Gardens
Welcome to Our Botanical Garden
We are thrilled to announce that Zoo Miami has been awarded Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. Zoo Miami is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
Visit Zoo Miami and immerse yourself in the wild and beautiful gardens that complement the incredible array of animals you'll encounter during your visit. Our year-round tropical climate allows us to cultivate a diverse range of plants and flowers from all corners of the globe, including exquisite native species from Florida and unique specimens from exotic locales.
At Zoo Miami, there's always something growing and flourishing. Whether it's a stunning bloom, a riot of colors, or a unique plant structure, our gardens constantly offer something new and captivating to discover.
Moreover, our gardens serve as repositories of valuable heritable characteristics, playing a pivotal role in breeding new plant varieties. In line with contemporary objectives of botanical gardens, we maintain extensive plant collections, carefully labeled with both common and scientific names, along with their regions of origin.
Zoo Miami takes pride in being a member of both the Association of Zoological Horticulture (AZH) and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). To delve deeper into our gardens, explore the pages below, and as you visit, take a moment to appreciate the many plant species marked with plant and tree ID tags.
Notably, Zoo Miami is one of the few zoos in the world that recycles animal waste into compost. Learn More about this sustainable initiative.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Experience the breathtaking flora growing throughout the zoo and gardens. Keep an eye out for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other garden dwellers as you explore wildflowers, medicinal plants and much more.
Zoo Miami and the Gardens consist of over 750 different species of trees, palms, and woody plants (over 4,000 trees and plants). You can see these amazing species the very moment you drive down the spectacular zoo boulevard, where you will see many large majestic Royal and Bismarck Palms, which lead into the parking areas shaded by Live Oak Trees, Mahogany Trees, and many other types of trees. At the main entrance, you will find Florida native Pine Rockland displays.
Zoo Miami is surrounded by over 100 acres of these endangered Pine Rockland.
To learn more about what is flowering in Florida or for gardening solutions click HERE.
Themed Gardens
As you explore the zoo, you will discover various themed gardens that are sure to captivate your attention and create a sense of tranquility. The atmosphere will transport you to the native locations of the plants, making you feel as if you are visiting those places.
Here's an outline of our themed gardens:
Garden Conservation
At Zoo Miami, we understand the vital role that plants play in maintaining the balance and stability of the natural world, which sustains life on Earth. They serve as the primary source of the oxygen we breathe, provide the food we consume, and supply the essential raw materials for shelter, clothing, medicines, fuels, and countless other products crucial to human survival.
Landscape environments possess tremendous potential to positively impact the environment and counteract environmental degradation. A sustainable landscape has the capacity to purify the air and water, enhance energy efficiency, restore habitats, and ultimately return valuable natural benefits that are essential for both human and ecological well-being.
By actively promoting conservation and sustainability, we safeguard our precious natural resources, enhance our overall quality of life, and ensure the well-being of our communities and the environment.
Zoo Miami is committed to integrating sustainability into all aspects of our operations.
Significant trees located throughout Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami has notable trees that provide shade throughout your visit and provide food, protection, and homes for many birds. Some trees that you will encounter as you walk through our walkways are but limited to Black Olives, Ficus, Crape Myrtle, Japanese Fern Tree, Plumeria, and Royal Poinciana.
