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
Visit us today
Every day is a beautiful day in the tropical forest and botanical garden. Ready to visit? Then let us share the details: admission, special events, parking, getting here, exhibits, self-guided tours. And, yes, we are children and dog friendly!
Scarecrows in the Garden
Where’s YOURS?
Calling professional artists, businesses and amateurs, including students, not-for-profits and community groups. Design, create and display your scarecrow in the Garden.
Registration deadline: Sept. 30
Installation deadline: Oct. 15
Open to Public: September-November
Scarecrows in the Garden
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden kicks off its 2nd annual Scarecrows in the Garden event with a call to individuals, organizations and businesses to create their own scarecrows for display in the garden. Cash prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: amateurs, creative professionals and businesses. Best in Show will be chosen by garden visitors.
Scarecrow creators are encouraged to use natural and recycled materials. Individuals, school groups and not-for-profit organizations are also encouraged to participate.
Student Art in the Garden Project
Fifteen students are invited to join in a workshop with local artists of the Key West Art in the Garden Exhibit to design, create and exhibit their masterpiece in the Scarecrows in the Garden Exhibit and Contest that runs through Nov. 30, 2019. Materials will be provided by the art project and the workshops will be held at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.
Our Partners
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.
Find something to do
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Events for September
1st
Locals Day
Open Daily
Events for September
4th
Garden Guardians
Open Daily
Events for September
7th
Garden Guardians
Open Daily
Key West Sangha
Events for September
10th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Events for September
11th
Garden Guardians
Open Daily
Events for September
12th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Events for September
14th
Garden Guardians
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Key West Sangha
Events for September
17th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Story Time
Events for September
18th
Garden Guardians
Open Daily
Events for September
19th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Events for September
20th
Lower Keys Fall Migration Mania
Open Daily
Events for September
21st
Lower Keys Fall Migration Mania
Garden Guardians
Visit our native plant nursery
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Key West Sangha
Events for September
22nd
Lower Keys Fall Migration Mania
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
23rd
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
24th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Story Time
Events for September
25th
Garden Guardians
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
26th
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
27th
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
28th
Garden Guardians
Hatha Yoga
Open Daily
Key West Sangha
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
29th
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Events for September
30th
Open Daily
Scarecrows in the Garden
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Fall Migration Mania | Sept. 20-22
For the 11th year, learn as you enjoy the wonders of the annual migration at two iconic bird and butterfly hot spots in the lower Keys. Join the flock and explore more about the natural wonder of migration by attending one of the the Lower Keys Fall Migration Mania Birding & Nature Adventures offered by the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden in partnership with the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine.
Apply for STEM Fair Research!
Twelve middle- and high-school students will have the opportunity this school year to participate in a collaborative STEM program between the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden and the Monroe County School District.
The program kicks off at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Garden, 5210 College Road. Interested students must complete the mentor-request application form and submit it.
Live from Facebook
Another gift from Hurricane Irma...Papaya trees coming up everywhere. The keys only native fruit.
I lost my huge LOADED papaya back yard tree .... you’re welcome 🥴
We have papayas growing all over our neighborhood in Marathon since Irma
Oh I love it
Yes, IRC does consider it native. But, what about two native fig species and four native plums (Coco, Darling, Hog & Saffron)? And Sea Grapes? All native and edible.
I’m curious, how did Irma cause this? We’re there trees already in place that dispersed seeds in the hurricane or did it uncover old dormant seeds?
Nature finds a way!
There has been confusion on native/non-native designation for Papaya. It was considered by some to be a non-native until several years ago when seed was found beneath an Indian midden. So, all are now in agreement; it is indeed native. regionalconservation.org/ircs/pdf/Ward_2011.pdf
Papaya isn’t native to the keys...
Native?
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.Â
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