Garfield Park Conservatory’s mission is to examine, explore, experiment with, and explain our relationship with plants. Over our more than one hundred year history, we have pursued those goals and more. We continue to grow exotic plants in striking landscapes, creating the world in Chicago’s backyard. Our collection is constantly evolving. We acquire new specimens, we create new hybrids, and our Show House changes several times a year. Visit the display houses at the Garfield Park Conservatory to experience an historical icon in constant transformation.
Aroid House
Hours: Closed for Repairs
Indoor gardeners are sure to find something familiar here; many aroids are popular houseplants. A variety of aroids growing in a landscape setting are on display. A spectacular feature is the "Persian Pool", sixteen yellow lily pads surrounding a serene lagoon, which was created by the world acclaimed glass artist Chihuly expressly for the Aroid House. Learn More ‣
Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; Wednesdays till 8:00 pm
Indoors, The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden provides a fun and comfortable setting for families and school children. A giant, meandering vine with larger-than-life sized roots, seed, leaves and flower provides opportunities for children to play while learning about plants. Families are welcome at this haven for children with its interactive displays. Learn More ‣
Desert House
Hours: Closed for Repairs
The Desert House holds one of the region's most varied collections of cacti and succulents. These plants owe their popularity to their spectacular and unique forms, the promise of brilliant, short-lived flowers and their ability to withstand harsh, dry conditions. The size of plants in this room varies from the tiny living stone plant to the large century plants. Learn More ‣
Fern Room
Hours: Closed for Repairs
Jens Jensen, who designed the Conservatory in 1906, wanted to give visitors a glimpse of what Illinois might have looked like millions of years ago. Lush ferns, rocky outcroppings and an indoor lagoon evoke the swampy landscape of prehistoric Chicago. The Fern Room is home to the cycads; ancient cone-bearing plants. Learn More ‣
Horticulture Hall
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; Wednesdays till 8:00 pm
Named one of Chicago's top ten event venues, this rental space sparkles with holiday lights and blooms with festive flowers and greenery. This room houses bistro tables for the public to sit and enjoy the greenery around them or have a snack. Learn More ‣
Palm House
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; Wednesdays till 8:00 pm
Designed as an idealized tropical landscape, it's where graceful palms, interspersed with a variety of other tropicals, soar up to a vaulted ceiling. This room features a massive Scheelea Palm which is probably the largest of its kind in any conservatory in the country. In 2003 the Palm House underwent a restoration of its structure and plant collection. Learn More ‣
Show House
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; Wednesdays till 8:00 pm
This room is the site of spectacular flower shows each year: the Spring, Summer, and Holiday Shows. All of the plant material displayed in the shows is grown at the Conservatory. This room was damaged in the 2011 hailstorm and reopened in 2014 with the original 1908 layout of the room restored. Learn More ‣
Sugar from the Sun
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily; Wednesdays till 8:00 pm
Stroll through four exotic botanical environments to discover how right now, inside every leaf, plants are capturing sunlight and using it to change small parts of air and water into sugar – the energy that sustains life on Earth. Learn More ‣