Therapeutic Horticulture for The Ronald McDonald House

For the past three years, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Therapeutic Horticulture team has offered comfort and connection through nature for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.

The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations for families of seriously ill children at little or no cost with the mission of removing barriers, strengthening families and promoting healing.

Through therapeutic horticulture, the Garden has enhanced those services through nature-based programming, the creation of a garden on location, and special admission to the Garden.

Support for this partnership comes from the generous help of Dr. Oscar and Barbara Soule.

Therapeutic Horticulture Activities at the Ronald McDonald House

*Flowers are left at the Ronald McDonald House’s common area in anticipation of a flower arranging program by the Garden’s Therapeutic Horticulture program. Photo by Jennifer Smith-Simms.*

Twice a month, Jennifer Smith-Simms, registered Horticultural Therapist and Manager of Public Programs at the Garden, visits the two Ronald McDonald House locations in St. Louis to offer therapeutic horticulture programming to the families staying there.

Her goal is to provide nature-based therapy activities for the children who are going through hospital treatments and their families.

Programming includes flower arranging, making herbal infusions for tea, spice sachets, or creating natural mandalas. The instructors design the activities to help participants reconnect to nature and improve their well-being through plants.

*Bookmarks created with color and leaves help families at the Ronald McDonald House connect to nature.Photo by Jennifer Smith-Simms.*

Often the families she’s serving have come from more rural or international locations seeking the healthcare St. Louis hospitals can provide.

“It doesn’t matter where they are from; the attraction to the earth, flowers, and nature runs deep,” says Smith-Simms. “To see a solemn face turn to a smile or a young girl get excited about planting the garden, it only reinforces for me the reason I do what I do every day.”

In an effort to help families from around the world, instructors use bilingual instructions in the programming. Smith-Simms also makes an effort to use plants from their home countries for a sense of familiarity.

Creation of the Ronald McDonald House garden

*A woman and two children explore therapeutic plants. Photo by Jennifer Smith-Simms.*

*Eagle Scouts help create a raised-bed garden for the families of the Ronald McDonald House. Photo by Jennifer Smith-Simms.*

In 2024, local scout Kylie Phipps approached the Therapeutic Horticulture team. Phipps was seeking a meaningful leadership project in order to reach Eagle Scout rank. This was at the same time Smith-Simms was looking to create a garden at the West County Ronald McDonald House.

Under Smith-Simms guidance, Phipps designed four raised beds and three containers on the back patio of the house. This garden features sensory rich plants from tropical regions, including many plants families love to cook with.

“This garden is a source of fresh ingredients that families enjoy using,” says Jane Foerstel, Director of House Operations at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.

“We are grateful for this incredible partnership to create an environment where families enjoy the beauty of nature and can cook meals together, fostering moments of comfort, connection, and healing.”

*A young resident of the Ronald McDonald House creates a floral arrangement from plants she helped grow in the garden. Photo by Jennifer Smith-Simms.*

Smith-Simms says the families enjoy taking care of the garden, especially siblings looking for a daily, outdoor activity.

“One child was so excited about the garden, ” says Smith-Simms. “Last month, she helped us plant. And yesterday she was able to harvest peppers and create a flower arrangement to give to her mother.”

The Botanical Garden as a place of refuge

*An aerial view of the Doris I Schnucks Children’s Garden in fall. Photo by Cassidy.*

Along with the in-house programming, families can also find some solace at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Complimentary admission tickets are available for families staying at the house and transportation is provided for those wanting to visit.

Smith-Simms says that often families struggle with stepping away and taking time for themselves when their child is in crisis. But the Botanical Garden can be a place to find peace and practice selfcare for even an hour.

On occasion, the Garden has offered families staying at the Ronald McDonald House private admission after hours. This is offered to families whose children may be immunocompromised due to treatment or illness.