Planta – The Garden and Beyond
The green market exhibition at the Royal Botanical Garden of Naples
About Planta
Planta, the garden and beyond
Planta – The Garden and Beyond is the major green market exhibition that transforms the Royal Botanical Garden of Naples into a showcase of plant biodiversity every year at the beginning of May. The event is organized by the Botanical Garden of the University of Naples Federico II and takes place in the historic grounds at Via Foria 223, in the Stella district, in the heart of the Municipality of Naples, in Campania. The 2026 edition, the twelfth, was held from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd.
Twelve hectares of botanical collections
Founded in 1807, the Botanical Garden of Naples covers approximately twelve hectares and preserves thousands of plant species: a scenic setting that is unparalleled for a market exhibition. Between the Castle, the Aldo Merola Monumental Greenhouse, the Arboretum, and the 19th-century avenues, visitors meet nurseries and specialized companies from all over Italy, selected for their research work, self-production, and focus on environmental sustainability. On display are exclusive botanical collections, rare and exotic plants, seeds and bulbs, products for vegetable gardens and landscapes, tools, outdoor furniture, and natural products.
Conferences, meetings, and botanical culture
Planta is not just a market: the cultural program is an essential part of the event. Each edition offers talks and conferences with botanists, university professors, agronomists, and environmental experts, book presentations, round tables on landscape architecture and contemporary gardens, and thematic exhibitions such as the tropical orchid display curated by the Southern Association of Orchid Lovers (AMAO). Many events are held in the Aula Magna and the complex's halls, and are open to the public free of charge.
Workshops, families, and Kids in Planta
An important space is reserved for families and schools. Under the Kids in Planta banner, dozens of stands host workshops on horticulture, cooking, clay, wooden games, animated readings, and creative activities designed for the little ones. Alongside the workshops, there are environmental education paths dedicated to sustainability and urban biodiversity, as well as theatrical performances for the younger generations. Most children's activities have limited capacity and must be booked directly at the stands.
Planta in Music and Feeling Good at Planta
The Castle courtyard hosts Planta in Music, the concert series that accompanies the three days: early music, saxophone quartets, opera, piano four-hands, jazz, polyphonic choirs, and classic Neapolitan music, ending with the Carabinieri Fanfare that closes the event. In the area of the Monumental Greenhouse, Feeling Good at Planta takes place, featuring vibrational sound therapy, Tibetan singing bowls, reiki, yoga for adults and children, and open lessons of Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan.
Why visit
With free admission, a pet-friendly policy, and a calendar covering three full days, Planta has become one of the most popular spring events in Naples. It is the ideal opportunity to discover a historic garden that often remains little known even to Neapolitans, to buy plants from selected nurseries, and to listen to those who work with greenery every day. An event that combines scientific research, craftsmanship, flower gastronomy, music, and environmental outreach in one great weekend in May.
Planta — edition 2026
Planta 2026, the 12th edition
The twelfth edition of Planta – The Garden and Beyond was held from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at the Royal Botanical Garden of Naples, at Via Foria 223, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday and 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The edition focused on the value of nature as an educational, cultural, and social space, promoting sustainable green care practices and urban biodiversity.
Alongside the nursery market, the program featured the inauguration of the AMAO tropical orchid exhibition in the Monumental Greenhouse, the Green at School and Quiet Waters competitions, a talk on Campanian ethnobotany, the national premiere of the interactive performance Pinocchio in the Green, thematic workshops, and Kids in Planta activities. Admission was free for all three days.
Programme Planta 2026
Friday, May 1st (11:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
- 11:00 AM — Inauguration of the market exhibition and presentation of the competitions: Green at School, a contest for primary schools; Quiet Waters: designing after the storm, project proposals for a (con)temporary garden.
- 11:30 AM — Inauguration of the tropical orchid exhibition by AMAO (Monumental Greenhouse).
- 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Planta in Music, concerts in the Castle courtyard.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM — Nature within Pet's reach, tips for improving the relationship with your dog (Arboretum, by reservation).
- 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM — National premiere of the interactive performance Pinocchio in the Green (Monumental Greenhouse).
- 4:00 PM — Naga-Uta: notes from Japan, a journey into Japanese music.
- 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM — Planta in Music, Castle courtyard.
- 8:00 PM — Closing.
Saturday, May 2nd (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Erasmus/EDA Info point on environmental sustainability.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Nature within Pet's reach (Arboretum).
- 10:30 AM — Presentation of projects for the Quiet Waters competition (Aula BV2).
- 11:00 AM — Talk Man and Plants in Campania, from Biodiversity to Ethnobotany (Aula Magna).
- 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM — Planta in Music, Castle courtyard.
- 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM — Pinocchio in the Green, second day of performances.
- 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM — Silk dyeing workshop with saffron stigmas (Arboretum).
- 3:00 PM — Conference on Vanda falcata, noble and precious orchids of Japan (Aula Magna).
- 4:00 PM — The drawn plants of Friedrich Dehnhardt, meeting with Antimo Palumbo (Aula Magna).
- 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM — Planta in Music, Castle courtyard.
- 8:00 PM — Closing.
Sunday, May 3rd (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Nature within Pet's reach (Arboretum).
- 11:00 AM — Kalenda Maya: the Spring Festival!, ancient music and dances (Vegetable Biology Building).
- 11:00 AM — Book presentation Tea and the Orchid (Aula Magna).
- 12:00 PM — Award ceremony for the Green at School competition (Aula Magna).
- 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM — Planta in Music, Castle courtyard.
- 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM — Nature within Pet's reach (Arboretum).
- 7:00 PM — Farewell in Music: Fanfare of the 10th Carabinieri Regiment Campania (Monumental Greenhouse).
- 8:00 PM — Closing.
Highlights Planta 2026
- Completely free admission for all three days
- Tropical orchid exhibition by AMAO in the Aldo Merola Monumental Greenhouse
- Talk Man and Plants in Campania with Federico II botanists
- National premiere of the interactive performance Pinocchio in the Green
- Planta in Music: twelve concerts in the Castle courtyard
- Silk dyeing workshop with saffron stigmas
- Fables of Wisdom by I Teatrini for children
- Pet-friendly policy with dog training sessions
Prices Planta 2026
Practical information — Planta
How to get there
The Royal Botanical Garden is located at Via Foria 223, in Naples, next to the Real Albergo dei Poveri (Palazzo Fuga). By subway: Line 2, Cavour stop, then about 800 meters on foot towards Piazza Carlo III; or Line 1, Museo stop, and a fifteen-minute walk along Via Foria. From Naples Central Station, it is about a 15-minute walk. By bus: lines 201, C47, 203, and 254. From Capodichino Airport, you can use the Alibus to Piazza Garibaldi. By car: take the Corso Malta exit from the ring road; parking is possible on the blue lines along Via Foria, but spaces are difficult to find after 10:00 AM.
Hours and admission
Admission to Planta is free and does not require a reservation. Regular hours are: Friday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Some specific activities (children's workshops, theatrical performances, Qi Gong lessons) are paid and have limited capacity, with booking at the individual stands.
Pets and tips
The event is pet-friendly: dogs are allowed on a leash, with a muzzle for medium and large breeds, respecting the flowerbeds and paths. We recommend comfortable shoes, as the visiting route is extensive and partly uphill, and a sturdy bag for transporting purchased plants.
Information
Botanical Garden of Naples, University of Naples Federico II. Phone: +39 081 2533927 / 081 2533922 / 081 2537548. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.ortobotaniconapoli.it
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Where does it take place — Planta
Real Orto Botanico di Napoli
Via Foria 223, 80139 Napoli