Hong Kong horticultural therapist brings mindfulness to urban farming
Linda Lee, a horticultural therapist in Hong Kong, leads monthly urban farming sessions that combine hydroponics, plant care and mindfulness. Her work is inspired by her father's calming relationship with plants. Participants engage all five senses in the greenery at Farmacy's headquarters in Shau Kei Wan.
Lee's childhood memory of her father tending potted plants in their small flat shaped her career path. He would direct cigarette smoke toward the foliage, believing the plants filtered the air for his family. Despite his reserved nature, Lee observed a visible softening in his demeanor during these daily rituals.
Farmacy's hydroponic systems allow cultivation without soil in compact indoor settings. Lee's monthly sessions at the Shau Kei Wan headquarters invite participants to use sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing while working with plants. The program also incorporates craft-making alongside plant care and mindfulness exercises.
Urban stress is a growing concern in dense cities like Hong Kong, where green space is limited. Programs like Lee's could offer residents a structured way to reconnect with nature without leaving the city. Participants may experience reduced