Therapeutic Horticulture Frequently Asked Questions

Therapeutic horticulture is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professionals with training in the use of horticulture as a therapeutic modality to support program goals. Therapeutic horticulture is the process through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities.

Therapeutic horticulture programs are found in a wide variety of healthcare, rehabilitative, and residential settings. The Missouri Botanical Garden can do programming at the Garden or at participating organization’s facilities. The components of therapeutic horticulture program are:

• The engagement of a participant in active or passive horticultural-related activities.
• The participant has an identified disability, illness, or life circumstance requiring services. 
• The activity is facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professional with training in horticulture.
• The participation is in the context of the goals and mission of the organization.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from Therapeutic Horticulture! However, the maximize impact, staff at the Missouri Botanical Garden focus on serving groups rather than individuals. These are only some of the organizations with which we work:

• Siteman Cancer Centers
• Crisis Nursery Saint Louis
• The Covering House
• Easterseals Midwest
• Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital 
• St. Louis Hope Lodge
• The Mary Culver Home for Visually Impaired Women
• The Queen of Peace Center
• The Society for the Blind

Senior Groups or Senior Living Facilities:

• Please refer to Soule Senior Outreach for more information
• If you have questions or would like to schedule a program, please call (314) 577-9506

Medical Communities and Social Service Agencies:

• Please refer to Therapeutic Horticulture Programs at the Garden and Customizable Services
• If you have questions or would like to schedule a program, please call (314) 577-9473 x 76526

• Most programs cost $50/hour plus the cost of materials
• Please refer to the Menu of Services for estimated material costs

• Flower arranging
• Planting and maintaining gardens
• Nature printing
• Various aromatherapy activities
• Exploring and making herbal teas or herbal sachets
• Nature journaling
• Nature based meditation and mindfulness practices

Refer to the Menu of Services for further examples.