LOCATED AT FORT CANNING PARK

spice gardens

The Spice Garden traces its beginnings to 1822, when Singapore's first experimental and botanical garden was established on that very site by Sir Stamford Raffles, the "founder" of Singapore.

Raffles, who was at that time based in Bencoolen (in Indonesia), sent spices of economic value such as cloves and nutmegs to be planted in the garden.

The Spice Garden does a good job recreating the feel of that colonial-era botanical garden, albeit on a much smaller scale, with its walkways and terraces, shaded by many large, mature trees. The garden, sitting as it does on the slopes of Fort Canning Hill, also boasts great views over the bustling commercial areas of Singapore city.

Many of the trees and plants give insight to the culture and traditions of the peoples in the Southeast Asian region, particularly the Malays, who make extensive use of indigenous plants in preparing traditional food favourites and healing remedies.

You'll find spice plants such as chilli, galangal, lemongrass, turmeric, curry leaves, "laksa" leaves, and many types of limes and gingers. Nutmeg and clove trees -- first introduced into the garden by Raffles -- can be seen in the garden as well.