Inside Denmark's biggest collection of living plants

The Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen are part of the University of Copenhagen and Natural History Museum of Denmark. 

Inside the tropical palm house dating back in time to 1874

The gardens house the largest collection of living plants in Denmark, with over 13,000 species, and a historic glasshouse (Palm House) dating back to the 19th century. Its architecture was inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, built for the Great Exhibition. 

In total there are 27 glasshouses! This makes these botanical gardens an incredibly inspiring place if you are interested in gardening or tropical plants, with lots to explore if you are looking for a retreat from the city.

The giant bamboo plant in the Palm House grows up to 40cm per day, and needs to be trimmed several times each year. The gardeners keep a close eye on this plant as one year it grew out through the top of the glass roof! 

Cycads in the collection in Palm House were brought from Mexico and India in the 1800s, and have scientific value as one of the world’s most ancient plant lineages.

The garden even has a greenhouse with air-conditioning to re-create environments suitable for Arctic plants.

Today you can visit the gardens year round. Tag us in your photos @stormflowersgarden to be featured on our feed, and share your stories of what you discover there.

How to get there

Natural History Museum of Denmark
Botanical Garden
Gothersgade 128
1123 Copenhagen K

Travel: The garden is a 5 minute walk from Nørreport Station, an S-train, metro and main line railway station in Copenhagen.

Entry: Garden entry is free, or 60 DKK for an adult ticket to the Palm House and Butterfly House 

Opening times: Garden open daily 8.30am to varied closing times throughout the year. The Palm House is open Tuesday-Sunday 10.00am to varied closing times throughout the year. (The Palm House is open on Mondays in July and August only.)

Find out more on the University of Copenhagen website