Monstera magic: Barbican hands out cuttings as ‘green lung of the city’ closes
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- Barbican conservatory is closing for three years until 2030 for a full refurbishment, prompted by falling glass panes caught by overhead nets, waterproofing failures, and leaks into 'all of our significant spaces'
- 500 people attended the first of three planned plant-cutting adoption events, with each event distributing 500 cuttings and free online tickets selling out almost immediately
- Attendees completed 'adoption forms' to take home cuttings including Swedish ivy, white velvet plant, peperomia, purple heart, and Benghal dayflower, with some Barbican residents having donated overgrown houseplants back to the collection
- Marta Lowcewicz, the Barbican's head gardener, is sorting plants between indoor and outdoor use, noting that climate change and five London heatwaves have shifted what qualifies as indoor-suitable — many former indoor plants are now outdoor species
- Dr Philippa Simpson, the Barbican's COO, called the conservatory a 'green lung of the city' and said it was in 'urgent need of rescue'
- When the conservatory reopens in 2030, it will be fully wheelchair-accessible for the first time and open seven days a week rather than during limited hours
Why it matters: The Barbican's three-year closure triggers its most significant structural overhaul since the 1960s, and residents and plant lovers walk away with a tangible keepsake — 1,500 cuttings across three adoption events. The 2030 reopening will finally make the conservatory fully accessible to visitors with limited mobility and extend opening to seven days a week.
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