The Department of Biology also includes a scientific botanical garden founded in 1814 in the moat of Darmstadt Castle. Today, it covers around 5 hectares on the site on Schnittspahnstraße, which was occupied in 1874 and around which the buildings of the Department of Biology and Earth Sciences are grouped, and cultivates a total of around 8,000 plant species from all climatic and vegetation zones in the open air and on around 1,100 square metres of greenhouse space.

Plants are cultivated for research and teaching in the experimental areas on the open-air site and in the greenhouses. The garden is involved in species conservation projects, including the cultivation of endangered species.

With its collections and the expertise of its gardeners and management, the garden serves students and researchers, various authorities such as the nature conservation authority or customs, as well as pupils from the region in the form of the Green Classroom. However, it is also open to employees of the Technical University and the general public as a place to study and relax – in keeping with the garden's motto:

Picture: Stefan Schneckenburger

He who merely smells my plant does not know it, and he who picks it merely to learn from it does not know it either.

Friedrich Hölderlin

Botanical Garden

On the Botanic Garden's homepage you can find out all about current opening times, events and guided tours. You will also find a wealth of information about the botanical collection and the history of the garden

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