Monstera magic: Barbican hands out cuttings as ‘green lung of the city’ closes — SkimNews
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- Barbican closes its conservatory for three years starting now, citing urgent structural repairs including falling glass and waterproofing failures that risk significant spaces below
- Marta Lowcewicz, the head gardener, organizes three public plant adoption events distributing 1,500 cuttings from the conservatory’s collection, with the first 500 tickets claimed almost immediately due to high demand
- Dr Philippa Simpson, the Barbican’s chief operating officer, confirms the restored conservatory will reopen in 2030 fully accessible and open seven days a week, unlike its current limited-access model
- Visitors filled out adoption forms like pet applications to take home cuttings such as Swedish ivy, peperomia, and purple heart plants, calling it a meaningful way to preserve a piece of the Barbican’s greenery
- Climate change impacts are reshaping the conservatory’s future plant selection, as many species once suited for indoor display now thrive outdoors due to London’s recent heatwaves and outdated climate systems
Why it matters: The closure affects public access to a beloved urban green space for three years, but the plant adoptions turn loss into community engagement. By committing to full accessibility and modern climate controls by 2030, the Barbican addresses long-standing inequities in access while adapting its historic design to a warmer climate.
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