![Header visuals [Recovered]-08](https://rootinnature.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Header-visuals-Recovered-08-scaled.png "Header visuals [Recovered]-08")
Beginner
Taking Root
This path is for new or aspiring practitioners just beginning their therapeutic horticulture journey. Whether you’re a therapist, educator, caregiver, or volunteer, you’ll gain clarity on what therapeutic horticulture is, how it differs from clinical horticultural therapy, and how to begin integrating nature into your work with others.
If you’ve found your way here, chances are you already feel the pull: a desire to help others, a love of plants, and a growing curiosity about how those two things might work together in a more purposeful way.
That’s exactly where many of our students begin.
You might be a recreational therapist, a professional horticulturist, garden volunteer, social worker, or someone who simply believes that nature has a role to play in healing and connection—but you’re not quite sure how to get started with therapeutic horticulture.
That’s where we come in—to help you get clear on what therapeutic horticulture is and how it might fit your goals.
Which Path Fits You: Therapeutic Horticulture or Horticultural Therapy?
We created a short video to walk you through the difference between Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) and Horticultural Therapy (HT) in clear, simple language. Understanding the distinction will help you decide which path makes the most sense for your goals and the kind of work you want to do.
Horticultural Therapy (HT)
is a clinical practice facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist. It involves structured, goal-oriented activities designed to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes within an established treatment or rehabilitation plan.
Therapeutic Horticulture (TH)
is a professionally facilitated practice that uses gardening, and other plant and nature-based activities to support people in working toward their health and wellbeing goals. Many clinicians also integrate therapeutic horticulture training with their professional credentials to support goal-driven, clinically meaningful outcomes.
By watching the video, you’ll gain insights into how individuals from diverse backgrounds apply these practices in settings like community gardens, schools, healthcare facilities, and personal spaces.
At Root in Nature, we offer education and support in therapeutic horticulture, not clinical horticultural therapy. That said, the GrowTH Network is designed to be a welcoming and valuable resource for both TH and HT practitioners, because regardless of title or setting, we share common ground in our values, goals, activities, and the importance of community.
If, after watching the video, you feel that HT is a better fit for your path, you can explore formalized training through organizations like the American and Canadian Horticultural Therapy Associations. At Root in Nature, we’re here to support you in whichever direction feels right for you.
If you’re looking for a path that’s people-centered, adaptable, and rooted in real-life application, Therapeutic Horticulture might be your next step.
Two Ways to Begin Your Learning in Therapeutic Horticulture
Starting your journey in therapeutic horticulture doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some practitioners want a structured, guided path that supports confident, intentional practice from start to finish. Others prefer a flexible, self-paced path they can integrate into their current role as they explore further.
Option 1:
Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway
A structured, comprehensive journey for those pursuing in-depth TH practice
If you’re ready to build a strong, comprehensive foundation in therapeutic horticulture practice, the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway offers a complete, guided learning experience that moves from foundational principles through to advanced facilitation and program development.
Who is this pathway for?
This pathway is designed for those who want a deeper understanding of TH practice and program administration, supported by expert feedback, clear milestones, and intentional skill-building.
This pathway is ideal if you:
- have no prior experience working with plants or people
- are an allied health professional, educator, activity coordinator, or wellness practitioner who has a genuine interest in developing or integrating meaningful, nature-based practice into your work
- looking to build practical and advanced skills amongst a network of peers and expert instructors
- wanting the most comprehensive level of TH training possible that still fits within your schedule
What will I learn?
You’ll Learn:
- Therapeutic horticulture theory and practice
- How to design and/or oversee the creation of therapeutic gardens & environments
- How to align and document nature-based activities with participant goals and outcomes
- Development, facilitation, and adaptation strategies for diverse populations, using real world examples
- How to design, propose, and manage TH programs
- General and TH-specific horticulture and gardening skills
- How to choose and integrate traditional and adaptive gardening tools
How does the learning experience work?
This guided, structured pathway combines online learning with instructor check-ins and clearly defined milestones. You’ll progress through each module with expert support, reflection points, and opportunities for feedback, ensuring you stay on track as you deepen your therapeutic horticulture practice and build confidence in real-world application.
What will I receive?
This pathway leads to defined TH certificates, including:
- TH Advanced Facilitation Skills Certificate (2 courses)
- TH Program Development & Management Certificate (2 courses)
- Advanced TH Certificate (3 courses)
Option 2: Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation Course
A self-paced introduction for those building skills and confidence in practice
If you’re ready to build upon existing professional experience, strengthen your understanding of therapeutic horticulture, and begin integrating nature-based activities into your work, this single course offers a streamlined, one-stop option with a stronger focus on facilitation skills than on program development and management.
Who is this pathway for?
This option is well suited to those who want to begin in a more flexible, self-paced way or integrate TH learning alongside existing professional commitments.
This pathway is ideal if you:
- are an allied health professional, educator, activity coordinator, or wellness practitioner who may already have an established site or population in which they’d like to integrate TH
- are looking to build practical TH skills without committing to a peer cohort-based program
- are wanting a shorter, flexible learning experience that fits around your existing knowledge, schedule, and responsibilities
What will I learn?
- Therapeutic horticulture theory and concepts
- Key properties of inclusive, therapeutic environments
- How to align horticultural tasks with therapeutic intent
- How to create and adapt goal-driven, person-centered therapeutic horticulture activities
- Real-world examples that demonstrate how TH can support emotional, physical, social, cognitive, and wellbeing goals
- General horticulture and gardening skills
- A variety of adaptive gardening tools commonly used in the field
How does the learning experience work?
