Well kept secret on campus. The very friendly staff works hard here to maintain the property and variety of plants. The space has something for anyone and everyone including orchids, roses, butterfly garden, orchard, and a reflection pond. The garden can be explored within an hour but I recommend staying longer to sit down and enjoy nature in the middle of the city. I hear you can also take a class here or if you are USF faculty you could teach a class in this space!

Every year I attend the Plant Fest at USF Botanical Gardens. The event features professional growers and vendors of plants suitable for our region. The event is 1 weekend a year and in addition to plants you can get all your growing questions answered or buy plant accesories and supplies. From the common to the unusual. One of my favorite purchases was Dragon Fruit, a couple years later I had fruit, picture attached.

Beautiful. The lookout over the water is very relaxing. There is a nature trail and beautiful plants with the names of the plants.

This place is an absolute gem, a breath of fresh air and a beautiful little oasis amongst all of the chaos. Admission is less than 5 dollars a person for anyone who isn't a USF student or a member of the garden. This was honestly the best 5 dollars my fiancé and I have spent in quite a while. We spent probably over an hour here getting lost in the flowers and the foliage. There's a beautiful medicinal herb garden, so many cacti I lost count, and extremely high quality, beautiful plants and succulents that can be bought in their plant shop. And the faery gardens!!!!! are absolutely astounding! And the butterfly garden!!! You also can't miss the sacred banyon tree they have that is so mesmerizing. The bathrooms were very clean and everyone we interacted with was so sweet. This is such a special place and I recommend anyone with a few bucks to spare check this incredible place out.

It's a cool place to walk around and chill out when visiting USF. It may not be as manicured as places like Florida Botanical Gardens, but it's not meant to be that way. It's more of a learning garden. Also keep in mind that it's a natural tropical habitat that attracts birds, butterflies, and all kinds of creepy crawlies. There's a great view of Lake Behnke. We even saw a Roseate Spoonbill scooping up breakfast from the shallow water near the bank of the river. The pelican must have just finished eating. It flew off as we started approaching the lake. The gardens are divided up into plant collections such as orchids, butterfly, bromeliads, gingers, carnivorous, aroids, succulents, and so much more. I think I spent most of my time in the butterfly garden looking at the pipevine swallowtail butterflies and caterpillars. There were some interesting butterfly plants. There's an herb garden with Tank the Caterpillar. What a cool idea to paint the irrigation tank for the kids. So, the entrance to the botanical garden is on USF Pine Drive. It's kind of at an odd location. It's a left turn into the entrance before you get to the stop sign at USF Alumni Drive if you're coming from Bruce B. Downs. It opens at 9:00 am. It's a good idea to go in the morning on a hot day. The admission fee is $5 per adult and $3 per child. It's free if you have a USF ID. They have scheduled events on Saturday. Check out their events page for more details. They have plants for sale (indoor and outdoor plants). I would definitely go back, and especially when they host their plant festivals. They have many vendors that day. I went to one about 10 years ago, and it was quite a show. I may go back again in June. Check it out if you happen to be in the area.

We went to visit while the plant sale was happening. Nice gardens, & loved all the varities of plants & trees. Make sure to bring water to stay hydrated!

A great place for plant geeks and anyone looking for a break in the middle of a rather hectic area. Cost is five dollars. Parking is visible in several areas as you enter. A main path goes around all the areas that include a butterfly area, A shade garden, aroids, medicinal, etc. You will shoot off from side to side from the main path to see all the individual gardens. Don't be shy to go into areas. There are changes ongoing, so you'll have to find where the orchids are being displayed. Currently they are behind the office in a little patio area with a small fishpond. Do look for this as they have quite a collection to pick from. A greenhouse full of them are picked over by a group of orchid lovers and set out for you to see. The most impressive bloomers are brought out by these volunteers, and I love seeing what is in bloom each visit. There is a plant shop you can buy from. There are simple restrooms, and the only food or drink is a drink machine. You can bring in your own food as there are a good many tables for you to sit at and enjoy a picnic. A lawn or two also, if you would like to bring a blanket. They boast a good number of tropical plants and trees, something is always blooming. The staff is small with the rest is done by volunteers so expect a bump or two in the road and don't be shocked by a weed. Otherwise, this is a spot I visit frequently. The new direction with more native plants always gives me something new to see and possibly try to use in my own yard. I like that a great deal. For 5 bucks, you can't beat the range of plants you will see. *(If you just want to shop the plant shop there is no fee to enter) To walk the gardens, pay at the small building / plant shop where you park. I tend to spend 1 to 2 hours here, but I am a plant geek. Don't miss the cactus and succulent area.

