Bad news: the Barbican Conservatory is closing for three years from the beginning of 2027. Good news: you can adopt one of its plants.
Well, you can if you're lucky.
Opened in 1984, the primary reason for the Barbican Conservatory was to hide the theatre's fly tower, but it has since become a firm favourite among visitors to the cultural complex, and the perfect antidote to many a rainy afternoon.
Ahead of its closure, which comes as part of extensive Barbican renovations, more than 2,000 plant cuttings of the Conservatory's temperate and arid plants — including giant-leafed monstera, glossy ficus and purple-and-green tradescantia — are being offered to visitors to take home.
At each 'adoption' event, visitors will learn about the Conservatory's architectural history, the development of its horticultural collection and its planned revitalisation. Tickets (and plants) are free, with donations encouraged.
It appears that Londoners have some seriously green fingers, because the first two batches of tickets have been snapped up like a Venus flytrap on a, er, fly.
There is, however, one more plant adoption event planned, on Wednesday 2 December 2026 — 700 tickets for which are available in a ballot that goes live at 2pm on Thursday 29 October. The ballot closes Thursday 19 November.
If you're not fortunate enough to nab tickets, the conservatory also hosts a series of 'Rest, Reflect and Recharge', events across November and December, featuring a programme of yoga, guided relaxation, mindful movement, breathwork and creative workshops.
Additional free public openings over the tail end of 2026 will also allow people to explore the conservatory before it closes. Stay tuned to the Barbican website for details.
After shutting in early 2027, the Barbican Conservatory will reopen in 2030, relandscaped for optimal plant growing conditions and fitted with more sustainable systems. It will also be fully accessible, with step-free access throughout, widened paths and a new lift.
In another exciting twist, it will open daily, rather than a few times a month. Entry will continue to be free.
