Pros:
– Enables people to learn how to grow and take care of plants, which can provide them with a sense of purpose.
– Horticultural therapy helps improve physical health, including reducing stress levels and increasing muscle strength.
– It promotes mental wellbeing, including increasing self-esteem and providing a sense of accomplishment.
– It provides an opportunity for social interaction and can help with communication skills.
Cons:
– Horticultural therapy requires specialized knowledge which could be difficult to learn or obtain.
– It may be expensive to start up and maintain as it requires a lot of resources.
– It can require significant time to plan, prepare and carry out the therapy sessions.
– The success of horticultural therapy depends heavily on the environment, climate and other factors which may be difficult to control.
– If not done correctly, it can lead to plant illness or death due to lack of knowledge or care.
– Horticultural therapy can be limited to certain geographical areas as it is most effective in natural or outdoor settings.
– It may require additional staffing to carry out the activities safely and effectively.
– Horticultural therapy is not suitable for everyone and can be hard work, so it’s important to consider this before embarking on it.