Hortus Botanicus – Amsterdam’s Botanical Garden Paradise

Back to the roots

Founded in 1638, the Hortus was originally a medicinal herb garden, where doctors and pharmacists were trained. Later, as the Dutch brought back exotic plants from their sailing expeditions, the collection was enriched with plants from around the world. The “crown jewels” include a more than 300-year old Eastern Cape giant cycad and Coffea arabica (Arabian coffee) where a single plant from the Hortus sowed the seeds for an economically important trade. The Hortus also played a large role in the distribution of the oil palm – another plant widely-used in production.

Butterfly exotics

But it’s not just exotic plants that call the Hortus home. Hundreds of tropical butterflies flutter around the small butterfly greenhouse (built in 1896). They lay eggs on the many tropical plants, which include cacao trees, tea, rice, pepper plants, and sugarcane. This is also called the educational greenhouse. Young caterpillars are collected and raised in a separate greenhouse and then in a pupae cabinet. As soon as the butterflies emerge, they are released back into the greenhouse. This truly is a hot-house of education and beauty!

The three-climate greenhouse

If you think that the Hortus is a fusty, old-fashioned museum think again. The three-climate greenhouse is an ultramodern construction, where a computer system automatically controls the temperature and humidity in different areas of the greenhouse. Here, you can wander from a subtropical zone into a warm, desert area and then into the tropical section, while marvelling at plants from as far away as South Africa, Namibia and Australia. Of course, it’s also the ideal place to be on a rainy day or in cold weather.

The doctor will see you now

Not blessed with green fingers? Or want to know the name of that striking plant in your garden? Or why your tulips are not growing? Go see the plant doctor to get to the root of your problem! You can consult him in the Hortus every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m or e-mail your question to plantendokter@dehortus.nl The doctor's advice is free. Afterwards, have a restorative cup of tea or light meal in the gorgeous Orangery café, surrounded by rare and exotic plants.

The Hortus Botanicus offers a diverse programme of lectures and events throughout the year. Whatever the season, Amsterdam’s botanical garden is bound to delight.