1936-2023 | 87 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
Get ready for holidays in the Garden
Scarecrows in the Forest
Scarecrows at every turn! Around a corner, in a meadow, or right in front of you, made from natural, recycled, and repurposed material, each will be found throughout the Tropical Forest & Garden. Cash prizes will be awarded with ‘Best in Show’ chosen by garden visitors. Sept. 1-Nov. 31
Snowy Day Winter Concert
Welcome Mateo and Belle Jampol! Our Snowy Day Winter Concert for children and families has become one of our most anticipated events of the holidays. A perfect way to enjoy the music of Key West’s father-daughter duo and participate in family activities. 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 17
Children's Art in the Garden
Explore the Garden and build your own crafts! Our third hands-on children’s Art in the Garden workshop includes painting wooden holiday ornaments. Bring a friend and make a holiday gift to share and enjoy. Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-noon. Registration required.
Desbiens Celebration of Life
On Sunday, Nov. 5, Garden members and friends celebrated Ms. Betty D. Desbiens, a patron of the Garden for decades and a tireless, hands-on volunteer and generous benefactor. One of the rare, freshwater ponds in the Garden is named for her. Her living legacy is this significant garden and tropical forest dedicated to preserving the fragile ecosystems of the Florida Keys. Swipe through our photo gallery from the event.
We are open
This historic, rare ecosystem provides a safe and educational alternative through these trying times. There are 15.2 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.
Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day
Closes at 1 p.m., on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
On the calendar today
Open Daily
Hatha Yoga
Scarecrows in the Forest
Save the Date
GardenFest 2024
Save the date: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2024, for our 21st Annual GardenFest. Free admission with something for children, shoppers, gardeners and adults. One of our favorite events.
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
Today students from @montessorikeywest got to propagate and plant native species that help our local wildlife! Students worked with Quailberry and Grey Nickerbean! If you’re interested in a volunteer based field trip, please reach out to education@keywest.garden!
#environmentalstewardship #kwbotanicalgarden #kwvirtualgarden
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Nine decades as Keeper of the Trees
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. Today, we celebrate our almost nine decades of service to the community. 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.
Education
Student and adult education: Speaker Series, Species Spotlight and StoryTime are among our extensive in-person and online courses.
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 & Development
To preserve, develop, expand and maintain the historic Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, cultural heritage museum, wildlife refuge and educational center.
Historical significance
To showcase the historical significance of flora that are native to South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean and emphasize cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys.
Education
To encourage study of this collection and promote the benefits of native vegetation worldwide. The Society shall also provide educational programs for all age groups and various levels of interest geared to Keys residents, tourists, plant experts, and others.
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 requested. Social distance. Group size controlled. Subject to change.
Contact
Phone
305-296-1504
info@keywest.garden
Address
5210 College Road
Key West, FL 33040
