RESEARCH

Gardens in Health Care: Healing Gardens, Therapeutic Gardens, and Horticultural Therapy Gardens

The paper found that well-designed healthcare gardens—especially when matched to specific goals like relaxation or active therapy—can significantly improve stress, mood, and recovery for patients and staff. However, their impact depends on thoughtful design and user involvement, especially in horticultural therapy gardens where patient participation is key to the therapeutic benefit.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Assisted Living/Long-Term Care Homes, Low Care/Independent Long-Term Homes, Rehabilitation Centers

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Faster Recovery Times, Decreased Need for Pain Medication

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Landscape Design, Nursing

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Access: Paid

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Summary

This paper explains how different types of gardens in healthcare settings—like healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, and horticultural therapy gardens—can support the well-being of patients, families, and medical staff. Healing gardens are calm, beautiful spaces open to everyone in a healthcare facility, offering comfort and stress relief. Therapeutic gardens, on the other hand, are more private and used directly in medical treatment, helping people physically or emotionally through structured use. Horticultural therapy gardens go a step further, involving patients in actively caring for plants as part of their treatment, which gives them a sense of purpose and personal responsibility.

The paper also points out that although many hospitals have outdoor areas, they’re often underused or poorly maintained. For gardens to truly support healing, they must be thoughtfully designed based on how people will use them—considering factors like privacy, accessibility, and patient involvement. The author emphasizes that the type of garden and its design should match its purpose, whether it’s for quiet reflection, part of physical rehabilitation, or hands-on therapy. When done well, these gardens can make a meaningful difference in recovery, emotional health, and quality of life.

Link

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1246: XIII International People Plant Symposium: Plants, Cultures and Healthy Communities. (2019). Gardens in health care: healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, and horticultural therapy gardens.

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