The more than 10,000 different plant species in the tropical and subtropical greenhouses of the University Botanic Garden are fascinating and flourishing. Get to know special plants, learn more about plants and their relationship with humans or simply enjoy a quiet walk in a beautiful setting.
Over the past 220 years, the Botanic Garden has grown into a unique and valuable place for research, inspiration and tranquility. From 2020, the Botanic Garden and the GUM (Ghent University Museum) will join forces a stone's throw from Gent-Sint-Pieters station and the Citadel Park. The Botanic Garden and the GUM link up with the future Museumplein together with the art museums S.M.A.K. and MSK Ghent.
From the Botanic Garden you have a beautiful view of the work that street art artist ROA made on the facade of the Ghent University Museum.
Get lost in more than 4000m² of greenhouses
With an area of 27,500m², the Ghent Botanic Garden offers a safe haven for more than 10,000 plant species from all over the world. From flowers to edible plants and medicinal herbs, you will find them all on this beautiful domain. In addition to a large outdoor garden with, among other things, an arboretum, a rock garden and a Mediterranean garden, you will also find heated and unheated conservatories in the Botanic Garden.
The indoor and outdoor ponds are not just crowd pleasers. They are also the perfect place to grow and research many types of aquatic plants. The Botanic Garden looks different every day. You see, feel and smell the coming and going of the seasons.
university of Ghent
The Ghent botanic garden is part of the renowned educational institution “Ghent University”. This explains the presence of many students in the greenhouses or arboretum. In addition to the special living collections, a herbarium collection (dried plants, fruits and mushrooms) and a seminotheque (seed bank) are also kept and managed here. Moreover, the botanical garden is also a favorite place to study for many students.
Imagine yourself in the tropics
Explore the different climatic zones. Admire the giant water lilies in the Victoria Greenhouse or discover several well-known utility crops such as coffee, cocoa, papaya and rice. Breathe in the aroma of citrus flowers in the Subtropical Greenhouse and enjoy the Mediterranean climate. With a bit of luck you can even see bananas ripen! Gaze up at the African baobab in the Tropical Conservatory and exhale in the Succulent Conservatory, the ideal habitat for succulents and cacti.
Source: VisitGent