Discover a unique botanical museum: Hortus botanicus Leiden

Visit the Hortus botanicus Leiden

What is a hortus botanicus?

Hortus botanicus is the Latin term for a botanical garden. This is a garden that is specifically designed for the study, display and growing of countless plants. Usually, a botanical garden has greenhouses and themed gardens according to the origin or purpose of certain plants. 

The importance of a botanical museum

A botanical garden or museum is a very important institution. Not only within the field of botany, but also within our society overall. There are three main reasons for the importance of a botanical museum:

• Preserving biodiversity: our natural world is constantly changing and evolving. On top of that, climate change threatens biodiversity all over the world. A botanical garden preserves this biodiversity. Within the protected surroundings of the garden, rare plants can be grown and preserved. Cuttings from these plants can be distributed all over the world, so that everyone can enjoy these beautiful pieces of nature.
• Educating the public: the preservation of these rare flowers, plants and trees also gives the public an opportunity to study and admire plants that are not native to their own region. It is also a way for visitors to learn more about plant life, ecology and the conservation of biodiversity.
• Scientific research: on top of all these reasons, botanical gardens and botanical museums also serve as hubs for scientific research. That is why the local university usually partners up with the botanical museum. Students and researchers can study the plants and use them within their research.

The difference between a botanical museum and a museum of natural history

Botanical museums sometimes get confused with museums of natural history. However, there is a stark difference between the two. A botanical garden or botanical museum has a specialized focus on plant life, while a museum of natural history covers a much wider range of topics about the natural world. On top of that, the botanical gardens feature living plants. A museum of natural history usually features mostly, if not only objects that are no longer alive. Think about fossils, minerals or bones.

The Hortus botanicus Leiden

The Hortus botanicus Leiden is the green heart of Leiden. With numerous greenhouses and a beautiful orangery built in 1745 you can get lost in a big garden filled with beautiful plants. These plants came from anywhere in the world: the jade flowers come from the Philippines, the ginkgo biloba tree is native to China and the giant water lily comes from South-America. Discover the crown jewels, visit the visitor centre in the Old Observatory or pick one of the thematic walking routes. Wander through the unique collection, learn more about plants and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Visit the Hortus Botanicus Leiden