The garden was named after William Lloyd, who donated the land to the Agri-Horticultural Society of India.
It contains a fossilized tree trunk estimated to be millions of years old, displayed near the entrance.
The site acts as a repository for rare medicinal plants used in local traditional practices.
The orchid collection includes over 100 species, with a focus on those threatened by habitat loss in the surrounding mountains.
Established in 1878, the Lloyd Botanical Garden serves as an ex-situ conservation site for high-altitude Himalayan flora. The garden is divided into distinct sections, including a specialized conservatory for succulents and cacti. It houses a significant collection of orchids native to the Singalila Range and Eastern Himalayas. The grounds feature a large rock garden and a preserved herbarium with historical botanical specimens. The living collection includes rare species like the Magnolia campbellii and various coniferous trees. The garden serves as a satellite unit of the Indian Botanical Garden in Howrah. Its layout utilizes the natural slope of the Darjeeling hillside, creating tiered terraces for different plant habitats. Visitors can explore various greenhouses containing temperate exotic plants alongside indigenous Himalayan shrubs.
The central rock garden area, which provides a tiered view of the succulents against the backdrop of Darjeeling's hillside architecture.
Wear sturdy, slip-resistant walking shoes as the garden is built on steep, uneven terrain.
Bring a light jacket, as temperatures drop significantly when moving into the shaded, lower terraces.
Check for leeches during the monsoon season when walking through damp, grassy areas.
Attempting to walk the entire perimeter if you have mobility issues, as the steep incline is physically demanding.
Do not pick flowers or remove plant cuttings; remain on marked trails to avoid damaging sensitive flora.
