Discover the newest Gardenscapes Match-3 elements, how they work, how many hits they require, and the best strategy to clear each obstacle efficiently.
Playrix continues to expand Gardenscapes with new Match-3 elements that significantly change the way the game is played.
These are not simply new obstacles with a different appearance. Many of them work in multiple stages, create additional objectives, change their state after each interaction, or require a specific type of hit.
Some new elements are removed with regular matches next to them, while others can only be affected by boosters and power-ups. There are also elements that do not disappear when the initial object is destroyed because they release new obstacles, animals, ice, clouds, crystals, or other objects that must then be cleared.
Below are the new elements introduced in the latest wave of updates and added to Playrix's official Match-3 Elements list. For each one, you'll find how it works, how many hits it requires where officially confirmed, and what must happen before it is completely removed from the board. This guide will continue to grow as new elements are released.
Table of Contents
- Saw
- Snow Cannon
- Crystal
- Frog Pond
- Rolling Shutter
- Bag of Leaves
- Hedgehog
- Firework
- Jar of Honey
- Snow Globe
- Stone Column
- Shingles
- Statue
- Conveyor
- Garden Shelf
- Cabinet with Jars
- Shooting Range
- Bottle of Jam
- Barrel with the Firecracker
- Owls
- Jam
- Bonus Box
Saw
Saw is a new element in Gardenscapes that consists of two circular saw blades positioned at opposite ends of a long strip. Each time a match, booster, or power-up is activated next to either end of the element, the two blades move closer together.
The required number of hits is not fixed. Playrix has not published a single value for every Saw, and the number of hits may depend on the length of the element and the distance between the two blades.
Required hits: No fixed number has been specified.
What counts as a hit: Match-3 combinations, boosters, and power-ups activated next to either end of the Saw.
How it is removed: The two saw blades meet in the center, causing the entire Saw to disappear.
Snow Cannon
Snow Cannon is a new element in Gardenscapes that charges up when match-3 combinations are made next to it. Its appearance gradually changes as it stores energy.
After the third adjacent match, the Snow Cannon fires snowballs at random elements on the board, freezing them. The frozen elements must then be cleared by making matches next to them to break the ice.
Required hits: 3 adjacent match-3 combinations.
What counts as a hit: Match-3 combinations made directly next to the Snow Cannon.
How it is removed: The Snow Cannon activates after the third charge and creates frozen obstacles, which must be cleared separately by breaking the ice around them.
Crystal
Crystal is a new element that can only be collected with booster or power-up explosions. Regular matches do not affect it.
The first hit reveals part of the crystal. The second hit fully exposes it, and the third hit collects it.
Required hits: 3.
What counts as a hit: Booster or power-up explosions.
How it is removed: It is collected on the third hit.
Frog Pond
Frog Pond contains four frogs that block the pond tiles.
To remove them, you must make four consecutive matches or trigger power-up explosions next to the pond. If the sequence is interrupted, the frogs return.
Required hits: 4 consecutive hits.
How it is removed: One frog disappears with each successful hit.
Rolling Shutter
Rolling Shutter is a heavy shutter that covers part of the board and cannot be affected by regular matches.
To raise it, you must trigger separate power-up explosions next to it. Each successful explosion raises the shutter by one tile and reveals one additional row.
Required hits: 1 hit for each row covered by the shutter.
How it is removed: It rises gradually with each successful power-up explosion until the entire hidden area is revealed.
Bag of Leaves
Bag of Leaves hides a Gnome beneath layers of leaves.
Three matches or power-up explosions next to the bag are required to reveal the Gnome.
Required hits: 3.
How it is removed: On the third hit, the Gnome is released and collected automatically.
Hedgehog
Hedgehog is hidden inside a flower pot.
Each match or explosion next to the pot deals one stage of damage until it is completely revealed.
Required hits: 4.
How it is removed: On the fourth hit, the flower pot breaks completely and the Hedgehog is collected.
Firework
Firework activates after two matches or explosions next to it.
Once activated, it launches three fireworks that strike different areas of the board.
Required hits: 2.
How it is removed: It activates, performs three strikes, and disappears.
Jar of Honey
Jar of Honey contains honey.
It can be broken by making matches or triggering explosions next to it, causing honey to spread onto the surrounding tiles.
The honey must then be cleared with additional matches or power-ups.
Required hits: 3
Snow Globe
Snow Globe activates after two hits.
Once activated, it spreads snow and ice across the board, which must then be cleared in two separate stages.
Required hits: 2 for the Snow Globe itself, followed by 2 hits for each affected tile.
Stone Column
Stone Column is a large stone column that covers multiple tiles.
Regular matches have no effect on it. It can only be destroyed by booster or power-up explosions.
Shingles
Shingles are heavy roof tiles.
Regular matches do not damage them. A power-up is required to remove them.
Heavy tiles need more than a simple match. Combine four or more pieces to make a power-up that can blow them away.
Statue
Statue hides a small frog inside the stone.
Only booster or power-up explosions can break the stone shell.
Required hits: 3
Conveyor
Conveyor contains eggs.
