
Succulent lovers visiting Paris, are you looking for a place to find those plants within the city? Look no further than the famous and gorgeous Jardin des Plantes.

## Quick Facts
* **Location**: Part of Tropical Rainforest Greenhouse, 57 Rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France ([Map](https://goo.gl/maps/rEwP6BKH62VDzM2h7))
* **Hours**: 10 AM - 5:15 PM
* **Cost**: €7
* **Kid Friendly**: Yes
* **Dog Allowed**: Not sure
* **Accessibility**: Wheelchair accessible parking lot and entrance


## History of Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes is a botanical garden located in Paris, France. It was first established in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden by Louis XIII's doctor, Guy de La Brosse. The garden was initially called the "Jardin du Roi" or "King's Garden" and was intended to provide medicinal plants for the royal court.

In the 18th century, the garden was expanded and restructured under the direction of the famous botanist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Buffon oversaw the addition of new plant collections, including exotic plants from around the world, as well as the creation of several new garden areas, such as the Alpine Garden and the Maze.

During the French Revolution, the garden was briefly renamed the "Jardin des Plantes de la République," and it became a center for scientific research and study. The garden played an important role in the development of the natural sciences in France, and many famous scientists and researchers worked there, including Georges Cuvier, the father of paleontology.

Today, the Jardin des Plantes is a popular attraction in Paris, with over 4 million visitors per year. It houses several museums and galleries, including the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, the Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle, and the Musée de Minéralogie. The garden also includes several greenhouses and outdoor gardens, showcasing a wide variety of plants from around the world.

![Cacti inside the green house](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/cacti.jpg)
*Cacti inside the green house at Jardin des Plantes*

## Plant Varieties in Jardin des Plantes

Succulents can be found in two locations within the Jardin des Plantes.

The first is inside the greenhouse, which houses a diverse collection of succulent plants from around the world (mostly from South Africa and Mexico), including:

* Cacti: Opuntia, Echinocactus, and Mammillaria
* Agaves: Agave americana and Agave attenuata
* Aloes: Aloe vera, Aloe aristata, and Aloe humilis
* Crassulaceae: Echeveria, Sedum, and Kalanchoe
* Euphorbias: Euphorbia horrida and Euphorbia tirucalli
* Mesembs: Conophytum
* Others: Haworthia, Gasteria, and Crassula ovata

![Conophytum hians in the greenhouse](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/conophytum-hians.jpg)
*Conophytum hians in the greenhouse, from the proflific Namaqualand area of South Africa*

![Mammillaria longimamma in the greenhouse, from Mexico](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/mammillaria-longimamma.jpg)
*Mammillaria longimamma in the greenhouse, from Mexico 🇲🇽*

![Callisia navicularis in the greenhouse, from Mexico](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/callisia-navicularis.jpg)
*Callisia navicularis in the greenhouse, from Mexico 🇲🇽*

![Echeveria setosa in the greenhouse, from South Mexico](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/echeveria-setosa.jpg)
*Echeveria setosa in the greenhouse, from Mexico 🇲🇽*

The second location, often overlooked, is the *Rock Garden* adjacent to the greenhouse. This garden is home to a variety of rock-loving plants, including sedums, saxifrages, and alpine poppies. Most of the succulents are from Europe.

![Sedum hispanicum in the Rock Garden](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/sedum-hispanicum.jpg)
*Sedum hispanicum in the Rock Garden, from Central and Southeastern Europe*

![Sedum dasyphyllumminor from Southern and Central Europe](/assets/blog/jardin-des-plantes/sedum-dasyphyllumminor.jpg)
*Sedum dasyphyllumminor in the Rock Garden, from Southern and Central Europe*

For more succulent photos from Jardin des Plantes, find me on Instagam [@settlesucs](https://www.instagram.com/seattlesucs/).

## My Experience

In March 2023, my family and I traveled to Paris for a reunion. We visited the Natural Museum located inside Jardin des Plantes, where the kids ran around and learned about animals.

As the sole succulent enthusiast in the family, I made my way to the Succulent Greenhouse located on the opposite side of the garden.

The greenhouse is dominated by plants from tropical forests, with only a small extension occupied by cacti, aloes, and other succulents.

During my visit, the greenhouse was quiet, with only me strolling through the succulent area, scrutinizing each individual plant. I appreciated the tranquility.

(Right outside the garden, there is a small sandwich shop whose name I can't recall. However, I do remember having the most amazing salmon panini of my life there.)




Succulent Greenhouse inside Jardin des Plantes (Paris, France)


Did you know that Seattle, a city that experiences almost six months of rain per year, has a huge garden with a full collection of cacti? The place is located right on Capitol Hill.

