The Health Benefits of Growing Flowers 🌿🌸

Starting dahlia tubers early in the greenhouse so ensure healthy plants and lots of flowers later in the summer

I love being in my garden, as much as I love arranging flowers. For me, of course there is a ‘work’ element to the garden, but for you, gardening and growing flowers isn’t just about making your outdoor space look beautiful—it’s also one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental well-being. Whether you're growing flowers for cutting, creating a pollinator-friendly garden, or simply enjoying the seasonal beauty of British flowers, the benefits go far beyond aesthetics.

Before launching Delilah and Herb, I spent 15 years working in the private health as an osteopath and running my own clinic. I saw first hand how important it is to keep yourself physically and mentally well and spent my days talking to my patients about how they could find ways to suit them to do this. Now, as a florist and gardener, I see the incredible impact that flowers and nature can have on our overall health. Whether you're tending to a garden or simply filling your home with fresh flowers, the benefits go far beyond aesthetics.

And that’s why, at Delilah and Herb, I believe in the power of flowers—not just for weddings and gifts but for their incredible ability to boost mood, relieve stress, and connect us with nature. Here’s why growing flowers can be so beneficial and how you can bring more blooms into your life.

1. Stress Relief & Mental Well-Being 🌿

Spending time in the garden is a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies show that gardening can lower cortisol levels—the stress hormone—helping you feel calmer and more grounded. The act of tending to plants, sowing seeds, and watching flowers bloom creates a sense of mindfulness, bringing you into the present moment.

Some flowers, like lavender, are particularly well-known for their calming properties, while the scent of sweet peas or roses can instantly lift your mood. If you’ve ever felt the joy of cutting your own homegrown bouquet or watching bees flit between flowers, you’ll know just how therapeutic gardening can be. Flowers keep us in the present moment and definitely help us to enjoy the smaller things in life.

2. Physical Exercise Without the Gym 💪

Gardening is a great way to stay active without even realising it! Digging, planting, deadheading, and watering all contribute to better flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health. Even light activities like pruning and weeding can improve mobility, making gardening a wonderful low-impact workout. It’s a free workout that is accessible to most of us, in one way or another.

If you’re growing your own seasonal British flowers, you’ll also be moving around your garden more frequently, keeping yourself active while nurturing something beautiful.

3. Connecting with Nature & Wildlife 🐝🌻

Eco-friendly gardening and growing sustainable flowers encourage a deeper connection with nature. Flowers attract essential pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to support biodiversity. When you choose locally grown, seasonal blooms over supermarket and highstreet flowers, you’re not only reducing your environmental impact but also creating a thriving habitat for wildlife.

At Delilah and Herb, I solely focus on sustainable floristry, using British-grown flowers in my arrangements the majority of the time. If you want to fill your garden with blooms that benefit pollinators, try growing cornflowers, cosmos, or foxgloves—all beautiful choices that also help our precious bees.

4. Boosting Creativity & Happiness 🎨

Gardening is a creative process, from choosing color schemes to arranging flowers in a vase. Designing your planting space or simply experimenting with different textures and shades encourages artistic expression. But you don’t need to be an artist or consider yourself to be creative! Flowers that bloom around the same time, naturally look good together - just watch and learn from their lead!

Flowers like dahlias, snapdragons, and zinnias offer endless opportunities for creating stunning cut flower arrangements. If you’ve ever taken part in one of my flower arranging workshops, you’ll know how rewarding it is to create something beautiful with homegrown blooms.

5. A Sense of Achievement & Joy 🌼

Watching a tiny seed grow into a thriving flower is one of life’s simple yet profound joys. My seeds are currently indoors ready to germinate and get so much excitment when I see those first tiny bits of green popping up through the compost. Whether you’re growing flowers for your own home, for someone else or a special event, each stage of the process brings a sense of achievement.

I love seeing the magic of seasonal British flowers unfold each year. In the depths of winter, it’s so hard to imagine what the summer looks like and how things change so much. It’s such a lovely process to observe. If you’re just starting out, hardy annuals like sweet peas, calendula, and nigella are easy to grow and make wonderful cut flowers.

Start Small & Enjoy the Process

You don’t need a large garden to experience the benefits of growing flowers. A few pots on a doorstep, a small raised bed or a simple cutting patch can all bring joy.

If you love flowers but don’t have time to grow them yourself, my new flower subscriptions and the popular ‘Flowers from the Porch’ offer a way to enjoy beautiful, seasonal British flowers. Whether you're treating yourself or someone special, there's nothing quite like having fresh, locally grown flowers brighten up your home.

Are you growing anything this year?

I’d love to hear about your garden and what’s bringing you joy! 🌿💐