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The Glasshouse

The huge cathedral-like Glasshouse, covering the area of 10 tennis courts and rising to 12m (40ft) high, is home to the RHS’s world-class tender plant collection

Opening times

Daily, 10am – 3.45pm (last entry 3.15pm)

Admission

Admission is free once you have entered the garden

Closure notice: Due to annual maintenance The Glasshouse will be closed between 24–28 March.

Step into a spectacular plant journey

Entering the Glasshouse is like walking into a jungle – tree ferns, tall palms, lush-leaved creepers and dazzling flower displays give a feeling of lushness and drama. As you follow the path, the environment and climate changes gradually, taking you on a tour through the world of plants, including many difficult to grow, rare and endangered species.

There are three climatic zones to explore: tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate. 

Moist temperate zone: Welcome to the cloud forest

The shadier, east side of the Glasshouse is heated to 8–12°C and kept humid, allowing us to grow an exciting range of plants. See natives of temperate forests from South America and Australasia, as well as parts of Cornwall and Scotland.

Ferns and groundcover plants creep beneath the understorey of shrubs and epiphytes, which in turn are shaded by a canopy of trees and tree ferns. This naturalistic planting blends species from across the world: Australasian tree ferns, South American climbers, pitcher plants from North American bogs, South African lilies and Asian gingers.

The impressive waterfall adds to the subtropical feel but also creates a moist, cloud-forest atmosphere that opens up even more planting possibilities.

Plants to look for include coppery-leaved Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (Ethiopian black banana), Alocasia macrorrhiza (giant taro) and Sarracenia minor ‘Okee Giant’. This large carnivorous plant uses translucent white patches to allow light into the pitcher, attracting its insect prey.

Dry temperate zone: Making the most of every drop

This scree and rock-strewn landscape mimics dry semi-arid and desert environments. It may look sparsely planted but it contains a rich diversity of tough, slow-growing, often prickly and strangely beautiful plants, all adapted to conserve every drop of moisture.

Here you can see many desert cacti and succulents and other drought-tolerant plants from countries as far apart as Chile, South Africa and Madagascar to the Canary Islands and Australia.

The Orchid House

This exciting new space is home to Wisley’s collection of over 3,000 orchids, which they have been collating since the early 1980’s and have not been seen as a collection before in the Glasshouse. Alongside well-loved favourites such as Cymbidiums, highlights include RHS Wisley’s largest orchids - a Coelogyne tomentosa and a Vanda tricolor var. suavis, which has been in the collection since 1991 and stands an impressive 2.5m tall. You can also see the rare Cynorkis uncinata ‘Rose of Madagascar’ and a Laelia gouldiana, which is now tragically extinct in the wild.

Many of these fascinating plants need very specific growing conditions which this bespoke space provides, such as artificial branches for epiphytes (air plants) and faux rock walls with planting pockets. Appropriate companion plants such as tree ferns, palm species and tender rhododendrons help to create a magical cloud-forest feel.

“It has always been a dream of mine to create a dedicated space to share and show off RHS Wisley’s wonderful orchid collection. With the generous support of donors, the Glasshouse team have been able to make this dream a reality.”

Christopher Young , Garden Manager

“It has always been a dream of mine to create a dedicated space to share and show off RHS Wisley’s wonderful orchid collection. With the generous support of donors, the Glasshouse team have been able to make this dream a reality.”

Christopher Young , Garden Manager

Tropical zone: Bananas, palm trees and more

This hot and steamy area is all about huge leaves, extravagant flowers and fast growth – in fact, plants here need regular pruning to keep them to size!

The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers, as well as familiar houseplants growing to their natural sizes, such as the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) and fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). Climb the viewing platform to get a bird's-eye view up among the tree canopy. 

Tropical waterlilies and other aquatic and wetland plants thrive in the warm jungle pool, and you can also see many orchids from the Wisley collection, rotated to create a constantly changing display.

