Off-White Flowers, Off Target?: What Pantone's Pick Means for Gardeners

I know you’ve been busy with the holidays, but perhaps you’ve noticed that in the past few weeks, there has been much ado about… well, if you were planning to say, “nothing”, I was actually planning to say, “off-white”. And off-white is far from nothing in the world of flowering plants.

To explain: The “much ado” comes in relation to Pantone’s choice of a 2026 Color of the Year. 

Anyone who thinks about something that comes in at least one color (from fashion to home décor to plants) tends to await word of the Pantone Color of the Year. The anticipated announcement usually comes as a fun way to confirm a color choice you love, to think of a new color choice and what might go with it…. In other words, it’s just fun.

But for 2026, Pantone, the color people, made a choice that is catching some flack. They chose “Cloud Dancer”, and sarcastically, lots of color-commenters are noting, “hey, that’s just off-white”, and that’s just… “off”.

Well, I like to think of the Pantone colors when I consider choices for flower colors. I had read a prediction that the 2026 color would perhaps be a teal, but that prediction went out the window when Cloud Dancer floated in. Cloud Dancer…? I have to say that I’m happy about it. In the world of flowering plants, off-white blooms are as heavenly as Pantone says. For me, and for what I like to focus on, I think the choice is a good one.

I read that Pantone has never chosen a white or off-white until now for its annual shout-out. The 2025 color was Mocha Mousse, and much as that may have been used to make beautiful purses, nice jackets, or warm and calming interior walls, it wasn’t very helpful to me in thinking of what to add to the garden. But the off-white Cloud Dancer reminds me of how I love such flowering plants as Hellebores, Daisies, and certain Irises, to name just a few. These are beautiful when they are in creamy or cloud-light white tones. 

I learned a while ago that pure white and off-white flowering plants do what few other plants can: They show up, both literally and figuratively. Yes, they can be seen, in the most basic sense, but beyond that, they really never fail.

Bright white flowering plants make a statement, while off-white flowering plants exude peaceful vibes. Cloud Dancer… well, I am not sure I know of flowering plants that are a perfect match to this Pantone color chip, but I can take inspiration and determine a few cloud-white flowering plants to add to the garden for next spring, or to enjoy in the home as houseplants in the winter months. The choice inspires me.

As was true for 2025’s Mocha Mousse, not every Pantone Color of the Year can be of help to the gardener as he or she seeks inspiration. But the 2026 choice of Cloud Dancer is pretty inspirational, pretty heavenly… and just plain (but not at all “plain”) pretty. Check it out.