Mainau in winter is boring? Not at all, because right now in December there are plants and trees to discover in the park that only reveal their full charm in cooler temperatures. Evergreen plants catch the eye with their unique leaf shapes and decorative fruit decorations.
The palm house and butterfly house also offer a fascinating atmosphere in December. While winter sets in outside, a tropical oasis awaits you in the heated greenhouses. The palm house presents a variety of exotic palms and plants, while the butterfly house enchants with colorful butterflies.
Please note: flowering times are approximate and depend on the weather
The information on flowering times is merely indicative, as it depends on weather conditions and annual fluctuations. The pictures shown give an impression of last year's flowering periods. We recommend that you enquire about the current flowering status before your visit to Mainau. Please feel free to contact us at info@mainau.de.
The shoots of the cylindrical spurge(Euphorbia myrsinites) are perfectly symmetrical and geometrically arranged. This makes the steppe plant an eye-catcher in the winter perennial garden.
In December, the golden calyx(Solandra maxima) blooms in the butterfly house. The golden yellow calyxes of this South American climbing plant, which are interspersed with purple stripes, are impressive.
Ornamental blooms in the cold season: the winter snowball(Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn') bears single pink flowers that exude an intense fragrance.
The common holly(Ilex aquifolium) enchants us in the Advent season with its shiny dark green foliage and red fruit ornaments. This species of holly is a protected species in Germany.
Although the dry inflorescences of the plate hydrangeas are only cut back in spring, they still have a decorative effect on the wintery island of Mainau. Unique plays of light in the leaf skeletons can be observed when the sun shines.
The dense ear(Pachystachys lutea), which originates from the tropical forests of South America, feels right at home in our butterfly house. The acanthus plant with its golden yellow flower candles is also known as the "golden shrimp plant". The actual flowers are the white, protruding flower plumes.
The Japanese Sickle Fir(Cryptomerica japonica) is an elegant, evergreen conifer in our arboretum, which adorns itself with its brown, spherical cones in December.
The Ixora(Ixora coccinea) is a tropical flowering beauty from the region of India and Sir Lanka, which blooms in our Butterfly House.
The red dogwood(Cornus sanguinea 'Annys Winter Orange') has a particularly high ornamental value in winter, as this is when the brightly colored bark really comes into its own.
Our favorite places in December
More than 20 different types of palm trees can be admired here, including a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) that is over 15 meters high.
Mainau events in December
In 2026, a hall in Mainau Castle will once again be transformed into an exclusive restaurant. We will be serving a 4-course surprise menu. Next dates: February 14, 2026