The Leaf: Indoor Tropical Garden in Winnipeg

The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is a conservatory containing tropical and Mediterranean gardens and a butterfly garden

The indoor gardens at The Leaf in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada create a beautiful year-round oasis in Assiniboine Park. Located inside a stunning building with a translucent roof unfurling around the conservatory like a blossoming flower, the popular horticultural attraction features tropical and Mediterranean gardens and also contains a butterfly garden.

The Leaf’s much-anticipated opening in December 2022 generated media attention and attracted many visitors. Spending time in a tropical garden area in the middle of winter certainly added to the appeal. I visited in early January 2023 and wrote a post about The Leaf. While I found The Leaf to be impressive and worth visiting, I also noted that some of the plantings were still quite young. Two years later, those plants have grown and matured. I feel the richer, lusher gardens warrant a new post to replace that older one. Here it is.

There are four distinct biomes in The Leaf: Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, Mediterranean Biome, Babs Asper Display House, and the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. 

The Leaf Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome

The first biome you encounter when you enter is the tropical garden. It is the largest part of The Leaf. The humidity hits you at once. Your glasses (and camera lens) may fog up. Plants and trees you’ll find in the lush rainforest-like area include coffee, cacoa, coconut palm, ginger, bamboo, ferns, plants you may know as house plants, and plants you may never have heard of, never mind have seen, before.

A six-story-high, free-standing waterfall, designed by Canadian artist Dan Euser, helps maintain humidity.

Paths meander through the garden. Whiffs of sweet subtle scents waft by as you walk.

A walkway six stories up leading to the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden overlooks the tropical garden.

Small signs in the ground in front of the plants identify them. Larger poster-sized signage features information about selected plants. Information includes their native habitats, growing habits, how they are used, and challenges for visitors to spot the plants.

Spaces to sit offer the chance to relax and simply appreciate the garden.

The Leaf Mediterranean Biome

Stone-lined terraced planters in the Mediterranean Garden contain a variety of herbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees native to the Mediterranean climatic zone. A few of the plants you’ll see include magnolia, yucca, cardamom, and jasmine.

It is here that the plant growth over the past couple of years most struck me.

 A plaza area offers seating as well as space to host special events or display temporary exhibits. The photo above on the right was taken at the January 2025 Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE exhibition.

The Leaf Babs Asper Display House

The Babs Asper Display House contains floral displays that will change four to five times per year, exploring seasonal and global themes.

The 4.2-metre (14-foot) tall, 25-metre (82-foot) wide Vertical Wall, which hosts over 4,400 individual living tropical plants, is one of the permanent features of the Babs Asper Display House. It was my WOW moment when I first toured the gardens.

What you’ll find in the remainder of the Babs Asper Display House varies because the floral displays change several times a years. The above photo was taken during the January 2025 Fleurs De Villes ARTISTE Exhibition. It shows a couple of the floral displays from that exhibition along with a few evergreen trees remaining from the Christmas display with The Vertical Wall and the Northern Lights Wall in the background.

The Leaf Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden

You take an elevator six stories up to get to the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden. Here, butterflies flitting among tropical plants are likely to bring smiles to faces.

The Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden used to be a seasonal exhibit (late spring to early fall) in Quonsets in Assiniboine Park Zoo. Although the garden in The Leaf is a smaller space than the former seasonal exhibit, it will be open year-round.

The variety of butterflies in the garden vary over time. Volunteers at the entrance can provide information on what is currently flying in the garden. They also have sheets with information, including photos, of many varieties. The photos show the butterflies in closed and open positions. Often, the butterfly may look relatively drab and camouflaged in the closed position, but the wings open up to display brilliant colours.

When I visited in January 2025, the butterflies were contained in a circular “cage” in the centre of the room to keep them from escaping (and likely perishing) while some construction was underway. The construction had finished and the “cage” had been expected to be removed soon.

Tip: Butterflies are more active when it is sunny and in the mornings.

The Leaf Food and Drink

Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar is located inside The Leaf building but outside of the ticketed garden area. The restaurant, open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., features globally-inspired dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients and inventive, botanical cocktails.

The Leaf Coffee Bar, also located in The Leaf building outside of the ticketed garden area, serves grab and go beverages, snacks, lunches, and treats.

Visiting The Leaf

It is hot and humid inside the tropical garden. There is a coatroom adjacent to the lobby where you can store your jackets, but if you are wearing heavy winter pants and sweaters under that, you may still feel too warm.

The Leaf stages exhibitions and special events, such as The Leaf After Dark – Adults Only, throughout the year.

The Leaf is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online in advance. You can leave the ticketed area of the gardens to visit the coffee bar or restrooms and re-enter, but check with the person at the exit door first. They may stamp your hand for reentry.

The biomes close temporarily 4 – 5 times a year for display changes and occasionally for private events. Upcoming closure dates area listed on their ticketing page.

There is a small gift shop in the lobby. There is a free parking lot. Pathways inside The Leaf are wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to rent.

See The Leaf website for detailed information on hours, rates, closure dates, and other relevant visiting information.

Outside The Leaf building, you’ll find The Gardens at The Leaf, a series of outdoor gardens well worth strolling through.

Never miss a story. Sign up for Destinations Detours and Dreams free monthly e-newsletter and receive behind-the-scenes information and sneak peeks ahead.

PIN IT