When you think about healing plants, you probably imagine nourishing food or maybe medicinal herbs. Plants can heal in other ways, too. Horticultural therapy has a long-standing reputation as a remedy for stress and other conditions. Whether it’s an ambitious outdoor project or a simple arrangement of houseplants, the therapeutic value of growing plants can’t be overestimated.
Therapeutic Benefits of Outdoor Gardening
Outdoor gardening has a range of benefits. Simply being outdoors can help to reduce stress and promote well-being. Being involved in the process of planting and gardening is even more therapeutic, providing a sense of achievement and accomplishment. Planting, growing, and just spending time in a garden has been shown to produce positive outcomes in terms of emotional stability, memory, and cognitive function.
Gardening can provide peace and solitude for those who need to take a step back from challenging situations. Conversely, a community gardening project can be valuable in providing social interaction for those who may find that beneficial.
Gardening also has physical benefits of horticultural therapy. Walking, digging, planting, and other physical activities are encouraged and supported by a garden environment and through gardening projects.
Indoor Gardening
Not everyone is in a position to take up gardening therapy in an outdoor setting. Fortunately, indoor organic gardening can also provide dramatic therapeutic benefits. Even something as simple as a few houseplants on your windowsill can benefit your mental and physical health. Indoor plants can bring satisfaction in many different ways. The process of selecting, cultivating, and nurturing plants can be intensely relaxing. Indoor plants can also enhance your living space, making it a more healthy and beautiful environment.
Indoor Organic Gardening Aesthetics
If you’re going to spend a lot of time with your indoor plants, it’s important to consider the aesthetic factor of the plants you’re growing. Even if you’re primarily growing plants for food or as herbal remedies, you should still make your indoor garden as visually appealing as possible. This can involve straightforward steps such as choosing attractive planters and complex and thoughtful arrangements of houseplants that maximize the beauty of your indoor space.
Organic Pest Control for a Safe Home Environment
Pests are a fact of life for any gardener. Unfortunately, therapeutic gardens aren’t immune from the attentions of bugs or the ravages of fungus. Whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, organic pest control methods are a must; however, it’s even more important to use safe products when the plants are sharing your living space. Conventional pest control products often contain harsh chemicals that you don’t want in any enclosed space — particularly not your home.
Luckily, there are ample alternatives to toxic pesticides and fungicides. You can prevent many infestations through careful positioning, watering, and companion planting. If your plants do become infested, there are safe, effective organic products with safe ingredients to keep them healthy without harming you or your household.