Cannabis Becomes Public Favorite at IPM Essen
Essen, Germany – February 2026
For the first time in the history of the International Plant Fair IPM ESSEN, a cannabis variety has not only been admitted to the official novelty competition but has also won the Publikumspreis, the public award voted for by professional visitors. The winning entry, BCN Critical XXL© Autoflower by Seedstockers, secured the title of Public Favorite by an overwhelming majority of votes, according to the organizers.
The award was formally presented by Eva Thäler-Theuerkauf, President of the Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V. (ZVG), together with Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen GmbH, underscoring the institutional significance of the result within the professional horticulture sector.
The outcome marks a milestone for both the cannabis industry and traditional plant breeding. While cannabis has long existed outside mainstream horticultural exhibitions, its inclusion and decisive victory at IPM Essen signal a clear shift in perception among professional growers, retailers, and industry decision-makers.
A Breakthrough on Multiple Levels
Even before voting began, the acceptance of a cannabis plant into the IPM Novelty Showcase was already considered a breakthrough. Cannabis had never previously competed directly alongside conventional horticultural breeding programs in this context. Visitors were able to vote throughout the entire duration of the fair, selecting their preferred innovation from 42 new plant entries submitted by 27 exhibitors.
Seedstockers’ BCN Critical XXL© Autoflower stood out for its clarity and accessibility. The official ZVG communication described the winning entry as a compact, easy-to-grow green cannabis plant aimed at hobby gardeners and self-suppliers, reinforcing its positioning well beyond traditional cannabis audiences.
The compact, robust cultivar was presented as an easy-to-grow plant designed for balcony and patio cultivation, with a clear focus on beginner suitability and personal self-supply.
Industry observers noted that the autoflowering characteristic, which allows the plant to flower independently of light cycles, made the variety particularly attractive for urban environments and first-time growers. Compared to many other plants on display, BCN Critical XXL© consistently drew more attention on the exhibition floor, with visitors stopping to examine the plant’s appealing aroma, pronounced resin coverage, and productive, frost-coated flowers. Its strong visual presence and distinctive scent made it stand out clearly in a showcase traditionally dominated by ornamental and edible plant species.
A Complete Concept for First-Time Growers
Beyond the plant itself, BCN Critical XXL© was presented as a complete cultivation concept rather than a single product. The variety is available in both Autoflower and Feminized formats. It can be obtained as seeds, as a living plant (cutting), and as part of an all-in-one grow kit designed specifically for first-time growers.
This modular approach, combining genetics with practical accessibility, was widely seen as one of the key reasons for its strong resonance with IPM visitors from both the professional horticulture sector and the retail trade.
A Signal From the Market
While the IPM expert jury traditionally focuses on botanical innovation and technical breeding advances, the Publikumspreis reflects what resonates most strongly with the market. In this case, visitors sent a clear message: cannabis is no longer a fringe topic, but an emerging category within modern horticulture.
Organizers confirmed that the winning margin was decisive, and many visitors reportedly expressed interest in seeing more cannabis-related innovations represented at future editions of the fair.
Industry Reaction
Jouke Piepenbrink, CEO of Seedstockers, commented on the award:
“Winning this award is not only a big leap for Seedstockers, but really a big victory for the cannabis plant itself, and for anyone who still doubts whether the general public is ready for cannabis. Seeing professional visitors at IPM vote so clearly sends a powerful signal.”
Seedstockers worked with KK Farming as its production partner, combining cannabis breeding expertise with large-scale cultivation and production experience.
More Than a Trophy
The success of BCN Critical XXL© at IPM Essen reflects broader trends shaping the future of horticulture. Urban gardening, self-sufficiency, compact plant formats, and simplified cultivation are increasingly influencing breeding priorities across many plant categories. Cannabis, once excluded from such discussions, is now clearly part of that conversation.
For the cannabis industry, the award represents a moment of institutional recognition. For the horticulture sector, it signals that cannabis is no longer an outsider, but a plant category with growing commercial, cultural, and consumer relevance.
As IPM Essen continues to position itself as a mirror of global horticultural trends, the 2026 Publikumspreis may be remembered as the moment cannabis truly entered the mainstream of professional plant breeding.
What Is IPM Essen?
IPM ESSEN is widely regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for horticulture. Held annually in Germany, the event brings together more than 1,300 exhibitors from over 45 countries, covering ornamental plants, breeding innovations, young plants, cultivation technology, and sustainable production systems. The IPM Novelty Showcase is traditionally dominated by years of research from breeders of ornamental and edible plant species, making competition particularly strong.
That a cannabis cultivar not only competed, but emerged as the Public Favorite at such a non-cannabis event, is widely regarded as unprecedented.
More Information:
Seedstockers
Seedstockers is an international cannabis seed company founded in Barcelona in 2017. The company focuses on breeding and selecting high-quality cannabis genetics that are accessible to hobby growers, first-time cultivators, and self-suppliers, while also serving professional partners across multiple markets.
Website: https://www.seedstockers.com
Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V. (ZVG)
The Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V. is the umbrella organization representing the professional horticulture sector in Germany. ZVG is a co-organizer of IPM ESSEN and coordinates industry initiatives related to innovation, sustainability, and market development.
Website: https://www.derdeutschegartenbau.de
IPM ESSEN – International Plant Fair
IPM ESSEN is the world’s leading trade fair for horticulture, bringing together exhibitors and professionals from across the global plant industry. The event covers ornamental plants, breeding innovations, young plants, cultivation technology, and sustainable production systems.
Website: https://www.ipm-essen.de
KK Farming
KK Farming is an agricultural production partner specializing in large-scale cultivation and plant production. Working alongside Seedstockers, KK Farming supports the development and production of cannabis genetics and plant concepts designed for professional horticulture and retail environments.
Website: https://www.kkfarming.com
Messe Essen GmbH
Messe Essen GmbH is one of Germany’s leading exhibition organizers and hosts international trade fairs across a wide range of industries, including horticulture, technology, and consumer goods. Messe Essen is the organizer of IPM ESSEN.
Website: https://www.messe-essen.de
