Garden Etiquette

FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL

• Stay on pathways and mowed lawn areas. Do not walk in mulched or planted garden beds.
• Please leave flowers and plants for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, fruits and vegetables, plant labels, etc. Please also refrain from bringing any plant material into the Garden to prevent potential contamination of our living collections. 
• No music.
• No soliciting or unauthorized vending is permitted. View the Garden’s Solicitation Policy.

PHOTOGRAPHY

• For visitor, individual or family photography, please refer to our Photography Policy.
• Wedding and bridal parties must abide by the rules and guidelines outlined in the Wedding and Bridal Photo Policy.
• Photos and videos are not to be sold or used for any commercial purposes without advanced project review and authorization; projects will be approved on a case-by-case basis and will occasion fees. Contact the Public Relations Department at (314) 577-0286. View the Photography Policy.
• If a visitor is asked by another person not to take pictures of that person or others accompanying that person, the request must be honored to protect personal rights of privacy. If a picture has already been taken, it must be deleted upon request.

ATTIRE AND CLOTHING CHANGES

• Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
• In respect to all Garden visitors, patrons wearing articles of clothing that may be taken as profane, vulgar, racist, sexist, or sexually suggestive, including slogans/illustrations, may be asked to change clothing before entering the Garden.
• Clothing changes (including those for photography shoots) are not permitted inside or outdoors. To inquire about space rental for clothing changes, call (314) 577-9560. 
• Clothing changes for small children connected to activities at the Garden or Children's Garden are permitted only in public restroom stalls

WILDLIFE AND ANIMALS

• No pets allowed, please. Assistance animals are welcome at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Please review these guidelines to help you enjoy your visit with your assistance animal.
• Do not feed or handle the wildlife. It can be harmful to them - and you.

ARTISTS

• Light collapsible chairs or stools (no lawn chairs) are permitted for artists at work. Please position chairs in a grassy area or large paved area so walkways remain clear. Do not enter planted or mulched beds. Watercolor artists, please dispose of waste water carefully in sinks; do not dispose on walkways, benches rocks, plants or garden areas, as they can become discolored.

 EVENT SEATING

• Collapsible lawn chairs, stools and blankets are only permitted in conjunction with event performances at the Cohen Amphitheater.

SMOKING, VAPING AND LITTER

• The Garden is a tobacco-free environment. Smoking, tobacco products and devices and electronic smoking devices are not allowed on Garden property, including all buildings, grounds, restrooms and parking lots.
• We care about the environment. Please dispose of waste in recycle bins when appropriate. Do not litter.

PICNICKING

• Picnicking is not allowed anywhere on Garden property (exception: Whitaker Music Festival). Please no outside food, picnics, coolers, grills, or open flames. Visitors who wish to picnic may do so nearby in Tower Grove Park, south of the Garden.
• The Garden provides many benches throughout the grounds for resting. Please refrain from lying down on benches, so that other visitors may have a seat. Laying blankets on the grass is permitted for Garden performances only.
• No outside alcohol.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons and firearms or fireworks of any kind
• Outside food, picnics, coolers, grills, or open flames
• Outside beverages (refillable water bottles welcome)
• Pets (service animals are welcome)
• Smoking, tobacco products and devices, or electronic smoking devices
• Music (Bluetooth speakers, playing instruments, etc.)
• Bicycles and recreational scooters (including "wheelie" shoes, skates, or skateboards)
• Outside alcohol
• Guests without shoes or shirts
• Guests with clothing that may be taken as profane, vulgar, racist, sexist, or sexually suggestive
• Blankets, collapsable lawn chairs, or stools
• Balloons, open flames, sparklers
• Large signage or banners
• Plants, flowers, flower petals, props, glitter, confetti, or candles
• Tripods or monopods prohibited inside all buildings and conservatories
• Sporting equipment (soccer balls, baseballs and gloves, footballs, hula hoops, frisbees, etc.)

MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS

• Formal/informal groups or parties are not allowed to hold meetings, weddings, memorial services or christenings at the Garden without advance space rental. Visit Rentals for more information or call (314) 577-0200 (weddings and events requiring food) or (314) 577-9560 (space rental without food).

 CLASSES

• Non-school classes led by an instructor not affiliated with the Missouri Botanical Garden are not permitted. This applies to both for-profit and not-for-profit classes. Call (314) 577-9473 x 6565 for more information. All school-based groups (including colleges and universities) wishing to hold either a Garden-led or self-guided class must register with the Garden in advance of their visit by completing the online request form or call (314) 577-5140. To ensure a quality experience for all visitors, we have established a maximum number of group admissions per hour per day. Early registration will help us reserve your preferred arrival time

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Do not wade or swim in ponds, streams or fountains.
• Please keep your personal items with you at all times. The Garden cannot be held responsible for missing items. If you recover an item on the grounds that does not belong to you, please turn it in to the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center ticket and membership services counter. To reach the Lost & Found desk, call (314) 577-0212.
• For their safety, please supervise children at all times. One adult should accompany every five children.
• No running, climbing, sports, or games.
• Recreational scooters, “wheelie” shoes, skates, and skateboards are not allowed.
• Do not consume plant material originating from the Garden living collections as some plant material may be harmful if ingested. 
• Weapons and firearms are not permitted at the Missouri Botanical Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House or Shaw Nature Reserve.

Visitors to the Garden voluntarily assumes all risk, loss, damages, liability, and danger for injury or damage to person or property and all hazards arising from or related to admission to the Garden or its family of attractions and participation in any exhibits or attractions. Visitors agree  not to use commercially any photography or reproduction in any form taken at the Garden or its family of attractions. Visitors grant  permission to the Garden and its designees to utilize their image, likeness, actions, or statements in any form taken during a visit to the Garden or its family of attractions for the purpose of promoting the Garden and its family of attractions in perpetuity.