37 years cultivating rare species. PhD in Tropical Botany, University of Madras. IUCN Species Survival Commission member.
For over three decades, we've nurtured a living sanctuary where rare botanicals, curious minds.
It began in 1987 with a single glass greenhouse, a family's devotion to plants, and an unshakeable belief that nature's most extraordinary wonders should be shared with the world. Dr. Meena Krishnaswamy, a botanist with a wanderer's heart, returned from expeditions across Southeast Asia and South America carrying seeds, cuttings, and a vision.
From those humble beginnings, Botanica has grown into one of South India's most celebrated living collections — spanning tropical biomes, desert sanctuaries, aquatic gardens, and rare species conservation zones. Every plant here has a story. Every corner holds a discovery.
Today, the conservatory remains family-run, guided by the same principles that drove its founding: meticulous care, botanical education, and an open invitation for everyone to fall in love with the living world.
To cultivate a living sanctuary that connects people with the plant kingdom — inspiring wonder, deepening ecological understanding, and conserving biodiversity for generations yet to come.
A world where every person has experienced the transformative power of nature firsthand — where gardens are not luxuries but essential spaces of healing, learning, and belonging.
Every visit, every purchase, every workshop contributes directly to our conservation programs. We reinvest 20% of all proceeds into habitat preservation and plant rescue initiatives worldwide.
Milestones that shaped the living world you see today.
Dr. Meena Krishnaswamy opens a 2,000 sq ft glass greenhouse with 300 tropical species collected from her field expeditions.
Expansion into xerophyte collections introduces cacti and succulents from the Americas and Africa, drawing national botanical interest.
The Aquatic Wing is inaugurated, housing over 200 water plant species and becoming India's largest private aquatic botanical collection.
Botanica partners with the IUCN to establish a Rare Species Preservation Zone — rescuing 47 endangered plant species from threatened habitats.
The Botanica Learning Centre opens, offering year-round workshops, school programs, and professional horticultural training to 8,000+ students annually.
With 4,200+ species across 12 acres, Botanica begins its next chapter — a regenerative garden model powering green research and climate education.
Our team of passionate horticulturists, botanists, and educators live and breathe plants.
37 years cultivating rare species. PhD in Tropical Botany, University of Madras. IUCN Species Survival Commission member.
Second-generation steward of Botanica. Oversees sustainability programs and the annual conservation budget allocation.
Leads our Rare Species Preservation Zone. Field researcher with expeditions across the Western Ghats, Borneo, and the Amazon.
20 years of hands-on expertise in propagation, grafting, and biome management. Mentor to 200+ horticultural students.
Designed all our workshop curricula. Passionate science communicator, connecting 8,000+ students to the plant world each year.
Curator of our Aquatic Wing. Expert in freshwater ecosystems, lotus cultivation, and water filtration through living plant systems.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, India
Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Society of Indian Plant Biologists
CII–ITC Sustainability Awards, Southern Region
Open daily, 9 AM – 6 PM. Located at 12 Fern Grove Lane, Chennai. Bring your curiosity — we'll handle the rest.