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

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)
• Hours: 10 AM to 4 PM, Daily, Tuesday to Sunday (See Admissions, Volunteer Park Conservatory)
• 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

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 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 (Source)

Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory (Source)

Cacti in Volunteer Park Conservatory (Source)

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.