Took a group of inner city youth to visit the garden. Was greeted by the manager who was very rude and uninviting towards our group. As a USF Alumni I was very disappointed. Outside of that the Botanical garden was nice, the youth explored and applied what they learned from their University of Florida weekly classes.

Great walking paths. Loved seeing butterflies everywhere. Staff is nice and extremely helpful with information on all of the plants, trees etc... It's a little hidden surprise on USF main campus!

I love the gardens here. They are well maintained and just beautiful. They also offer one of my favorite events of the year, Holiday Lights in the Gardens. They have live music, food and of course lots of holiday lights. And it's is a reasonable donation that goes back to the gardens.

If you want to know what grows in Florida and guess at what it is, this is the place to go. Must of the stuff they have is similar to my garden at home just bigger. The gardens aren't as professional looking as other universities I've seen and there was nothing exotic. They did have a nice orchid display.

Having got there with only 45 minutes to tour the gardens, we still had a delightful visit. David Moore, the "in charge" guy implored us to go back to check out the African Tulip tree that was in bloom despite the gardens were closed. How thoughtful and, yes the tree is INCREDIBLE! David was so kind and knowledgeable. Well worth the visit!

I expected something complete different. There's barely any parking and whatever is there is sandy. The garden is old, unkempt, and the walking paths are lacking or missing. The bromeliads at the entry way were okay. I would not recommend this garden. Out of 10 botanical gardens I've been to, this fall at the bottom of my list. They need some big donors to revitalize this place.

great plant selections in the shop that are reasonably priced (…but $20 hoyas!!!😭) + monthly events! you get a discount on admission on a lot of events if you’re a USF student, too.

First of all I Cannot believe this place was just right around the corner From my house. I raise butterflies as a hobby and have a butterfly garden at hy house. The garden is quite big and it includes a butterfly garden, different places to sit and view and also eat lunch if you bring it with you. A Cactus area. Bee boxes and so much more. They also sell native and indoor plants, and local honey. That they extract themselves. I was in nature heaven. I think the highlight of my trip was to see the atala butterflies and larve as they are endangered but making a Miraculous come back. There is a five dollar fee Which i'm sure goes to keeping up the garden And two bathrooms as well for your Convenience. I definitely will be back!

A beautiful garden on the outskirts of USF. It is a wonderful place to visit and stroll. They have many plant sales throughout the week. I come here at least once or twice a week just to walk and take pictures. I suggest that you visit the butterfly garden while you are there. I have been able to snap a few amazing picture of butterflies.

A beautiful, tranquil area tucked inside the USF campus. Loved it!

It's a nice little garden in the USF area. When we visited, there was an orchid auction underway. Lots of various plants on display with brief details. Area is really green with a variety of trees, bamboos, cactus, orchids etc. Plant lovers will really like this place. There is a $5 entry fee per car.

I won’t give a 5 stars because many flowers and trees weren’t labeled. I also didn’t get to see butterflies in the butterfly garden. However, it’s a nice place to walk around and enjoy lunch, but remember to bring out what you bring in. I want to return.

As a whole I enjoy the USF Botanical Gardens. However, I have enrolled in their beekeeping course, and have been treated very unprofessionally. I understand these are all volunteers running the course, but it costs $180 to enroll, so it should be treated as a real course. When other students brought their children to the class and caused distractions, I asked to be moved to a group that did not have children in it. They responded not only by not accommodating me, but at the next class they asked my group as a whole if anybody wanted to switch out for personal reasons (this made me uncomfortable and I did not respond as to not make a scene in front of my peers). In this class you also get to purchase and raise your own hive! Upon inspecting said hive, I noticed there was no queen present, and requested that one be provided free of charge, as it was to be included in the original purchase. The volunteer responded very unapologetically and even left my message opened with no response at one point. This course lacks the professionalism I expect from any type of course offered on a school campus, and I would recommend caution in signing up. Edit: the situation progressed and it was agreed I would be supplied with a queen, and when meeting up to receive the queen I realized there was a misunderstanding, and that I was to return the bees originally supplied in order to trade for a new hive. Jim reacted very poorly, and had quite a temper with me as well as being exceedingly condescending. I was stung in front of Jim and he had no reaction but to watch. I left in tears and and my partner who accompanied me was livid. I contacted the head of the gardens, Laurie, who was very sympathetic and reassured me she would handle the situation. Over all, I would very much recommend the gardens themselves, but I would not recommend the beekeeping course to anybody.

