The Barbican opens final ballot to adopt conservatory plants

It's the final release of tickets for the arts centre's conservatory plant adoption events, which have seen overwhelming demand to take home a cutting from the indoor garden.

Winners of the ballot will gain entry to the plant adoption event on Wednesday, December 2 led by Wayward Plants, which includes guidance on how to care for the cuttings at home.

The ballot opened on October 29 and will close on Thursday, November 19 with 700 tickets available.

The Barbican's system will randomly allocate tickets, and those selected will be offered a maximum of two tickets and a chance to book an entry slot.

More than 2,000 cuttings from the conservatory’s temperate and arid plants have been propagated and shared with the public so far with previous events selling out within minutes.

An artist's render of how the Conservatory at The Barbican will be overhauled with improved public access. (Image: Kin Creatives)

From early 2027 the conservatory's ageing waterproofing, glazing, heating and irrigation systems will be replaced, while the space will be relandscaped to create better growing conditions and step-free access.

The renewed conservatory will reopen in 2030 as a free public garden open daily with widened paths and sustainable environmental controls to protect the plant collection for decades to come. 

In addition to the Plant Adoption day, the Barbican has announced a series of events to mark the final public openings of the conservatory before the restoration work begins.

These include 'Conservatory Sonic' on November 8 and 23 with Mental Fight Club exploring the conservatory through listening, field recording, voice, and collective sound-making to create a sonic trace of the space.

The final public performance inside the conservatory is on Sunday, November 22 when singer-songwriter anaiis and artist-filmmaker Tayo Rapoport will present 'devotion', an afternoon of film, music, and movement.

The Barbican has also organised a plant adoption event for Young Barbican members on Sunday, November 29.

It will allow young people to explore the conservatory, adopt one of its cuttings, and take part in interactive sessions.

And 'Rest, Reflect and Recharge', is a series of restorative events across November and December designed to offer more accessible ways to experience the Conservatory - with a focus on calmer and more relaxed environments.

The programme includes yoga, guided relaxation, mindful movement, breathwork, and creative workshops.

There are more free public opening dates between November 13 and December 20 offering visitors final opportunities to explore the Conservatory before the renewal works start.

All dates and tickets can be found on the Barbican website barbican.org.uk.