12/02/2026
What is therapeutic horticulture?
Therapeutic Gardening – Mind Ecology
Therapeutic horticulture is a person centered, trauma informed evidence-based practice that uses plants, gardening activities, and nature-based environments to improve physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being. Guided by trained professionals, it supports rehabilitation, improves motor skills, reduces stress, and fosters cognitive and emotional growth for people of all ages and abilities.
Key Aspects of Therapeutic Horticulture
Definition & Goals: It is a process aimed at improving well-being through active or passive engagement with plants, often used in clinical, vocational, or community settings.
Physical Benefits: Activities like planting, weeding, and watering improve fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and physical strength.
Mental & Emotional Health: Gardening provides a calming, meditative, or sensory-rich experience that can reduce stress, manage emotions, and boost self-esteem, particularly for those dealing with trauma or depression.
Social & Cognitive Growth: It encourages social interaction, responsibility, and cognitive engagement.
Applications: It is used in rehabilitation, hospitals, aged care, schools, and community gardens. It can be 1:1 or held in small groups.
Difference from Horticultural Therapy: While often used interchangeably, Therapeutic Horticulture Australia notes that therapeutic horticulture generally refers to a broader range of horticultural activities for well-being, whereas horticultural therapy is a specific, formal, or structured clinical intervention.
Common Activities designed on an individual or group base could be:
Planting seeds
🪴 watering
🪴 repotting
🪴 Pruning and harvesting.
🪴 Creating sensory gardens, such as focusing on smells or textures.
🪴 Nature walks and observing natural environments.
🪴 Nature photography
🪴 Visiting garden centres
🪴 Visiting national parks or Botanical Gardens
To book your initial free meet and greet to discuss how you would like to incorporate this into your life please message me through the page or email kristy@essencepeermentoring.com.au. Sessions are designed to your unique goals and delivered for private, NDIS or aged care settings.
Let's get our gardening hats on in 2026 🌻
