This article can be read in Mandarin here.
Horticultural Therapy Development in Taiwan
Over the past 20 years, horticultural therapy has flourished in Taiwan. Many people are interested in using plants to promote their own or others’ health, which is why many organizations are providing horticultural therapist certification. These organizations or institutions independently teach horticultural therapy courses and grant horticultural therapist certifications, resulting in a lack of consistent standards for the training of horticultural therapists. In Taiwan, possible and related certifications in horticultural therapy include Horticultural Therapist Assistant, Horticultural Therapy Technician, Horticultural Therapist Registered, and Horticultural Therapist Master. The training course hours range from 30 hours to approximately 150 hours; the required internship hours for horticultural therapy also vary, from no internship required to about 500 hours (which can be combined with volunteer work in horticulture or healthcare, paid related work, or assisting with association development, etc.). The training courses include horticultural knowledge and skills, healthcare and welfare, as well as horticultural therapy. Some also include an introduction to basic therapeutic garden design. Many organizations’ horticultural therapy courses focus on introducing various horticultural activities, with therapeutic techniques being less common.

HTI Director & HTI Graduate Share their Perspectives
Since Taiwan has already trained many local horticultural therapist to provide a broader international perspective, the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan hosted the 2024 International Symposium on Horticultural Therapy on November 14, 2024, as part of its 100th-anniversary celebrations. The symposium invited Rebecca Haller, an HTM with AHTA and director of the Horticultural Therapy Institute, Elizabeth Shortidge, an HTR with AHTA and therapeutic landscape consultant, Jeeeun Kang, an HTR with AHTA and working in Korea, as well as Nishino Kenshi, M.D. and the President CEO of the Medical Corporation and Welfare Corporation “Fraternity“ in Japan to share their perspectives on horticultural therapy. Finally, Dr. Man-Li Liao from the Graduate Institute of Landscape and Recreation Management at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (a former HTI student and an HTR with AHTA) explained the contents of the university’s professional horticultural therapy courses. Dr. Wan-Yu Zhou presented the design concept of the therapeutic garden at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.
Roots to Relationships: Foundations for HT

Relationships are the foundation of horticultural therapy. Ms. Haller used the functions of plant roots, including absorbing nutrients, providing support, continuous growth, and seeking a direction for growth, to explore the “roots” of horticultural therapists’ own connection to gardening and therapeutic horticulture. How can personal and professional abilities grow? How can the individuals we serve grow within the service program? How do plant roots connect with other organisms in the soil? How do plants connect with other plants and humans? Looking to the future, what are the global challenges we face? During her lecture, Ms. Haller posed the above questions to encourage reflection and discussion. The discussion process also allowed participants to understand the practice and significance of “relationships.”
Inspired: The Journey of a Horticultural Therapist

Elizabeth Shortridge, who had served as a full-time horticultural therapist at Skyland Trail in Atlanta for over 15 years, explained that the recovery journey with mental illness is like the growth cycle of plants, characterized by spirals with continuous and forward movement. Hope, joy, and awe are the three important elements in this process. Understanding this model and based on hypotheses and research, Skyland Trail’s horticultural therapy program for mental health disorders helps clients experience hope, joy, and awe to achieve their therapeutic goals. At the same time, Ms. Shortridge also proposed that horticultural therapists serving individuals with mental illness should embody the characteristics of “PLANTS”, which stands for a passionate, lively, and awe-inspiring nurturer and a thoughtful shepherd.
From Seeds to Nurturing Hands: for Giving Wider Horizons

Dr. Kang explained the current employment situation and training methods for horticultural therapists in South Korea. At the same time, she also proposed the essential personality traits that a horticultural therapist should possess, such as enjoying collaboration with others, having empathy and patience, owing professional skills and knowledge, being skilled in developing new programs, being self-confident, having professionalism, passion, and an objective attitude, and being someone who can work closely with other staff to achieve common goals. She suggested using resources to become more flexible and creative, learning and gaining a deeper understanding of clients during the service process, and continuously growing to become a better horticultural therapist
Creation of Health and Safety with Horticultural Therapy

Given Japan’s experience with rapid aging, Dr. Nishino believes that horticultural therapy can address issues such as urbanization, living alone, and social isolation. Horticultural therapy programs can be implemented at any level of the individual’s physical and cognitive abilities. He suggested that horticultural therapy programs for the elderly or individuals with dementia could use sensory stimulation, cognitive function stimulation, and promoting communication
Professional HT Courses at National Pingtung University of Science & Technology

Dr. Liao, who is a graduate of the HTI, explained that based on her previous experience at HTI and the American Horticultural Therapy Association’s regulations for professional certification courses, she has developed four professional horticultural therapy courses at the Graduate Institute of Landscape and Recreation Management, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan: Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy, Disability Groups and Horticultural Therapy Techniques, Professional Horticultural Therapy Programming, and Professional Horticultural Therapy Management. These courses offer people in Taiwan interested in horticultural therapy an opportunity to learn more professional knowledge and skills related to horticultural therapy.
Lagoon Healing Garden

Dr. Chou explained the design concept and process of the Lagoon Healing Garden at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST). This garden, which incorporates a horticultural therapy operation area, will be used for horticultural therapy and therapeutic garden courses in NPUST.
Looking to the future Horticultural therapy is widely appreciated in Taiwan; however, there is room for improvement in developing professional skills. Looking to the future, this symposium hopes to inspire further contributions in the field of horticultural therapy in Taiwan, paving the way for better and more professional development.