Sim, who has at least a level 2 gardening skill. This will increase the quality of the plants harvestables and their value. Increasing quality also increases the quality of dishes, drinks, and herbal remedies made with them. Planting a higher quality harvestable will result in a plant starting at that quality. There are eight levels of quality: Normal, Nice, Very Nice, Good, Great, Superb, Magnificent, Pristine, and Perfect. Most plants will increase from 3x to 7x their value between normal and perfect. Trash plants and death flowers are always worth §1, regardless of quality.

Fertilize

Starting at level 5, Sims can fertilize plants, which helps them evolve more quickly. Fertilizing does not affect the quality of the plant or harvestables, or how quickly harvestables are produced, and does not make the plant more resilient to needing water, weeding, or being sprayed for bugs. Plants can be fertilized with any plant or fish. Plants are the most common choice as they are easy to obtain and inexpensive to use up. Death flowers never increase in value past §1, which makes them common choices. There are also unconfirmed reports that trash plants and mushrooms are more effective than other plants, as fertilizers. The in-game description of growfruit states that it is a "great" fertilizer. Given its name and that it was added as part of a gardening event, it is probably the most effective possible fertilizer. Fish are more effective than most plants, increasing in effectiveness depending on the rarity of the fish.

Grafting

After attaining level 5 gardening, Sims gain the ability to cut and graft plants. This allows them to make hybrid plants that grow multiple harvestables at once. To graft two plants together, the Sim simply needs to take a cutting from one plant, and graft it onto another. The second plant will then need to regrow, but after reaching maturity will bear its original harvestable, as well as the harvestable of the plant that was grafted onto it. Certain grafting pairs will produce a third harvestable on the plant, unrelated to the original two. This is the only way to obtain several rare harvestables. After discovering one of these unique pairs, the recipe will be added to that Sim's notebook. Because there are two possible recipes to create bonsai buds, only the first one discovered will show up in the notebook. Grafted plants produce harvestables at the rate of the base plant, not the plant that came from a cutting. They also will start at the quality of the base plant. Multiple plants can be grafted onto one base plant, but plants can only hold up to 10 harvestables, and grafted plants will split that randomly between all types. Mushrooms and the Sixam Mosquito Trap cannot be cut or grafted onto. Too many cuttings will kill a plant. Depending on the plant, they can survive 1 to 3 cuttings.

Note

Planting a cow berry results in a Cow Plant, which does not produce berries. Therefore, the cow berry can only be naturally grown as part of a grafted plant.

Death and resurrection

If a plant is not tended to for long enough, it will die. Plants can also be killed by fire, being stomped, or the withering touch of a ghost killed by a Cow Plant. After death, the plant will remain but will begin to produce an odor, similar to trash. No amount of tending can revive it. A Sim can pay §100 to revive a dead plant, at which point it will have to regrow, but will remain the quality it was before death.

Harvestables

There are 35 harvestables that can be collected in the base game and 30 more with every content pack. They are collected through finding them in the wild, grafting, or purchasing seed packets from the computer or garden plot.

