Browse Gardens

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

image

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

Download now

Gardening FAQ

image

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

Go now

Meet Hawaii’s Native Plants

image Dodoneae viscosa – Aalii
image Brighamia insignis – Alula
image Pritchardia hillebrandii – Loulu

Meet Florida’s Native Plants

image Cyrtopodium punctatum – Beeswarm Orchid
image Erythrina herbacea – Coral Bean
image 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.

Mon Mar 13, 2023

Symbiotic House at The Kampong
The Kampong | 4013 Douglas Rd, Miami, FL 33133

Symbiotic House is a project catalyzed by Lee Pivnik in 2022 to research and develop adaptive architectural solutions to Miami’s environmental precarity, and to conceptualize and design a “multi-use space for multi- species survival”.

Event Details
Thu Mar 2, 2023

ʻĀina Day
South Shore Visitor Center | 4425 Lawai Rd

Join us for ʻĀina Day at NTBG as we share and celebrate the ways we can mālama Hawaiʻi through plants. Take home a free ʻōhiʻa tree* and learn how to care for Hawaiian native plants through educational activities, cultural demonstrations, and more.

Event Details
Sun Feb 12, 2023

Native Plant Propagation Workshop
3530 Papalina Road, Kalaheo HI 96741

Are you a member? Join us for this special event as Mike DeMotta, Curator of Living Collections, shares his knowledge about Hawaiʻi’s flora and teaches you how to grow native plants in their own yard or growing space.

Event Details
Sun Feb 12, 2023

2023 Florilegium Art Show
3530 Papalina Road | Kalaheo, HI 96741

Join us at our Botanical Research Center on Kauaʻi for the 2023 Florilegium Art Show. The show will be open every Thursday in March from 9 am – 12 pm.

Event Details

NTBG Environmental Journalism Program Accepting applications for 2023
Tue Jan 31, 2023
Full Article

NTBG President Charles R. “Chipper” Wichman Retires
Sat Dec 31, 2022

Concluding a nearly half-century career with the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), Charles R. “Chipper” Wichman, the organization’s president and former chief executive officer, is retiring at the end of 2022

Full Article

Flora of Samoa Available for Purchase
Fri Dec 16, 2022

W. Arthur Whistler’s Flora of Somoa: Flowering Plants is now available for purchase.

Full Article

Plant Conservation Wins of 2022
Wed Nov 23, 2022

As we enter the final weeks of 2022, it’s important to take stock of our plant conservation wins. Here’s what we accomplished with your help!

Full Article

Add impact to your inbox

Join our mailing list for timely plant saving news and information

X