Gardening for health and wellbeing

No matter who you are or where you live, anyone can benefit from the joy of gardening. Find out how gardens boost your mental and physical wellbeing, and discover some stories from people whose lives got even better because of it

Supported by science

Our scientific research

  • New research reveals which houseplants are best for wellbeing

    Full article -

  • Spending time in the garden linked to better health and wellbeing

    Full article -

  • Discover the importance of outdoor spaces for our wellbeing

    Full article -
See Science and Collections 

Wellbeing at RHS Gardens

The Wellbeing Garden at RHS Wisley

Designed by Matt Keightley, the Wellbeing Garden opened in October 2021 and formed part of the development of RHS Hilltop

Bridgewater’s social project

Transforming lives at RHS Garden Bridgewater

Community wellbeing at RHS Bridgewater

Discover the first permanent garden to be created within an RHS Garden with health and wellbeing at its core
See RHS Gardens 

Real-life stories

First Scandinavian therapy garden built in Ukraine

Supporting Ukraine’s growing mental health...

Grow yourself happy

See how being outside helps your wellbeing

Garden your way through grief

Creating something living out of loss

First Scandinavian therapy garden built in Ukraine

Supporting Ukraine’s growing mental health...

Grow yourself happy

See how being outside helps your wellbeing

Garden your way through grief

Creating something living out of loss

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See more real-life stories

Gardening with health conditions

Gardening after a brain injury

How one man rediscovered his passion

Gardening with sight loss

Get the most out of your gardening experience

Creating a dementia-friendly garden

How to make a garden more accessible

Gardening after a brain injury

How one man rediscovered his passion

Gardening with sight loss

Get the most out of your gardening experience

Creating a dementia-friendly garden

How to make a garden more accessible

prev
next

NHS wellbeing gardens

A partnership between the RHS and the NHS
A partnership between the RHS and the NHS

Discover the wellbeing gardens being built around England for staff, patients and the local community

A partnership between the RHS and the NHS

Wellbeing at RHS Flower Shows

The Vitamin G Garden

Designed by Alan Williams with Jo Whiley

Stroke Association’s Garden for Recovery

Designed by Miria Harris

Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden

Designed by Katherine Holland

From show garden to an NHS hospital garden

Watch the transformation of an underutilised outdoor space within an NHS hospital into an oasis of serenity for patients and staff to enjoy.

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See RHS Shows and Events 

Buy the book: RHS Your Wellbeing Garden

By Alistair Griffiths and Matt Keightley

Gardens are proven to enhance your wellbeing, but why? Covering the design, the plants, and the physical act of gardening, this book uniquely explains the evidence behind why green spaces are good for you. It then shows you how you can use that knowledge to optimise your own outdoor space for wellbeing.

Published: Feb 2020 | RRP: £16.99

Buy the book

What is a wellbeing garden?

More from the RHS

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.