This fully online, completely self-paced course gives you the flexibility to learn whenever it works for you. Through practical, real-world examples and guided modules, you’ll explore how therapeutic horticulture is applied and facilitated across diverse settings—building skills you can immediately bring into your own practice.
What will I receive?
Graduates receive a completion certificate and digital badge as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally.
Option One:
Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway
A structured, comprehensive journey for those pursuing in-depth TH practice
If you’re ready to build a strong, comprehensive foundation in therapeutic horticulture practice, the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway offers a complete, guided learning experience that moves from foundational principles through to advanced facilitation and program development.
Who is this pathway for?
This pathway is designed for those who want a deeper understanding of TH practice and program administration, supported by expert feedback, clear milestones, and intentional skill-building.
No prior experience or allied health background is required, just a genuine interest in developing meaningful, nature-based practice.
What will I learn?
You’ll gain insight into:
- Therapeutic horticulture theory and practice
- Facilitation and adaptation strategies for diverse populations
- Designing, proposing, and managing TH programs
- Hands on horticulture and gardening skills required for TH
- Aligning nature-based activities with participant goals and outcomes
How does the learning experience work?
This guided, structured pathway combines online learning with instructor check-ins and clearly defined milestones. You’ll progress through each module with expert support, reflection points, and opportunities for feedback, ensuring you stay on track as you deepen your therapeutic horticulture practice and build confidence in real-world application.
What will I receive?
This pathway leads to defined TH certificates, including:
- TH Facilitation Certificate (2 courses)
- TH Program Development & Management Certificate (2 courses)
- TH Certificate (3 courses)
Option Two:
Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation Course
A self-paced introduction for those building skills and confidence in practice
If you’re ready to strengthen your understanding of therapeutic horticulture (TH) and begin integrating nature-based activities into your work, the Therapeutic Horticulture Foundations & Facilitation offers an accessible, shorter, one-stop option that has been curated for those who already have a base of knowledge and/or professional experience to draw from and build upon. Some of the more program development and management-related content has been edited out and maintains a more hands-on, facilitation skills- based orientation.
Who is this pathway for?
This option is well suited to those who want to begin in a more flexible, self-paced way or integrate TH learning alongside existing professional commitments.
This pathway is ideal if you are:
- An allied health professional, educator, activity coordinator, or wellness practitioner who may already have an established site or population in which they’d like to integrate TH
- Looking to build practical TH skills without committing to a peer cohort-based program
- Wanting a shorter, flexible learning experience that fits around your existing knowledge and responsibilities
What will I learn?
You’ll explore core concepts, participant-centred approaches, and real-world examples that help you understand how TH can support emotional, physical, social, cognitive, and wellbeing goals.
You’ll also learn how to create and adapt activities, develop inclusive environments, and begin aligning horticultural tasks with therapeutic intent, building confidence you can apply directly to your daily practice.
How does the learning experience work?
This fully online, completely self-paced course gives you the flexibility to learn whenever it works for you. Through practical, real-world examples and guided modules, you’ll explore how therapeutic horticulture is applied and facilitated across diverse settings—building skills you can immediately bring into your own practice.
What will I receive?
Graduates receive a completion certificate and digital badge as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally.
Not sure where to begin?
Whether you choose flexible standalone learning or a comprehensive, guided pathway, you’re taking a meaningful step toward strengthening your practice through nature and therapeutic horticulture. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, we invite you to explore both pathways or reach out for guidance. You can reach us by email at courses@rootinnature.ca or schedule a coffee chat with Emilee.
As your practice grows, you may also choose to explore professional development and specialised learning opportunities that support continued skill-building and new areas of practice.
Join the GrowTH Network
When you’re just starting out in therapeutic horticulture, one of the most powerful tools you can have is connection—to resources, guidance, and others who understand the work you’re doing.
The GrowTH Network is your professional community: a place where new and experienced practitioners alike come together to share knowledge, solve challenges, and grow their confidence.
Inside the GrowTH Network
Activity Database
A searchable collection of therapeutic horticulture activities categorized by population, setting, and therapeutic goal – ready to implement or adapt.
Resource Library
A robust curated collection of practical, customizable tools to support your programs.
Monthly Practitioner Support Calls
Live, guided conversations with an experienced TH/HT professional and fellow practitioners to share challenges, ideas, and encouragement.
Online Events with Guest Experts
Ongoing professional development opportunities tailored to this field and your real-world questions.
Rooted in Research
When you’re just starting out with therapeutic horticulture, it’s common to feel the need to “prove” that it works—to your supervisor, your colleagues, or even to yourself.
That’s where the Root in Nature Research Database comes in.
This curated collection of studies, articles, and case examples is designed to help new practitioners like you feel more confident in the field, and better equipped to advocate for nature-based approaches in your workplace or community.
You’ll Find:
- Peer-reviewed research on the physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional impacts of nature-based interventions
- Studies and articles organized by population (e.g., dementia, autism, veterans, youth) and setting (e.g., long-term care, schools, community programs)
- Examples you can reference in funding proposals, program planning, or stakeholder meetings
- Digestible summaries
You don’t have to rely on instinct alone. There’s a growing body of science supporting what you already feel in your gut: that working with plants can change lives.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest research, practical strategies, community features and events.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Linkedin for resource giveaways, TH in action and seasonal inspiration.
Explore our blog for fresh insights, deeper dives on topics and real-life stories to inspire your TH practice.