Desert Garden Conservatory

The Desert Garden Conservatory is a specialized greenhouse facility in San Marino dedicated to cacti and succulent plants from arid regions around the world. The collection displays this diverse group of plants, showcasing their varied forms, sizes, and adaptation strategies to dry climates.

The facility opened in 1985 as part of the Huntington Library complex and has focused on desert plant conservation ever since. This specialization has made it an important center for preserving knowledge about these hardy plant species.

The International Succulent Introductions program at the conservatory distributes rare succulent varieties to horticulturists and institutions worldwide.

The collection contains thousands of specimens sourced from different countries and climate zones, all maintained under controlled conditions. Visitors can observe the various forms and flowers of these plants throughout the year, with spring being a particularly flowering-rich season.

Some of the hybrid plants in the collection flower multiple times each year, displaying their blooms across different seasons. These repeated flowering cycles allow visitors to discover different blossoms with return visits.

GPS coordinates: 34.12720,-118.11000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:27