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On nights Radiant Nature is open (from sunset through 10 p.m.), the Garden closes to day-time visitors at 4 p.m.
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Garden Rules
MUSIC IN THE GARDEN
Respecting the Garden and Other’s Enjoyment
- Leave flowers, plants and all other elements in the garden beds for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables, plant labels, rocks, etc.
- Please stay on designated pathways and mowed grass lawns; do not enter the mulched or planted garden beds.
- While we hope you will be inspired to garden at home—please do not plant anything on the Garden property.
- The Garden is a nicotine-free environment. Cigarettes, electronic cigarettes/vapes, cigars, chewable tobacco, and similar products are not allowed on Garden property.
- Visitors may enjoy their own food in the Picnic Grove just outside the gate, or in Charlton Park next to the entrance on Park Place Blvd. No grills or fires are allowed on Garden property. No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the Garden. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Water bottle fillers are available in the Garden.
- The Garden is a family-friendly environment. Visitors wearing articles of clothing that may be taken as profane, vulgar, racist, sexist, or sexually suggestive are not allowed. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Only children may wear swim suits in the Water Play at the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden.
- Portable music players without headphones, as well as musical instruments, are prohibited.
- No soliciting.
Safety
- All patrons entering the Houston Botanic Garden voluntarily assume all risks and dangers incidental to admission and/or any event, and waive and release all claims against the Houston Botanic Garden, its partners, representatives, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns.
- For their safety, please supervise children at all times.
- Bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, skateboards, hover boards, Segways, wagons, remote-controlled and motorized vehicles, ball playing, and Frisbees are not permitted. Strollers used for children and mobility scooters are permitted.
- Do not wade or swim in ponds, the bayou, or fountains.
- Firearms and other weapons are not allowed on Garden property.
- Please do not climb trees or play sports or games (unless planned and supervised by Garden personnel).
Animals
- With the exception of periodic, announced-in-advance Dog Days promotions, pets are not allowed at the Garden at any time, day or night. Service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities are allowed. As a courtesy, please alert staff at the ticket window before bringing an ADA-qualifying service animal into the Garden.
- Animals living in the Garden are wild, please do not feed or touch them. It can be harmful to them and you.
Photography, Drones & Events
- Visitors to the Garden may be filmed and/or photographed by a Garden employee or contract photographer from time-to-time. Your attendance serves as permission for the use of your image by the Garden for promotional or archival purposes.
- Visitors are welcome to take photos and videos for personal use. Cameras with an attached flash are allowed; tripods, stand-alone flashes, other large equipment, large props, and anything that might be left in the Garden (such as balloons, confetti, streamers, artificial flower petals, etc.) are not.
- Do not move or remove – even temporarily – any posted Garden signage, including plant labels, in the vicinity of a photo shoot. All Garden signage is a key component of the Garden’s educational mission and has been placed intentionally and thoughtfully.
- All staged photography and videography sessions must be reserved in advance and scheduled between normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily). A $100 fee applies and must also be paid in advance. Photographers who schedule in advance and pay the fee will be given a temporary photography pass to use while on-site. A different fee applies for a succession of mini-sessions hosted by a professional photographer for multiple clients. View our staged photography and mini-sessions policy.
- Photos and videos are not to be sold or used for any commercial purpose without advanced approval. Contact the Communications Department at 713-715-9675.
- Drones are not allowed at the Garden.
- All meetings, weddings, memorial services, or other formal or informal group event gatherings must be reserved in advance. See our Rentals page or call 713-715-9675 to make a reservation.
Admission is subject to compliance with all laws and Garden rules and the patron consents to reasonable examinations and searches to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with the law or Garden rules may result in refusal of admission or expulsion