## Quick Facts

* **Location**: 1400 E Galer St, Seattle, WA 98112 ([Map](https://goo.gl/maps/zAYrhPerq6zokivA7))
* **Hours**: 10 AM to 4 PM, Daily, Tuesday to Sunday [(See Admissions, Volunteer Park Conservatory)](https://www.volunteerparkconservatory.org/visit/plan)
* **Cost**: $6 per adult, $4 per young, and free for 5 and under
* **Kid Friendly**: Yes
* **Dog Allowed**: No
* **Accessibility**: Wheelchair accessible parking lot and entrance

[![Seattle CityPASS®](https://www.ftjcfx.com/image-101054571-10762961)](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101054571-10762961)

## History of Volunteer Park Conservatory
The Volunteer Park Conservatory, located in Seattle, Washington, is a Victorian-style greenhouse that was constructed in 1912. It was designed by the firm of Bebb and Gould and was modeled after the Crystal Palace in London. The conservatory was built as part of a larger plan to develop Volunteer Park, which was established in 1901.

![Volunteer Park Conservatory](/assets/blog/volunteer-park-conservatory/conservatory.jpg)
*Volunteer Park Conservatory modeled after the Crystal Palace in London [^2]*

Over the years, the conservatory has undergone a number of renovations and upgrades, including the addition of a modern propagation facility and the installation of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The conservatory features a range of plant collections, including palms, ferns, bromeliads, and orchids, as well as a variety of cacti and succulents.


## Plant Varieties in the Cacti and Succulent House

The conservatory's collection boasts a variety of cacti genera, including Opuntia, as well as succulents from other genera such as Pachypodium, Haworthia, Agave, Aloe, and Euphorbia. Among the oldest plants in the conservatory is the Jade Tree (Crassula argentea), grown from a cutting taken in 1916.

![Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory](/assets/blog/volunteer-park-conservatory/cactus-1.webp)
*Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory ([Source](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBTwmZLudb/?hl=en))*


![Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory](/assets/blog/volunteer-park-conservatory/cactus-2.webp)
*Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory ([Source](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBTwmZLudb/?hl=en))*


![Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory](/assets/blog/volunteer-park-conservatory/cactus-3.webp)
*Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory ([Source](https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBTwmZLudb/?hl=en))*


## Our Experience

We lived in Seattle for 8 years, and during that time, I attempted to grow succulents indoors. However, due to the lack of sunshine and frequent rainy weather, I was not very successful. As a result, it is exceedingly rare to find a garden with a vast array of thriving succulents.

In 2018, we had the pleasure of visiting Volunteer Park Conservatory and have fond memories of our experience. If you live in the Pacific Northwest and yearn to see desert plants, Volunteer Park Conservatory is the ideal destination.

[![Seattle CityPASS®](https://www.ftjcfx.com/image-101054571-10762961)](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101054571-10762961)


Cacti and Succulent House, Volunteer Park Conservatory (Seattle, Washington)


## Quick Facts
* **Location**: 北京市海淀区香山南辛村20号（南园）
* **Hours**:6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
* **Cost**: 10 RMB for visting both north and south parks of the China National Botanical Garden. The succulent greenhouse is inside the south park of the garden.
* **Kid Friendly**: Yes
* **Dog Allowed**: Not sure
* **Accessibility**: Not sure

## Contents

I found a huge collection of succulents in one of the rooms of the greenhouse at South Garden in the China National Botanical Garden.

## About South Garden

The Beijing Botanical Garden of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, also known as South Garden, is a key base for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of germplasm resources in northern China.

The garden features nine specialized plant exhibition areas, including a perennial flower garden, a rare and endangered plant area, and a greenhouse displaying tropical and subtropical plants. It collects and preserves over 7,000 species of plants.

The seed bank, built from some of the introduced seeds, now houses more than 83,000 seeds from over 20,000 species, making it the second-largest in the world by quantity.

## About the Exhibition Greenhouse

The greenhouse comprises nine exhibition rooms: the Four Seasons Flower Hall, Palm House, Shade-loving Plants Room, Gymnosperm Room, Carnivorous Plants Room, Fruit Trees Room, Succulent Plants Room, Aquatic Plants Room, and the Bodhi Room. It exhibits more than 2,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants, including cultivated varieties.

The greenhouse displays not only national gift plants related to China's diplomacy, such as the Bodhi tree, but also rare plants collected by researchers from abroad, like the red-skinned baobab and the beautiful deer antler fern. The Aquatic Plants Room offers year-round viewing of water lilies and the giant leaves of Victoria water lilies.

