What is Horticultural Therapy?

 

Horticultural therapy is beneficial for mental and physical health. Planting vegetables, fruits, and flowers keep your mind busy. It also gives a mental boost of self-confidence.  At the same time,  natural scents from flowers make you feel calmer and have a good mood. You can make your mini garden at home no matter how much space you have.  

However, if your home does have a spacious garden, you can consult with a professional horticulturist. You can have a scented garden if you love aromatic flowers and herbs. But, if you have no space at all for a garden, you can still do indoor gardening.  Gardening indoors may help people with dementia. It also helps rehabilitation from emotional and physical trauma.  

Taking care of plants brings a sense of accomplishment and a conscious state of yourself. You can plant herbs for cooking and keep your fresh herbs on your kitchen counter. Horticultural therapy allows you to improve your social skills. Additionally, having an indoor garden will help you practice mindfulness and meditation. Having one or three plants at home improves your mood, improves your concentration, and improves your meditation techniques. 

Practice using your senses and practice gratitude with your plants. If you have a mint garden at home, you can practice your sense of smell, taste, and touch. Notice the size of the leaves, texture, and color. Wash the mint leaf and eat it slowly. In this way, mindfulness will be second nature to you. 

Horticulture therapy can be done individually or in groups. This type of therapy is divided into three sections which are social, therapeutic, and vocational. Vocational horticulture therapy teaches you job skills and to sell plants. Whereas therapeutic horticulture therapy may improve your memory, alertness, and emotions. Here are more resources about horticultural therapy. 

Create Your own Horticultural Therapy Containers at Home: 

https://www.chicagobotanic.org/blog/how_to/create_your_own_horticultural_therapy_containers_home

Therapeutic Garden Tips for Home Gardens: 

https://ngb.org/2020/09/30/therapeutic-garden-tips-for-home-gardens/

About Horticultural Therapy: 

https://www.ahta.org/about-horticultural-therapy

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