Mind and Wellness Using Therapeutic Horticulture

The practice of working with plants and nature aimed and improving well-being is known as Therapeutic Horticulture or Horticultural Therapy. However, Therapeutic Horticulture can also be used as an intervention in mental health therapy. What are the key differences?

Working with plants and being out in nature is incredibly grounding and calming. Whether its working in the garden, taking a stroll in the park or hiking, our mind and body instantly feels the impact of engaging in a nature based activities through a renewed sense of wellness.

Using therapeutic horticulture as an intervention for mental wellness isn’t new however. Its been around for centuries. For example during the Renaissance, gardens were built not just as a symbol of power and wealth, but also for comfort and enjoyment. They included water features and the symmetrical beauty of nature to provide a sensory experience. Therapeutically, renaissance gardens were noted for their calming and relaxing effect, while also providing an outlet for socializing and contemplation.

More recently however, nature based therapies are being recognized as a valuable modality for improving mental health. Several studies have shown that therapeutic horticulture as an intervention for mental health and wellness has a marked positive effect on people suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders.

Studies conclude that working with plants relieves stress, improves symptoms of depression and so on. Therapeutic Horticulture can help the ADHD brain to relax, focus or concentrate. Other research have shown that working with soil increases chemicals in our brain associated with improving mood, much like antidepressants and other mood medications.

As technological advancements, the structures we live in, and other life changes that have led to living a hectic and stressful lifestyle, horticultural therapy and other nature therapies provide a much needed resource to make a shift towards mental health and wellness.

Therapeutic Horticulture as a Mental Health Intervention

Therapeutic horticulture for mental health therapy is the process of using plants and nature based activities as an intervention in the treatment of mental health therapy. The process aims to use nature as a treatment for psychological symptoms.

Therapeutic Horticulture for mental wellness also uses plants and nature based activities, but the focus shifts to targeting well-being.

What are the Differences in Therapeutic Horticulture when used in Therapy vs a Wellness Workshop?

Therapeutic horticulture involves activities that are both passive and active using plant or plant related materials

The difference is that active therapeutic activities are physical, whereas passive are more laid back.

Planting seeds, watering plants, harvesting herbs are examples of active therapeutic horticulture activities.

Passive therapeutic activities include making nature mandalas, making tea bags or floral designs.

Frankly, the above examples sound like gardening or arts and crafts.

However, while therapeutic horticulture certainly seems like a gardening or nature crafts activity, when facilitated by someone trained as a therapeutic horticulture professional your experience is quite different.

How is therapeutic Horticulture Different from Gardening or crafts?

Therapeutic horticulture activities have an informal goal, with the main difference being about who benefits from the goal of the activity itself.

When gardening, the focus is on the plant. For example, making sure it gets watered properly or transplanted in the appropriate depth.

In therapeutic horticulture however, the focus is the participant, not the plant. For example, when gardening, we water a plant to ensure it has enough water to grow. In therapeutic horticulture the purpose of watering a plant is to practice mindfulness. In other words, activities are done with intent.

A trained horticulture professional facilitates the activity which ensures that the process leads to the intended needs of the participants.