How to Create a Peaceful Zen Garden for Wellness

Japanese zen gardens are often found at religious temples or monasteries. They help occupants and visitors meditate or practice mindfulness. Zen gardens have been around for centuries, allowing people from around the world to connect with nature and tap into their zen, or inner peace and meditation. Zen gardens are great for stress relief, mood improvement, creativity, sensory stimulation, and more. They can be peaceful, relaxing, and fun for all ages to enjoy. If you’d like to add a zen garden of any size to your home, you’ll just need a few affordable supplies and a bit of time. 

Plan the Space

How big would you like your zen garden to be? What materials would you like? There’s no wrong way to create a zen garden as long as it stimulates relaxation and inner peace. Plan the outdoor space you have appropriately. While many zen gardens utilize sand or gravel as ground cover, it may not make sense for you to purchase sand if you hate its texture and feeling. Consider the materials and features you want the area to include. You’ll then need to buy adequate decorations and materials to fill that space, so plan wisely. When you create a blueprint beforehand, you can order supplies and manage the space more easily.

Lay Ground Cover

Zen gardens are well known for their iconic raked sand or gravel look, which represents the calming and pure flow of water or space. The flowing appearance contributes to a calming, neutral environment that is good for mindfulness and meditation. If you enjoy this traditional zen garden appearance, then you’re going to need to lay some gravel or sand. Thankfully, bulk sand or gravel is very affordable and easy to come by, especially if you compare quotes from a variety of suppliers. Many local suppliers will deliver, too. With a quick online search, I can access gravel delivery near me easily and affordably. Excavate any lawn or other plant ground cover where you want the zen garden to be. Then, you’ll lay the gravel or sand (your choice) over the level dirt. Once it is adequately spread, you’ll want to rake the ground cover to flow like water. You can rake it however you’d like and even change the flow’s appearance depending on your mood or preferences. Sand or gravel is a great backdrop for a soothing zen garden.

Select Native Plants and Flowers

Native plant life is ideal for a zen garden, as they can thrive in your home’s natural climate and promote harmony in the ecosystem. Select whatever plant life brings you joy and peace. Zen gardens typically employ Japanese maples, ornamental cherry trees, bamboo, Japanese pine, yew, and boxwood if you need some inspiration as a starting point. Try shaping topiary plants into calming, varying shapes. Different colors, shapes, and textures can tickle your senses and promote relaxation and enrichment. You can also choose flowers with pleasant smells, such as honeysuckle or magnolia. Make sure the plants you choose, if not native, aren’t invasive and will survive in the climate.

Decorate to Your Tastes

Zen gardens typically employ rocks to represent asymmetrical earth features found in nature. Including stones in the middle of your sand or gravel river can not only recreate the iconic Japanese style but also provide tasteful decoration and visual enrichment. You don’t need to stop at stones, either. Add any decorations that spark peace and tranquility, like windchimes, sculptures, or bird feeders. You can even include a small bridge over your sand or gravel river!

Add Water Features

Moving water represents effortless flow and transition. It’s also a calming sight and sound, perfect for creating a zen garden. If you enjoy a good water feature, they’ll fit in quite well here. Water features can include koi ponds, bamboo deer scares, fountains, or a bubbling stream. For features like fountains or waterfalls, you’ll need a water pump for flow, but they’re fairly accessible and easy to install. Don’t be afraid to hire help when needed.

Appeal to All Senses

Since zen gardens are meant to be a relaxing, meditative place, you’re able to ground yourself to the present and connect with nature better when you cater to all senses—sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. Include plants with calming scents. Various colors and textures can appeal to your sight and touch. While taste won’t typically matter when it comes to planning a garden, you can include edible plants if you’d like. Water features can create a calming sound, along with any wind chimes or rustling leaves. Bamboo and ornamental grasses are thematic and sound very relaxing when the wind blows through them.

Provide Relaxation Opportunities

Your zen garden won’t do much good if you don’t have anywhere to relax and enjoy it! Add some tasteful, natural furniture options for you to meditate and relax in. Lounge chairs, benches, couches, or cushions can provide comfortable places to sit while you take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Choose furniture that is comfortable for you; it should be weatherproof if exposed to the elements without shelter.

Conclusion

To put the relaxation cherry on top of your zen garden, consider adding some optional shade to enjoy in the rain or when it gets excessively hot outside. Retractable awnings can work well for this. Natural shade, like tree cover, can help immerse you in your garden as well. Regardless of what lifestyle you live or what outdoor space you have to work with, a zen garden of any size can help promote peace and relaxation in your daily life.

Image by Jürgen from Pixabay