Gardeners and horticulturists grow, observe and appreciate plant life. What they think affects what they do, and what they do affects the environment the plants the plants and landscapes they work with. At the same time, the plants and landscapes they work with affect them both psychologically and physically.

There is an often subtle, but very powerful relationship between human psychology and horticulture.

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. 

Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants, fruits and vegetables. 

The world around us affects the way in which we think and behave.  Being outdoors in fresh air, surrounded by greenery and nature has been found to improve our mental and physical health, our focus and attention.

Therefore, the world around us has an impact us, and we have an impact on the world around us.  

New disciplines and industries have been quietly emerging over recent decades that bend a knowledge of horticulture and psychology. Applying these disciplines together can sustain our mental and physical health and improve the world around us.

Emerging Industries and Career Opportunities include:
- Horticultural Therapy
- Horticultural therapy is a way of using garden and plant-based activities to improve a person’s physical and mental health. 
- Ecotherapy
- Ecotherapy involves getting people outdoors to spend time with nature. Or using nature-based indoor activities to improve a person’s mental and physical health. 
- Biophilic Landscaping
- Biophilic landscaping is the development of people friendly landscapes and environments. It includes considering the physical and psychological effects of the landscape on people.
- Playground Design
- Spending time outdoors is essential for children’s mental and physical health and development. Developing playgrounds that take account of the psychological and physical impacts of outdoor play are therefore essential.
- Permaculture
- Permaculture stands for permanent agriculture. It is a way of using land, people, resources and the environment in a way that does not produce waste, which is important for sustainability and the health and wellbeing of the land and the people living on the land.

Spending time in the garden, or with nature and outdoors helps us to feel more grounded and in touch with the world around us. It helps to provide balance.  Psychology helps us to understand more about the world around us, why people behave the way that they do and think the way that they do. Understanding more about horticulture and nature can help us to understand more about living harmoniously and sustainably with nature and improving our mental and physical health at the same time.

So if you are interested in horticulture or psychology or both, why not consider studying –
•    Horticultural Therapy
•    Ecotherapy
•    Biophilic Landscaping
•    Playground Design
•    Permaculture Systems


Or contact us to find out more.