Cathy MerrittThere are days when life just beats me down; my anxiety is at an all-time high, and I just can’t deal with the world. Usually, I simply lie down on my bed, but lately, I’ve been hanging out in indoor gardens instead, and it’s been such a wonderful experience!
There’s just something about the sight of all the greenery and the colourful flowers that instantly lifts my mood. It also helps that gardens smell amazing. I feel like I’m tucked away in a fantasy land somewhere.
So far, here are my go-to ones nearby.
Allan Gardens
Address: 160 Gerrard St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163927288
Allan Gardens is my go-to floral refuge in the city, so it’s not a surprise that it also tops my list of favourite indoor gardens.
This landmark boasts several greenhouses, each having its own theme. My favourite has to be The Orchid and Bromeliad House because it’s home to a beautiful display of orchids, bromeliads, air plants, and gesneriads. It even has a wooden bridge and a pond, so the whole place feels like it’s taken straight out of a fairy tale!
The Temperate House is another one I like. This one is bursting with greenery, and it’s the most fragrant of all the greenhouses, thanks to all the citrus, camellias, and jasmine flowers.
| Pro Tip: Every spring, fall, and winter, this garden hosts a beautiful display of seasonal flowers. Be sure to find the time to stop by during any of the days within the aforementioned seasons. |
Cloud Gardens Conservatory
– From: houseplantjournal
Address: 14 Temperance St
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163927288
It’s so easy to pass by Cloud Gardens Conservatory without a second glance. It’s a small greenhouse, with only two levels, and its exterior is humble enough. But inside is a whole different world!
This garden is designed to mimic the look and feel of a cloud rainforest. So, the plants here are mostly tree ferns, palms, and other exotic plants. To complete the atmosphere, this garden has its very own waterfall!
The vibe here is just super peaceful. I love sitting on a nearby bench and just letting the sounds of the waterfall and the cool, moist temperature wash over me. After an hour, I feel refreshed.
| Pro Tip: Please keep in mind that pets and outside food and drinks are not allowed inside this garden. |
Centennial Park Conservatory
– From: erin_online
Address: 151 Elmcrest Rd, Centennial Park, Etobicoke
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163948543
Located all the way in Etobicoke, the Centennial Park Conservatory makes me feel like I’ve been transported to a tropical country. After all, it’s supposed to emulate the conditions of a tropical and arid landscape.
When you come here, expect to find 200 different varieties of tropical plants. Palms, gingers, hibiscus, orchids, and bromeliads are the most commonly spotted, but there are also fruit trees like banana and papaya here (my personal favourite).
In the South Wing, you can find arid plants, especially cacti and succulents. I love to pretend I’m in the desert every time I come here.
| Pro Tip: Though this garden mostly focuses on plants that bloom year-round, its North Wing specializes in seasonal plants. This part of the garden hosts an ever-changing display every season, so check it out. |
Toronto Botanical Gardens
– From: tbg_canada
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 4:30 pm
Contact Number: +14163971341
The Toronto Botanical Gardens is a marvellous sight. This landmark boasts different kinds of mini gardens, most of them outdoors with carefully manicured landscapes, but it does have an indoor garden that’s named Floral Hall.
As the name suggests, the Floral Hall is a garden dedicated to flowers, and the best part is that the floral displays here always change every season. I personally love coming here in the spring because that’s when tulips, irises, and hyacinths are abundant. The sight of all the vibrant colours is simply breathtaking!
| Pro Tip: If you’re hungry, the garden has an onsite cafe named The TBG Garden Cafe. Just keep in mind its operating hours change depending on the month. In April, it’s only open on weekends; from May to October, it’s open every day; from November to March, it’s closed. |
Royal Botanical Gardens
– From: rbgcanada
Address: 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
Distance from TO: Around 50 minutes
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +19055271158
Okay, I know the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) isn’t technically in Toronto, but it’s too wonderful to be left out. Besides, it’s only a 50-minute drive away from the city, which is pretty close (at least for me).
Just like the Toronto Botanical Gardens, RBG features a sprawling land full of mini-themed gardens. Fortunately, some of the gardens are indoors, and you can find them inside the RBG Center.
My favourite garden is the Mediterranean Garden. It features plants commonly found in the Mediterranean area, such as bougainvillea and lavender, and the scenery looks like it’s from a painting. There are even marble statues in the sea of plants—how lovely!
| Pro Tip: Also located in the RBG Center is the Greenhouse Cafe. You can enjoy light snacks like sandwiches and scones while enjoying the gorgeous view outside the massive windows. |