Plant Name	Description	Rarity	Base Value	Perfect Value	Growth Rate	Notes	Pack
Apple	Characterized by that distinctive snap-hiss, bites from an apple are likely to have Sims feeling full and refreshed.	Common	3	13	36h		&BG
Basil	Once known for its ability to ease pain from a scorpion-sting, this leafy herb now decorates elaborate meals.	Common	1	3	24h		&BG
Blue Bells	A cluster of small blue blossoms.	Common	4	22	36h		&BG
Carrot	A sweet orange tuber.	Common	2	8	24h		&BG
Chrysanthemum	A beautiful flower that can be grown in the garden.	Common	4	21	36h		&BG
Daisy	A common bright flower of yellow and white.	Common	1	5	24h		&BG
Grapes	Sims love popping these in their mouth like crisp, juice chocolates.	Common	7	33	48h	Purchased from any flower pot or computer. Grafted using Blue Bells and Strawberry.	&BG
Lemon	A sour citrus fruit.	Common	3	12	60h	Oasis Springs, at the end of road, near the Museum. Oasis Springs, across the street from Rattlesnake Juice in the dirt area. Windenburg, behind the large empty lot near the Fyres House. Windenburg, in front of the maze at the Chalet Gardens.	&BG
Mushroom	An earthy, edible fungus.	Common	1	4	24h		&BG
Parsley	A delicate, minty herb leaf.	Common	2	5	24h	Purchased from any flower pot or computer. Grafted from Sage and Basil.	&BG
Plantain	A starchy, Banana-like fruit. Best cooked before eating!	Common	2	16	72h	Purchased from any flower pot or computer. Grafted using Pear and Lemon.	&BG
Sage	A musky, purple herb leaf.	Common	2	5	24h	Oasis Springs, at the end of road, near the Museum. Oasis Springs, across from Sandtrap Flat in the garden area. Science Lab garden. Inside the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Snapdragon	A collection of small, vivid blossoms.	Common	4	25	36h	Willow Creek, the BFF House. Science Lab garden.	&BG
Spinach	A vitamin-rich dark green vegetable leaf.	Common	1	6	24h		&BG
Cherry	A pair of small, red fruit with pits.	Uncommon	3	15	60h	Oasis Springs, behind the Park by Springscape.	&BG
Lily	A large, vibrant blossom.	Uncommon	4	21	36h	Willow Creek, in the Park. Can also be found in front of Oakenstead. Inside the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Onion	A fragrant and tangy root vegetable.	Uncommon	3	14	48h	Willow Creek, the Rendle Rose House. Oasis Springs, across the stream from Agave Adobe. Inside the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Pear	A crisp and fleshy fruit with a distinctive bell shape.	Uncommon	3	14	60h	Willow Creek, in the Park. Willow Creek, behind Umbridge Manor. Windenburg, the Island bluff.	&BG
Potato	A starchy, delicious underground tuber. The humble potato is often misidentified as a root.	Uncommon	2	10	24h	Willow Creek, the BFF House. Inside the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Rose	A blossom of beautiful color and lovely aroma.	Uncommon	4	23	48h	Willow Creek, behind Umbridge Manor. Science Lab garden.	&BG
Strawberry	A small, sweet fruit with a red seed covered skin.	Uncommon	2	8	24h	Willow Creek, the BFF House. Windenburg, in the Island bluff. Science Lab garden.	&BG
Tomato	A juicy, red-skinned fruit often mistaken for a vegetable.	Uncommon	3	12	24h	Oasis Springs, up the road from Slipshod Mesquite are planter boxes. Science Lab garden.	&BG
Tulip	A plump bloom that grows even after picking, with delicately pointed petals around a cluster of stigma.	Uncommon	4	22	36h	Oasis Springs, near the entrance to the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Bird of Paradise	A flame-tipped flower, known for its avian characteristics. They might take flight during winter months.	Rare	4	20	36h	Grafted using Tulip and Chrysanthemum. San Myshuno, during the flea market at Spice Market.	&BG
Blackberry	An aggregate fruit, known for its tangy bite and smooth aftertaste. Great for pies!	Rare	11	55	96h	Oasis Springs, near the dirt path beside the big Park.	&BG
Bonsai Buds	A small cluster of fragrant, green berries that can grow bonsai shrubs.	Rare	4	20	24h	Grafted using Daisy and Strawberry Grafted using Grapes and Rose. A fully-grown Bonsai shrub can be potted into a carvable Bonsai Tree.	&BG
Cow Berry	A plantable, strangely bovine fruit.	Rare	20	100	24h	Grafted using Dragonfruit and Snapdragon. Commonly fished up in the Deep Woods Secret Lot of Granite Falls. Commonly fished up in the Forgotten Grotto secret lot.	&BG
Dragonfruit	An exotic, vibrant-colored fruit.	Rare	16	80	96h	Grafted using Strawberry and Snapdragon.	&BG
Orchid	A colorful, exotic blossom.	Rare	5	28	36h	Grafted using Lily and Snapdragon. Rewarded after completing the space rock collection from the Rocket Science Skill.	&BG
Pomegranate	A rare red-skinned fruit with tart, edible seeds.	Rare	4	18	72h	Grafted using Apple and Cherry.	&BG
Trash Fruit	A foul smelling blossom inexplicably composed entirely of refuse.	Rare	1	4	24h	Leave a pile trash lying on exposed terrain, it will transform into a Trash Plant after about a day.	&BG
U.F.O. (Unidentified Fruit Object)	Strange space fruit.	Rare	24	120	112h	Obtained by exploring space in a rocket, from the Rocket Science Skill.	&BG
Death Flower	A spooky, yet elegant blossom. Roses just don’t cut it for the Grim Reaper. Try this flower to calm his qualms and get out of a deadly situation.	Rare	1	1	48h	Grafted using Orchid and Pomegranate.	&BG
Growfruit	Characterized by a distinctive glow, growfruit is a tasty treat, a great fertilizer, and a superb ingredient.	Common	2	15	72h	Obtained from Jasmine Holiday. Randomly spawns in Willow Creek or Newcrest. Can be purchased from the ranger's shop in Granite Falls.	&BG
