In the Blueprint, we have used our scientific expertise on design and creation processes, combined with case studies, to help people optimise the wellbeing benefits of gardening in a way that is locally relevant, empowering and ever-evolving
The RHS State of Gardening Report 2025 showed that gardening has an extraordinary impact on the lives of over 41 million people in the UK, delivering measurable physical, mental and social health benefits. The RHS Wellbeing Garden Blueprint is the result of over 12 years of research led by RHS scientists to develop evidence-backed guidelines from studies and practical experiences involving schools, communities, homes, hospitals and green social prescribing projects, where real-life gardening therapy can be implemented and monitored. By bringing together these findings with evidence from scientists around the world, the RHS has identified the ‘active ingredients’ in gardens that play key roles in promoting health and wellbeing. Publishing this Blueprint reaffirms the RHS’s charitable mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to make gardening a way of life. This comprehensive body of evidence is now available as a digital resource for anyone worldwide to use freely in support of their projects.
Gardens and gardening grow plants and healthy minds, bodies and souls through three key pathways: by reducing harm, restoring capacities and building capacities
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.