Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Leuven’s Botanical Garden opened the Drought Garden with over 100 drought-resistant plants. Aldermen Christophe Stockman and Thomas Van Opens highlight climate resilience, sustainability, and educational value.
As VRT News reported, Leuven’s Botanical Garden has opened a new area called the “Drought Garden.” The section contains over 100 plants that can resist heat and long periods without water. Unlike the rest of the garden, these plants do not get extra irrigation. They rely only on rainfall.
To prepare the garden, the soil was replaced with a lava mixture. A top layer of shell grit was added to reduce evaporation and keep the soil moist. Christophe Stockman, Alderman for Public Green Spaces for Vooruit, said many of the plants can also be found in local garden shops.
What makes Leuven’s Drought Garden with 100+ plants climate-resilient?
The Drought Garden was planted in March 2025. A dry spring and hot summer followed, giving the plants an immediate test. Most species adapted well to the conditions. The garden also works as an educational space. Experts say it could serve as a model for other cities. The garden combines resilience, biodiversity, and environmentally friendly design to face changing weather conditions.
“Most of the plants have already grown considerably,”
says Alderman for Climate and Sustainability Thomas Van Opens (Green).
“This place is not only beautiful to explore, but also relevant,”
says Van Oppens. He explains that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, long droughts, and heavy rainfall, are happening more often.
“We need to design parks and gardens to be climate-resilient so they can cope with these changing conditions,”
he adds.
“It’s a concrete example of how a garden can be vibrant and beautiful even in dry conditions,”
says Stockman.
“There’s a wadi, for example. People sometimes think it’s a drain overgrown with weeds, but here you can see that such a wadi can also be an aesthetic asset.”
A collection of plants from the cacti and succulent families offers visitors useful examples of plants that will consume little water and can survive extreme heat, illustrating both native and non-native species. The garden can be found near the main entrance of Leuven’s Botanical Garden, at the Kapucijnenvoer.
Leuven’s Botanical Garden, also known as Kruidtuin, was established in 1738 by the University of Leuven to provide medicinal herbs for students. In 1835, ownership of the garden was transferred to the city, and over time, it evolved into a public space showcasing a wide variety of plants from around the world.
The garden spans 2.2 hectares and includes themed sections such as a medicinal herb garden, a rock garden, an apiary, and a 450 m² greenhouse housing tropical and subtropical plants. Over the centuries, it has served both scientific and recreational purposes, remaining a free and accessible green space for the people of Leuven.
