Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden offers the world’s largest collection of arid-land plants from deserts of the world in a unique outdoor setting. The Garden has more than 50,000 accessioned plants throughout its five thematic trails, which illustrate topics such as conservation, desert living, plants and people of the Sonoran Desert and desert wildflowers. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, the Garden offers interesting and inspiring experiences to more than 250,000 visitors each year.

In 1938 a small group of Valley citizens gathered in Papago Park to create a botanical garden whose precepts would encourage an understanding, appreciation and promotion of the uniqueness of the world’s deserts, particularly the Sonoran Desert. They foresaw the Valley’s potential and unique identity, envisioning the need to conserve their beautiful desert environment. The Desert Botanical Garden, since its inception in 1939, continues to be a testament to their vision.

The Garden offers a variety of workshops and lectures on horticulture, desert landscaping, ethnobotany, art & photography, natural history and health and wellness. Visit the Garden and enjoy specialized tours, special events, seasonal exhibits, concerts, family activities, an outdoor caf� and the Garden’s gift and plant shop.