Meet the Plants

How well do you know your neighbors?

How well do you know your neighbors? Not the people who live next door, but the plants that live in our yards, our mountains, and along our streams and coastlines? Tropical plants are some of the most threatened in the world and as good neighbors, it’s our responsibility to get to know and introduce it to others who will care for and protect it too. You’re invited to Meet the Plants and help spread awareness about the threats native Hawaiian and Florida flora face, and what we can do to save plants and people together.

Become an NTBG Member Today!

You can support plant conservation by becoming an NTBG member! Learn more.

Growing Gardenia Remyi

The unique flora and fauna of the islands are declining at an unprecedented rate. With 90% of the 1367 unique plant species in Hawaii endemic to the islands, Hawaii sits atop the list of places with the most endangered and extinct species. The propagation of a rare Hawaiian tree, Gardenia remyi, in our Conservation Nursery shows us a way forward.

Read more

Gardening with Tropical Plants

Check out our tips, tricks, and resources on gardening with tropical and rare plants. The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) has more than 50 years of experience and expertise in propagating and caring for the world’s rarest plants. Learn from the experts and find out why choosing native plants for your home landscape saves plants, and people.

Native Plant Care Fact Sheets

Our plant care fact sheets offer quick tips and guidance on growing tropical and rare plants at home.

Download now

Gardening FAQ

Have questions about gardening with tropical plants? Get answers here!

Go now

Meet Hawaii’s Native Plants

Dodoneae viscosa – Aalii

Brighamia insignis – Alula

Pritchardia hillebrandii – Loulu

Meet Florida’s Native Plants

Cyrtopodium punctatum – Beeswarm Orchid

Erythrina herbacea – Coral Bean

Eugenia rhombea – Red Stopper

Find

We have hundreds of plants from our gardens in our tropical plant database. Each plant can be found in one or more of our five gardens.

Know what you’re looking for? Enter its name in the search box. Just want to explore the world of tropical plants? Use our Explore feature.

Events
News

Thu Sep 29, 2022

2022 Global Breadfruit Summit

NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute is co-hosting the 2022 Global Breadfruit Summit on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in Honolulu. Register Today!

Event Details

Wed Aug 3, 2022

Webinar Series

Zoom | Webinar

NTBG’s webinar series is back in 2022 for another round of behind-the-science chats with our science and conservation staff. Register today!

Event Details

Tue Aug 2, 2022

Tropical Plant Week

Online | Bidding For Good

Bid in our online auction today! Join us online for Tropical Plant Week from August 31 to September 7 to celebrate and give back to plants.

Event Details

Sun Jul 31, 2022

Weekly Aloha Market

South Shore Visitor Center | 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756

Head to our South Shore Visitor Center on Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to explore Kauai made gifts & crafts at our Weekly Aloha Market.

Event Details

Five Ways to Give on GivingTuesday

Wed Sep 21, 2022

Everyone can have an impact on #GivingTuesday! Support NTBG on November 29 by checking out these five ways to give on #GivingTuesday.

Full Article

Introducing the Mamba

Tue Sep 13, 2022

A team of scientists designed a robotic arm to collect endangered plants from remote cliffs while suspended by a drone. Watch it in action.

Full Article

Ko (Saccharum officinarum)

Thu Aug 11, 2022

For early Hawaiians, ko (Saccharum officinarum) was more than a sweetener. Find out more about this fascinating plant and its many uses.

Full Article

A Global Partnership That Feeds

Tue Aug 2, 2022

One of the Breadfruit Institute’s most successful partnerships is with the Trees That Feed Foundation. Learn more about our work

Full Article

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