Tropical Greenhouse with Study and Showpiece Gardens

Rhine-Waal University's Tropical Greenhouse with Study and Showpiece Gardens was established in September 2012.

The Greenhouse is used extensively in a number of ways:

• Holding lectures for students
• Research and practical demonstrations using climate-controlled chambers
• Collecting and presenting tropical crops
• Providing a realistic, hands-on demonstration of biodiversity
• Preserving endangered plant species
• Holding events open to the public

The Tropical Greenhouse with Study and Showpiece Gardens has a total area of 625 m² and sits prominently on the Kleve Campus between the canteen and the library building on the Spoy Canal. It contains a seminar room, a plant room and a large climate-controlled greenhouse unit.

This unit consists of four research chambers and a main cultivation area for plants, which currently houses a collection of tropical crop plants. The climate-control functions allow us to simulate different climate zones, thus creating optimal growing conditions for a variety of different plant species. This variety not only enables students and researchers to conduct internationally-oriented projects and experiments, but also provides a practical teaching aid for students.  

Like the plants it holds, the Greenhouse itself is growing – our future expansion plans include gardens for teaching and show, a “living blackboard” and a nature trail through vegetables. An additional 1,500 m² is planned and already being prepared adjacent to the greenhouse.