Gardening and Parkinson's

Gardening is a fantastic way to stay active and live well with Parkinson’s.

This information explains how to get started and explores ways to make things easier and safer.

Key points

Gardening is a great way to help you manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
It’s something you can enjoy together with your partner, family or friends.
Simple adaptations can make gardening feel easier if your symptoms are difficult to manage.
You don’t need a big garden or outdoor space. There are lots of green spaces you can visit and ways to bring the garden indoors to enjoy the benefits.
Parkinson's health professionals, online guides and support from other like-minded people can give you the inspiration and confidence to get started.

What are the benefits of gardening for Parkinson’s?

As well as being a hobby, gardening can help you stay fit and active. It’s a form of exercise that uses different parts of your body, gets you out of the house and stimulates your mind.

Physical health and fitness

Actions like digging, planting or pruning can help ease muscle stiffness and keep you flexible.
Tasks that involve bending, reaching or lifting objects support your core strength (the muscles in your mid-section, like abdominals, back, hips and pelvis).
Being active in the garden can help with balance and coordination, which may reduce your risk of falls.
It helps keep your hands supple and strong. Tasks like sowing seeds or handling small tools can help with hand coordination and dexterity.
Being active is good for your heart, lungs and bone health.

Mental health and wellbeing

Gardening can help boost your mood and make you feel less stressed. It helps you focus on the ‘here and now’, offering a break from the stresses and worries that can come with the condition.
Taking care of plants and seeing them grow can give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. This is especially helpful if you experience apathy or low mood, which can be common symptoms of Parkinson's.
Spending time in the fresh air and sunlight can boost your energy levels and help improve sleep problems.
Planning and organising what to plant and when helps keep your mind active.
Sunlight also helps your body make vitamin D, which can improve your mood and make you feel better overall.
You can make gardening a social activity. It’s perfect to do with your partner, family member or just a like-minded neighbour or friend.

For family, friends and carers

If you support someone with Parkinson’s, gardening is a great activity to do together.

It offers a break from the role of ‘carer’, allowing you to just enjoy a shared interest together.
Fresh air and sunlight can improve your mental wellbeing and help you maintain your own health.
Many people find it a good distraction from the pressures of daily routines.
Seeing the results of your work together can be very rewarding.

I'm new to gardening. How do I get started?

I’m new to gardening. How do I get started?

Trying something new can sometimes feel daunting, especially if you’re not sure where to begin.

But gardening is a skill you can learn at your own pace. You don't need to know everything at once. You can practice skills one step at a time.

Most people find it’s best to start small and build from there, choosing plants, herbs or flowers that are easy to manage and maintain.

There’s also lots of support available to help you. You can look for useful books, gardening magazines and online guides for inspiration and tips.

Visiting garden centres and asking staff about easy-to-maintain plants and flowers is also a great idea.

Our local groups and online forum are great places to ask questions and get advice from like-minded people.

Before you start, check that you’re comfortable being outdoors and safe to start gardening. If you’re unsure, speak to your Parkinson's nurse or other health professional for advice on what is safe for you.

What if I don't have a garden or outdoor space?

What if I don’t have a garden or outdoor space?

You don’t need a big outdoor space to enjoy the benefits of gardening.

Think about what you can do indoors

Whether it’s houseplants, an orchid flower on your windowsill or growing herbs in your kitchen. There’s lots of simple ways you can bring the garden into your home.

Make the most of small spaces

A window box, balcony pot or container by your front door are easy ways to fit gardening into smaller living spaces.

Join a community garden or space

Many areas have community gardens or allotments where you can grow vegetables, meet people and share the workload. Check what is available through local groups or online.

Visit gardens near you

Public parks, gardens and garden centres offer peaceful places to enjoy plants without the physical work.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens across the country. Visit The National Garden Scheme website at ngs.org.uk, or call 01483 211535 to discover gardens near you.

Find inspiration online

Search for 'small space gardening' or 'indoor plants' on apps or websites like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. There’s a huge gardening community online, and lots of other people who don’t have outdoor gardens will have some really great ideas on ways to maximise space.

Will my symptoms affect me being able to garden?

Parkinson's affects everyone differently. Symptoms often change hourly or can feel worse on some days compared to others. You may find that your experience of gardening changes as your condition progresses.

Understanding these changes can help you find ways to keep enjoying your time outdoors, and do so in a safe way.

Mild symptoms

If your symptoms are mild, well-controlled by your treatment or don’t affect you too much day-to-day, then you may not have many problems gardening. You may find it a useful way to maintain your current level of health and fitness.

Think about:

using tasks like raking or pruning to stretch your muscles and maintain your flexibility
focusing on precise tasks, such as sowing seeds or tying up plants, to challenge your coordination and help keep your hands nimble
getting fresh air and spending time outdoors to help you relax and reduce stress
incorporating gardening into your regular routine, to help you keep active doing something you enjoy.

Progressing or complex symptoms

As your Parkinson’s progresses, symptoms or side effects from treatment may start to make certain tasks feel harder or take longer to complete.

