Allan Gardens Conservatory

Discover in towering palm trees, ponds with koi fish and turtles, vibrant orchids, unique desert cacti and a great diversity of plants, all under one roof. Perfect for a peaceful walking, educational outing, or even a special event.

A Greenhouse Tour

This historic botanical garden, established in 1859, offers five distinct greenhouses, each showcasing a unique climate and plant collection:

• Northwest House: This greenhouse has a variety of different cacti and succulents, such as agave, opuntia, haworthia, and aloe.

• Northeast House: This house has plants from tropical regions of the world. 

• East House (Palm House): This house is closed right now because it’s being fixed. Therefore, renovation is expected to be over by 2025. The plants of this house are now in the Cloud Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatory.

• Southwest House: This house shows orchids and bromeliads, which are also from warm, equatorial places, as well as a pond with turtles.

• Southeast House: This house has different flowers that change with the seasons, and it also has a pond with koi fish.

Photography

You can take quick photos for yourself, but please stay on the paths and don’t touch the plants.

If you want to take photos for a special event like a wedding, or if you need to bring a lot of equipment, you’ll need to get a permit.

Friends of Allan Gardens

A volunteer-based organization that is working to imagine and lead the revitalization of Allan Gardens. Friends of Allan Gardens promotes programs and activities in this space such as the Farmers’ Market event.

Update – January 2025:

Allan Gardens Conservatory has some sections under renovation, however, most areas will still be open for the public while the work is happening.

The city of Toronto is renovating the East House (Palm house) building, which is programmed to be finished by the first quarter of 2025.

They’re also making changes to the administration building, bathrooms, and other parts of the conservatory.

Please notice that, while the construction work is ongoing, there are two greenhouses that are available but not connected. Therefore, after visiting one section, you would need to go outside to access the other available section of Allan Gardens. The distance between the two greenhouses is just 190 meters.

While the renovation project is in progress, portable washrooms are available in the parking lot area, near the playground. Two of the portable washrooms (one is accessible) are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.