IN-PERSON and virtual sessions

Therapeutic Horticulture

Therapeutic horticulture is a practice that embraces the healing power of nature to promote physical and emotional wellbeing. It involves using plants, gardens, and cultivating a sense of connection with nature to help people improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Why it works

Current research validates the benefits of people-plant engagement, which include:

Reduces stress & anxiety
Supports cardiovascular health
Protects and preserves mental health
Boosts the absorption and retention of Vitamin D
Increases social connections
Helps to maintain a sense of purpose and worth
Aids in the development of positive coping strategies

Populations that can benefit

Older adults
Autism, developmental disabilities, ADD, ADHD
Alzheimer’s Disease/other Dementias
End of life, palliative care
Mental health, mental illnesses, anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD
Veterans
Cancer or other illnesses
Chronic pain
Corrections
Addictions
Loss, death, grief, divorce
LGBTQ+ community
TBI, brain injury/strokes

Where it takes place

Long-term care homes
Senior Living
Community gardens
Schools
Community centres
Private homes
Hospice
Assisted living facilities
Correctional facilities, halfway houses
Online through virtual sessions

In-Person Therapeutic Horticulture

Sessions are available in Ottawa, Ontario for individuals or groups of up to eight people.

If you are not located in Ottawa, we offer an Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course to train activity and allied health professionals to deliver therapeutic horticulture sessions. More information can be found below.

$145 per one hour session
$195 per two hour session
Session materials not included
Minimum of four sessions

Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture

Gardening for Wellness is a virtual therapeutic horticulture series, led by Katie McGillivray, Registered Horticultural Therapist, and Kristin Topping, Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner. It combines gardening knowledge with personal well-being in a five-part series that includes Seed Starting, Gardening with Kitchen Scraps, Indoor Plant Care & Self Care, Gardening Techniques, and Colour in the Garden.

Each session offers mindfulness activities, educational insights, reflective prompts and interactive exercises.

We also offer one-on-one virtual therapeutic horticulture upon request. Please contact us.

Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture Course

Root in Nature’s virtual, self-paced Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course teaches how to integrate plants, gardening and nature into your therapeutic approach.

"We had eight Root in Nature sessions with a group of 10 seniors. It is wonderful activity for seniors to engage and learn how to plant and grow vegetables. Andrea is an amazing instructor and seniors had a lot of fun hands on. This group is looking forward to donating the vegetables to community food centre. "

"I want to thank you so much for getting Dad into gardening. He loved his gardens over the years, mostly vegetables, and just loves to get his hands dirty. I was always worried about Dad at the Perley because other than his exercise classes, he didn’t join anything, even though he was once quite gregarious. Definitely keep his garden pots going.... it will give him a spark he needs."

We had eight Root in Nature sessions with a group of 10 seniors. It is wonderful activity for seniors to engage and learn how to plant and grow vegetables. Andrea is an amazing instructor and seniors had a lot of fun hands on. This group is looking forward to donating the vegetables to community food centre.

— Aging in Place Program Participant

I want to thank you so much for getting Dad into gardening. He loved his gardens over the years, mostly vegetables, and just loves to get his hands dirty. I was always worried about Dad at the Perley because other than his exercise classes, he didn’t join anything, even though he was once quite gregarious. Definitely keep his garden pots going.... it will give him a spark he needs.

— Sue Andrew

Daughter of resident at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre

Partnership to Deliver JASMA Healthcare Planters

Root in Nature is thrilled to partner with the Forget For A Moment Foundation as part of a shared commitment to infuse the healing power of nature into healthcare environments. Through our collaboration on the innovative JASMA Healthcare Planter, we are dedicated to promoting awareness among healthcare institutions about the critical importance of integrating natural elements within their spaces. This initiative is more than just beautification; it’s about creating healthier, more soothing environments for patients, staff and visitors alike.

Together, Root in Nature and Forget For A Moment Foundation are planting seeds of change, aiming to make nature’s restorative benefits accessible to all within the healthcare community. Root in Nature clients and GrowTH Network members are eligible for a 15% discount on a JASMA Planter, and purchasers of the planter are eligible for a 15% discount on our Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course.

Best Ottawa Business (BOBS) Award Winner

Root in Nature was recognized for Best Performance in Social Entrepreneurship by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal in 2022.

Coralus Venture

Root in Nature is grateful to be selected as one of the Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List by Coralus Activators! We will be receiving support from radically generous Activators, including funding, connections and relationships to grow our impact.