## History 

I grew up in Beijing but only learned about the China National Botanical Garden in 2022.

As a child, this garden was known as Xiang Shan Botanical Garden or Beijing Botanical Garden, a favorite destination for school field trips, including mine.

The name China National Botanical Garden emerged in 2022 when both South Garden (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and North Garden (Beijing Botanical Garden) united to form the China National Botanical Garden.

## Visiting China National Botanical Garden in 2024

In July 2024, I visited South Garden for the first time with my aunt. I was amazed by the variety and quality of succulents in the succulent rooms within the greenhouse. For instance, I had never seen a greenhouse with large clusters of lithops before. This greenhouse presented massive clusters of various lithops species, a sight that must have taken years to cultivate.

### Lithops

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-collection.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-1.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-2.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-3.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-4.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-5.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-6.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-7.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-8.jpg)

![Lithops](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/lithops-9.jpg)

### Conophytum 

![Conophytum](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/conophytum-1.jpg)


### Haworthia

![Haworthia](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/haworthia-1.jpg)

![Haworthia](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/haworthia-2.jpg)

![Haworthia](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/haworthia-3.jpg)
*[Haworthia Truncata](/posts/haworthia-truncata)*

### Cacti

![Cactus](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/cactus-1.jpg)

![Cactus](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/cactus-2.jpg)

### Others

![Echeveria 'Rain Drops'](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/other-1.jpg)
[Echeveria](/posts/echeveria) 'Rain Drops'

![Other](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/other-2.jpg)
*Lophophora williamsii*

![Aloe Vera](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/other-3.jpg)
Aloe Vera

![Other](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/other-4.jpg)

![Aloinopsis Schooneesii](/assets/blog/china-national-botanical-garden/other-5.jpg)
*[Aloinopsis Schooneesii](/posts/aloinopsis-schooneesii)*

## Conclusion
Besides succulents, there are many impressive plants in the greenhouse as well as in both the South and North Parks. If you are ever in Beijing, China, make sure to visit this garden!


## Special Note

Please note that all the photos are copyrighted. If you wish to use any of them, please contact me.

The Greenhouse (South Garden) at China National Botanical Garden 国家植物园 (Beijing, China)

In September 2024, I took my parents on a trip to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, China. As part of our trip, we visited the Dounan Flower Market (斗南花卉市场), the largest flower market in Asia! An interesting fact about Yunnan is that its climate is perfect for cultivation, making Kunming home to the largest flower and succulent market in the world!
The market occupies a gigantic warehouse. The first floor featured an impressive array of flowers, including roses, orchids, and bonsai. I was amazed. However, when we reached the second floor, my jaw literally dropped.
Having visited succulent markets around the world, I can say that Dounan is on a whole different level. It dwarfs any other place I’ve been to, both in terms of size and variety. The sheer scale, number of merchants, and range of succulents were truly astounding. Even more incredible was the price—sometimes as low as 10 RMB (1.5 USD) for six pots of succulents!
Below are some photos I took at Dounan. Enjoy!
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-1.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 1">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-2.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 2">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-3.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 3">
The sign says, "10 RMB (1.5 USD) for six pots of succulents"
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-4.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 4">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-5.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 5">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-6.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 6">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-7.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 7">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-9.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 9">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-10.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 10">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-11.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 11">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-12.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 12">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-13.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 13">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-14.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 14">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-15.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 15">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-16.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 16">
<img src="/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-17.jpg" alt="Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 17">

Dounan Flower Market (斗南花卉市场): Biggest Succulent Market in the world (Kunming, China)

In September 2024, I took my parents on a trip to Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, China. As part of our trip, we visited the Dounan Flower Market (斗南花卉市场), the largest flower market in Asia! An interesting fact about Yunnan is that its climate is perfect for cultivation, making Kunming home to the largest flower and succulent market in the world!

The market occupies a gigantic warehouse. The first floor featured an impressive array of flowers, including roses, orchids, and bonsai. I was amazed. However, when we reached the second floor, my jaw literally dropped.

Having visited succulent markets around the world, I can say that Dounan is on a whole different level. It dwarfs any other place I’ve been to, both in terms of size and variety. The sheer scale, number of merchants, and range of succulents were truly astounding. Even more incredible was the price—sometimes as low as 10 RMB (1.5 USD) for six pots of succulents!

Below are some photos I took at Dounan. Enjoy!

