Horticulture Therapy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Horticulture Therapy is an interdisciplinary field that leverages plant science, therapeutic horticulture practices, and psychological principles to support the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of individuals facing challenges related to health, aging, or disability. This program prepares professionals to design and implement evidence-based plant-based interventions that promote healing, independence, and quality of life in clinical, rehabilitative, and community settings.

• Abnormal Psychology: Explores patterns of behavior and mental processes that deviate from societal norms, with a focus on understanding psychological conditions commonly addressed through therapeutic interventions.
• Adult Development and Aging: Examines the psychological, physical, and social changes across the lifespan, particularly in later life, to inform age-appropriate therapeutic strategies.
• Botany: Provides foundational knowledge of plant structure, function, growth, and classification, essential for selecting and managing appropriate plant species in therapy settings.
• Facilities Design: Focuses on creating accessible, safe, and therapeutic environments—such as healing gardens and rehabilitation centers—that support diverse user needs and promote engagement with nature.
• Horticultural Therapy: The core practice area involving structured activities with plants and gardening to achieve specific therapeutic goals, including improved motor skills, emotional regulation, and social interaction.
• Plant Pathology: Studies diseases affecting plants, enabling practitioners to maintain healthy green spaces and prevent contamination in therapeutic environments.
• People-Plant Relationships: Investigates the psychological and physiological impacts of human interaction with plants, including stress reduction, mood enhancement, and increased sense of purpose.
• Psychology: Offers a broad understanding of human behavior, cognition, and emotional processes, forming the theoretical basis for designing effective, individualized therapy programs.