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According to the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association Horticultural therapy is:

 "The use of plants and the natural world to improve the social, spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals who participate in it"

 In the words of Mitchell Hewson, Horticultural Therapy is:

“...a tool to develop a relationship with the client to improve their behavioural, physical and spiritual well being”.

Generally it could be said that Horticultural Therapy is the study of horticulture and related humanistic skills to provide a therapeutic basis to promote physical and mental functioning through natural or the man made environment.

 Diane Relf defines Horticultural Therapy in more specific terms in her book:

“…four elements that are essential for an activity to qualify as horticultural therapy if it is to be considered a profession eligible for the same status as other caring professions:

Mitchell Hewson, HTM, Homewood Health Centre, Guelph ON Canada

Disclaimer - Horticultural Therapy is a qualified and registered therapy and should be practiced by trained professionals only. Although its principles can be followed by anyone, if you are suffering from illness, please seek a trained individual for advice.