The Butterfly Garden in Al Ain is one of our most complex and rewarding projects. It sounds simple — release butterflies, add flowers — but the reality of keeping 1,200+ butterflies alive and breeding in 45°C heat requires a carefully designed microclimate and a deep understanding of lepidopteran ecology.
The garden is built around a 1,200 m² shade house with 70% UV-blocking shade cloth, supported by a steel frame designed to withstand the occasional desert wind storm. Inside, we maintain a temperature range of 26–32°C using a combination of natural ventilation, misting systems, and evaporative cooling pads. Humidity is kept at 60–80% through timed misters that activate when relative humidity drops below the target range.
The plant palette is the real secret. We use 40% native species — including Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria), Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi), and harmal (Rhazya stricta) — combined with 60% adapted exotics selected for their nectar production and host-plant value. Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is the sole host plant for our Monarch colony, while citrus trees support the Giant Swallowtail. Nectar plants are chosen to provide year-round bloom succession, so there is always something in flower regardless of season.
Daily operations include monitoring butterfly counts, replacing host plants that have been stripped by caterpillars, and harvesting pupae for our breeding programme. We release approximately 200 newly emerged adults each week to maintain a stable population. The garden now hosts over 15 species and attracts more than 50,000 visitors per year.