Flower Dome Conservatory, Singapore Overview

Immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of plants and flowers from all around the globe under a single roof at Singapore's Flower Dome. The largest glass greenhouse in the world, Flower Dome is one of the two breathtakingly beautiful conservatories of Gardens by the Bay (the other being, "Cloud Forest"). The temperature and humidity levels inside have been regulated to replicate the cool-dry climatic conditions of the Mediterranean and different arid tropical climates such as those in Australia, South America and South Africa. With an area of around 1.2 hectares, the flower dome conservatory constitutes a total of eight gardens- Olive Grove, Californian Garden, Mediterranean Garden, South American Garden, South African Garden, Australian Garden, the Baobabs and the Succulent Garden. An awe-inspiring field of flowers is present right in the centre of the conservatory.

Despite the themes of the flower garden changing from time to time, it is always a riot of colours. The other gardens are also often themed as well, and provide for a one-in-a-million experience. A central changing display screen has been installed to enable flower shows and displays to be held within the conservatory. A perpetual spring indeed, a stroll through the Flower Dome takes one through South Africa's eerie Baobab trees, to the diverse succulents from around the globe, and from Amsterdam's vibrant tulip-fields to Japan's famous Sakura, or cherry blossom trees! With its exotic collection of plants and flowers, Flower Dome is one of Singapore's must-visits!

Olive Grove

This garden exhibits various kinds of olive trees, fig trees, pomegranate trees and grape vines, which are characteristic of the Mediterranean region. The olive trees were brought in from Spain, and a few of them seem to be over a thousand years old with their twisted and knobby appearance. In fact, a thousand-year-old olive tree thriving in the tropics would be unimaginable, if not for the engineering and horticultural achievement brought about in the Flower Dome. These olive trees are a must-visit!

Californian Garden

Belonging to the Californian Mediterranean climate, which is known for its wines and citrus plants, this garden is abundant in grape vines, and citrus plants, such as oranges and grapefruits. This area has a few aromatic shrubs and trees, which give off a delightful smell and fill one with joy.

Mediterranean Garden

Representing the Mediterranean basin, which was one of the first places to practice agriculture, this garden serves the crops other than those featured in the Olive Grove, such as Date Pine and Stone Palm. Stone Pine or Pinus pinea is known worldwide for its edible pine-nuts used in the traditional pesto sauce! There are also Cork trees, which are harvested for corks in Wine Bottles, and Dragon trees, which have a characteristically red sap used as a colourant. This garden also boasts a beautiful waterfront lined with Italian Cypresses. Dining options are available in this garden; Pollen, the bistro, serves delicious, lip-smacking food.

Succulent Garden

Replicating the desert environment, cactis, aloes and crassulas are abundant here. One would recognise them immediately, with their thin-needle like prickly leaves, waxy coating and succulent appearances. This section has woolly cacti, which look like cats' tails, barrel-shaped 'mother-in-law seat' cacti, and tree grapes, which are members of the grapevine family and have thickened trunks to store water, among the many other varieties of succulents.

South American Garden

Characteristic of Central Chile, this garden showcases trees which grow in rocky soil and high latitudes. A few of the trees here are Trithrinax- which belongs to the palm family and the leaves of which are used to make shoes, hats, fans, etc, 200-year old Chilean Wine Palm- called the Incredible Hulk of the Palm Family due to their overpowering size, and the national tree of Chile- the Monkey Puzzle Tree- which is now deemed vulnerable by IUCN.

South African Garden

Plants on display here include succulents, shrubs and bulbs that have adapted to grow in low moisture, sandy soil ants on show here include cacti, shrubs and bulbs that have adapted to grow in little humidity, sandy soil. Be on the lookout for the gorgeous Bird-of-Paradise, which is a trunkless flowering plant whose flowers have a distinctive appearance similar to a bird with a tuft of orange and blue feathers on its head. Find the national flower of South Africa- King Sugar Bush- which belongs to the King Protea family and is rare because of the fragile environment it lives in, in the wild. The South African Garden is a riot of colours and a must-visit with its beautiful flowers, and evergreen bushes.

The Baobabs

The bulbous water-storing trunks of these trees give them their unusual form. Forming one of the most exciting gardens, the Baobabs section houses the tallest trees of the Flower Dome. The African Baobab tree weighs more than 32 tonnes and is the biggest tree of the exhibit. The Drunken Tree or Palo Borracho has a circular trunk and bears beautiful ivory-coloured flowers. Another kind of tree in this exhibit is called Ghost Tree, which is named so because of their frequent occurrence in graveyards. These trees can grow to be 15m tall.

Australian Garden

Belonging to the deserts of Australia, most of the plants here are fire-proof. Fiires are frequent in Australia, and these plants have adapted to survive them. The plants to look out for include the Grass Tree- don't let appearances fool you, this tree isn't a tree at all, but a special type of grass instead. If the leaves of the Grass Tree catch fire, they release ethylene gas and help ripen its fruit. Kangaroo's Paw is one of the spring wildflowers which grow during the Summer drought months. These flowers can be of several colours- from yellow to orange to pink and red and have thick roots to store water. Native to Queensland, the Queensland Bottle Tree is also one of the interesting trees in this garden, with its thickened trunk to large quantities of water. The Aborigines cut holes in their soft trunks to extract drinking water from them.

Flower Dome Entry Fees

Entry Fee varies, depending on whether one wants to purchase a single conservatory ticket or a double entry so that one can also enter the Cloud Forest which is located next door.

Singapore Resident Rate - One Conservatory
Adult: SGD 12
Senior Citizen ('60 years old): SGD 8
Child (3-12 years old): SGD 8

Singapore Resident Rate - Two Conservatories
Adult: SGD 20
Senior Citizen ('60 years old): SGD 15
Child (3-12 years old): SGD 12

Standard Rate - Two Conservatories
Adult/Senior: SGD 28
Child (3-12 years old): SGD 15

Tips For Visiting Flower Dome Conservatory

The temperature is maintained at 23-25 degrees Celsius, so even though it provides respite from the heat, it is advisable to take a jumper, or something of that sort, because it often gets cold at the lower level.
Buying tickets from the official website of Gardens by the Bay seems advantageous as the queues may be long sometimes.
Recommended time of duration of the visit is around 4 to 5 hours. There are also dining options in the Flower Dome, called Pollen.
There is an official app for those who would like detailed information on the flowers and plants inside the conservatory. It goes by the name of "Plant Explorer" and is available to download on both the AppStore and Google PlayStore for free.

How To Reach Flower Dome Conservatory

The closest MRT is the Bayfront MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Station via the Circle Line or the Downtown Line. Once here, take exit B and follow the underground linkway. On exiting, take the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay. It is also recommended to alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15) via the East-West Line and take a taxi to the Gardens by the Bay.