By Katie McGillivray, HTR and Aoife Rafferty
As more people recognize the therapeutic power of gardening, virtual therapeutic horticulture (TH) is emerging as a valuable tool to make these benefits accessible to everyone, regardless of location, mobility, or current life circumstances. This innovative approach enhances accessibility by removing geographical barriers, offering flexibility, and allowing participants to access therapeutic sessions from the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual therapeutic horticulture has become especially important during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic or climate emergencies (such as extreme heat and flooding), when in-person therapy may not be feasible. By harnessing technology, virtual TH creates interactive and engaging experiences, proving that you don’t need a physical garden to reap many of the mental and emotional benefits of nature.
“With Virtual Rec Connect, participants enjoy a flexible, inclusive environment that enhances their quality of life, regardless of their location or circumstances. Virtually, members have explored projects such as seed starting, propagation, and growing vegetables and herbs. We've created a virtual community that spans a large geographical area yet feels closely connected and supportive.”
In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of virtual therapeutic horticulture, best practices for facilitators and examples of successful virtual TH activities. We will also introduce Root in Nature’s new program, Gardening for Wellness.
Table of Contents
The Pros and Cons of Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture
The advantages of virtual therapeutic horticulture include:
Accessibility: Virtual TH allows individuals with mobility challenges, those living in remote areas, or anyone facing other barriers to participate in sessions that might otherwise be out of reach. This accessibility opens up gardening’s therapeutic potential to a broader, more diverse audience, welcoming people from different backgrounds and abilities.
Convenience: The flexibility of virtual sessions means participants can join from their own homes at times that work best for them. No need to travel or adjust schedules significantly—virtual therapeutic horticulture fits around their lives, making it easier for busy individuals, caregivers, or those with transportation limitations to engage regularly. This ease of participation fosters consistent involvement, which is key to experiencing the full benefits of therapeutic horticulture.
Safety: Virtual sessions provide a sense of security for those who may feel uncomfortable in group settings or are immunocompromised. It minimizes exposure to health risks while still fostering connection, a critical aspect of mental and emotional well-being. Participants can focus on their gardening activities in a safe, familiar environment without any added stress.
Wider Reach: Virtual platforms enable therapeutic horticulture to reach individuals far beyond the typical geographic limitations of in-person sessions. It makes this form of therapy more inclusive and available, allowing practitioners to connect with clients from different regions or even countries, broadening the scope of who can benefit from these healing practices.
The drawbacks and challenges of virtual therapeutic horticulture include:
Access to Materials: One of the biggest challenges in virtual TH is ensuring that participants have the necessary gardening supplies. In in-person sessions, these are provided, but virtually, participants must source their own materials. Mailing supplies in advance can help, especially with items like seeds, soil pellets, or small gardening tools. Facilitators can also provide guidelines on sourcing affordable supplies locally, helping participants feel prepared and confident.
Limited Sensory Experience: Virtual sessions can’t replicate the full sensory experience of in-person gardening—the feel of soil, the scent of herbs, the sight of a blooming flower. To address this, facilitators can assign “homework” tasks that encourage participants to spend time outside, engage their senses, or explore nature at home. Even simple activities, like touching leaves, smelling flowers, or feeling the texture of seeds, can make a difference.
Technical Challenges: Reliable internet access and familiarity with digital platforms are essential for virtual therapeutic horticulture. Technical difficulties, such as poor connectivity, can disrupt the session, leading to frustration for participants. It’s helpful to review technology guidelines before each session, ensure software is updated, and have backup plans ready to handle any unexpected issues. Facilitators might also consider offering brief tutorial sessions to ease participants into using digital tools.
Digital Literacy: Not all participants, especially seniors, are comfortable using digital platforms. Providing clear instructions, using simple language, and offering support on how to use video conferencing tools can alleviate this barrier. Patience and reassurance can go a long way in helping participants feel more at ease and empowered to engage fully in the sessions.
Nature and People Disconnect: Spending time online can create a disconnect from the natural world, which is what therapeutic horticulture aims to overcome. To mitigate this, facilitators should encourage outdoor activities, even if it’s as simple as opening a window, listening to the rain, or stepping onto a balcony to tend to a potted plant. Creating opportunities for interaction among participants can also build a sense of community, allowing people to share their experiences and foster connections.
Best Practices for Facilitating Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture
To make virtual therapeutic horticulture effective, the facilitator must focus on clear communication, creative engagement, and ensuring participants feel comfortable and included. Here are some key strategies:
Use Visual Aids: Incorporating slideshows, images, or videos enhances understanding. Demo cams can be useful for showing gardening tasks like seed starting in real-time, giving participants a clear view of how to perform certain activities. Visual aids can bridge the gap between virtual and hands-on learning, ensuring that participants understand each step.
