<p>Archaeobotany is often perceived as a technical subdiscipline, confined to appendices and specialist reports, especially in the development-led archaeology sector. This paper argues for the transformative potential of archaeobotany in reaching communities usually underserved by archaeology. Using the Roman Gardens of Londinium project as a case study, this paper demonstrates how archaeobotany can serve as a gateway into archaeology for diverse social groups. Conducted within a wellbeing framework, the project was designed to empower participants, establishing their roles as community researchers, responsible for co-producing research and creative outputs. This resulted in the formation of a new cohesive community with sustained engagement and unexpected long-term impact for the project. This project highlights the role archaeobotany can have in addressing gaps in archaeological knowledge, but also its potential to create social value in the present, by contributing to well-being through community co-creation initiatives.</p>