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 1](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-1.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 2](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-2.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 3](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-3.jpg)
*The sign says, "10 RMB (1.5 USD) for six pots of succulents"*

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 4](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-4.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 5](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-5.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 6](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-6.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 7](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-7.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 9](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-9.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 10](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-10.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 11](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-11.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 12](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-12.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 13](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-13.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 14](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-14.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 15](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-15.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 16](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-16.jpg)

![Succulents at Dounan Flower Market 17](/assets/blog/dounan-biggest-succulent-market/photo-17.jpg)



![Epiphyllum Oxypetalum (Queen of the Night)](/assets/blog/epiphyllum-oxypetalum/tan-hua.jpeg)

Epiphyllum oxypetalum, also known as Dutchman's pipe cactus, Princess of the Night, or Queen of the Night, is a cactus species native to Mexico and Nicaragua. It is a tropical epiphyte to lithophyte, meaning it grows on the surface of other plants and derives nutrients from rain, air, and debris. This cactus blooms nocturnally, with flowers that wilt before dawn, and is the most cultivated species in its genus.

## Quick Facts

- **Native Habitat**: Mexico, Nicaragua
- **Family**: Cactaceae
- **Water**: Soak the soil completely when watering and water frequently, letting the top of the soil dry out between watering.
- **Sunlight**: Partial shade or bright, indirect light
- **Soil**: Well-draining, average succulent/cactus soil mix

## Contents

## Why it is called Epiphyllum oxypetalum?

The name "Epiphyllum oxypetalum" comes from Greek and Latin roots. "Epiphyllum" is derived from the Greek words "epi-" meaning "upon" and "phullon" meaning "leaf," referring to the plant's habit of growing on other plants. "Oxypetalum" is from the Greek "oxy-" meaning "sharp" or "acute" and "petalum" meaning "petal," referring to the shape of its petals.

The Chinese name for the plant is 昙花 (tan hua). It is sometimes referred to by this name, particularly as mentioned in the popular movie based on the book *Crazy Rich Asians*. 


![Epiphyllum oxypetalum is featured in a scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians.](/assets/blog/epiphyllum-oxypetalum/crazy-rich-asians-flower.jpg)
*Epiphyllum oxypetalum is featured in a scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians.*

![Epiphyllum oxypetalum is featured in a scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians.](/assets/blog/epiphyllum-oxypetalum/movie-flower.jpg)
*Epiphyllum oxypetalum is featured in a scene from the movie Crazy Rich Asians.*

In Chinese, there is a phrase called 昙花一现 (tán huā yī xiàn), meaning "a fleeting glimpse of a flower" or "something that is beautiful but short-lived." This phrase is often used to describe something that appears briefly and then disappears, much like the night-blooming flowers of the Queen of the Night cactus.

## The Appearance of Epiphyllum oxypetalum

### Leaves

![Leaves of Epiphyllum Oxypetalum](/assets/blog/epiphyllum-oxypetalum/flowers-and-leaves.jpg)

There are no true leaves, but flattened stems that can be easily rooted.

### Flowers

The Queen of the Night is a night-blooming cactus that blooms once per year, reaching full bloom around midnight and typically lasting only that one night. The flowers are white, huge, showy, and fragrant. If pollinated, the flowers are followed by 5-inch long, oblong, purple/red fruits. A mature plant can produce flowers from spring through mid-summer.

This behavior is an example of a [**pollination syndrome**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollination_syndrome).

A **pollination syndrome** occurs when a plant co-evolves with its primary pollinators in a way that increases the likelihood of successful pollination. The Queen of the Night’s main pollinators are bats, which explains why it blooms at night when its pollinators are active. The large, white, disc-shaped flowers are more attractive to bats. Interestingly, multiple plants bloom on the same night each year, though it is not known how this synchronization occurs.

The flowers grow on flattened stems and are up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 17 cm (7 in) wide.

## How to Care for Epiphyllum oxypetalum

### Light

Give this plant partial shade or bright, indirect light.

### Watering

Soak the soil completely when watering and water frequently, letting the top of the soil dry out between watering. Cut down on watering during the winter to 1-2 times per month.

### Soil

Provide a well-draining, average succulent/cactus soil mix.

### Temperature

Bring inside when temperatures cool to the mid-30s. It can be grown as an outdoor tropical plant in zones 10 and 11. In cooler zones, it can be placed outdoors during the summer months, then brought in as the temperatures drop.

### Humidity

Ensure moderate humidity levels typical of rainforest settings.

### Fertilizing

Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season.

### Pruning

Trim the long stems back if the plant becomes top-heavy, ensuring stability in its container.

### Repotting

Repot into a larger or heavier container as needed to maintain stability.

### Dormancy

Reduce watering in winter to 1-2 times per month.