Plants in this section

  •
Aeonium 'Zwartkop'
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Aeonium</em> 'Zwartkop'
Alpinia vittata (v)
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Alpinia</em> <em>vittata</em> (v)
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii'
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Asparagus</em> <em>densiflorus</em> 'Myersii'
Passiflora × violacea
  • 4–8 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Passiflora</em> × <em>violacea</em>
Begonia 'Helen Lewis' (R)
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Begonia</em> 'Helen Lewis' (R)
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' (v)
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Agave</em> <em>americana</em> 'Mediopicta Alba' (v)
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Hoffmannii'
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Acalypha</em> <em>wilkesiana</em> 'Hoffmannii'
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Ensete</em> <em>ventricosum</em> 'Maurelii'
Aloe arborescens 'Variegata' (v)
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Aloe</em> <em>arborescens</em> 'Variegata' (v)
Echeveria setosa
  • Up to 10cm
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Echeveria</em> <em>setosa</em>
Ficus lyrata
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Ficus</em> <em>lyrata</em>
Impatiens sodenii
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Impatiens</em> <em>sodenii</em>
Kalanchoe beharensis
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Kalanchoe</em> <em>beharensis</em>
Monstera deliciosa (F)
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Monstera</em> <em>deliciosa</em> (F)
Thunbergia mysorensis
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Thunbergia</em> <em>mysorensis</em>
Anthurium andraeanum
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Anthurium</em> <em>andraeanum</em>
Beaucarnea recurvata
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Beaucarnea</em> <em>recurvata</em>
Strongylodon macrobotrys
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Strongylodon</em> <em>macrobotrys</em>
Aeonium 'Zwartkop'
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Aeonium</em> 'Zwartkop'
Alpinia vittata (v)
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Alpinia</em> <em>vittata</em> (v)
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii'
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Asparagus</em> <em>densiflorus</em> 'Myersii'
Passiflora × violacea
  • 4–8 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Passiflora</em> × <em>violacea</em>
Begonia 'Helen Lewis' (R)
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Begonia</em> 'Helen Lewis' (R)
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' (v)
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Agave</em> <em>americana</em> 'Mediopicta Alba' (v)
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Hoffmannii'
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Acalypha</em> <em>wilkesiana</em> 'Hoffmannii'
Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Ensete</em> <em>ventricosum</em> 'Maurelii'
Aloe arborescens 'Variegata' (v)
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Aloe</em> <em>arborescens</em> 'Variegata' (v)
Echeveria setosa
  • Up to 10cm
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Echeveria</em> <em>setosa</em>
Ficus lyrata
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Ficus</em> <em>lyrata</em>
Impatiens sodenii
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Impatiens</em> <em>sodenii</em>
Kalanchoe beharensis
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Kalanchoe</em> <em>beharensis</em>
Monstera deliciosa (F)
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Monstera</em> <em>deliciosa</em> (F)
Thunbergia mysorensis
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Thunbergia</em> <em>mysorensis</em>
Anthurium andraeanum
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Anthurium</em> <em>andraeanum</em>
Beaucarnea recurvata
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Beaucarnea</em> <em>recurvata</em>
Strongylodon macrobotrys
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Strongylodon</em> <em>macrobotrys</em>

The Glasshouse through time
The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

The Glasshouse sits within a contemporary, sweeping landscape, originally laid out in 2007 by Tom Stuart-Smith. The dramatic, free-flowing beds display a wide range of herbaceous plants within a clipped beech structure. The green and lush scheme becomes more dry and arid towards the west, culminating in two prairie meadows – one features North American native plants, the other, plants from South Africa.

The Glasshouse sits within a contemporary, sweeping landscape, originally laid out in 2007 by Tom Stuart-Smith. The dramatic, free-flowing beds display a wide range of herbaceous plants within a clipped beech structure. The green and lush scheme becomes more dry and arid towards the west, culminating in two prairie meadows – one features North American native plants, the other, plants from South Africa.

