Warming up at tropical plant greenhouses in the Netherlands

The first months of the new year are always gray, cold and dreary. That’s why we could use some tropical atmospheres. A visit to a tropical plant greenhouse in a botanical garden is wonderful especially during this cold period. Unfortunately, although some tropical plant greenhouses open a little later because of winter, some are open all year round.

Hortus Botanicus Leiden

The Hortus Leiden can be found right in the center of the city. The garden was created in 1590, making it the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. They have several greenhouses on the grounds including a tropical plant greenhouse where you can enjoy the most beautiful exotic plant species. Many of these tropical species were brought to Europe during the VOC era and thus ended up in the botanical gardens. The first unheated greenhouse was built back in 1680, but it was soon discovered that tropical plants really need a different climate. In winter, this greenhouse was heated with coal. Only from 1937 were the current greenhouses built. And it is definitely a must-see!

Botanical gardens of Utrecht University

The Botanical Gardens of Utrecht can be found in the Science Park and are part of the University of Utrecht. These gardens are closed during the winter and will reopen from March 1, 2022. The Botanical Gardens of Utrecht have several tropical plant greenhouses where different species of plants are cared for and grown. Research is also done there. There is even a butterfly greenhouse, so once they are open again the gardens are definitely worth a visit.

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

The Hortus in Amsterdam is hard at work in the greenhouses this period. The Three-Climate Greenhouse is a real eye-catcher and should really stand out a bit more. The Three-Climate Greenhouse is divided into three climate zones: the subtropics, the desert and the tropics. Each zone separately has its own climate control. Different routes take visitors through the Cape bush, the dry desert and the tropical jungle. After 30 years, this greenhouse is in need of an update, so remodeling has begun. So keep an eye on the Hortus Amsterdam website so you know when you can come back to look around in it again.

Pantropica in Luttelgeest

Pantropica in Luttelgeest is not just a tropical plant greenhouse: it has everything for a fun day out. There is also a butterfly garden and various exotic animal species. Fun fact: this huge complex is still a family business. The Orchideeënhoeve originated in 1919 when great-grandfather Maarssen decided to start for himself. He bought a field in Aalsmeer where he started growing lilacs, carnations and chrysanthemums. In 1930, a carpenter friend built a greenhouse on the property and the Pantropic was born! After some wanderings, the enormous tropical plant greenhouse eventually settled in Luttelgeest and has since grown into the largest tropical attraction in Europe.

Tropical greenhouse Beesterzwaag

In Friesland, you will find the Tropical Plant Greenhouse Beetsterzwaag. This is a great place to look around if you are in the area. Besides the tropical plant greenhouse, you can also enjoy orangeries, a grape greenhouse and several cold greenhouses. You can book a tour there to learn all about the different plants there.

Exotic Garden Center The Equator

Want to bring tropical plants into your home in addition to looking? You can at Exotic Garden Center De Evenaar in Etten-Leur. But even if you have no plans to take a tropical plant into your home, there is plenty to see and do. Of course the tropical plant greenhouse is a must see, but there is more. For example, there is an Oriental market, there are Buddhas of all shapes and sizes and you can participate in the squirrel experience. In this 10,000 m2 bamboo garden, you can discover at least 15 different species of squirrels. You can even feed them! The squirrels can be admired again from the end of March. In winter they don’t show themselves as much.

Earlier we wrote a blog about garden centers. You might also like to read that blog. You can find it here.

Credits photos: www.canva.com