<p>Tropical homegardens are a component of rural livelihoods that provide income, support food security, and preserve cultural identities. However, the future of these gardens is uncertain due to various challenges, including rural livelihood changes, urbanization and cultural assimilation. Deeper knowledge is needed on the contribution of these systems to rural livelihoods, as well as on rural people’s attitudes concerning these systems. Addressing this need, the study combines the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and the Theory of Planned Behaviour to investigate the role of homegarden agroforestry in improving rural livelihoods, and the motivations and challenges influencing its continuity within a case study community in Udakiruwa Village in Sri Lanka. Using a combination of transect walks, household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions, we found that homegardens are the main livelihood strategy in this community, contributing to household income, food provision, and cultural practices. Nevertheless, there is an increasing trend towards integrating commercial crops such as tea and areca nut varieties, which risks reducing species diversity and altering traditional garden structures. Also, the younger generation’s interest in homegardens is declining and may induce labour shortages. Additional challenges include limited resources such as land, seeds, and agrochemicals; economic constraints, including poor market access and price volatility; governance gaps such as short-term programs and weak coordination; and environmental pressures, including wildlife damage, unpredictable rainfall, and climate variability. To address these, we recommend collaborative wildlife management, diversification of income sources through high-value medicinal and ornamental plants, improved market linkages, community seed banks, technology adoption, youth engagement programs, and promotion of climate-resilient gardening practices. Overall, the study highlights the critical contributions of homegardens to rural livelihoods in Udakiruwa Village and provides actionable insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and local communities to enhance the resilience, productivity, and continuity of these multifunctional systems amid evolving socioeconomic and environmental contexts.</p>