800
plants being prepared for reinstating back in the Palm Houses
The Projects
In a world where 40% of plant species are under threat, botanic gardens have never been more needed or their mission more urgent.
Our restoration of our iconic Palm Houses will showcase the world of plants under glass, and seek to address the twin threats of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.
Preparing the Plants for return
Before the Palm House restoration work could begin, hundreds of plants had to be carefully removed for safekeeping and tended by our Horticulturists in other Glasshouses on-site. Now, as the renovation work in the Palm Houses nears completion, it’s time to prepare our plants for the journey back home. Find out more from our Horticulturists Kevin and Marc and learn about two of the key plants we will be showcasing once the Palm Houses reopen.
Watch: Restoring the Palm Houses
Glasshouse Supervisor Fiona Inches explores the newly restored Tropical Palm House and shares progress on the Temperate House in our May 2025 restoration update.
Restoration Update
All of the glasswork is complete, and work on the structure is nearing completion. The inside landscaping will begin later in the year.
In anticipation of the completion of restoration work, an ambitious new planting plan is being developed for the Palm Houses. Now designed as a single, temperate space, the building will showcase species that thrive in cool, temperate rainforests with a focus on palms interplanted with ferns – a subtle nod to the passions of the Victorians who created these wonderful buildings.
Your donations have had a huge impact.
Each pane of glass has been replaced with robust glass. This will ensure that the precious plants within are protected.
We will be bringing back exquisite species of plants, some rare and under threat in their native habitats. The Palm Houses will be opened as one space for the first time since 1871.
They will house a temperate rainforest (including fernery) with new pathways to lead visitors through. The new visitor experience will inspire a new generation, as well as welcome and awe those who are returning.
This restoration is more than architectural revival; it's a commitment to our future. From children to global explorers, our revitalized Palm Houses will be a living classroom, showcasing the beauty and importance of these exquisite plants.
Picture yourself strolling through a temperate rainforest, guided by new pathways that lead you through a journey of discovery. Here, the key themes of conservation and climate solutions will unfold, inviting everyone to be a part of something bigger.
600
metres sq of rusted ironwork repaired and restored
5750
panes of glass replaced
The Palm Houses and our Living Collection
RBGE is home to one of the world's richest collections of living plants with more than 130,000 plants in our care, and 13,500 distinct species in cultivation built up over centuries from across the globe.
These A Listed Heritage buildings are instrumental in documenting the past, nurturing the present and protecting the future. They, along with the research Glasshouses and Front Range, are home to 40% of our unique plant collection and enable us to protect against a loss of genetic diversity, and reduce the risk of extinction for species threatened in the wild.
Find out more about the history of the Palm Houses