So beautiful here. The campus is so peaceful and pretty

NICE

A cute little garden that’s perfect for a casual walk or picnic! I loved the meditation garden with the wooden bridge and bamboos. But the overall walk for me took about 20 minutes max, I wish the garden would be more organized with more variety

I love coming here! I've been here about 4 times now and every time I see a new type of wildlife. The plants are so beautiful and there are so many butterflies in the bitterly garden!

A hidden GEM in Tampa! I planned on spending an hour there, yet stayed for 5. Absolutely gorgeous and all for $5! I cannot recommend this place enough!

nice display of a wide variety of plants. exceptionally well marked. I attended their spring plant sale, not sure where I would have parked otherwise. limited places to sit to relax and reflect. beautiful view of the lake

I guess I expected more. This is a comparatively small garden with a shop. The best attraction was a niche with orchids. Wear good walking shoes.

Horrible parking and small garden. Get what you pay for.

It is small when compared to other gardens.. But it has its own collection of succulents and a good variety of plants.. The main attraction is bees hive and community garden which is present to the right of the gardens after we enter ..

We decided to check out the USF Botanical Gardens during our visit to see our son when we had some spare time to fill. To be honest, we didn't have high expectations because it's run by a university. However, we were in for a delightful surprise. The garden boasts a diverse collection of plants that took us on an unexpected journey. What's more, we had the chance to meet the director, who shared some fascinating insights about native Florida flora, including the native persimmon. Our visit turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable and educational experience!

Lovely

Just stunning and beautiful and peaceful love this place is so calm and the flowers in the tree and is smell earthly which is beautiful.

Large and interesting. Great walking areas.

Managed by one lady and her team! Very sweet person

Amazing

Beautiful. Easy to get around.

This is a nice place to wander through, especially if you want something to do while a friend or loved one is have a medical test or short procedure at the nearby hospital.

Nice and peaceful

Recently reopened from being closed due to COVID19. Peaceful place to walk around and take in the flora and fona.

A small gem tucked in the corner of the USF campus. I've been coming here when I needed a break for more than 25 years now.

The best!

Amazing Gardens. Many photo opportunities.

Great

Nice setting lots of helpful people

Nice outing

Nice place

Very relaxing and quiet. Beautiful plants and flowers and friendly staff. Even saw a turtle laying her eggs in the garden which I'm told is pretty common.

A very peaceful place.

Very quiet and a good place to unwind amidst the hustle and bustle of the world.

Beautiful plants. You can tell they take very good care of the different species they house. It's a very relaxing place to take a walk, especially to visit the orchids.

Relaxing walk in a garden is the best way to relieve stress. Lots of plants, trees and flowers to peruse. Not very large but that's perfect for a gentle stroll.

Awesome place! Plenty to see and learn. Was able to buy some cool additions for my garden. Sell local honey.

A quaint little botanical gardens. The succulent/cacti area is one of my favorites. A cool collection of orchids and begonias as well!

It's a great place to visit I try to go as much as they have great plant speciums you can buy and take home

Beautiful, peaceful garden. A lovely place to spend the afternoon.

Super wonderful experience ! Kim and Laurie are very professional and friendly . They are the perfect resource for plant answers to difficult questions. The gardens are always peaceful and beautiful. The honey is superlative ! The homegrown nursery plants are a delight !

Beautiful natural surroundings, butterflies everywhere!! Love the natural flora and fauna!!

Had a wonderful walk around this park while waiting for a nearby store to open. The worker was knowledgeable and the space was well taken care of.

Lovely place at a nice price. Make sure to visit during different seasons for full effect!

Flowers flowers flowers

It's a very quaint spot besides the noises of the road. It's cheap, the people are friendly, and there's lots of places to sit down with a book or laptop and study.

I attend the multiple events held at the gardens throughout the year and am always pleased with their gardens and the events. I recommend to anyone who loves nature and gardens

A lot of greenery. Amazing variety of flora, which signage to indicate the species. Disappointed that the orchids were not in bloom. However, the gardens are a keeper. We used Google Lens to I. D. some plants.

Awesome

Nothing impressive about this place at all!

Not open May 16 20/20

It is beautiful garden and has a plenty of plants.

Great place to get out walk around, they've plants for sale too. We mostly go for plant and orchid shows.

Best natural place in Tampa. The place is filled with exotic plants and herbs.

One of my most favorite places to stroll.

Peaceful

This place is like an oasis. Its surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life but when inside, you can barely hear anything. Lots of places to sit and take it all in. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with a mix of all types of flowers, trees, shrubs etc. Certainly worth the $5 admission