1936-2021 | 85 years as Keeper of the Trees
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
The only frost-free, sub-tropical, natural conservation habitat, native plant botanical garden in the continental United States
Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
We are open
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, ADA compliant boardwalks and nature 
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. Spring and summer are glorious with native plants in bloom and plenty of birds and butterflies as part of Mother Nature’s annual migration wonder.
Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Be Safe. Be Well.
On the calendar today
85th Anniversary Celebration
85th Anniversary Celebration
Garden Guardians
Visit the Virtual Garden
Welcome to the Virtual Garden
Live from Facebook
Story Time is canceled today, September 14th due to the weather. We apologize for any inconvenience. We hope to see you next week at our normal scheduled time on September 21st!
Scarecrows in the Forest
REGISTER TODAY: Calling school-age groups; businesses, creative professionals and amateur individuals; and not-for profits. Design, create and display your scarecrow in the Forest. Registration ends Sept. 15; display set-up begins Sept. 1.
Open to Public: September-November
Come see our Scarecrows!
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden’s second annual Scarecrows in the Forest event features locally designed scarecrows from individuals, creative professionals, organizations and businesses. Scarecrow creators use natural and recycled materials. Cash prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: school-age individuals or groups; not-for-profit groups; and businesses, amateur individuals and creative professionals. Best in Show ($100) will be chosen by garden visitors.
Student Art in the Garden Project
Local students and local artists collaborate in a workshop of the Key West Art in the Garden Exhibit to design, create and exhibit their masterpiece in the Scarecrows in the Forest Exhibit and Contest that runs through Nov. 30, 2021. Materials are provided by the art project and the workshops are held at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.
Our Partners
The Garden celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2021
The Key West Botanical Garden was founded and developed by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration as a showplace for tourists during the Depression in the 1930’s when Key West went bankrupt. Since 1936, we have been known as the Keeper of the Trees. In 2021, we celebrate our 85th anniversary. We welcome you to join us in our mission to sustain the Garden.
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 venues are the perfect setting for your special event.
Virtual Living Lab
Our new online videos and classes are unique, interactive educational programs for parents and students K-12.
We’ve been green since 1936
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.
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
Open Daily
10 AM – 4 PM
Covid protocols
Masks required. Social distance. Group size controlled. Subject to change.