Create a Welcoming Environment: Start each session with a warm greeting and perhaps a check-in activity, like asking participants what plant they feel like today. A casual, conversational tone helps everyone feel more at ease, promoting a sense of belonging and comfort. Creating a welcoming environment can also make the experience more enjoyable and reduce any initial hesitations.
Incorporate Games: Games like gardening trivia or virtual plant identification not only provide fun but also foster learning and interaction among participants. Adding light-hearted, interactive elements can break the ice, stimulate curiosity, and encourage participation, leading to a more enriching experience.
Encourage Active Participation: Use features like polls, chat boxes, and breakout rooms to prompt discussion and engagement. Exercises like the “Waterfall Chat,” where participants summarize their experience in one word, can help create a sense of closure and reflection at the end of each session. Facilitators can also invite participants to share photos of their progress or discuss challenges they’ve encountered, encouraging group support.
Promote Reflection: Therapeutic horticulture is about connecting with nature and oneself. Encourage reflection through mindfulness exercises or journaling prompts, allowing participants to process their emotions and experiences. Activities like guided visualization, breathing exercises, or writing about their gardening journey can deepen the therapeutic effects of the sessions.
Examples of Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture Sessions
Here are some examples of virtual therapeutic horticulture sessions:
Spring Flowers: A slideshow of blooming spring plants, followed by a discussion about gardening tasks for the season. This session can be bright and uplifting, encouraging participants to think about how they can prepare their own gardens for spring.
Herbs: Playing a herb-guessing game and sharing herb recipes, like pesto or herbal teas. This can stimulate the senses and inspire participants to grow their own herbs at home, even in small spaces.
Coffee and Tea: After learning how coffee is grown, discuss how to care for a coffee plant indoors. Participants can also share their favorite herbal tea blends and warm beverage recipes, creating a cozy, communal atmosphere. This session can bridge the gap between indoor gardening and broader discussions on the soothing rituals of making warm drinks.
These sessions help participants connect with nature, even virtually, by encouraging them to engage their senses and actively participate in hands-on gardening tasks at home.
Introducing Gardening for Wellness: A Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture Experience
Root in Nature is excited to announce the launch of Gardening for Wellness, a five-part virtual therapeutic horticulture series. Guided by Katie McGillivray, HTR, and Kristin Topping, this self-paced series helps participants cultivate personal well-being and a deeper connection to nature. Each session offers a combination of mindfulness activities, educational insights, and interactive exercises to foster both mental health and gardening skills.
Program Overview:
- Session 1: Seed Starting 101 – Learn essential techniques for starting seeds successfully and selecting the right varieties for your space.
- Session 2: Indoor Plant Care and Self-Care – Explore the connection between caring for indoor plants and nurturing your own well-being. Understand how simple acts of tending to plants can reflect and enhance self-care routines.
- Session 3: Gardening with Kitchen Scraps – Discover how to regrow plants from kitchen scraps like celery and green onions, offering a sustainable and budget-friendly way to garden.
- Session 4: Practical Gardening Techniques – Learn sustainable methods like companion planting and mulching to optimize your garden, helping it thrive while minimizing effort and resources.
- Session 5: The Power of Colour in the Garden – Understand how to use color theory to design vibrant, emotionally uplifting garden spaces. Discover the subtle impact colors can have on mood and how to use them purposefully in gardening.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, this series offers something for everyone. The cost for the series is $109 USD ($79 USD for full-time students) and includes:
- Five virtual 50-minute co-facilitated sessions
- An optional chat forum for students where you can interact with the instructors
- Resources and activities that extend beyond the virtual classroom.
Virtual horticultural therapy is an innovative way to bring the healing benefits of nature to more people, regardless of their physical location or ability. By adapting traditional TH practices to a digital space, we can create an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes emotional and mental well-being. Whether you’re dealing with isolation, stress, or just want to nurture your connection to the earth, virtual TH offers a valuable tool for personal healing.
Interested in trying virtual therapeutic horticulture for yourself? Here are some ways you can get involved!
- Take part in our Gardening for Wellness virtual series.
- Members of the GrowTH Network can join the conversation at our next Peer Support Call (the first Thursday of the month at 12:30 ET).
- Check out this article: Miyake, Y., Isomura, Y., & Fleming, L. (2022). Virtual Horticultural Therapy: A Qualitative Study Capturing University Students’ Perspectives on Benefits, Challenges and Future Issues. Health Education and Public Health, 5(2), 488-495. https://doi.org/10.31488/HEPH.176