Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey

Third Friday of each month
The San Diego Zoo is the home of a world-class botanical garden. There are approximately 700,000 plants on the grounds that create the lush, peaceful landscape the Zoo is known for. During Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey, we spotlight our collection of flora with additional plant-related activities for our guests.

• Self-guided walking tour maps are made available at the Zoo's entrance. Choose your area of interest, then check out the plants for yourself and see what's blooming or how the Zoo's unique plant collection helps create the natural habitats for the animals.
• Botanical Bus Tours highlight the Zoo's plant collection and are offered on Friday Plant Days only. The bus tour meets at the bus unloading area at 2 p.m. and is given by different Horticulture Department staff with their own area of expertise. Botanical Bus Tours are free!
• The Zoo's orchid greenhouse is home to about 3,000 orchid plants; they represent over 800 species, varieties, and cultivars. The greenhouse is open to Zoo visitors during Orchid Odyssey from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our orchid expert, as well as members of the San Diego County Orchid Society, are on hand to answer questions during this 'open house.'

  The orchid greenhouse is located on the path just off of Front Street in the Africa Rocks zone. The greenhouse is small, with a narrow pathway. We ask visitors to use hand-held cameras only, no tripods or monopods. Please, no smoking. And, as space is tight, please park any strollers outside the greenhouse.

Plant Day & Orchid Odyssey is offered the third Friday of each month and is included with Zoo admission.