Forbidden Fruit of the PlantSim	Eat, and become like the PlantSim. Plant, and grow a tree of your own. Forbidden, for it is nothing more than a facade.	Uncommon	0	0		Inside the Magical Bean Portal Tree.	&BG
Chamomile	A daisy-like flower commonly used to make herbal remedies.	Common	2	14	24h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Toxic Chamomile	Not to be confused with its non-toxic cousin, this toxic flower causes tension when eaten.	Common	3	15	24h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Elderberry	This royal purple berry has a sweet taste when cooked.	Common	1	6	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Noxious Elderberry	This pale purple berry is poisonous when uncooked, and slightly less poisonous when cooked.	Common	2	7	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Fireleaf	This plant gets its name from the dark red tint of its leaves.	Uncommon	3	13	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Poison Fireleaf	This infamous plant causes increased itchiness the longer you’re exposed to it.	Uncommon	3	11	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Huckleberry	This tiny berry is commonly used in fruit cobbler and pancakes.	Uncommon	2	8	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Muckleberry	If you’re looking to keep a clear head, this is not your muckleberry.	Uncommon	2	9	18h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Morel Mushroom	This edible fungus has a honeycomb-like appearance.	Rare	3	17	24h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
False Morel Mushroom	This slightly green mushroom can have an adverse effect on a Sim’s bladder when consumed.	Rare	4	19	24h	Found on Wild Bushes in locations around Granite Falls. Must be identified using the Herbalism skill before using or planting.	&GP01
Garlic	An annual bulbous plant. Its bulbs can be harvested for cooking or decorating.	Uncommon	2	12	24h	Can be puchased online. Can be assembled into braids and other Vampire deterrents.	&GP04
Plasma Fruit	The juice in this fruit has very similar properties to plasma.	Uncommon	4	25	72h	Can be puchased online by leveling your Vampire Lore skill. Can be consumed by Vampires to fulfill thirst instead of drinking from Sims.	&GP04
Wolfsbane	This flower is nothing special in its raw form. When used as an ingredient in food and drink it will affect the nocturnally oriented.	Uncommon	6	21	36h	Can be puchased online by leveling your Vampire Lore skill.	&GP04
Sixam Mosquito Trap	Non-edible and hard to find. It is rumoured these seeds are carried by the mosquitos who escape the plant's trap.	Uncommon	8	50	180h	Can be puchased online by leveling your Vampire Lore skill.	&GP04
Fang Flower	This alien flower has quite the defense mechanism. It looks like it wants to bite you.	Uncommon	10	50	120h	Is only found on the Sixam secret lot.	&EP01
Glow Orb	Stare into this orb indefinitely, we dare you. It's absolutely mesmerizing, isn't it?	Rare	20	100	96h	Is only found on the Sixam secret lot.	&EP01
Quill Fruit	This Quill Fruit is hard to handle let alone comfortably carry in your pocket. Impressive!	Rare	20	100	72h	Is only found on the Sixam secret lot.	&EP01
Catnip	Catnip will boost your cats energy making them insanely hyper!		2	14	2h	Found around Brindleton Bay.	&EP04
Madnip	Madnip will make your cats enraged with pure anger!		2	14	2h	Found around Brindleton Bay.	&EP04
Napnip	Napnip will help calm your cat and put them to sleep.		2	14	2h	Found around Brindleton Bay.	&EP04
Nuzzlenip	Nuzzlenip will make your cat friskier than usual.		3	16	2h	Found around Brindleton Bay.	&EP04
Avocado	Avocados are delicious vegetables! Er... delicious fruits? Well whatever the correct classification it sure is good on toast!	Uncommon	8	42	46h	Found around Selvadorada	&GP06
Black Beans	Black Beans are super nutritious and good for Sims. Additionally, they are very versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes.	Common	4	18	12h	Found around Selvadorada	&GP06
Merry Berries	Happy little berries make for a happy little Sim. Just pop one in your mouth and try not to smile. I dare you.	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Gutsberries	These berries instill a sense of confidence in a Sim. Eat a bunch and you’ll get the guts for the most dangerous social maneuvers.	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Vimberries	These berries will get a Sim moving! Full of vim and vigor, nothing else gets you energized so quickly. And they're delicious to boot! A win-win!	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Flutterberries	Be very careful around these berries. They will set your heart aflutter and can cause immediate flirtiness. Be aware of nearby Sims when consuming this fruit.	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Cereberries	A quick handful of these berries will focus a Sim like a laser beam! Great for snacking during homework or when you just want to be able to concentrate.	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Museberries	Writer's block? Struggling to solidify that spark of a great idea? Fear not, because around this fruit you're a bite away from a mouthful of inspiration	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06
Razzleberries	These yummy berries are squishy and juicy. One taste will remind Sims of their childhood and cause playful tendencies.	Rare	10	48	24h	Found around Selvadorada Grown off of the Tree of Emotions	&GP06

