The Palm House has re-opened after a substantive restoration. Six new indoor, accessible universal public washrooms are now open during regular hours of operation.
Allan Gardens Conservatory
This indoor botanical garden features five greenhouses.
Greenhouses
Northwest House: Arid
The Arid House is home to a large display of unusual cacti and succulents, including agave, opuntia, haworthia and aloe.
Northeast House: Tropical
The Tropical House features a mix of plants from equatorial regions.
East House: Palm
The greenhouse is closed for heritage restoration.
The Palm House is located between the Tropical House and the Temperate Show House.
Southwest House: Orchid and Bromeliad
The Orchid and Bromeliad House displays include equatorial plants.
Southeast House: Temperate
The Temperate Show House showcases seasonal flower shows and has a Koi pond.
There is no coat check or lockers at this conservatory.
Pets and Service Animals
Pets are not allowed within the conservatory. Service animals are allowed.
Food and Drink
Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the conservatory.
Photography
Quick photography for personal use is allowed. Stay on the paths and out of garden collections.
Extended photoshoots, wedding photography or anything that requires set-up, equipment or staging and/or requires exclusive use of space or inhibits the use of the space by other visitors requires a permit.
Drones are not allowed in the conservatory or the park.
The land on which Allan Gardens conservatory and park sits was donated to the Horticultural Society of Toronto to be used as free, publicly accessible space donated to plant display in 1958 by George Allan a local politician and landowner. In 1879, the horticultural society opened the horticultural pavilion and conservatory on the site which was used to host events and flower shows. The building was destroyed by fire in 1902.
In 1910, a new classically proportioned palm house conservatory building, designed by Robert McCallum, opened and is the central heritage feature on the site today. The conservatory has been expanded – once in 1920 and once in 1957 with the four show house wings.
In 2004 the University of Toronto donated the final Conservatory building, originally built in 1932. This building is used for teaching and programming by the Friends of Allan Gardens.
The Friends of Allan Gardens is a non-profit group working with the City and dedicated to preserving and enhancing Allan Gardens. You can support the Friends by donating online .
Beginning in 2022, the City undertook a comprehensive restoration and systems upgrade of the Palm House heritage building. Other renovations include the administration building, public washrooms and related park improvements.
These improvements will consist of:
Window glazing and glass cladding replacement
Ventilation and air quality systems and controls
New barrier free public washroom facilities with improved access from the Conservatory, Park and Playground
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