Mathias Botanical Garden

Los Angeles, California, United States

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The Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, was established in 1929 as part of the university’s early campus development, originally located along a natural arroyo with native willows and coastal sage scrub.

It was initially a collection of donated plants from sources such as the USDA and Huntington Botanical Gardens, with its plant species growing from about 1,500 in the 1940s to over 3,500 today. Under the leadership of Dr. Mildred E. Mathias from 1956 to 1974—after whom the garden is named—the garden expanded significantly, focusing on subtropical and tropical plants, including eucalyptus and figs before they became widespread in the region.

It serves as an educational and research facility featuring themed collections such as California natives, Mediterranean plants, Hawaiian flora, ferns, cycads, and succulents. The garden also supports botanical studies and community education, maintaining its role as a living museum and a green sanctuary within an urban campus setting.​