Reward

Harvesting one of every base game plant, except the death flower and plantain, will complete the gardening collection and award the "Go, Green Thumbs!" plaque. Plants from various expansions are shown in but not required to complete the gardening collection.

Image	Description	Value
	TBA	§0

Note

The death flower, plantain, any variety of catnip, and the Sixam Mosquito Trap are not shown in the gardening collection.

Seed packets

Seed Packet Name	Price	Contains	EP
Starter Flowers	§35	Blue Bells, Chrysanthemum, Daisy	&BG
Starter Fruits	§35	Apple, Grapes, Plantain, Strawberry	&BG
Starter Herbs	§35	Basil, Parsley	&BG
Starter Vegetables	§35	Carrot, Mushroom, Spinach	&BG
Farmer Flowers and Fruit	§75	Blue Bells, Chrysanthemum, Daisy, Apple, Grapes, Plantain, Strawberry	&BG
Farmer Veggies and Herbs	§75	Carrot, Mushroom, Spinach, Basil, Parsley	&BG
Starter Growfruit	§20	Growfruit	&BG
Garlic Seeds	§100	Garlic	&GP04
Wolfsbane Seeds	§250	Wolfsbane	&GP04
Plasma Fruit Seeds	§300	Plasma Fruit	&GP04
Sixam Mosquito Trap Seeds	§75	Sixam Trap Mosquito	&GP04
Catnip Herb Packet	§350	Catnip, Madnip, Napnip, Nuzzlenip	&EP04

Trivia

There is an earlier version of the cow berry left in the files called the cow flower.
Plants will bloom in spring ^[TS4:S]
Sims can use a florist table to create bouquets^[TS4:S]
Every harvestable has an unused seed version.
- This can be seen when the player activates bb.showhiddenobjects and places the selected harvestable. The seed will be placed and then convert to its harvestable version almost instantly.

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