Gardening for Wellbeing: Everything You Need to Know About the RHS Wellbeing Blueprint
Gardening has long been recognized as a therapeutic activity that can have numerous benefits for our mental and physical health. With increasing evidence to support the connection between green spaces and mental health, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has pledged to develop an evidence-based blueprint for wellbeing gardens by 2025.
As part of the Wellbeing Blueprint, the RHS will develop a comprehensive guide to using gardening and horticulture to improve mental and physical health. The RHS will draw on its extensive experience to create a practical, evidence-based guide to support the social prescribing of gardening for wellbeing in community hubs across the UK.
What is the RHS Wellbeing Blueprint?
The RHS Wellbeing Blueprint will help guide the development of public and private gardens as health interventions for preventative and therapeutic measures. The blueprint is a response to the growing recognition of the importance of nature and outdoor activity in promoting wellbeing and will be based on scientific research that shows the positive impact of plants and mental health.
The RHS will develop the Wellbeing Blueprint through:
Research
The RHS will conduct and publish scientific research, sharing how gardens and gardening positively influence mental health and wellbeing.
Development
The RHS will develop action plans to implement green community hubs in public and private spaces across the UK.
Prescribing
The RHS will support the social prescription of gardening across the UK, such as the RHS Garden Bridgewater social and therapeutic garden – more on that here.
How does it work?
The RHS Wellbeing Blueprint will outline duplicatable ways for organisations to design green landscapes and community spaces that improve mental health and wellbeing.
The RHS experimental garden in Wisley, Surrey, has been sectioned to exhibit flowers, plants and shrubs of different colours and scents. Whilst some sections have strong scents, others have bright colours. When the experimental garden blooms, RHS scientists will conduct extensive research on a range of human emotions to promote the social and cultural value of green spaces for both the general population and specific groups of people.
What does this mean for the workplace?
The research conducted for the RHS Wellbeing Blueprint will further highlight the correlation between plants and mental health. In doing so, the Wellbeing Blueprint will help to identify ways in which employers can establish green spaces in the workplace to support the health and performance of employees. Already, plants and green spaces are proven to:
Improve mental wellbeing – green spaces can be used to reduce stress, soothe anxiety, and enhance mental health and wellbeing.
Increase productivity – natural landscapes can help reduce absenteeism and increase productivity by as much as 6%.
Boost team morale – natural environments establish a sense of community that maximises interaction, teamwork and performance.
Wellbeing and nature
As the general population becomes more aware of the impact our built environment has on our physical and mental wellbeing, it's becoming increasingly important to design spaces that promote health and happiness.
The RHS Wellbeing Blueprint is a program that has been designed to help improve mental health and wellbeing in the workplace through the use of plants and gardening. Its findings will offer a range of benefits for both individuals and workplaces, including improved welfare, increased productivity, and improved team morale.
What now?
In the meantime, businesses can embrace the positive impact of nature on mental wellbeing in the workplace in various simple yet effective ways – more on that here.
At Plant Plan, we believe in developing green spaces that support physical and mental health. Working with your business, we’ll incorporate green design principles to create amazing spaces centred around wellness, productivity and engagement.
Find inspiration by checking out our previous work, or get in touch to discuss how we can help you.
FAQs:
Q: How many plants should I have in my office?
A: The number of plants you should have in your office depends on the size of your workspace and the available natural light. As a general rule, aim for one medium-sized plant per every 100 square feet of space.
Q: Do office plants require a lot of maintenance?
A: Not necessarily. Many office plants are low-maintenance and require minimal attention. It's important to choose plants that are suited for the lighting and temperature conditions of your office.
Q: Can office plants improve air quality?
A: Yes, office plants can improve air quality by removing harmful toxins from the air and releasing oxygen.
How we can help.
At Plant Plan, we offer a wide range of options for office plant hire, including sustainable office plants, indoor plant hire, and office landscaping with plant displays. Our indoor plant hire service allows businesses to choose from a variety of plants to suit their office's aesthetic and size. And with our office plants for lease, businesses can change up their plants regularly to keep their office looking fresh and vibrant.
Our professional plant care service ensures that your office plants will remain healthy and vibrant. We provide regular maintenance, such as watering, fertilizing, and pruning, to keep your plants looking their best. We also offer advice on the best plants for your office environment and can help you choose the right plants for your space. With our professional plant care, you can be sure that your office plants will remain healthy and attractive.
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