Planting and Enjoying a Sanctuary Garden
Planting for Inner Peace
Let’s be honest—life can be noisy. Between traffic, WhatsApp groups that never sleep, and the pile of laundry you swore you folded last night, sometimes we need a place where our souls can breathe again. Enter the idea of a Sanctuary Garden: a slice of nature, big or small, where you recharge, restore, and reconnect.
Think of it as therapy—without the couch, invoices, or awkward questions about your childhood.
Nature as the Original Healer
Long before spa days, scented candles, or essential oil diffusers, people instinctively knew that nature was a healer. The ancient Egyptians planted lotus ponds for reflection, monks designed serene courtyards for prayer, and even the Greeks built healing sanctuaries around lush groves of rich green trees. There’s a reason why the best hospitals often have gardens: looking at greenery helps us slow down, reduces stress, and invites peace. Your Sanctuary Garden carries on that same tradition—it’s essentially your personal “green prescription.” (Without having to add disgusting green protein powder to your kale and Avo smoothy.)
Barefoot Grounding and Nature “Bathing”
Modern science now has fancy names for what our grannies already knew. Walking barefoot on grass, or “grounding”, is said to balance your body’s energy, reduce inflammation, and calm a racing mind. And nature bathing—a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku—isn’t about plunging into rivers with bubbles; it’s about immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature. In your garden, it means kicking off your shoes, standing barefoot on the damp earth, and letting the world slow down for a few minutes. It’s a little free luxury you can enjoy daily.
Colour Therapy in the Garden
Ever noticed how you feel different in a lush green park than in a stark grey parking lot? That’s colour therapy at work. Green foliage relaxes your eyes and nervous system—it’s basically nature’s stress ball. But don’t stop at green. Bright flowers add a burst of energy and joy. Yellows bring sunshine to cloudy moods, reds and oranges energize, and purples soothe like a cup of rooibos at bedtime. In short, the colours in your garden can set the emotional temperature of your day.
Fresh Air for a Fresh Mind
City air may come with exhaust fumes and the occasional whiff of boerewors from the neighbour’s braai, but nothing beats the clean, cool breath of fresh morning air in an established verdant garden. Deep breathing outdoors fills your lungs with oxygen, helps regulate stress hormones, and even boosts focus. That’s why sitting outside with your coffee among plants feels different to sipping it hunched over a laptop. Plants are nature’s air filters—they gift you clean air and a calmer mind in return for a bit of water and sunshine.
Planting Seeds and Watching Them Grow
There’s something almost magical about poking a tiny seed into the soil and then, days later, seeing a green shoot appear. It’s not just gardening—it’s therapy in slow motion. Watching plants grow helps anchor us in the present moment, offering hope and patience in times when life feels overwhelming. For those struggling with anxiety, gardening can feel like planting little promises of tomorrow. And unlike humans, seedlings don’t interrupt you mid-sentence or forget to text back.
South African Plants That Grow Fast, Look Gorgeous, and Smell Lekker:
Luckily, our South African soil is generous. For instant gratification, you can plant:
- Lavender: Tough, fragrant, and adored by bees. Plus, you can dry the flowers for calming teas or potpourri.
- Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea): Pretty purple blooms, a garlicky smell that deters pests, and it’s edible!
- Arum Lilies: Elegant and hardy, perfect for a damp corner.
- Pelargoniums (Geraniums): Colourful, cheerful, and drought-resistant.
- Spekboom: The ultimate eco-hero—absorbs carbon, grows quickly, and you can even munch the leaves in a salad.
These indigenous choices thrive in local conditions, need minimal fuss, and keep your garden buzzing with birds, bees, and butterflies.
Sustainable Gardening = Sanctuary for Wildlife Too
Your garden doesn’t just soothe you—it can become a little oasis for local wildlife. Planting nectar-rich flowers invites butterflies, leaving a water dish helps birds, and avoiding harsh chemicals keeps bees happy. A Sanctuary Garden is about balance: you care for the earth, and the earth cares for you. It’s sustainability made simple, and it adds life and music (birds chirping, insects humming) to your outdoor space.
Big Garden or Small Patch—Does Size Matter?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need hectares of rolling lawns to build a Sanctuary Garden. A sprawling estate with koi ponds and labyrinth paths is lovely, sure—but so is a humble suburban backyard. Even a single corner filled with pots, a comfy chair, and a patch of herbs can bring sanctuary vibes. Got only a balcony? Line it with vertical planters, hang baskets of colourful blooms, and let creepers soften the walls. No garden at all? A windowsill basil plant can still bring joy every time you pinch off leaves for your pasta. The sanctuary is not about size—it’s about intention.
Who Benefits from a Sanctuary Garden?
Short answer: everyone. Children benefit by learning patience and curiosity. Adults use it to manage stress and find peace. Older folks enjoy the nostalgia of planting and the joy of watching life flourish around them. It doesn’t matter if you’re a busy parent, an overworked student, or a retiree with time to spare—your garden can meet you exactly where you are.
Why It’s Worth Trying (Even If All You Have Is a Pot Plant)
At its heart, a Sanctuary Garden is about connection—to nature, to yourself, and to something bigger than the daily grind. You don’t need big money, fancy landscaping, or green thumbs. Start with one pot plant. Nurture it. Watch it respond. That little green life on your windowsill is proof that you, too, can grow, thrive, and find sanctuary—even in the smallest of spaces.
Planting for Peace
Planting and enjoying a Sanctuary Garden is less about perfection and more about creating a space that lets you breathe, relax, and reconnect. From the historical wisdom of nature’s healing powers, to grounding, colour therapy, and breathing fresh air, every element contributes to your wellbeing. Add in some lekker local plants and the joy of watching seedlings grow, and you’ll soon find yourself with a sanctuary that benefits you and the little creatures who share your space.
