Kew Gardens in public fundraising plea to save historic Palm House
A fundraising appeal is underway.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has launched a public fundraising appeal to save the historic Palm House and its tropical plant collection.
The Victorian glasshouse, which has stood at the heart of the west London gardens since the 1840s, is one of the world’s most famous glasshouses.
However, it is now showing serious signs of deterioration, requiring a major £66 million renovation project, Kew said on Tuesday.
The gardens have so far secured about half of the funds from philanthropists, grants and individuals.
Fundraising underway
Launching a fundraising appeal on Tuesday, it now hopes to raise a further £1 million from the public.
The Victorian landmark is home to an internationally significant collection of plants from around the world, enabling visitors to experience parts of a tropical rainforest in London.
Behind its glass walls lives plants that are rare, threatened and even extinct in the wild as well as species that are important to human life, such as coffee, rattan palm, banana, Madagascan periwinkle and the “Neem” tree.
The collection supports Kew’s research into preventing biodiversity loss, conservation and food security as well as novel ways to protect the planet’s future.
Richard Deverell, director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: “For generations, the Palm House has been a place where people encounter the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth.
“It is a building that has inspired wonder for almost 180 years, but its future cannot be taken for granted.
“Every donation, however large or small, will help protect this extraordinary building and the collection within it for generations to come.”
People can can help to support the renovation by making a direct donation, sponsoring a pane of glass or sponsoring a tropical plant species, such as Caly’s hibiscus or the giant dioon.
Donations up to £300,000 will be matched, the gardens said, with all funds raised supporting the Palm House renovation project and helping to ensure future generations can continue to discover, study and be inspired by tropical plants.
Palm House will close in February as teams carry out the final phase of removing plants before reopening in summer to allow visitors to see it empty.
The building will then shut its doors for the renovation in autumn 2027, with works estimated to take between three to four years.
Improvements will include new glazing, a move to renewable heating systems and the integration of rainwater harvesting tanks, with Kew aiming to create the first carbon neutral glasshouse of its kind.
Officials hope to conserve and future-proof the building for the 21st century while safeguarding thousands of tropical plants.
Celebrity support
Dame Judi Dench, Palm House appeal ambassador, called it “one of Britain’s most iconic buildings – a place of beauty, discovery and hope”.
“By supporting its renovation, you will be making an investment in both our heritage and our future,” she added.