Botanic Garden

Opened in 1996, the Botanic Garden has grown to 32 acres of exhibits, and showcases plants from the American Southwest and around the world.

The Botanic Garden’s BUGarium is one of the most elaborate exhibits dedicated to bugs and arthropods in the country.

The Travel Channel cites ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden as one of the top 12 in the country!

Seasonal Update:

Learn more about featured seasonal plants!

African iris, featured on 3/11/26: Dietes iridioides is an evergreen species from South Africa that has one dazzling look and sticks to it! While many species in horticulture come in a variety of colors and patterns as cultivars develop, the African iris is recognizable with its pure white petals splashed with yellow in the center and a trio of violet “arms”, standing on stems up to four feet tall. Each flower only lasts one day but is quickly replaced in intermittent bloom bursts from spring to late fall. These bloom bursts seem to occur in two-week intervals, leading to the other common name of fortnight lily although they are indeed in the iris family and not lilies. 

These tall, striking flowers look like a living bouquet effect when planted in groups and the evergreen leaves provide year-round groundcover like a tall grass. Here in New Mexico, they would need to be moved inside when temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit to be grown as perennials. They are considered relatively low maintenance, somewhat drought tolerant, and may self-seed; but they’ll do best with more consistent moisture in well-drained, moderately fertile soil and need full sun with some afternoon shade for the optimal flower production. African iris can add elegance to your landscape when treated as an annual outdoors, or moved to brighten up an indoor space when the weather cools down!

Bird of paradise, featured 2/11/26: Now blooming in the Mediterranean Conservatory is one of the most well-known and easily recognizable plants in the world: an orange bird of paradise! This species, Strelitzia reginae, is one of only five in the genus Strelitzia which are all native to South Africa. The common name refers to the resemblance of the eye-catching and unique flowers to the brightly colored birds in the family Paradisaeidae, or birds-of-paradise. The orange and blueish-purple flowers of S. reginae are very popular as ornamental plants, known to be low-maintenance and adaptable to being grown in a container so that in colder areas it can be moved indoors for protection in the winter. They can grow up to six feet tall so it’s a large houseplant, but they help purify the air and are considered to be allergy-friendly since they have no airborne pollen which makes them a beautiful addition to your home and garden.

Once established, they are drought-tolerant as well as being relatively wind-resistant. They need sufficient light and can spend time outdoors in Albuquerque once the temperatures are above 70 degrees fahrenheit, but will need protection from scorching in the worst of our heat. They must also be moved indoors when nighttime temperatures are lower than about 60 degrees. To avoid overwatering and rotting the roots the soil can be allowed to dry out slightly, but they prefer consistent moisture with good drainage. Due to slight toxicity, care should be taken when choosing their location to ensure that children, dogs, cats, and horses won’t be tempted to eat the seeds or fruit. When healthy they will flower several times throughout the year, with each spathe holding five to seven flowers that bloom one in succession and last about a week each. Even when not blooming, the large banana-like leaves make it a striking addition to any space!

Boat orchid, featured 2/4/26: One of the oldest genera of horticultural orchids in the world is Cymbidium, mentioned in manuscripts from the 200s CE, and remains one of the most popular today. Their common name is boat orchids (the meaning of Cymbidium is also ‘little boat shape’), which references the shape of the labellum, or lip, and includes more than 50 species and 16 natural hybrids that grow wild in parts of Asia and Australia plus many developed cultivars. They are generally divided into three groups that vary in size, blooming season, and conditions, with the standard boasting flowers around 5 inches wide that bloom in winter or early spring. These larger flowers are triggered to bloom when the difference between night and day is about 10 to 15 degrees so while they are one of the least demanding indoor orchids, they should spend time outside in autumn until the night temperatures are near freezing or have this drop replicated. 

As tropical or subtropical plants, they do need humidity around 50%. If your household is below that, placing the pot in a shallow tray of pebbles with water at the bottom can supplement the humidity as long as the bottom of the pot is not submerged to keep the roots from rotting. They should be kept moist but well-drained, and you shouldn’t use cold or salt-softened water. They are susceptible to sunburn quickly in sunlight that is too intense or direct, but do need bright light especially during the growing season. One way to monitor is by the leaf color: in optimal light they will be a medium green, whereas a dark green indicates too much. The stems can be cut back to the base after flowering to allow for new growth, and they should be repotted every two to three years in fresh medium. With a wide variety of flowers in every color except blue and purple, you can find the perfect Cymbidium for you! Be sure to research any individual needs of your chosen cultivar, and enjoy a vibrant addition to your home or garden.

Meyer lemon, featured 1/27/26: Walking into the enclosed Orangerie, part of the new Lebanon & Beyond garden that meets up with the Mediterranean Conservatory, you’re enveloped in warmth and the delightful scent of many blooming citrus flowers. This space provides winter protection for cold-sensitive plants like the various fruits currently growing there, which includes Meyer lemons. This hybrid, scientific name Citrus x meyeri, is native to China and is more round than a true lemon, with a sweeter flavor. They are a small citrus tree that grows six to 10 feet tall and can produce fruit year-round, yielding thousands of lemons in its lifetime. The more compact size lends itself well to growing in a container that can be moved indoors in New Mexico’s colder winter climate. 

They should be in bright sunlight for at least six hours a day, but will benefit from protection from drying winds or intense afternoon summer sun. Well-draining soil that is consistently moist but not soggy is best, although soil can periodically be allowed to dry out a little. Citrus are heavy feeders and should be regularly supplied with a slow-releasing fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Watch for pests such as aphids, scale, and mealy bugs. These can be treated with horticultural oil or neem oil during cool weather, or insecticidal soap during warmer months. Remember that even these methods can be detrimental to beneficial insects including pollinators, such as the larval swallowtail butterflies that often feed on the leaves of Meyer lemons. You should always start with the least toxic method of control and only treat plants that have pests present. 

When eaten unprepared, Meyer lemons have been compared to tangerines or navel oranges and are often also used in cooking; growing your own at home can be a source of beauty, fragrance, the zen of a little pruning, and a treat for your family!