What Is Horticultural Therapy?

Horticultural therapy involves the use of plants and plant-related activities to improve the body, mind and spirits of people. Using horticulture as a therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment for people with special needs, horticulture has become a universally accepted and effective tool in improving the quality of life of those served.

Active horticultural therapy involves enabling gardening for all. Raised beds, planting tables, accessible paths and sensory plants allow people of all ages and all abilities to participate in horticultural activities.

Passive horticultural therapy involves creating healing, meditative, contemplative and sensory gardens to offer solace and pleasure to all. Horticultural Therapy offers cognitive, social, psychological and physical benefits to all.

History of Horticultural Therapy

The Therapeutic influence of plants dates back to ancient Egypt when physicians prescribed walks in the garden for their patients.

In 1798, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and professor at the Institute of Medicine and Clinical Practice in Philadelphia, acknowledged that laboring in the field helped alleviate madness in one of his patients. He noted in 1812 that 'digging in the garden' was one activity that often led to recovery for patients in mental hospitals.

During the late 1800's, horticulture gained acceptance as a means of easing the stressful lives of low-income inner city residents and of teaching individuals with developmental disabilities.

• In 1879, Friends Hospital in Philadelphia built what was thought to be the first greenhouse in the United States to be used exclusively with the mentally ill.
• In the early 1900's, the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas incorporated plants, gardening and nature study as an integral part of the patient's activities.
• Following World War II, with the establishment of the veterans hospitals, volunteers and member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs engaged the recovering soldiers in a variety of plant, flower and garden-related projects.

Today there are Horticultural Therapy programs throughout the world designed to adapt horticulture to meet the special needs of all people.

Professional Organization

The American Horticultural Therapy Association is a strong, national organization that provides information and national representation on behalf of horticultural therapists.

The AHTA offers its members a voluntary professional registration program, annual conference, bimonthly newsletters, horticultural therapy publication sales, and an annual journal and member directory.

You can contact the AHTA at:

American Horticultural Therapy Association
909 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206

Phone #: 303-370-8087
Toll free: 1-800-634-1603
Fax: 303-331-5776.

Web: www.ahta.org

E-mail: joy@ahta.org