Kew Gardens Palm House | Step Into A Tropical Paradise!

About Kew Gardens Palm House

The Kew Gardens Palm House is a grand greenhouse located in the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, England. It was designed by architect Decimus Burton and opened to the public in 1848. The Palm House is one of the largest surviving Victorian glasshouses in the world and is considered a masterpiece of architectural and engineering design.

The Palm House is a striking iron and glass structure that stands 19 meters tall and is 41 meters long. Its design was inspired by the shape of a palm leaf, with a central nave and two wings. The structure consists of 16,000 panes of glass, held together by an intricate network of iron ribs and bars. The glass used in the construction of the Palm House is over 3mm thick, making it incredibly durable.

Inside the Palm House, visitors can discover a world of exotic plants and trees from around the globe, including some of the oldest and rarest species in existence. The temperature and humidity are carefully controlled to provide the perfect environment for the plants to thrive. The Palm House is divided into three distinct zones, each with a unique climate and plant life. The central zone is home to the tallest plants, including palm trees that reach up to 18 meters in height.

Overall, the Kew Gardens Palm House is a stunning example of Victorian engineering and architecture and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in botany, history, or design.

History Of Kew Gardens Palm House

The Palm House was designed by Richard Turner and was completed in 1848. It was one of the first large-scale conservatories in the world.
The structure is made of wrought iron and glass and stands at 19 meters high. It has a curved design that allows maximum light penetration.
The Palm House was originally built to house exotic palms and plants from around the world, many of which were being discovered by explorers at the time.
In the late 1800s, the Palm House was renovated, and new plantings were added, including the first orchids to be grown at Kew.
During World War II, the Palm House suffered damage from a bomb blast, but it was repaired and restored to its former glory after the war ended.
In the 1980s, the Palm House underwent another major renovation, and a new heating and ventilation system was installed to better regulate the climate inside the conservatory.
Today, the Palm House is home to a vast array of tropical plants from around the world, including towering palm trees, giant bamboo, and colorful orchids.

Also Read: Kew Gardens History

Famous Plants At Kew Gardens Palm House

Madagascar Periwinkle

The Madagascar periwinkle is a tropical plant native to Madagascar, which is known for its beautiful pink and white flowers. It is one of the most important medicinal plants, as it contains several alkaloids that are used in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers. At Kew Gardens Palm House, visitors can see several varieties of Madagascar periwinkle, including the pure white variety known as 'Alba'. The plant is part of the wider collection of tropical and subtropical plants at the Palm House, which showcases the incredible diversity of plant life from around the world.

Read More: About Kew Gardens

Suicide Palm

Also known as the ivory-nut palm, this plant is native to the Amazon rainforest and is named after the belief that its fruit was once used by indigenous people to commit suicide. The fruit of the Suicide Palm is extremely hard and can be carved like ivory. It was once a valuable source of ivory-like nuts, which were used to make decorative items. Today, the plant is rare and protected due to the over-harvesting of its nuts.

Also Checkout: Inside Kew Gardens

Ancient Cycads

The Palm House at Kew Gardens is home to a collection of ancient cycads, which are some of the oldest living plants on Earth. These plants are known for their distinctive shape and are believed to have been around for more than 300 million years. The collection at Kew includes specimens from around the world, including Africa, Asia, and South America. The ancient cycads at Kew Gardens are an important part of the plant collection, providing insight into the history and evolution of plant life on Earth.

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