Cactus Garden - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 10 km from Chandigarh Bus Station, Cactus Garden is a garden situated at Panchkula area of Chandigarh. This is the largest succulent botanical garden of Asia and also one of the top places to visit in Chandigarh.

Founded in 1987, the Cactus Garden is located at Sector 5 in the satellite city of Chandigarh and it covers an area of 7 acres. Officially known as National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre, the garden was established with the aim to preserve and conserve this endangered species. Genus Caralluma of Indian origin are seen here with some of the endangered species.

Designed by Dr. J.S. Sarkaria, it is Asia's largest outdoor landscaped cacti and succulents garden. The garden is devoted to rare and endangered species having more than 3, 500 species. Cactus Garden has a collection of Indian succulents, which is considered to be the largest in the world. The garden has 272 species of genus Mammillaria and 160 species have been naturalised outdoor. Highlights of the garden include Echinocactus grusonii and group of Bursera (Mexican Origin). In the garden are also housed Cactus Carnegia gigantea, collection of pachypodium, fouquiria spendens from Arizona and adenia venenata that belongs to passifloraceae family and has been brought from Yemen.

Different styles of bonsai are displayed in the garden. Nine glasshouses in the garden have a collection of varied genera of cactus. Collections of haworthias, aloes and gasterias are other prominent highlights of the garden. In the garden, plants are also available for sale. Cactus show also is organised at this garden during the month of March every year.

Timings: 7 AM - 6 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Adults & Rs. 5 for Children