Throughout the year the Glasshouse team creates spectacular temporary displays featuring plants of seasonal interest. In November, chrysanthemums are the focus: from cushions of Charm varieties to the impressive, firework-like flowers of Japanese and Chinese types, they make a colourful, impressive sight.

Throughout the year the Glasshouse team creates spectacular temporary displays featuring plants of seasonal interest. In November, chrysanthemums are the focus: from cushions of Charm varieties to the impressive, firework-like flowers of Japanese and Chinese types, they make a colourful, impressive sight.

Tropical water lilies and other aquatic and wetland plants thrive in the warm jungle pool. The tropical climate in the Glasshouse provides the perfect showcase for many of the treasures of the plant kingdom, such as remarkable Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) and the world’s smallest waterlily, Nymphaea thermarum. 

Tropical water lilies and other aquatic and wetland plants thrive in the warm jungle pool. The tropical climate in the Glasshouse provides the perfect showcase for many of the treasures of the plant kingdom, such as remarkable Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) and the world’s smallest waterlily, Nymphaea thermarum. 

The Glasshouse forms a spectacular focal point for Wisley's Glow event, which sees the garden beautifully lit for the festive season. Coloured lights pick out the structure and the plants within, casting magical reflections on the surface of the lake. Inside the Glasshouse, themed festive displays capture the imagination.

The Glasshouse forms a spectacular focal point for Wisley's Glow event, which sees the garden beautifully lit for the festive season. Coloured lights pick out the structure and the plants within, casting magical reflections on the surface of the lake. Inside the Glasshouse, themed festive displays capture the imagination.

Soaring to 12m high, the cathedral-like Glasshouse was built to celebrate the RHS bicentenary.  It covers an area equal in size to 10 tennis courts and is carefully computer controlled to maintain desired levels of light, heat and ventilation.

Soaring to 12m high, the cathedral-like Glasshouse was built to celebrate the RHS bicentenary.  It covers an area equal in size to 10 tennis courts and is carefully computer controlled to maintain desired levels of light, heat and ventilation.

Designed by architect Peter van de Toorn Vrijthoff, the Glasshouse consists mainly of 11,000sq m of curved sheets of tempered glass, weighing a gargantuan 110 tonnes. 

Designed by architect Peter van de Toorn Vrijthoff, the Glasshouse consists mainly of 11,000sq m of curved sheets of tempered glass, weighing a gargantuan 110 tonnes. 

Since it was officially opened by the the Queen in June 2007, the Glasshouse has become as iconic a part of Wisley as the much-loved Laboratory building. 

Since it was officially opened by the the Queen in June 2007, the Glasshouse has become as iconic a part of Wisley as the much-loved Laboratory building. 

The Glasshouse is divided into three climatic zones: Temperate, Arid and Tropical, which are home to around 6,000 plant accessions. As the planting in the Glasshouse grew and flourished, headroom became an issue. In May 2013, the Glasshouse team successfully transplanted a majestic 4m specimen of Cyathea brownii (Norfolk Island tree fern) to a new location where there was more room for it to grow.

The Glasshouse is divided into three climatic zones: Temperate, Arid and Tropical, which are home to around 6,000 plant accessions. As the planting in the Glasshouse grew and flourished, headroom became an issue. In May 2013, the Glasshouse team successfully transplanted a majestic 4m specimen of Cyathea brownii (Norfolk Island tree fern) to a new location where there was more room for it to grow.

The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

The Glasshouse sits within a contemporary, sweeping landscape, originally laid out in 2007 by Tom Stuart-Smith. The dramatic, free-flowing beds display a wide range of herbaceous plants within a clipped beech structure. The green and lush scheme becomes more dry and arid towards the west, culminating in two prairie meadows – one features North American native plants, the other, plants from South Africa.

