Be magically transported to gardens found in cool, dry climates from around the world at Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome. It’s the biggest greenhouse globally, covering 1.2 hectares. The dome mimics a cool, dry Mediterranean climate. It has gardens that take you around the world. You’ll see the lively plants of South America and the tough ones from South Africa.
Needless to say, the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome is one of the most unique places in Singapore and a must-visit for out-of-town visitors, especially if they are not from temperate countries.
Flower Dome: An Amazing Place to See Flowers from a Mediterranean-like Climate in Tropical Singapore
The Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome and the neighbouring Cloud Forest Dome are the world’s largest columnless greenhouses. The dome’s glass roof seems to defy gravity. It makes a special place for rare plants.
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While most greenhouses are built to keep their interiors warm, these two glass conservatories at Gardens by the Bay are designed to keep the climate inside cool.
The temperature inside the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome is maintained between 23 and 25 degrees Celcius.
This makes it ideal for plants and flowers from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions to thrive under the 3,332 glass panels that make up its dome.
The size of 2.2 football fields or 1.2 Hectares, Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome is divided up into nine different gardens from around the world. They are from different parts of the world like South America, South Africa, and the Mediterranean.
The nine unique gardens are waiting to be explored and show off plant conservation and stunning floral scenes.
Inside, you can enjoy exploring a wide variety of flowers. Plus, it is a nice break from Singapore’s hot weather.
Succulent Garden
Immediately to the right of the entrance is the Succulent Garden.
The Succulent Garden in the Flower Dome feels like a desert, just not as hot. It’s filled with a variety of succulents, like cacti and aloes. These plants are used to dry places and have special features to stay alive, like spines and a wax layer.
In this garden, visitors see how amazing desert plants are. They get to know about plants’ special ways of dealing with tough weather. They are instantly recognisable by their thin needle-like leaves and waxy surface that prevent the loss of water under the hot desert sun.
The Flower Dome’s Succulent Garden is a great place to see how desert plants survive. It’s full of cacti, aloes, and more, showing their unique traits. These features help the plants keep water and keep safe from animals. So, these plants do well in the cool, dry Flower Dome.
If you want to learn more about deserts, don’t miss the Succulent Garden. It demonstrates how plants in deserts have adapted to live in hard conditions.
One section of the Succulent Garden is Alice in Wonderland-themed. Cheekily called Aloes in Wonderland, it is a cute little spot where you can see plants like aloes.
Another feature that you will come across at the Succulent Garden is Kei-Chan, a sculpture by renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The 2.6m-tall sculpture was donated by art collector Lee Tuan.
Baobab and Bottle Trees
Beyond the Succulent Garden are the African Baobabs and Bottle Trees. The trees with distinctly shaped trucks found here include the African Baobab and others.
Known as the Bottle Tree or Tree of Life, these trees are an icon of Africa, offering shelter, food, and even clothing.
Here, you can see the massive African Baobab and other interesting species such as the Drunken Tree and Ghost Tree. These trees highlight the great diversity and strength of African plants. They show us how critical they are to the environment and the people who live there.
One interesting spot that you can view here is a display that shows the inner workings of how they keep the Flower Dome cool.
Australian Garden
To the left of the entrance into the Flower Dome is the Australian Garden. Just as Australia has a unique fauna all its own, its cool-dry deserts support unique flora too. Amongst the plants that are on display are those from Western and South Australia’s deserts. The plants have needle-like leaves and protective coatings. These help them survive wildfires and the tough outback.
At Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome, you can view some of them such as the Kangaroo’s Paw which flowers resemble the paw of the hopping marsupial, and the Grass Tree which can live for up to 600 years.
The Australian Garden plants shows their close bond with nature. You can also see how these plants have adapted to the harsh environment in order to thrive in the cool-dry Australian weather.
The Flower Dome lets visitors dive into the Australian outback while in Singapore. Its display of native flora teaches and amazes people about Australia’s plant life. It shows the resilience and wide variety of these plants.
