WE ARE OPEN!
On May 7, we opened our gates to visitors for the first time since March. There are no events scheduled, but our beautiful spring garden walks are waiting for you. Social distancing protocols in place. Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No public restrooms. Free admission.
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
The only frost-free, natural conservation habitat, botanical garden in the continental United States.
Help us preserve, develop and expand the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, museum, wildlife refuge and habitat
Hey Kids!
Missing your time in the Garden?
Our Education Staff has put together delightful online projects you can do at home. And Story Time is ready and waiting for you to listen to our latest book. Check back frequently; we’re always adding new things to do — and new books.
The Garden is open!
Updated May 7, 2020:
This historic, rare ecosystem provides a safe and educational alternative through these trying times. There are 15 acres of native garden and forest to explore on the six-to-10-foot-wide trails. Visitors have plenty of room for social distancing, walking your dogs and breathing the fresh air under a magnificent open sky in the company of abundant native flora and fauna. This outdoor refuge is the antidote to the coronavirus blues. May is a glorious month with native plants in bloom and plenty of birds and butterflies as part of Mother Nature’s annual migration wonder.
Safe distancing protocols are in effect. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No public restrooms. Free admission. Be Safe. Be Well.
What would you like to do today?
Become a member
Memberships include unlimited free admission, special events, gift shop discounts, volunteer opportunities and offers from our partners.
Check events calendar
There's always something to do in the botanical garden and tropical forest. The latest schedules for yoga, plant sales, speaker series and more.
Become a volunteer
Our volunteers get their hands dirty -- or not. We have opportunities for volunteers who love people, plants, trees and animals.
Make a donation
Sustain and preserve our fragile Florida Keys ecosystems. Purchase endangered plants and trees and support educational programs.
Schedule a venue
Wedding? Family reunion? Company outing? Whatever you're planning, our beautiful venues are the perfect setting for your special event.
Explore the Living Lab
We partner with Monroe County schools and teachers to create unique, interactive educational programs in the Garden for K-6.
Become a member
The Garden depends on its members to help us sustain the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Your membership provides funding for our projects — and gives you VIP access to the Garden every day and to our special events.
Live from Facebook
Quadrats are a type of equipment used by professional scientists in many settings, but they're easy to use for students of all ages! Check out our tutorial on how to use a quadrat to assess biodiversity in your own home. How does your yard compare?
We’ve been green since 1989
We're frost free
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental United States! A tropical environment with ample rain allows most trees to retain their leaves in the dry season (December through late May).
We love our native plants
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is a special place where you can appreciate biodiversity and learn more about its importance. We are home to many endangered and threatened flora and fauna. Unlike traditional botanical gardens, this garden advocates the importance of native plants and species through education in a natural conservation habitat.
Three, rare fresh-water ponds
The Garden has three of the last remaining freshwater ponds in the Keys and is a major migratory stopping point for neotropical birds from places as far away as South America, as well as being home to many rare birds in the Florida Keys. Enjoy this unique US tropical forest and garden and a chance to see hundreds of different butterflies, birds, plants and beautiful flowers.
Our mission
Preservation
To preserve, develop and expand the Key West Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, museum, wildlife refuge and habitat
Public Awareness
To educate the public about the threatened, endangered and endemic flora and fauna of the Florida Keys, Cuba and the Caribbean Basin
Education
Our adult and youth education programs ensure our members and visitors know how they can protect our ecosystems. The Living Laboratory uses interactive workshops to teach students about the importance and the benefits of native plants and wildlife
Conservation
To conduct conservation programs to understand and propagate threatened and endangered endemic species of native flora and fauna
Let's do good together!
Help us preserve, develop and expand the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, museum, wildlife refuge and habitat