Botanic Gardens Week
18–24 May 2026
Botanic Gardens Week – an annual week of celebration to highlight the role of plants in our lives and the important work botanic gardens and arboreta undertake every day to conserve them for future generations. Visit your local botanic garden this May and show your support.
2026 Theme
Where Your Health Grows
2026 Botanic Gardens Week celebrates the health and wellbeing benefits of botanic gardens and arboreta, recognising the now undeniable truth that nature is medicine.
Botanic gardens are uniquely placed to support health and wellbeing because they provide accessible spaces that promote physical activity, restore mental health, foster social connection, and strengthen our bond with nature – all of which are proven to increase overall wellbeing.
A growing body of research shows that spending time in nature measurably improves human health.
Studies demonstrate that even a 20–30 minute walk in a green space can lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve mood, and boost cognitive performance. From Japan’s “shinrin-yoku” (forest bathing) research to UK public health trials, it’s shown that immersive plant-rich environments help decrease anxiety, restore attention, enhance creativity, and even improve recovery outcomes for people living with chronic illness. Australian research echoes this, confirming that access to green spaces is associated with reduced psychological distress and improved mental wellbeing.
This May, step into your nearest botanic garden and experience the proven benefits first hand.
Meet our Ambassador
Costa Georgiadis
Ambassador Botanic Gardens Week
Costa Georgiadis is Australia’s most loved landscape architect and TV presenter who has an all-consuming passion for plants and people – he knows how to bring out the best in both of them, and takes great pleasure in bringing them together.
“Inspiring connections to plants across all generations—that’s what gets me outta bed in the morning!”
Costa hosts the Botanic Garden Week webinars across the month of May.
Get Involved
Grow Your Health Challenge
Take the challenge! Visit your local botanic garden throughout May and undertake a small wellbeing activity each time. The more visits the more entries to the competition. Be sure to drop a photo and #BGW2026.Click for more details.
Donate
Help us grow healthier communities. Donate today to support BGANZ’s national work raising awareness of the value of botanic gardens, strengthening the sector, and connecting people with the powerful health benefits they provide.
Grow Well Series
Episode 1
Growing Stronger Futures: Youth, wellbeing and gardens
Episode 2
Growing Well Together: Benefits of volunteering
Episode 3
Reframing Care: Designing gardens for wellbeing
Episode 4
Beyond Beauty: Botanic Gardens as Health Assets
Member resources
BCARM Forum – Connection, Care & Wellbeing in Botanic Gardens
This forum will explore the diversity and value of our living collections, and how they connect to health and wellbeing. We’ll also share how working with plants has supported us through challenging times, reinforcing the importance of our collections in both personal and professional contexts. Presenters: Andrew LaidlawAndrew is a Landscape Architect at Royal Botanic […]
Grow Well Series Episode 3
Celebrate Botanic Gardens Week with a conversation exploring how gardens nurture our health and wellbeing. Joined by Gayle Souter-Brown and Robyn Simcock, we will unpack how intentional time in nature can become a meaningful part of everyday life. We will also explore the science behind therapeutic gardens, who they benefit (from mental health to recovery […]
BGEN Forum – Botanic Gardens Wellness Walks
This webinar will explore the latest research on the health benefits of nature and why wellbeing is becoming central to the future of public gardens. The session will include a discussion of the NatureFix Wellness Walks installed at Eurobodalla and Wollongong Botanic Gardens, showcasing how they are enhancing visitor experience through guided nature connection practices. […]
Webinar Recording – Bringing Your Botanic Gardens Week Toolkit To Life
Your Health Grows Here.
Take the time. Step into your botanic garden. Feel the benefits.