Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) is a therapeutic intervention for people, using plants and plant-related activities, through which participants strive to improve their well-being through active or passive involvement. In a therapeutic horticulture program, goals are not clinical in nature, but the leader has training in the use of horticulture as a medium for human well-being. This type of program may be found in a wide variety of community, healthcare, rehabilitative, and residential settings. TH activities promote therapy and wellness for people with physical, emotional, developmental or mental disabilities through intentionally planned, evidence-based activities or programs (definition adapted from the AHTA Definitions and Positions).
TH also differs from a gardening group because the focus is on the people rather than only the plant tasks. It differs from Horticultural Therapy because anyone with therapeutic horticulture training can facilitate TH, where horticultural therapy requires extensive professional training and registration. Read more about the difference between therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy to understand how this practice may benefit the population you work with.
This website is designed to serve TH facilitators and practitioners, participants and their families, volunteers interested in supporting programs, students and interns seeking professional certification, as well as professionals and service providers interested in offering therapeutic horticulture opportunities to the populations they serve.
Learn about the four-course online Therapeutic Horticulture series, designed to take allied professions, volunteers, and students from interest to proficiency.
Use the tabs to find information about the types of gardens, programs and professionals available as well as links to specific examples in North Carolina.
Information on research, accessibility, gardening, and health is available as well as opportunities to get connected via email, social media, and professional organizations.
Follow the home page for news, events, research updates, and more.
Join the community of therapeutic horticulture professionals, volunteers, and students in our online group. Request to join our discussion group.
Stay connected with NC State Extension Therapeutic Horticulture by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Support the Therapeutic Horticulture Program at NC State, including the expansion of this portal. Please note that "Therapeutic Horticulture" is a signature program of "Extension Gardener," the title of the fund on the donation site. While our cost-recovery courses cover the salary of one part-time specialist, our program has no financial support for staff, programs, equipment, supplies, or state travel to support the work of Extension in all 100 counties. Give now to support the growth of this program and vital outreach to support therapeutic horticulture across North Carolina.
Additional funding would allow us to expand staff coverage, add staff to the program, provide supplies at outreach events, create media, and so much more.
Please direct questions, feedback, or information on broken links to Amy Bruzzichesi, NC State Extension Therapeutic Horticulture Program Manager: afbruzzi@ncsu.edu