Peace and tranquility are what visitors will find at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. With 9 acres of breathtaking and colorful displays and more than 20,000 exotic plants, visitors can explore the most diverse collection of bromeliads and orchids in the world. This botanical garden has it all, with an impressive 20 different habitats such as bamboo, live oaks, mangroves, succulents, and much more. Visit one of their many educational events or come to gaze through their massive kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a respected center for research and education, as well as a famous showplace that delights more than 130,000 visitors each year. Our visitors see beautiful horticultural displays and learn from our many educational programs. They also take away with them a better understanding and greater appreciation of the natural world and the challenge it faces.

Orchids make up nearly a third of the 20,000 species of flowers and plants here. You can stroll through the Tropical Display House, home of orchids and colorful bromeliads gathered from rain forests, and wander the garden pathway past plantings of bamboo, ancient banyans, and mangrove forests along Little Sarasota Bay. Although spring sees the best blooms, the greenhouses make this an attraction for all seasons. The added bonus is a spectacular view of downtown. There are rotating exhibits of botanical art and photography in a 1934 restored Southern Colonial mansion. Enjoy lunch at the Local Coffee + Tea, a café in the historic Selby House.

This garden is said to be one of the largest gardens in the continent that mostly is based on the purpose of research of epiphytes especially orchids and bromeliads. It is also said that the thousands of bromeliad varieties here make it the largest collection of the flowers in the whole world. Apart from orchids and bromeliads there are many other varieties of herbs and blooms in this beautiful area such as banyans, bamboo, live oaks, palms, mangroves, succulents, wildflower, cycads and many others. There is also a cute little pond in here around which you will find many ducks and swans most of the year. The gardens in the heart of the city is again further divided into quite a few parts such as: Bromeliad Identification Centre- This is where you will find information about the largest collection of this rare flower in the world. The Herbarium consists of thousands of varieties of medicinal, tropical and neo tropical plants. The Christy Payne House- It is the garden gallery where you will find a fantastic display of photographs of the flora here. The Research Library has a wide range of books and journals based on plants and herbs and also the journals of the research work done here. The Spirit Collection is the world’s second largest such collection of fluids and juices extracted from the sweet flowers.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens specialize in epiphytes, especially orchids and bromeliads, and boast one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world. The staff at this lush tropical oasis is devoted to growing, preserving, and studying these plants. Rest on a bench or have a snack at the cafe. Artists are encouraged to bring their sketchbooks. Consider bringing insect repellant. See Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and all Sarasota has to offer by arranging your trip with our Sarasota trip planner.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens cover 15 acres, 9 of which are display gardens, featuring more than 20 thousand living plants. Spectacular and serene, the site is a great place to visit if you enjoy walking through beautiful gardens. Plant enthusiasts will rejoice at the possibility to see and learn about the multitude of species and specimens displayed, and the most devoted aficionados can visit the Selby Gardens Research Library hosting more than 8 thousand volumes, including rare and hard to find botanical books. All the plants are divided into separate gardens. You’ll find a tropical conservatory, a fern garden, a bamboo garden, a fragrance garden, and more. Children will enjoy the Kid’s Corner in the Selby House. Besides, you’ll get the chance to marvel at the mesmerizing koi pond, tropical and coastal palms, mangrove walkway and majestic views of the Sarasota Bay, butterfly garden, waterfalls and plenty of other wonders featured on site.