University of Warsaw Botanic Garden

Botanical garden

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The University of Warsaw Botanic Garden was founded in 1818. It is one of the oldest and smallest botanical gardens in Poland. It is situated in the central and historical area of the capital – the Royal Route – neighbouring Łazienki Park, Belweder Palace and Ujazdów Castle. It is a remarkable place, storing an extraordinary collection of native and foreign flora (more than 5000 species).

The plant collections of the Garden are divided into different thematic sections, for example, the Ornamental Plants, Plant Systematics or Polish Lowland Flora sections. The Garden’s unique atmosphere is created by majestic, monumental trees. Some of them, like the ginkgo, or the ash, are more than 200 years old. The tropical plant collections are gathered in greenhouses with different climatic conditions.

The Garden’s mission can be summarised in one sentence: we explore, pro-tect and teach about the world of plants for a better future for humanity.

We are a scientific institution, associated with the University of Warsaw from our inception. We conduct research on, alongside other topics, the biology and evolution of plant pollination, relationships between plants and pollinating animals, plant species growing in places heavily transformed by man, and research on fungi, including the relationship between fungi and insects.

The main aim of the Garden is to protect biodiversity. Especially precious to us are a range of endangered species that can be found growing in the garden and in the greenhouses.

We support activities related to the implementation of the Washington Convention (CITES), the purpose of which is to protect endangered species of plants and animals which are traded internationally.

We are an important educational institution. We popularise science and knowledge, not only about Polish and world flora, but we also educate the public about local and global environmental challenges related to climate change, ecology and food security.

We encourage living close to nature, and we aim to inspire visitors to discover and protect the world around them.