South African Garden
Follow the Tropic of Capricorn to the South African Garden. The South African Garden in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay showcases plants unique to the area. These plants, called ‘Fynbos,’ are known for their tough features. They have leafs that look like needles and dark leaves that keep moisture. They grow well in sandy soil with few nutrients.
Plants on display here include succulents, shrubs and bulbs that have adapted to grow in low moisture, sandy soil.
Look out for the King Sugar Bush, rarely found in the wild nowadays, and the brilliantly coloured Bird of Paradise.
These plants show how South African flora has adapted to tough environments. The South African Garden is a great place to see this. It helps visitors understand the wide variety and survival skills of the country’s native plants.
South American Garden
A showcase of plants from Central Chile, the South American Garden features the towering Chilean Wine Palm. This area is dedicated to the beautiful and unique plants of Central Chile.
You can also view the national tree of Chile at this garden, one of the standout trees at the South American Garden, the Monkey Puzzle Tree, a distinct conifer from the region.
Additionally, you’ll see the fascinating Puya plants. They grow on rocky surfaces. These add to the garden’s variety and beauty.
The garden gives us a peek at the amazing diversity of plants in South America. It focuses on those that can survive the cool-dry environment. This highlights the plants’ unique abilities to adapt.
From the South American Garden, you can look out at the Flower Field.
Olive Grove
At the Olive Grove, look around and you will see various the olive trees including some that are estimated to be about 1,000 years old.
Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome has about 12 ancient Olive trees. You will sure be amazed by these ancient trees.
It is very rare for the trees to actually grow olives, if they ever do. Perhaps you can look closely at the trees to see if you can spot any olives sprouting. If you can, you can consider yourself very lucky!
Californian Garden
California’s Mediterranean climate is known for its wine and citrus fruit. Climb up the steps to the Californian Garden where can take a seat under a canopy of grapevines.
There are also citrus fruit such as oranges and grapefruit growing here. If you are lucky, you may be able to spot them if you are there at the right time.
Mediterranean Garden
Featuring plants found around the Mediterranean Basin, at the Mediterranean Garden.
You can view the coniferous Stone Pine whose nuts are used in traditional pesto sauce and the bright colours of Mediterranean flowers.
Occasionally, you may find find mini exhibitions being held at the Mediterranean Garden. Just like the South American Garden, the Mediterranean Garden overlooks the Flower Field.
Flower Field
Holding centre stage at the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome is the Flower Field. The Flower Dome’s Flower Field is always changing. It shows different flowers each season. You’ll see a wide range of flowers and displays. They show the beauty and variety of plants with seasonal and festive exhibitions held throughout the year.
Some of the displays that take place at the Flower Dome’s Flower Field throughout the year (subject to change from year to year) include:
- Dahlia Dreams (Lunar New Year display)
- Sakura
- Tuilipmania
- Rose Romance
- Poinsettia Wishes (Christmas display)
Other Useful Things to Know
There is also a restaurant, Hortus, located within the Flower Dome.
Another event space at the Flower Dome is the Flower Field Hall. This is usually used for private events but it may also be occasionally opened for activities.
There are toilets on the way out of the Flower Dome
You can also view various display boxes at the passageway leading to the gift shop. Called Amazing Adaptations, these feature educational videos about flowers and the environment. These are quite entertaining, especially for kids.
When you are done visiting the Flower Field, you can make your way out of the Flower Dome through the gift shop.
Visiting Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome
The Flower Dome is just a short distance away from the main ticketing counter. However, we would recommend that instead of queuing up to purchase tickets, you can purchase tickets online at the Gardens by the Bay website.
The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is one of the best attractions in Singapore. It is definitely worth a visit to marvel at the variety of plants and flowers from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions of the world. Pair a visit to the Flower Dome with a visit to the Cloud Forest for an unforgettable day out at Gardens by the Bay.
Opening Hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Admission fees apply
Website: Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome
If you enjoyed this story, be sure to read our guide to Cloud Forest.
