Introduction to
Therapeutic Horticulture

Your first step into therapeutic horticulture

You know plants and nature can support well-being, but you may be wondering how to use them safely, intentionally, and professionally in your own work.

The Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course gives you a clear, practical starting point. This self-paced online course helps recreational therapists, activity directors, educators, mental health professionals, allied health professionals, and aspiring practitioners begin building the knowledge and confidence to use plant and nature-based approaches in meaningful, goal-oriented ways.

No prior horticulture experience is required.

Course description

Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture is a foundational, self-paced online course for professionals and aspiring practitioners who want to understand the field of therapeutic horticulture and begin exploring how plant- and nature-based approaches may fit within their work.

Through engaging, easy-to-follow lessons taught by Emilee Weaver and Katie McGillivray, HTR, you’ll build a practical understanding of the principles, evidence, ethics, and professional values that support safe and inclusive practice. You’ll explore common populations and program settings, facilitation considerations, and introductory horticultural knowledge, including ways to adapt tools, activities, and techniques for different participant needs.

This course is also the prerequisite for the Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation, Design and Practice course, making it a helpful first step for learners who want to continue developing their therapeutic horticulture practice.

This course is designed as a starting point. You do not need to be a horticulture expert, an experienced gardener, or already working in therapeutic horticulture to begin. You’ll be guided through the core concepts step by step, with practical examples that help you understand how this approach can fit within different professional roles and care settings.

Course fee & what's included

Course fee: CAD ^$295
Course manual (optional): CAD ^$30

What you’ll receive:

Your registration gives you everything you need to begin building a strong foundation in therapeutic horticulture, including:

Seven video-based lessons with 68 focused topics
Practical resources to support your learning and help you implement course concepts
Lifetime access
A completion certificate & digital badge
Eligibility for CE credits
Bonus: Six months of free access to the GrowTH Network for non-members, our professional support platform with an activity database, resources, peer connection and ongoing learning opportunities. Current GrowTH Network members receive a 20% course discount through their membership.

Time commitment

The course includes eight hours of video lessons, as well as quizzes and resource materials. You will not be required to attend any live calls during this course—all content is pre-recorded and self-paced.

Continuing education credits

Pre-approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification – NCTRC for 12 hours
Pre-approved by the Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center – APNCC for 12 hours
Approved by the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association – CHTA for 0.3 points per 40 contact hours of instruction
Accepted by Master Gardener programs – meets the criteria for continuing education in many U.S. and Canadian programs

How it works

After you purchase, simply sign in to your account at the top right corner of the website and you’ll find the course and manual (if purchased) under Courses → My Courses.

You’ll have lifetime access, so you can move through the lessons at your own pace and revisit them anytime.

Course manual details

The 120-page course manual is a comprehensive PDF that captures all the main points from the course in one place. It’s designed to:

Consolidate the key concepts so you can focus on learning instead of taking extensive notes
Serve as a lasting reference, like a textbook you can return to anytime
Support open-book quiz completion
Provide a quick refresher on foundational knowledge as you move into more advanced or practice-based training
Provide a glossary of 130+ TH Terms

While not required, many students find the manual to be a helpful resource they continue using well beyond the course.

What our learners are saying

"I absolutely loved the Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course! The format was engaging, the information was incredibly insightful, and the GrowTH network offers outstanding resources. Katie and Alexis were so welcoming and helpful, creating a supportive and enriching experience. What stood out most for me were the mindful moments incorporated into the course—they were truly transformative. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in the field!"

"I think that this training has been the best training in Therapeutic Horticulture that I have done. The course provides you with the necessary foundation to provide your clients with good quality Therapeutic Horticulture sessions. Even if you already have knowledge of horticulture therapy and are a practitioner, the training provides you with relevant information that could enhance your practice. I love the mindful moments because they allow me to take pauses and nurture myself. I found this training fantastic!"

"This course has been exceptional and provides a wide array of information related to the practice of HT. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about and engage with the HT modalities. The information is laid out clearly and provides opportunity for reflection and application of what you are learning."

“This is one of the most engaging and informative online courses I have ever done. Even if I was not previously interested in the subject, I would have still very much enjoyed every aspect. The format and organization of the material flows incredibly well, and the material is clear, concise, and not lost in unnecessary filler. I highly recommend it.”

"If you want an easily digestible AND quality understanding of the practice of therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy, this is the course! It was well organized, concise, easy to move through, and rich with information. The information is insightful and will help strengthen your skill sets in this field."

"I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this course. I liked that I could work at my own pace and complete sections without feeling like I was going to forget what I learned. The quizzes at the end of each lesson were helpful. One of my favourite things about this course was being able to go through actual session plans as well as having the additional resources/readings available. I found all of the course material easy to understand and very beneficial. I will be recommending this course to colleagues!"

