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
Masks required. Social distancing protocols
The Garden is 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.
Covid-19 protocols: Masks are required at all times and social distancing must be maintained. Keep your mask handy! Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Be Safe. Be Well.
On the calendar today
85th Anniversary Celebration
Open Daily
85th Anniversary Celebration
Visit the Virtual Garden
Welcome to the Virtual Garden
Our virtual garden connects students and adults with the Garden through video tours, lessons and special events. The Virtual Living Lab is the perfect choice when you need smart, fun and well-planned activities for the children in your lives — with just the right balance between screen time and structured play. Videos, interactive lessons, StoryTime and hands-on activities designed by our education team and consistent with state of Florida education standards. #KWVirtualGarden
Live from Facebook
Did you know that even though this the Jamaica Dogwood tree is toxic, it is used medicinally?!
To learn more interesting facts about this native species and others, join our Virtual Living Lab by registering for FREE at www.keywest.garden/education/
11th Annual ART in the GARDEN
Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is proud to feature local sculptors in our 2021 ART in the GARDEN exhibit. The sculptures use natural or recycled materials, can be placed outside and withstand wind and weather.
Open to Public: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., daily, April 19 – July 31
ART in the GARDEN
Where art combines with nature: Meander over Garden boardwalks and down pathways through dappled shade cast by fresh greenscape, colorful blossoms and winged creatures of nature and spot … sculpture! Nature has been benign in recent months with spring bringing renewal and the return of ART in the GARDEN with artistic expressions emphasizing harmony with nature. These works feature earth-friendly themes, including recycled and natural materials.
Sculptures by local artists accent the natural beauty of the conservation site on Stock Island.
Student Art in the Garden Project
Three 5-8-person student groups are invited to join in a workshop with local artists of the Key West Art in the Garden Exhibit to design, create and exhibit three mentor-led creations in the Student Art in the Garden Exhibit and Contest that runs through July 2021. Materials will be provided by the art project and the workshops will be 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
Help us preserve, develop and expand the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, museum, wildlife refuge and habitat.
Open Daily
10 AM – 4 PM
Covid protocols
Masks required. Social distance. Group size controlled. Subject to change.
