Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory is a free indoor botanical garden at 19 Horticultural Ave in downtown Toronto. Its six greenhouses hold tropical plants, flowers and cacti, with bamboo, palms, banana and citrus trees among the species to look for. The Palm House, topped by a glass dome, is a highlight; indoor water features add a calm pause among the plants. Opened in 1860, Allan Gardens is a useful green escape in any season, including winter.
Six greenhouses in downtown Toronto
Allan Gardens Conservatory opened in 1860 and has six greenhouses, with more than 16,000 square feet of indoor growing space. The plants include species from tropical regions, among them bamboo, palms, banana trees and citrus trees. Cacti and flowering plants add variety across the collection.
The conservatory gives you a way to see greenery through the colder months as well as in summer. The garden is free to enter, so you can make a short stop or spend longer moving through the different spaces.
The Palm House and its plants
Make time for the Palm House, the conservatory's central glass-domed greenhouse. Its tall glass structure gives the room a different feel from the city outside and makes it a natural place to pause.
Look for orchids, hibiscus and bromeliads among the flowering plants, as well as cacti and larger tropical trees. The collection changes the view from room to room, so take your time rather than treating the greenhouses as a single walk-through.
Water features and a walk outside
Indoor water features bring another element to the visit. Turtles have been seen sunning themselves on rocks near a water wheel, though they may not be visible on every visit. The grounds outside the greenhouses have lawns and views towards Toronto's skyline, including the CN Tower.
If you are drawing or photographing plants, the flowers and the Palm House provide plenty to look at. Check for construction or renovation updates before setting out, since work has affected the entrance route.
FAQ
Is Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory free?
Yes. Entry is free.
How many greenhouses are at Allan Gardens?
The conservatory has six greenhouses.
What can you see at Allan Gardens Conservatory?
The collection includes tropical plants, cacti, orchids, hibiscus and bromeliads. The Palm House and indoor water features are also highlights.
Is Allan Gardens Conservatory open in winter?
Yes. The indoor greenhouses provide a place to see plants and flowers in winter.
