Botanicactus

Botanicactus is a privately owned botanical garden in Ses Salines, in southern Mallorca, covering 150,000 square meters and considered the largest garden of its kind in the Balearic Islands. Its centerpiece is a collection of more than 15,000 cacti belonging to around 1,500 species, making it one of the most significant cactus collections in Europe.

How did the garden come to be?

The story of Botanicactus goes back to the late 1980s, when a group of botany and gardening professionals and enthusiasts set out to build a unique botanical garden that would bring together one of Europe's most important cactus collections. The project took about two years to complete: a flat agricultural plot was transformed into an elaborate garden landscape, with hills raised around it to shield the plants from wind, and a navigable lake dug out covering 10,000 square meters at a depth of 4 meters, which also serves as a freshwater reservoir used for irrigation. The garden officially opened to visitors on May 20, 1989.

What can you see at Botanicactus?

The grounds are divided into three distinct themed areas. The Jardín Mallorquín showcases the island's native vegetation, typical of Mallorca's Mediterranean landscape. The main attraction, however, remains the Jardín de Cactus — an extensive, striking area dominated by desert-like scenery, where cacti and succulents grow, some reaching impressive sizes. The third area is a wetland zone built around the artificial lake, introducing a different, more humid microclimate and a distinct type of vegetation into the garden.

This landscape diversity — from dry, desert-like sections to water features and tropical touches — means a walk through Botanicactus takes visitors through several clearly different ecosystems within a single property.

Who manages the garden?

Botanicactus has been privately owned and run since it opened in 1989. This ownership model has allowed the cactus collection to grow steadily over the decades, without depending on the public funding typically associated with botanical gardens run by state institutions or universities.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Botanicactus located? In Ses Salines, in the southern part of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands.

How many cactus species can be seen in the garden? The collection includes more than 15,000 specimens belonging to around 1,500 cactus species.

How large is the garden? Botanicactus covers an area of 150,000 square meters.

When did the garden open to the public? It officially opened on May 20, 1989.

Is there more to see besides cacti? Yes — alongside the Jardín de Cactus, there is the Jardín Mallorquín with the island's native vegetation, and a wetland area built around an artificial, navigable lake covering 10,000 square meters at a depth of 4 meters, which also serves as an irrigation water reservoir.

Is Botanicactus a public or private garden? It is a privately owned garden.