The Power of Plants

"Like their precursors thousands of years ago, healing gardens are therapeutic sanctuaries that heal the body and mind and comfort the soul." 

~ Doreen G. Howard

There are numerous articles and case studies that report on the benefits of nature. Recently, I have been interested in indoor and outdoor therapeutic gardens. The power of plants is greatly underestimated in our daily lives. 

During my undergraduate years I was never more connected to my campus than when I aided in the design and maintenance of a native prairie garden. Previously I had been involved in variety of student led organizations and events- I even held an office in a few of them- but it was not until I helped establish this garden that my life and work on campus really felt meaningful. I had organized dinners, movie nights, potlucks and workshops, provided information to hundreds of students, but none of those activities made me feel complete. With my garden I was contributing: to nature, to myself, to the campus and well-being of all other students.

Until now, I never considered that spot to be therapeutic. I miss it greatly and pay it a visit whenever I return home.

Today, I have three tiny house plants residing in my apartment: a spider plant (personally, not too fond of the name), Christmas cactus (grown from a plant passed down from my great grandmother) and, some thyme. 

Growing up, my mother always had a spider plant and Christmas cactus growing near a window or hanging from the ceiling. I can still remember her saying, "Don't touch the Christmas cactus!" This warning, of course, made the plant a far greater temptation than it should have been! I never understood my mothers protection of this plant. It did not really do much (apart from drop its leaves and get me in trouble for allegedly messing with it). I always assumed it was sharp- being called a cactus after all- so naturally I was curious.

Every winter, small pink flowers would blossom along its long green arms; I can remember how happy this made my mother. 

When I was preparing to move into my first apartment, here in Athens, I was given a piece of the Christmas cactus and spider plant to grow in my own house. Looking at my "new" plants made me feel overwhelmed with emotions- I was happy to continue the lives of these little house plants. I knew how much they meant to my mom and have slowly realized how they played such a big role in my childhood. When I posted this photo (below) on Facebook, my eldest sister (currently living in Texas) commented: "This picture makes me weirdly homesick." 

(Far left) freshly planted thyme seeds, (middle) Christmas cactus, (far right) spider plant- complete with water worms! Accompanied by veggies from our garden!

Many hospitals and recovery areas are beginning to see the therapeutic power of plants. The Therapeutic Landscape Network has been working to keep track of many therapeutic gardens in the United States. Their mission reads:

The Therapeutic Landscapes Network is a knowledge base and gathering space about healing gardens, restorative landscapes, and other green spaces that promote health and well-being. We are an international, multidisciplinary community of designers, health and human service providers, scholars, and gardeners. Though our focus is broad, our primary emphasis is on evidence-based design in health care settings.(Mission Statement)

Whether in a prison, community or hospital, gardens have a great deal to contribute to our well-being and sustainability.These are restorative areas for humans and wildlife. As a student I realize how busy my life has become- I am constantly working towards a distant goal: midterm, next paper deadline, presentation...graduation! If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed try to incorporate more green into your daily life- not just one day! Get a house plant, visit a garden once a week- volunteer somewhere local- Ecohouse, Community Food Initiatives, West State Street Gardens- find a walking path with more trees and flowers, meet up with friends at a park bench instead of a Starbucks!
 I urge you all to explore your surroundings: green spaces on campus, bike trails, gardens and one of the many beautiful forested areas nearby. If we do not protect and preserve these areas now we will lose them to development, invasive species, or far worse- fracking!

Get informed, get involved, and get outside!

See these links for more information:

Gardens for Recovery
Therapeutic Landscape Network