"Clear, concise, with the ability to complete at your own pace, three of my favourite things in an online course! A great intro to TH/HT guided by experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Thank you for this course, I look forward to more of your offerings!"

"I loved the diversity of people included in the videos of this course. It has been my own experience that very little breaks down barriers between people quite as well as horticulture activities."

"Beautiful course that inspired and encouraged me to dig deeper and expand my horticulture therapy practice."

"Well planned course with excellent facilitation, great examples and resources such as videos, articles, documents and library."

Learn from experienced instructors

Emilee Weaver

With over 25 years in professional horticulture and 15 years dedicated to developing therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy programs, Emilee Weaver is a respected leader, educator, and practitioner in the field. She co-authored The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy (2019), one of the first comprehensive textbooks in the discipline, and served as lead instructor and content developer for university-based therapeutic horticulture certificate programs in the U.S. Emilee’s work has spanned clinical, community, and educational settings, with a focus on the intersection of horticulture and mental health. Most recently, she has helped expand therapeutic horticulture internationally, partnering with Ukrainian and Armenian botanical gardens and clinicians supporting communities affected by war. Her lifelong love of plants began in the fern-filled forests of New Hampshire and was nurtured by her grandmother’s influence. When she’s not teaching or consulting, Emilee can be found tending her garden, chatting with her tortoises, keeping her cats out of mischief, and spending time with family and friends who continue to inspire her journey.

Katie McGillivray, HTR

Katie McGillivray is a Registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) and member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association. Since 2014, she has supported therapeutic horticulture projects and programs for a wide range of populations, guided by an asset-based, client-centered, and strengths-focused approach. Katie holds a certificate in horticultural therapy from Ann Kent and completed academic studies in counselling, horticulture, agriculture, psychology, and research. Her work often connects therapeutic horticulture with community food security and food justice, areas where she continues to inspire meaningful, hands-on engagement with nature. Beyond her professional practice, Katie is an enthusiastic home cook and avid paddleboarder who finds joy in cultivating both gardens and community.

Featured guest speakers

Chadwick Lewis

Owner and General Manager, Urban Fresh Produce

Lynn Leach, HTR

Horticultural Therapist & Landscape Designer, Bird’s Foot Design Studio

Matthew Johnson

Owner and Operator, Three Rabbit Farms

What You'll Gain

This course will help you:

Build a clear understanding of therapeutic horticulture and how it is applied across diverse settings
Recognize how plants, gardening, and nature-based activities can support health, well-being, participation, and connection
Approach therapeutic horticulture with greater awareness of evidence, ethics, accessibility, and inclusion
See how therapeutic horticulture can complement your existing professional role or area of interest
Prepare for continued learning through Root in Nature’s advanced therapeutic horticulture training pathway

Download a course outline and preview

Get a glimpse inside the course with this 13-minute preview video. It brings together a series of clips from the lessons, giving you a feel for the learning style, topics covered, and the supportive approach that guides you through the foundations of therapeutic horticulture. A detailed course outline is also included.

What you'll learn

FAQs

Are more courses offered on this topic if I want to continue my learning?

Yes. After this course, you can continue in two main ways:

1. Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program
This course is the prerequisite for our Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation, Design and Practice course. By completing this course, you can earn a Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate which recognizes comprehensive training in foundational knowledge, facilitation skills, and program development.

2. Standalone professional development + mini-courses
We offer thematic learning opportunities (e.g., Supporting Emotional Resilience and Action in a Changing Climate) and a growing suite of shorter courses on specific skills and practice themes.

For current offerings, waitlists, and launch dates, please view our Courses Overview page, the Root Beat newsletter, and social channels.

Will I be qualified to practice therapeutic horticulture after taking this course?

This course provides foundational knowledge, but it is not designed to prepare you to independently develop or facilitate therapeutic horticulture programs or activities.

Upon completion, you may describe yourself as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally, with an understanding of:

the populations TH practitioners serve
the settings in which programs are delivered
how TH supports a range of outcomes across diverse environments

If your goal is to practice therapeutic horticulture (facilitate and/or develop programs), we recommend continuing on to the Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation, Design and Practice Course.

Does this course certify me to become a horticultural therapist?

No. This course does not certify you as a Horticultural Therapist (HT).

This course provides training in therapeutic horticulture foundations. Even the Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate is designed to prepare learners to practice therapeutic horticulture—not horticultural therapy.

Horticultural therapy is a distinct clinical profession with its own training pathways and requirements; this course focuses on therapeutic horticulture as an evidence-informed practice approach.

Is there group pricing?

Yes—please contact us at courses@rootinnature.ca for group discount codes.

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