The first hit hatches the chick, and the second hit removes it.
Required hits: 2 for each egg.
Garden Shelf
Garden Shelf contains flowers.
One match opens the shelf, and each additional hit collects one flower.
The total number of required hits depends on how many flowers the shelf contains.
Required hits:6 with match-3 combinations, much fewer with boosters.
Cabinet with Jars
Cabinet with Jars is a cabinet filled with jars of jam. Its doors change state, and the jars can only be collected while the cabinet is open.
When the doors are open, a match or power-up explosion next to the corresponding section removes one jar. When the doors are closed, the contents are completely protected.
Required hits: It takes a total of 9 hits using regular Match-3 combinations.
With boosters (such as TNT, Dynamite, Rainbow Blast, etc.), multiple stages can be removed with a single hit, so the actual number of actions required is lower.
How it is removed: The Cabinet disappears after all jars have been collected.
Shooting Range
Shooting Range is a two-stage element in Gardenscapes that must be cleared in a specific order.
The first stage consists of 10 Pumpkins. Each Pumpkin requires one hit, so clearing them using only regular Match-3 matches would normally require 10 hits. However, multiple Pumpkins can be cleared with a single Match-3 move if the match affects more than one Pumpkin, allowing this stage to be completed much faster.
Once all Pumpkins have been cleared, the Scarecrow appears. It has five destruction stages, changing its appearance after every successful hit by gradually losing its bucket, shovel, clothes, and remaining parts until it disappears completely.
Unlike the Pumpkins, the Scarecrow is not affected by regular Match-3 matches. It can only be damaged by boosters or power-ups, with each activation removing only one stage.
In practice, however, the Scarecrow can be destroyed much faster when boosters or power-ups are activated consecutively, since each new activation immediately removes the next stage.
Required hits:
• Pumpkins: 10 hits
• Scarecrow: 5 hits
Total required hits: 15. In practice, the actual number is usually much lower because multiple Pumpkins can be cleared at once and consecutive boosters or power-ups quickly remove the Scarecrow's remaining stages.
How it is removed: First, clear all 10 Pumpkins. Then destroy the Scarecrow through its five stages using boosters or power-ups.
Bottle of Jam
Bottle of Jam requires three consecutive matches next to it. If the sequence is interrupted, the progress is lost.
Once activated, the cork pops off and the jam spreads across an entire row or column, depending on the bottle's orientation. The jam can pass through blocked spaces but does not cover the obstacle tiles themselves.
Required hits: 3 consecutive hits.
How it is removed: It opens and spreads Jam across a row or column.
Barrel with the Firecracker
Barrel with the Firecracker is a durable barrel that breaks in multiple stages. It can be damaged by matches or power-up explosions next to it.
On the fifth hit, the barrel breaks open and releases a Firecracker, which immediately explodes and clears nearby elements.
Required hits: 5.
What counts as a hit: Matches and power-up explosions next to the barrel.
How it is removed: It breaks on the fifth hit, releases a Firecracker, and triggers an additional nearby explosion.
Owls
Owls stand on top of the board and must be brought down before they can fly away.
Clear everything beneath the owls by making matches or using boosters and power-ups. Once an owl reaches the bottom of the board, it flies away and is collected.
Clear all the tiles beneath the owl until it reaches the bottom.
How it is removed: The owl flies away as soon as it reaches the bottom of the board.
Jam
Jam is a spreading objective rather than an obstacle that must be removed. The goal is to cover all the required tiles on the board with Jam.
To spread the Jam, make a match that includes at least one piece on a Jam-covered tile and one or more pieces on tiles without Jam. When the match is made, the uncovered tiles included in it become covered with Jam.
Boosters, power-ups, and the Shovel can also spread Jam by affecting tiles that do not already contain it.
How it is completed: The objective is completed when Jam has spread to all the tiles required by the level.
Bonus Box
Bonus Box is a new element in Gardenscapes that opens in three stages. Each match-3 combination or booster explosion next to the box advances it to the next stage until it finally opens.
After the third hit, the Bonus Box disappears and leaves a booster in its place. The booster is not fixed and depends on the level's setup. It may produce a Bomb, Dynamite, Rainbow Blast, or another programmed booster.
The generated booster remains on the tile where the Bonus Box was opened and can be activated whenever you choose.
Required hits: 3.
What counts as a hit: Match-3 combinations and booster or power-up explosions next to the Bonus Box.
How it is removed: It opens after the third hit and is replaced by a booster that stays on the board until activated.
Last updated: 21 July 2026 (New: Crystal, Frog, Firework, Hedgehog...)
🎬 See all the new Gardenscapes elements in action in the playlist on our YouTube channel, quickly and easily, through real levels that feature them.
Conclusion
The new Match-3 elements in Gardenscapes are becoming much more complex than the classic obstacles. Many of them work in multiple stages, require a specific number of hits, or can only be activated by boosters and power-ups. Understanding exactly how each mechanic works can make a significant difference when trying to complete difficult levels.
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Have you noticed something that isn’t mentioned here? Level differences, changes, or team-related issues? Leave a comment.