Balata Garden

What is Balata Garden?

Balata Garden covers three hectares and features winding paths through dense plantings of tropical species. The site is known for its collection of palms, with hundreds of types, as well as displays of anthuriums, begonias, bromeliads, and bamboos. Visitors walk among lush greenery, with views of the nearby Pitons du Carbet mountains. The garden also includes areas with cycads, heliconias, and mahogany trees, creating a varied landscape for plant enthusiasts.

The history of Balata Garden

The garden was created on land that had previously been used for farming. Work began in the early 1980s, led by horticulturist Jean-Philippe Thoze. After several years of planting and design, the garden opened to the public in the mid-1980s. Its location on the Route de Balata, just outside Fort-de-France, makes it accessible for visitors exploring Martinique. The garden’s setting offers both cultivated plant displays and scenic views of the surrounding landscape.

What there is to see

Balata Garden is organized with themed plantings and winding paths. The collection includes palms, anthuriums, begonias, bromeliads, cycads, heliconias, mahogany, Musa nana, and bamboo. Plants are grouped to highlight their forms and colors, and the garden is maintained year-round. Visitors pay an entrance fee and can explore the grounds daily, enjoying the diversity of tropical plants from many regions.

When to go

The garden is open to the public throughout the year. It serves as a place for people to see and learn about tropical plants, both local and from other parts of the world. Visitors can stroll the paths, view the collections, and enjoy the mountain scenery. The garden is a destination for plant lovers, tourists, and anyone interested in Martinique’s natural beauty.

Parts and collections

Within Balata Garden, there are extensive collections of certain plant groups. The palm collection alone includes around 300 types. Other notable groups are anthuriums, begonias, bromeliads, cycads, and bamboos. Each group is displayed in its own section, allowing visitors to compare different species and varieties side by side.

Why Balata Garden matters

Balata Garden is part of Martinique’s network of botanical gardens and is listed among France’s notable gardens. It draws visitors interested in horticulture and tropical plants. The garden’s design and plant collections reflect the island’s botanical diversity and its links to tropical flora from around the world.

The flowers of Balata Garden

BegoniaA vast group of colourful, shade-loving flowering plants from warm climatesAnthuriumA tropical plant with glossy leaves and a colorful, often heart-shaped spatheParakeet flowerA tropical plant with upright red and yellow flowersFlamingo FlowerA tropical plant with heart-shaped leaves and vivid red or pink spathesBegonia × tuberhybridaHybrid begonias grown for their large, colourful flowers from tubersHeliconiaTropical plants with bold, colorful bracts and banana-like leavesHeliconia rostrataA tropical plant with hanging red and yellow bracts, native to South AmericaHeliconia bihaiA tall tropical plant with upright, water-holding flowers

Plan a visit

🇲🇶 Fort-de-France · All yearThe Balata garden above Fort-de-FranceA hillside tropical garden in Martinique, thick with anthuriums, heliconias and torch ginger, and busy with hummingbirds.

Questions people ask about Balata Garden

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Balata Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data