On Feb. 23, the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden will celebrate its 90th anniversary, having opened during the Great Depression in 1936. The nationally recognized grounds are home to more than 2,000 native plants, with 160 different species grown in the garden’s nursery. The garden, located on College Road, offers a rare natural oasis, with wooden walkways sprawling through the acres, wetlands, ponds and more.
The garden celebrated its nine-decade milestone with a Petals and Pearls gala on Jan. 30, featuring live music, a dinner, an open bar and a silent auction.
But the grass wasn’t always green at the historic garden. First founded in 1936, it was created to help the bankrupt city of Key West generate income through tourism, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s economic recovery efforts. At its peak, the garden spanned more than 55 acres, but over the years declined to 7.8 acres — an 86% reduction — due to land development tied to local and federal projects.
Still, the effect it cultivated globally continued to grow. The garden holds a Level II accreditation from ArbNet, a global initiative for arboretums, and is listed in the Botanic Gardens Conservation International database. It is the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental United States, meaning the garden can experience year-round growth.
In 2004, it secured a $4.9 million grant from the Communities Trust to buy back seven acres of previously lost land, increasing the garden’s size to a total of 15.2 acres. In 2022, 91% of Key West voters approved the garden’s request for a 99-year lease with the city, cementing its permanent place within the local community.
In celebrating more than 90 years in Key West, the garden has big plans for the future.
“Without the community, we would not be here. They are what keeps the garden alive and growing,” said executive director Misha McRAE. “Putting on an event like this Petals & Pearls gala is not a small feat. It’s not only a celebration of this milestone in protecting 90 years of Key West history, but also a kickoff to our capital campaign in our effort to build a new visitor education center to support the garden for decades to come.”
The capital campaign, launched on Jan. 30, foresees new facilities such as a visitor center, classrooms and education areas for kids and adults. The goal is to “provide a safe and secure space for generations of visitors.” One hundred percent of funds raised through the gala and donations will go toward the construction of the new center.
Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez attended the gala and issued a proclamation in support of the garden:
“The Key West Botanical Garden is globally recognized for its efforts in environmental protection and is a premier conservation site for native flora and fauna in the region, showcasing more than 565 species of native plants representing the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Caribbean.
“Therefore, as mayor of Key West, along with the entire Key West City Commission, I do hereby proclaim the year 2026 as the Key West Botanical Garden’s 90th anniversary in the southernmost city in the continental United States. I invite residents and visitors to take part in this celebration by visiting the garden for a tour to experience this amazing U.S. landmark.”