The Glasshouse sits within a contemporary, sweeping landscape, originally laid out in 2007 by Tom Stuart-Smith. The dramatic, free-flowing beds display a wide range of herbaceous plants within a clipped beech structure. The green and lush scheme becomes more dry and arid towards the west, culminating in two prairie meadows – one features North American native plants, the other, plants from South Africa.

Throughout the year the Glasshouse team creates spectacular temporary displays featuring plants of seasonal interest. In November, chrysanthemums are the focus: from cushions of Charm varieties to the impressive, firework-like flowers of Japanese and Chinese types, they make a colourful, impressive sight.

Throughout the year the Glasshouse team creates spectacular temporary displays featuring plants of seasonal interest. In November, chrysanthemums are the focus: from cushions of Charm varieties to the impressive, firework-like flowers of Japanese and Chinese types, they make a colourful, impressive sight.

Tropical water lilies and other aquatic and wetland plants thrive in the warm jungle pool. The tropical climate in the Glasshouse provides the perfect showcase for many of the treasures of the plant kingdom, such as remarkable Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) and the world’s smallest waterlily, Nymphaea thermarum. 

Tropical water lilies and other aquatic and wetland plants thrive in the warm jungle pool. The tropical climate in the Glasshouse provides the perfect showcase for many of the treasures of the plant kingdom, such as remarkable Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) and the world’s smallest waterlily, Nymphaea thermarum. 

The Glasshouse forms a spectacular focal point for Wisley's Glow event, which sees the garden beautifully lit for the festive season. Coloured lights pick out the structure and the plants within, casting magical reflections on the surface of the lake. Inside the Glasshouse, themed festive displays capture the imagination.

The Glasshouse forms a spectacular focal point for Wisley's Glow event, which sees the garden beautifully lit for the festive season. Coloured lights pick out the structure and the plants within, casting magical reflections on the surface of the lake. Inside the Glasshouse, themed festive displays capture the imagination.

Soaring to 12m high, the cathedral-like Glasshouse was built to celebrate the RHS bicentenary.  It covers an area equal in size to 10 tennis courts and is carefully computer controlled to maintain desired levels of light, heat and ventilation.

Soaring to 12m high, the cathedral-like Glasshouse was built to celebrate the RHS bicentenary.  It covers an area equal in size to 10 tennis courts and is carefully computer controlled to maintain desired levels of light, heat and ventilation.

Designed by architect Peter van de Toorn Vrijthoff, the Glasshouse consists mainly of 11,000sq m of curved sheets of tempered glass, weighing a gargantuan 110 tonnes. 

Designed by architect Peter van de Toorn Vrijthoff, the Glasshouse consists mainly of 11,000sq m of curved sheets of tempered glass, weighing a gargantuan 110 tonnes. 

Since it was officially opened by the the Queen in June 2007, the Glasshouse has become as iconic a part of Wisley as the much-loved Laboratory building. 

Since it was officially opened by the the Queen in June 2007, the Glasshouse has become as iconic a part of Wisley as the much-loved Laboratory building. 

The Glasshouse is divided into three climatic zones: Temperate, Arid and Tropical, which are home to around 6,000 plant accessions. As the planting in the Glasshouse grew and flourished, headroom became an issue. In May 2013, the Glasshouse team successfully transplanted a majestic 4m specimen of Cyathea brownii (Norfolk Island tree fern) to a new location where there was more room for it to grow.

The Glasshouse is divided into three climatic zones: Temperate, Arid and Tropical, which are home to around 6,000 plant accessions. As the planting in the Glasshouse grew and flourished, headroom became an issue. In May 2013, the Glasshouse team successfully transplanted a majestic 4m specimen of Cyathea brownii (Norfolk Island tree fern) to a new location where there was more room for it to grow.

The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

The Glasshouse is the ideal setting for Wisley’s world-class collection of glasshouse plants. In the Tropical Zone, minimum night temperatures of 20°C and a relative humidity of about 70% encourage rapid growth, huge leaves and extravagant, vividly hued flowers. The lush planting includes bananas, bromeliads, palm trees and fast-growing climbers.

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