Mar 13, 2025 - Things to Do

Turn your Seattle garden into therapy

Christine Clarridge

A bowl of recently plucked yellow and white chamomile flowers. — Usually harvested at full bloom, chamomile flowers can be eaten fresh, dried for tisanes or made into an ointment. Photo: Doaa Adel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In an era of high stress and digital overload, some Seattle-area residents are creating healing gardens, green spaces filled with plants that nourish both the body and mind.

Why it matters: Not only is gardening a proven strategy for improving mental health, but many plants have bona fide medicinal benefits, from scents that calm anxiety to compounds that boost immunity.

What they're saying: "There is definitely a need for the healing properties of plants these days and I see a lot of people reaching out for it," Seattle-based gardening expert Ciscoe Morris told Axios.

The lineup: If you're building a therapeutic garden, here are five easy-to-grow plants that offer both beauty and function:

Lavender — Stress relief, sleep aid (full sun, well-drained soil).
Chamomile — Relaxation, digestion (sun to partial shade).
Lemon balm — Mood booster, mental clarity (almost anywhere).
Echinacea — Immune support (full sun, drought-tolerant).
Rosemary — Focus and memory (full sun).

The fine print: Most of these thrive in containers, making them perfect for urban dwellers with limited garden space.

The bottom line: Whether you have a backyard or a balcony, planting a few of these could turn your space into a DIY wellness retreat.

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Turn your Seattle garden into therapy

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