Basics of Therapeutic Horticulture

Explore the basic types of horticultural practices and the core concepts of therapeutic horticulture. Apply these ideas to rehabilitation, care, and designing therapeutic gardens, recognizing viticulture, floriculture, and arboriculture.

Explore hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics—the soil-less systems that deliver nutrients in water through closed cycles, and contrast agriculture, gardening, and therapeutic gardening.

Explore the basic concepts of therapeutic horticulture, including biophilia and biophilic design, and how gardening and green spaces support mood, cognition, and wellbeing.

Therapeutic horticulture enables rehabilitation and care by engaging hands and nature, offering benefits—muscle strength, mobility, hand function, bone density—and psychological gains like reduced stress, mindfulness, and social engagement.

Identify safety, accessibility, mobility, and visibility needs to design therapeutic gardens with raised beds and wider paths, easy grip tools, and tools kept close to plots to prevent falls.

Explore plant structure, healing properties, and garden design that support therapy, including sensory plants, anti-inflammatory remedies for osteoporosis, and safe, accessible layouts with water features.

Complete the module on therapeutic horticulture and hear Denise's closing message. Have a great day ahead.

Review foundational concepts of therapeutic horticulture and reinforce practical approaches to using plants to support wellbeing and hands on care.

Marla Lise presents the basics of therapeutic horticulture. She explains how gardening and plant care support mood, memory, cognition, and social connection.