RESEARCH

Healing Gardens for Cancer Populations

The article highlights that healing gardens offer both active and passive therapeutic benefits, with features like interactive art therapy, infusion areas, and multi-sensory plants supporting physical and emotional recovery across multiple cancer centers. Programs like Hope in Bloom and Camp Dream Street show that even small gardens or nature-based summer camps can lead to greater emotional resilience, improved self-esteem, and stronger social bonds among patients and children with cancer.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Chronic/Acute Health Conditions

Setting or Context: Assisted Living/Long-Term Care Homes, Hospitals/Clinics, Residential Programs, Public/Botanical Gardens, Homes/Private Residences

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Sensory Stimulation, Improved Physical Health, Improved Sleep Quality, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Decreased Need for Pain Medication

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Plant Propagation, Growing Plants from Seed, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Case Studies, Magazine or Trade Articles

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

Print Form

Summary

This article highlights how gardens can be designed to support people affected by cancer—patients, caregivers, families, and even healthcare staff. The authors describe several real-life healing gardens across North America that include both active features (like horticultural therapy and yoga) and quiet, peaceful areas (like sensory gardens and meditation spaces). These gardens are thoughtfully built with flexible seating, non-glare tables, water features, and shaded areas to make them comfortable for people who may be dealing with fatigue, reduced mobility, or emotional stress. Whether placed in hospitals, homes, botanic gardens, or camps, these green spaces aim to help people feel calmer, more hopeful, and more in control during a very difficult time.

Each garden is unique, but all share a belief that nature can support healing. For example, The Gathering Place in Ohio uses raised beds and meditation zones, while Cape Breton’s hospital garden in Canada offers water sounds and private nooks for reflection. Dana-Farber’s indoor garden in Boston provides a plant-free view for patients with immune challenges, and the Hope in Bloom program creates flower gardens at people’s homes. These examples show how gardens—large or small—can reduce stress, lift mood, and bring people together through shared experiences in nature.