Carolus Clusius, the garden's first prefect, is credited with introducing the tulip to the Netherlands in the late 16th century.
The garden holds a globally significant collection of Asian orchids and is a world leader in the cultivation of the genus Hoya.
A portion of the garden displays plants that were historically significant to the Dutch East India Company trade.
The ginkgo biloba tree on the premises was planted in 1785, making it one of the oldest of its species in Europe.
It is home to the Siebold Memorial Garden, which commemorates the work of Philipp Franz von Siebold in introducing Japanese plants to the West.
Founded in 1590, Hortus Botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world. It serves as a research facility for Leiden University, housing an extensive collection of plants from across the globe. The site features the Clusius Garden, a reconstructed 16th-century botanical garden based on Carolus Clusius's original layouts. Its tropical glasshouses contain specialized collections of ferns, orchids, and cycads. The grounds include the Winter Garden and the massive Victoria amazonica water lily house. Visitors can access a specialized cafe located on the premises for refreshments. The garden layout reflects centuries of botanical history and academic study. It remains a key center for the study of Asian flora and medicinal plants.
The interior of the glass-walled Victoria house, particularly during the flowering season of the giant water lilies.
Check the seasonal bloom calendar on their official website to time your visit with specific collections like the orchid flowering period.
Use the provided educational signage to identify rare species collected during historical scientific expeditions.
Bring a light sweater, as the temperature and humidity levels in the tropical glasshouses differ significantly from the outdoor sections.
Do not mistake the public park sections for purely ornamental gardens; many areas are active, delicate research zones.
Closed on December 25th and January 1st; occasionally closed for private university events.
Stay on marked paths to protect delicate research plants; climbing or picking flowers is strictly prohibited.
