Finding Peace in Gardening: How Caring for Plants Can Support Mental Wellness

After a long, stressful day, sometimes the simplest activities bring us the most comfort.

For some people, it's listening to music, taking a walk, or reading a book. For others, it's spending a little time with their plants—watering them, trimming dried leaves, or watching new growth appear.

You don't need a big garden to enjoy these moments. A few indoor plants, a small collection of flowers, or some herbs growing by the window can give you something pleasant to look forward to.

But can gardening actually help our mental health?

What Research Says About Gardening and Stress

Researchers have been exploring the connection between gardening and emotional well-being for years.

In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Health Psychology, researchers Agnes van den Berg and Mariëtte Custers compared gardening with indoor reading after participants completed a stressful task.

Both activities helped lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. However, the participants who gardened experienced a greater reduction in cortisol and reported better mood recovery.

The study was small, involving 30 gardeners, but it suggests that gardening may be a helpful way to unwind after a stressful experience.

Another study, published in Preventive Medicine Reports in 2017, examined findings from several gardening studies. Researchers Masashi Soga, Kevin Gaston, and Yuichi Yamaura found that gardening was associated with positive health outcomes, including improvements in mood, life satisfaction, and measures of anxiety and depression.

These findings are encouraging, although gardening isn't a guaranteed treatment for mental health conditions.

Why Caring for Plants Can Feel Good

Think about what happens when you're caring for a plant.

For a few minutes, your attention shifts away from work, bills, appointments, or other responsibilities. You're focused on something right in front of you.

You might notice a new leaf, check whether the soil needs water, or move a plant where it can receive more sunlight.

These small activities can offer a break from everyday worries.

Gardening may also provide gentle movement, time outdoors, and a sense of accomplishment. Watching something grow through your care can feel rewarding, even when progress is slow.

A 2024 research review published in Systematic Reviews examined 40 studies and found an overall positive association between gardening activities and well-being.

Still, everyone responds differently. Some people find gardening relaxing, while others may prefer walking, cooking, music, or another enjoyable activity.

You Don't Need a Green Thumb to Start

If you're curious about gardening, there's no need to make it complicated.

Start with one plant that's suitable for your home and the amount of sunlight available. Spend a few minutes checking on it each day.

You could also try growing herbs in a container, tending flowers on your porch, or simply spending time in a garden.

Here in Deming, where the weather can be hot and dry, choosing plants suited to the local climate and gardening during cooler hours can make the experience more comfortable.

The goal isn't to have a perfect garden. It's to find an activity you enjoy.

And if a plant doesn't survive? That's okay, too. Gardening involves learning, patience, and trying again.

A Small Moment of Calm Matters

Life can become overwhelming, especially when we're balancing work, family, finances, and personal responsibilities.

Finding time for simple, enjoyable activities can be one way to care for our emotional well-being.

Gardening may help some people relax, but it's important to remember that it doesn't replace professional mental health care.

If anxiety, sadness, or stress continues to affect your sleep, relationships, work, or daily activities, consider speaking with a mental health professional.

At Southwest Therapeutics, we understand that mental wellness looks different for everyone. Whether you find comfort in gardening, spending time with family, or simply having someone to talk to, taking care of your emotional health matters.

Sometimes, a little time with your plants is a welcome place to begin.

Southwest Therapeutics

1419 S. Santa Barbara St., Deming, NM 88030

Contact Us: 575-936-4227

After Hours: 575-519-8579

Website: swtherapeutics.com

References

1. Van Den Berg, A. E., & Custers, M. H. (2011). Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of health psychology, 16(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105310365577

2. Soga M, Gaston KJ, Yamaura Y. Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Prev Med Rep. 2016 Nov 14;5:92-99. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007. PMID: 27981022; PMCID: PMC5153451. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5153451/

3. The impact of gardening on well-being, mental health, and quality of life: An umbrella review and meta-analysis. (2024). Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02457-9