Lankester Botanical Garden

What is Lankester Botanical Garden?

Lankester Botanical Garden is a public botanical garden covering 11 hectares outside Cartago, Costa Rica. Visitors find a wide range of tropical plants, with a focus on epiphytes—plants that grow on other plants—such as orchids and bromeliads. The garden includes greenhouses, research areas, and a Japanese garden with a pond, teahouse, stone lanterns, arch bridge, and bamboo forest. Paths wind through collections of native and exotic species, offering a peaceful setting for plant lovers and researchers.

The history of Lankester Botanical Garden

The garden began as part of a coffee farm bought by Charles H. Lankester in 1924. Lankester, originally from England, collected orchids and sent them to Kew Gardens for identification. He set aside a section called El Silvestre for orchids and tropical plants. After his death, his daughter sold the property to the University of Costa Rica in 1973, with the condition it remain a botanical garden. The garden grew into a key research and conservation center, with support from orchid societies and horticultural trusts.

What there is to see

The garden is organized with areas for different plant groups, especially epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads. There are greenhouses for delicate species and open areas for hardier plants. The Japanese garden, donated by the Japanese government, features traditional elements such as a pond, teahouse, and bamboo grove. The garden is managed by the University of Costa Rica, which maintains the collections and supports research and education.

When to go

Lankester Botanical Garden is open to the public and serves as a center for scientific research, education, and conservation. It is a major site for orchid study in Central America and the Caribbean. The garden also hosts environmental education programs and provides a peaceful place for visitors to enjoy tropical plants. The Japanese garden adds a cultural dimension, attracting those interested in landscape design.

Parts and collections

The garden holds over 3,000 plant species, with a strong emphasis on orchids and bromeliads. Its collections include both native Costa Rican species and plants from other tropical regions. The Japanese garden is unique in Costa Rica, featuring elements not found elsewhere in the country. The garden’s focus on epiphytes sets it apart from other botanical gardens in the region.

Why Lankester Botanical Garden matters

Lankester Botanical Garden is recognized as a National Center for the Conservation of Flora and a National Epiphyte Sanctuary by Costa Rica’s Environmental Ministry. It is a leading site for orchid research and conservation in Central America and the Caribbean. The Japanese garden, donated by Japan, highlights international cooperation and cultural exchange. The garden’s mission centers on conservation, enjoyment, and sustainable use of tropical plants.

The flowers of Lankester Botanical Garden

OrchidA vast family of colourful, often fragrant flowers found almost everywhere on earth

Plan a visit

🇨🇷 Cartago · All yearOrchids at the Lankester Botanical GardenA university research garden near Cartago with one of the most important orchid collections in the American tropics.

Questions people ask about Lankester Botanical Garden

Good reading and sources

• Official websiteOfficial site

• Lankester Botanical Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data