Horticultural Therapy is the use of horticulture as a tool in work with special populations to help improve the quality of their lives.

Special populations include such groups as persons who are mentally retarded, persons who have a mental disorder, older adults, persons who have physical disabilities, persons who have substance abuse problems, and others.

A program in horticultural therapy is designed to achieve specific cognitive, physical, social and emotional objectives with the special population.

Horticultural therapy can be found in many places, such as hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, special schools, and others.