12 Things Your Meditation Garden Needs

meditation garden design

Meditation gardens are the perfect thing to add to your yard if you’re looking for a safe place to relax and unwind after some mentally and physically exhausting days. Nature is highly beneficial, and exposure to it can help with brain health, keep your blood pressure in check, improve mental health, and help improve your sleep quality.

To create a Zen area, such as a meditation garden, you’ll need a balance of natural fixtures such as trees, flowers, and moss and man-made ones like benches and fountains. These additions will create a cohesive environment, which should help promote feelings of relaxation. Here are some of the things that you should think about putting into your meditation garden.

1. Flowers

Planting flowers in your garden is a great way to bring in bright colors and pleasant floral scents. Flowers also have the power to boost dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin production, as we tend to see flowers as rewarding and a representation of importance and love.

Flowers will also attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, which are peaceful to watch and simultaneously good for the environment. You can plant your favorite flowers or choose to plant flowering herbs, which are beautiful to look at and can serve a useful purpose in recipes.

2. Evergreens

Evergreens such as pine trees, certain breeds of hemlock trees, boxwood, and juniper are great ways to bring beautiful shades of green to your meditation garden. If you live in a place where you get all four seasons, you’ll get to see the foliage in the winter, which makes your garden look less bare. Evergreens also offer plenty of shade on hot summer days.

Planting evergreens can create natural walls, making your garden feel more intimate and safe. Research proves that the color green can also promote feelings of luck and safety.

3. Fountains and Water Features

Including a water fixture is vital to a meditation garden, as water can promote feelings of calmness and offer a soothing background noise to focus on while you relax. Flowing water is mesmerizing to look at as well. 

Falling Diamonds Outdoor Corner Fountain

Try to find a fountain that can blend in with your garden, such as a rock waterfall fountain, so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. You can easily incorporate a water feature like this into your foliage and flowers.

4. Stone or Brick Pathways

To create a sense of cohesiveness, it is best to create some kind of pathway to follow throughout your meditation garden. Stone and brick are fantastic materials to use, and they are easily accessible at your local hardware store.

A pathway can metaphorically help lead you through your struggles and bring you to a space where you feel more at ease. Pathways will also encourage you to get your body moving and walk around, which helps release energy and puts you in a better state of mind.

5. Rocks and Stones

Stacking rocks and stones in various places around your meditation garden are great ways to show yourself balance, and they can represent the element of Earth. You can use rocks as grounding elements to keep you focused on the present. Use varying sizes of rocks and try incorporating them into your meditation session by holding them in your palms.

Rocks are a simple way to incorporate designs into your garden as well. Play around and create patterns with them to make them more aesthetically pleasing.

6. Statues

Stone statues of spiritual entities, animals, and nature can help affirm and encourage your goals in life. Incorporate spiritual animals like elephants with an artifact elephant statue, as elephants represent success and luck. 

Another popular option is a Buddha statue to help promote peace and positivity. Find statues that interest you and mean something to you.

Lotus Buddha Statue


Statues also make beautiful accents to your meditation garden and give you something to look at and admire. They are essentially pieces of art that can add to a serene atmosphere.

7. Birdbaths

Implementing birdbaths into your meditation garden allows more wildlife into your Zen sanctuary, promoting your connection to nature. Water also symbolizes cleansing, ultimately helping to free your mind. It also invites birds to hang out in your yard, allowing you to observe their behaviors and listen to their soothing tweets and songs.


Cast Stone Bird Bath

Birds often chirp and sing when their environment feels safe. Due to this, they can offer a sense of freedom and safety to you.

8. Hammock

Hammocks can put you into a relaxing mood by relieving pressure on your back and shoulders, as well as allowing you to fall into a deeper sleep more easily. Hammock meditation can help ease your anxiety and put you into a state of relaxation with the soft rocking motions it creates. These devices can offer a feeling of weightlessness, which is quite soothing.

Hammocks also offer an aesthetically pleasing look to your garden. They’re almost like an invitation for you or your guests to relax.

9. Soft Night Time Lighting

If you’d like to have access to your meditation garden at night, your best option is to get some outdoor lighting, such as string lights. Ensure that the lighting is soft and warm-looking, as bright white light can provoke feelings of anxiety and alertness. Using lights along your winding pathways is a great option to help lead you to relaxation.

If you have a designated seating area, draping string lights or lanterns in the vicinity might be a good idea, so you can read, write, relax, or talk with friends.

10. Bench

Having a seating area that includes a bench is the perfect way for you to sit in tranquility and assess your thoughts. 

Elephant Cast Stone Garden Bench

Stone garden benches create an inviting environment for you and any guests you choose to bring into your zen space. They tell you to be present in the moment by sitting and enjoying the view around you. If you aren’t meditating, you can practice mindfulness by journaling while sitting on your bench.

Benches are functional decorations for your meditation garden and can enhance intricate design elements. 

11. Moss

Incorporating moss into your meditation garden’s landscape creates a natural soft carpet beneath your feet. It almost feels like memory foam. These plants can promote feelings of tranquility and offer a pleasant Earthy smell to help you relax and become one with nature.

Moss also serves a practical purpose, as it can absorb water and potentially prevent flooding within your meditation garden. Without proper drainage, your meditation garden can become subject to the following:

  • Gravel and rock displacement
  • Waterlogging of plants
  • Water damage to wooden furniture and decorations

12. Fire Pit

Fire pits have a way of promoting an inviting, comfortable, and warm environment. Research proves that being around a campfire can decrease blood pressure and create a deep sense of relaxation. 

Fire is one of the primary spiritual elements, and it represents energy and inner strength. So looking at a beautiful fire pit in your meditation garden should help you do some deep thinking and find the strength to overcome any anxieties and stress you’re feeling.

Try to incorporate your fire pit naturally by using stone-walled fire pits or cement fire bowls to ensure cohesiveness. 

Elevate Your Meditation Garden

Meditation gardens offer a peaceful haven where one can connect with nature and find inner tranquility. With thoughtful planning and creative ideas, you can design a space that inspires mindfulness and calm. From lush greenery and flowing water features to symbolic decor and comfortable seating, every element contributes to the soothing ambiance of your meditation garden. Embrace nature's beauty and let your creativity flourish as you create a serene retreat that fosters mindfulness and rejuvenation. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a cozy corner, meditation garden ideas can transform any space into a sanctuary for inner peace.

Keeping Your Meditation Garden Harmonious

Maintaining a harmonious meditation garden is essential to sustain its calming and reflective atmosphere. Regular upkeep ensures the space remains serene and conducive to inner peace. Trim and prune plants to maintain their shape and health, preventing overgrowth from overshadowing the garden's tranquility. Regularly clean and maintain water features to preserve their soothing sounds and clarity. Remove any debris or clutter to maintain a sense of serenity. Consider incorporating natural elements that require minimal upkeep. By tending to your meditation garden with mindfulness and care, you can cultivate an enduring space for peaceful contemplation and spiritual connection.


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