### Pests and Diseases

Watch for common pests like mealybugs and aphids. Treat as necessary with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

## Is Epiphyllum oxypetalum Toxic to Pets?

Epiphyllum oxypetalum is generally considered non-toxic to pets.

## How to Propagate Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Propagate by taking stem cuttings, allowing them to dry for a day or two, then planting in a well-draining soil mix.

## Where Can I Buy Epiphyllum oxypetalum?

Epiphyllum oxypetalum can be purchased from various online plant retailers, specialty cactus and succulent nurseries, and sometimes at local garden centers.

## FAQ

### How often does Epiphyllum oxypetalum bloom?

**A:** It typically blooms from spring through mid-summer, with flowers opening only once, at night, and lasting only that one night.

### Can Epiphyllum oxypetalum be grown indoors?

**A:** Yes, it can be grown indoors in a bright, indirect light setting.

### Is Epiphyllum oxypetalum edible?
**A:** Epiphyllum oxypetalum is edible and has medicinal uses. In various Asian cultures, including India, Vietnam, and Malaysia, it is used to treat respiratory issues, bleeding conditions, and is believed to help reduce pain and inflammation.

## References

* [North Carolina State University - Epiphyllum oxypetalum](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/epiphyllum-oxypetalum/)
* [RWW Greenhouse - The Queen of the Night](https://rwwgreenhouse.voices.wooster.edu/the-queen-of-the-night/)
* [Wikipedia - Epiphyllum oxypetalum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyllum_oxypetalum)


Epiphyllum Oxypetalum (Queen of the Night)


## Quick Facts
* **Location**: The room of Estufa Doce of Estufa Fria, inside Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon, Portugal
* **Hours**: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Winter), 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Summer)
* **Cost**: Approximately 3 Euros
* **Kid Friendly**: Yes
* **Dog Allowed**: No
* **Accessibility**: Yes

## Contents

## About Estufa Fria and Estufa Doce

Estufa Fria is a beautiful greenhouse complex located in Parque Eduardo VII in Lisbon, Portugal. It consists of three different environments: 

* Cold Greenhouse (Estufa Fria)
* Hot Greenhouse (Estufa Quente)
* Sweet Greenhouse (*Estufa Doce*)

Estufa Quente and Estufa Doce bring more exotic plants to Lisbon (mangifera, cacti, aloe), whereas the main garden focuses on camellia and azalea species. The three gardens cover a surface area of 3.7 acres! Each showcases a variety of plants from different climates. 

Out of the three sections, Estufa Doce can be seen as the smallest. It transposes you to a desert filled with all types of tall cacti and aloe plants. The trek is short, but it does really make you feel small and lost through some desert riddled with nature.

Note, when you are on the ground floor of the greenhouse, it may be hard to find the entrance to Estufa Doce. There is a ramp on the wall leading to Estufa Doce, which is located on a higher level of the greenhouse.


## Visiting Estufa Fria in 2024

I visited Estufa Fria in July 2024 while visiting Lisbon. Parque Eduardo VII is a quiet and spacious park without much tourism, and Estufa Fria is at a corner of Parque Eduardo VII.

![Crinum Moorei](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/crinum-moorei.jpg)
*Crinum Moorei, aka Natal Lily, I discovered in Estufa Fria. They are so beautiful*

As I enjoy many kinds of plants, succulents have always been the ones I wanted to see the most. The common succulents like aloes and cacti are arranged in captivating ways, such as being displayed on the wall.

![Estufa Fria](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/main-view.jpg)

To my disappointment, there were no Living Stones in this greenhouse, like Lithops or Conophytum.

![Aloe](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/aloe.jpg)
*Aloe*

![Crown of Thorns](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/crown-of-thorns.jpg)
*Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)*

![Pachypodium](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/pachypodium.jpg)
*Pachypodium*

![Crown of Thorns](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/crown-of-thorns-2.jpg)
*Crown of Thorns*

![Cereus](/assets/blog/estufa-fria-lisbon/cereus.jpg)
*Cereus*

## Conclusion

Estufa Fria is a pretty cool place to visit. The atmosphere is great for dating, meeting friends, and taking photos. Although Estufa Doce has lots of succulents, the lack of the rosette-type succulents (such as Echeveria) and living stones (such as Lithops) may disappoint succulent enthusiasts.

Dounan Flower Market (斗南花卉市场): Biggest Succulent Market in the world (Kunming, China)

Grace

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More about Where to Find Succulents

Succulent Greenhouse inside Jardin des Plantes (Paris, France)

Cacti and Succulent House, Volunteer Park Conservatory (Seattle, Washington)

The Greenhouse (South Garden) at China National Botanical Garden 国家植物园 (Beijing, China)

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