Palm House

The Palm House remains open ahead of its planned renovation in 2027 . You might notice some changes in the Palm House as our expert horticulturists prepare the plants for the renovation. Keep an eye out for signs with more information and updates about the project. Travel to the depths of the rainforest inside the Palm House, where the air is heavy and dense with lush vegetation. Wander through and you’ll discover rainforest treasures like the oldest pot plant in the world or the disease-fighting periwinkle . Many plants in this collection are endangered in the wild, some even extinct. Others – like the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) , African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) , or cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) – are a source of huge value to societies around the world for the fruit, timber, spices or medicine they produce. A living laboratory dedicated to the Earth’s tropical regions, the Palm House is a chance to glimpse the magic of the rainforest for yourself. We’re undertaking an ambitious project to conserve our iconic Palm House and Waterlily House. Look for young specimens of the Madagascan palm, Tahina spectabilis which lives for about 50 years, flowers once, and dies soon after. Discover these prehistoric plants. Resembling palms, cycads were widespread over 250 million years ago, before dinosaurs and well before the appearance of flowering plants. But in 1979, a 12-year-old-boy insisted a drawing he saw at school matched a plant growing near his house on the island. Samples were sent to Kew, and we confirmed that this young schoolboy had rediscovered the long-lost café marron! The Palm House was the first glasshouse built on this scale. It was constructed in 1844 by Richard Turner according to Decimus Burton’s designs. Architects borrowed techniques from the ship building industry to achieve the ambitious vision – which may explain why the Palm House resembles the upturned hull of a ship. We may occasionally need to close attractions for maintenance or visitor safety. Check for planned closures and visitor notices before you visit. Hear from our experts about the remarkable Palm House and the plants and pollinators housed within. Produced in collaboration with our Community. Lauren Gardiner continues the fascinating tale of Tahina spectabilis, and recounts her journey to Madagascar to see the species in the wild, ten years after the discovery of the magnificent Madagascan suicide palm. From prickly cacti to tasty fruit, the Caribbean boasts an amazing variety of plant life. Here are our top picks from Kew’s glasshouses.