A world-renowned bayfront botanical sanctuary in Sarasota, Florida.
About the Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is one of Sarasota’s most iconic attractions — a lush tropical oasis located directly along the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay. Spanning 45 acres across two campuses, Selby Gardens is internationally recognized for its living collections of orchids, bromeliads, and epiphytes — plants that grow on other plants rather than in soil.
Walking through the gardens feels like stepping into a tropical rainforest. Towering banyan trees create shaded pathways, vibrant flowers line winding garden trails, and the breeze from Sarasota Bay adds to the peaceful atmosphere. Around nearly every corner visitors will find scenic viewpoints, quiet garden spaces, and carefully curated plant collections from around the world.
Selby is also home to an internationally respected botanical research institute, where scientists study and conserve rare tropical plant species.
Near the historic banyan grove, a peaceful waterfall feature sits among dense tropical foliage. This area is one of the most photographed spots in the gardens, where water flows beneath the sprawling branches of Selby’s famous banyan trees. Some of these massive trees are over a century old and have become one of the garden’s most recognizable features.
What Makes Selby Unique
Selby Gardens stands out among botanical gardens for several reasons:
- One of the world’s most significant collections of orchids and epiphytes
- A rare bayfront botanical garden setting
- Rotating botanical art exhibitions throughout the year
- Active plant research and conservation programs
- Scenic waterfront walking paths along Sarasota Bay
Rather than simply displaying plants, Selby Gardens blends science, art, conservation, and nature into a single immersive experience.
Explore the Gardens
One of the most memorable features of the Downtown Sarasota campus is the canopy walkway, where visitors can stroll among the treetops and experience the garden from above. Elevated pathways wind through the upper layers of the tropical landscape, offering a unique perspective of the gardens and glimpses of Sarasota Bay in the distance.
Throughout the campus, visitors will find:
- Tropical rainforest gardens
- A desert plant conservatory
- A butterfly garden
- A children’s rainforest garden
- Rotating botanical art exhibits
- A bayfront café and gift shop
- Scenic lawns used for events and performances
Historic Spanish Point (Osprey Campus)
Selby’s second campus, Historic Spanish Point, is located just south of Sarasota in nearby Osprey. This location combines natural Florida habitats with regional history.
Visitors can explore:
- Native coastal ecosystems
- Archaeological sites thousands of years old
- Historic pioneer-era buildings
- Mangrove boardwalks and nature trails
- Exhibits highlighting early life on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Together, the two campuses create a destination where botany, history, and nature intersect.
Fun Facts
- Selby Gardens houses thousands of orchid species, making it a global center for orchid research.
- Some of the banyan trees in the garden are over 100 years old.
- It is one of the only botanical gardens in the world located directly on a bayfront shoreline.
- Scientists at Selby regularly discover and document new plant species.
- The gardens frequently combine major art exhibitions with horticultural displays.
