A sensory garden is designed to engage all five senses— sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound—to provide a calming, therapeutic and explorative experience. Although typically used for children and those with special needs, anyone can enjoy a sensory garden.

Before becoming a permaculture designer, I worked with special needs children for a few years, although I didn’t love the job (hence why I’m writing this now), I loved the children, and they will always have a special place in my heart. So in honor of all the wonderful kids I worked with, here are some tips for creating a sensory garden.

Why Make A Sensory Garden

You could argue that any garden or outdoor space could constitute as a sensory garden and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, when working with young children or those with special needs it’s useful to have a dedicated space so children can explore and enjoy some freedom while also being safe. The benefits of having a dedicated sensory garden are endless.

Sensory gardens get children outside, which is vital for their physical and mental health. It can also be an opportunity to teach kids about things like boundaries: they can explore their own space with few limits, yet outside of that space there might be some rules. Teach children where food comes from. Let them plant a few plants and watch them slowly grow to teach about growth and patience. When the plants die back in the winter teach them about change. The garden and outdoors provides unlimited life lessons for all of us.

Plants

When choosing plants for the sensory garden, it’s important to choose plants that are safe, easy to interact with, and are well suited to the local climate. Below are some of my personal favorites for sensory gardens here in South Carolina.

Touch- Soft and Interesting Textures

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Fuzzy, velvety leaves that invite gentle touching.
Other Benefits: Drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

Moss (Hypnum spp. or Leucobryum spp.)
Growing Requirements: Shade to partial shade; moist soil
Sensory Appeal: Soft, cushiony texture underfoot or on surfaces.
Other Benefits: Can be used between stepping stones or on raised surfaces for a tactile experience.

Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Thick, fleshy leaves that are cool and smooth to the touch.
Other Benefits: Drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and provides nectar for pollinators.

Smell- Fragrant Plants

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Calming fragrance released when touched.
Other Benefits: Attracts pollinators and repels mosquitoes.

Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora)
Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Leaves release a citrusy fragrance when touched, and the flowers have a unique, slightly fuzzy texture.
Other Benefits: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, and the leaves can be used for herbal teas.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Growing Requirements: Partial shade to full sun; moist, well-drained, acidic soil
Sensory Appeal: Intensely fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring and summer, with glossy evergreen leaves that add year-round visual interest.
Other Benefits: Attracts pollinators and provides a lush, ornamental look to the garden.

Taste – Safe and Edible Plants

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; acidic, well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Sweet, juicy berries that encourage tasting.
Other Benefits: Provides seasonal color and supports wildlife.

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Small, easy-to-pick fruit perfect for little hands.
Other Benefits: Ground cover that spreads, making it a fun plant to explore.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Feathery, aromatic foliage with a mild licorice flavor, and seeds that can be harvested for culinary use.
Other Benefits: Attracts pollinators like butterflies and beneficial insects, while also serving as a host plant for swallowtail caterpillars.

Sight – Bright Colors and Interesting Shapes

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Tall, bold flowers that follow the sun.
Other Benefits: Seeds provide food for birds and children can harvest them.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Vibrant orange flowers that attract butterflies.
Other Benefits: Supports pollinators and is drought-tolerant.

Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Intricate, exotic-looking purple flowers with a unique fringe-like structure make this a stunning addition to the garden.
Other Benefits: Native vine that attracts butterflies, including the Gulf Fritillary, and produces edible fruit (maypop).

Sound – Movement and Soothing Noises

Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex – Clumping varieties only)
Growing Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Leaves rustle in the wind, creating a calming sound.
Other Benefits: Clumping varieties are non-invasive and can create privacy.

Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
Growing Requirements: Full sun; dry to well-drained soil
Sensory Appeal: Fine-textured grass that sways in the breeze.
Other Benefits: Low maintenance and provides seasonal color.

Additional Tips and Tidbits

Use Raised Plantings: Raised beds, hanging baskets, or container gardens make plants more accessible for touching and smelling, especially for children or individuals with mobility challenges.

Avoid Toxic or Irritating Plants: Choose non-toxic, non-allergenic plants and avoid species with sharp thorns, irritating sap, or toxic berries. Examples of commonly used plants to avoid include Oleander (Nerium oleander), and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis).

Include a Pathway for Exploration: Use soft ground coverings like mulch, smooth stones, or grass for safe and sensory-friendly movement through the garden.

Incorporate Water Elements: A small pollinator fountain or birdbath adds a soothing auditory and visual element.

Create Shade and Shelter: Providing shady spots with trees, pergolas, or large plants helps prevent overheating and makes the garden comfortable year-round.

Encourage Interaction: Add elements like wind chimes, stepping stones, or a digging area with safe soil to enhance the hands-on experience.

Maintain Rhythm: Sensory gardens should include lots of different colors, textures and experiences but things can get chaotic and overwhelming if there is no balance for the eye. Start with a foundational palette of colors, textures, plants and materials that repeat throughout the garden for a cohesive feel while leaving space to add more variety.

A well-designed sensory garden can offer a calming, engaging, and therapeutic space for children and individuals with special needs. By selecting safe, interactive plants and incorporating thoughtful design elements, you can create a garden that stimulates the senses and gets children involved in the garden.

In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” (Baba Dioum, 1968.)

Happy Planting!

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Disclaimer: Images are not my own unless otherwise noted.