You might notice you need to focus more intentionally on your movements, or need to plan ahead more with certain tasks.

If you experience a tremor, or have involuntary movements (called dyskinesia), then this can make precise jobs such as planting small seeds or pruning more difficult.
Problems with strength and stamina can make some gardening tasks difficult.
Stiff muscles, slow movements or problems can make it harder to bend over, kneel down or reach for things.
Problems with balance and coordination can increase your risk of falling, particularly if you’re moving on uneven garden paths or handling tools.
Fatigue is common in Parkinson’s. This can limit how long you can spend gardening in one session.
If you experience apathy or low mood, you might put off tasks longer than usual. You might also find it harder to plan your gardening tasks or stay organised.

If you experience these symptoms, then it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy gardening. There are lots of things you can do to make gardening easier and adapt things to suit what you can do.

How can I adapt things to help me manage?

Whatever your ability, there are simple changes you can make to help you garden safely and reduce physical strain.

Adapting your tools

Using the right equipment can protect your joints and make things easier and more efficient.

Choose lightweight tools with easy-to-hold handles to reduce the strain on your muscles.
To avoid heavy lifting, use a wheelbarrow or trolleys to move items instead of carrying them.
If you're comfortable kneeling, a padded kneeler with side handles provides support for getting down and standing up safely. If kneeling is difficult, think about using a stool or bench instead.
If you have grass or a lawn that needs mowing, a lightweight or ‘self-propelling’ lawn mower can make the job less tiring.

Adapting your space

Changing your garden layout can help with different physical challenges.

Get plants in raised beds or containers that bring the garden up to your level, so you don't have to bend down or kneel as much.
Put heavy pots on wheeled stands so you can easily roll them around instead of lifting them.
Choose plants and shrubs that are slow-growing and low maintenance. This will reduce the amount of work needed.
Focus on indoor plants or herb containers that don’t require a lot of maintenance.
Try to arrange your space in a simple way to make your tasks easier and less confusing.
Make sure you have somewhere to sit down if needed. A shaded area for when it’s sunny is even better.

Keeping safe on your feet

Making sure that you’re able to move around easily will help avoid injuries.

Choose the right footwear. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip and avoid anything too loose or flimsy.
Keep garden paths clear to avoid tripping and fix any loose or uneven paving.
Avoid gravel, as this can be difficult to walk on - especially if you use a walking aid.
Install handrails or a sturdy post in places to help you stay steady and safe.
Avoid using ladders as these can be unstable, especially if you have problems with balance.

Adapting your routine

How you garden is just as important as what you garden.

Break bigger tasks into smaller, manageable steps and take regular breaks to help prevent fatigue.
On days you plan to garden, try not to plan any other challenging tasks for that day or the next.
Make sure you’re gardening with a friend, neighbour or family member to help support you. Make it an enjoyable regular hobby you do together.

How do I stay safe when gardening?

Staying safe is an important part of gardening.

Planning ahead can help you make sure you enjoy your time outdoors without overdoing it.

Get advice from a health professional

For many people, gentle gardening is safe, enjoyable and a great way to stay active. But it’s always best to get advice from a health professional if you’re worried about anything.

Your Parkinson’s nurse or specialist may be able to give you advice based on your symptoms. You could also speak to an occupational therapist (sometimes called an ‘OT’). They work with people who are having trouble with daily jobs or activities. They can help you find ways to manage those tasks more easily and live more independently.

Warm up beforehand

Prevent injury and discomfort by warming up beforehand, cooling down afterwards, and keeping water and medication handy.

Stretching before and after is particularly helpful, as it can warm up your muscles.

Our Being active with Parkinson’s guide has lots of tips on how to stretch safely.

Garden with other people

Ask a friend or neighbour to join you. It's safer to have someone nearby and makes the work more enjoyable.

Get help from a professional gardener

If you’re not able to take care of your garden easily anymore, or if there are certain jobs you need support with, consider getting a professional gardener to help.

Prepare for the weather, and pick the right time

Keep a hat and suncream handy in summer, and warm layers for cooler days. Avoid very hot or cold days as this may make your symptoms worse. Early morning or late afternoon often works best in warm weather.

Always check the weather forecast before heading out.

Spread out your activities

On days you plan to garden, consider keeping the rest of your day free. Give yourself some time to recover the next day too, if you need it.

Use reminders to rest

It's easy to lose track of time when you're absorbed in doing something you enjoy. Set a timer on your phone or watch to remind you to take breaks.

Be prepared

Always have your mobile phone or an alarm pendant on you, in case there is an emergency.

Useful contacts

The National Garden Scheme

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Visit the National Garden Scheme website.

Thrive uses gardening and therapeutic horticulture to help improve the lives of people living with disabilities and health conditions. Visit the Thrive website.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone living with or supporting someone with Parkinson's who helped produce this information.

Thank you also to the health professionals that reviewed this information:

Bhanu Ramaswamy, Independent Physiotherapy Consultant and Honorary Visiting Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University
Emma Bracher, Specialist Occupational Therapist
Lauren Drake, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

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Last updated 16 March 2026

This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]