The Houston Botanic Garden – A Complete Guide
The Houston Botanic Garden not only captures the rarest floral delights but makes appreciating plants fun and memorable for people of all ages. One of the ways the Houston Botanic Garden does this is by hosting different events (which we’ll talk about later).
On the whole, the place is a must-visit if you’re at all interested in botany or horticulture. Just one trip to the Houston Botanic Gardens may even inspire you to dash to the closest plant store or calling for flower delivery!
To start, though, what is the Houston Botanic Garden?
What is the Houston Botanic Garden?
The Houston Botanic Garden is a plant museum made up of botanical collections that are curated and displayed to bring the beauty of nature to the Houston community.
Admission is by paid ticket, although you can also purchase a membership for easier entry and added benefits.
Admission
Regardless of age, everybody needs to have a ticket to enter the Houston Botanic Garden.
We recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance before going to any events held at the Houston Botanic Garden.
From Monday through Thursday, the tickets for adults are $12.50. Children’s tickets (age 3-15) are sold for $8.
On Friday through Sunday, Adult tickets are sold for $15, whereas children’s tickets can be purchased for $10.
Membership
Some people, however, opt for membership to the Houston Botanic Garden due to the plenty of benefits offered. We’ve compiled a chart, making it easier for you to see the differences in the membership levels offered.
Houston Botanic Garden Events
The type of events Houston Botanic Garden hosts falls into four main categories: Health & Wellness, Arts & Culture, Youth & Family Programs, and Horticulture & Gardening.
Throughout the year, Houston Botanic Garden’s events may change depending on the season.
Health & Wellness
- Yoga & Sound Bath — $40
Yoga & Sound Bath is a class that allows visitors to the Houston Botanic Garden to relieve stress by learning different yoga positions while utilizing gongs, crystal singing bowls and chimes to create a relaxing atmosphere.
People experiencing major anxiety symptoms, high blood pressure, and low creativity can walk away with fewer symptoms after taking a few sessions.
- Meditation in the Garden — $25
The herbs and plants in Houston Botanic Garden are the inspiration behind each session of Meditation in the Garden.
In every class, people have the opportunity to learn how to make use of the natural herbs and plants to support a healthy lifestyle as well as how to use them for medication.
Instead of taking an average cooking class, Meditation in the Garden not only equips you with the knowledge you need to get the most benefits from these herbs, but they give you recipes to practice at home.
Do note that the herbs/plants change every month, so it’s never routine.
- Meditate with Qusai — $20
Qusai Mahesri leads 30-minute meditation sessions based on lessons people can learn from nature. It is another relaxing way to leave the stresses of reality behind and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature
Arts & Culture
- Canvas and Cocktails — $35
This cocktail-infused painting party is hosted by Houston’s local artists. It explores both forms and colors based off of the plants found in Houston Botanic Garden.
Fortunately, there’s no need to be a professional artist to take this class. The good thing is that all art materials and cocktails are provided.
Yes, it’s an adult-only class.
- The 4 R’s — $75
Hurricane Harvey left an impact on almost everybody in Houston. Thus, the Houston Botanic Garden has put together an event celebrating the strength the people of Houston showed.
Moreover, The 4 R’s provide a way for people to heal and recover from the impact of the hurricane by sharing their untold stories.
- Trail Mixology — $40
Who doesn’t like taking a walk while sipping on the perfect cocktail? Trail mythology is an event that allows just that.
People can enjoy amazing views of Houston Botanic Garden’s Global Collection and their Culinary Gardens, all while sampling exotic cocktail infusions. By the way, everyone who goes gets a free cup for different tastings.
Yes, it’s a 21+ event only.
Youth & Family Programs
- Sprouts and Seedlings (Ages 3 – 15) — $40
Don’t worry; Houston Botanic Garden has some classes and events for children as well. For example, Sprouts and Seedlings allows children to have hands-on practice while working on a craft to take home.
Of course, parents can learn as well different knowledge about plants and seeds to help their children grow their own gardens at home.
Every month, there’s a different focus the class discusses and learns—all revolving around making the perfect garden.
- HeART in the Garden — Adults: $20 Children: $15
HeART in the garden allows children to scavenge Houston Botanic Garden for the perfect collection of foliage to create their own drop-in-art, mandalas and more.
All art supplies are provided for children, so there is no need to worry about packing color pencils and markers.
- Fairy Gardening — $28
With Fairy Gardening, visitors can venture around the Houston Botanic Garden collecting any useful items to help them make their very own fairy house and miniature gardens.
Houston Botanic Garden provides a plastic tray, pots, soils, and a variety of plants, but they do request that each visitor bring their own container to take their fairy house home.
Also, it is recommended to bring any other arts & craft materials needed. By the way, you do not need to be a child to enjoy this workshop event.
Horticulture & Gardening
- Houston Botanic Seminar — $70
Sometimes when we think about seminars, we think about boring lectures, but Houston Botanic Seminar makes knowledge fun and exciting.
They provide lunch, happy hour, and coffee throughout the four different lectures specializing in Horticulture.
- Garden Guru — $20
Garden Guru is a class for anybody hoping to learn the basics of lawn care. Strategies to keep the lawn healthy and green as well as different tools and strategies to use are shared in this class.
Houston Botanic Garden Weddings
Weddings are important memories that tend to last a lifetime. Houston Botanic Garden provides various venues for people who hope to host their wedding amidst the timeless botanical collections found at the Houston Botanic Garden.
To save you time and energy from researching for endless hours, we’ve done the work already for you and organized the different wedding venues available at Houston Botanic Gardens for any wedding.
Do note that for all of the private venues available to rent at the Houston Botanic Garden, there is a refundable damage deposit that is paid in advance and by a separate check. The damage deposit fee starts at $200 and can go anywhere to $1500.
FAQs
What are the Houston Botanic Garden opening hours?
The opening hours for the Houston Botanic Garden are Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Fridays, the garden is open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
How long can I rent out a private venue at the Houston Botanic Garden?
The private venues available at the Houston Botanic Garden are available to rent for four or six hours.
Daytime rentals may start at 9 AM, but they must be finished by 4 PM. For evening rentals, the event must be over by 11 PM.
For weddings at the Houston Botanic Garden, is there an approved vendor list?
Yes. For weddings at the Houston Botanic Garden, they have approved a list of vendors who they’ve carefully selected already to properly ensure the best use of the garden space.
Can I bring pets to the Houston Botanic Garden?
Unfortunately, pets, whether they be emotional support animals or companion animals, are not allowed inside the Houston mechanic gardens. The exception to this is service animals for visitors with disabilities.
Am I allowed to bring food into the Houston Botanic Garden?
No, you’re not allowed to bring food into the Houston Botanic Garden unless it is food for infants.
How much is parking at the Houston Botanic Garden?
Parking at the Houston Botanic Garden is completely free for all visitors.
