How PacSci’s Tropical Butterfly House Thrives Year-Round

November 18, 2024

Emily Jeung

The Tropical Butterfly House at Pacific Science Center is home to hundreds of butterflies, all thriving in a lush tropical environment.

But what makes this display of nature’s beauty possible, especially in Seattle, where it’s cold and rainy much of the year? It takes careful planning and creative solutions to maintain this warm, tropical atmosphere, even during the Pacific Northwest winter months.

Creating a Tropical Climate in Seattle

To keep the butterflies healthy, we recreate the warm conditions of their natural habitat. The Tropical Butterfly House is kept at a steady temperature of 78-83°F, even when the outside temperature drops. We also make sure the humidity stays high with misters and ponds that add moisture to the air.

In addition, we use special full spectrum lights including ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths lights to mimic the natural day and night cycle of the tropics. The lights turn on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours, just like the sunlight in tropical regions. This helps the butterflies follow their natural rhythms and stay active.

three camp for curious minds campers looking into the emerging window with their educator — Camp for Curious Minds campers looking into the emerging window in the butterfly house.

Plants in the Tropical Butterfly House

The plants in the 4,000 sq. ft. Tropical Butterfly House are just as important as the butterflies.

The right plants provide nectar for the butterflies to feed on and places for them to rest. Our living exhibits team carefully selects tropical plants, such as Golden Dewdrop, Pineapple, and Begonia, making sure they thrive in the warm, humid environment.

As the seasons change, the plants need special care. The team adjusts watering, pruning, and fertilizing to keep everything healthy. In the colder months, the team focuses on making sure the plants get the proper moisture levels they need to stay strong.

Woman looking at butterflies eating fruit in the tropical butterfly house

Where Do the Plants in the Tropical Butterfly House Come From?

Creating the lush, tropical environment of our Butterfly House involves sourcing plants from a range of places.

Many of our plants come from local suppliers with specialized greenhouses that maintain tropical temperatures year-round, ensuring the plants are well-suited to our exhibit’s needs.

For unique tropical varieties not available locally, we turn to trusted growers across the U.S., including some in Florida, where tropical plants grow naturally. In addition, we’re fortunate to receive donations from partners, like the Woodland Park Zoo and the Amazon Spheres, which contribute to the diversity and beauty of our plant collection.

Each plant plays an important role, providing nectar, resting spots, and hiding places that allow butterflies to thrive. These plants also enrich the experience for our visitors, bringing the beauty and feel of a tropical forest to Seattle.

Adapting to Seasonal Changes

Winter brings some challenges to maintaining a tropical environment.

One of the biggest problems is the dry air, especially in Seattle’s cold months. To help with this, we use industrial fans to keep the air moving. This helps prevent dry spots and keeps the humidity level just right for the plants and butterflies.

The plants also change with the seasons. The team makes sure to prune back plants that grow too large and replace them when needed.

By adjusting the space regularly, we ensure the Butterfly House stays healthy year-round.

pond and water spring in the tropical butterfly house — Fountains in ponds help increase humidity in the butterfly house.

Creativity and Adaptation in Nature

The Tropical Butterfly House is a great example of how nature can adapt to its surroundings. The plants and butterflies are always finding creative ways to survive and thrive.

This idea of adapting to the environment is also explored in our Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity exhibit, which shows how animals and plants in the wild change and adapt to survive.

Just like the butterflies and plants in our Butterfly House, many animals and plants have developed creative solutions to survive in changing environments.

Girl and woman in Wild Creativity exhibit — *Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity* Exhibit

where does pacsci Source Our Butterflies?

All of our butterflies are sustainably raised by farmers in tropical locales around the world, and they’re sent to us in their chrysalis stage.

The farmers we choose to work with focus on native butterfly conservation and sustainable farming practices—butterflies are never taken from the wild for our exhibit.

If you raised butterflies at home or in your classroom and are looking to find them a good home, chances are we can welcome them into our kaleidoscope—yes, that’s what a group of butterflies is called!

Please contact our Butterflies Team to learn more and arrange a possible release day and time.

pinned butterfly pupae — Pinned chrysalis butterflies being prepared for the emerging window.

Support the Tropical Butterfly House!

The Tropical Butterfly House is an amazing exhibit, but it takes a lot of work to keep it running smoothly. Your support helps us maintain this beautiful habitat for visitors to enjoy.

If you’ve enjoyed the butterflies or learned something new about nature’s creativity, consider making a donation. Your help keeps the Tropical Butterfly House alive and flourishing for everyone to experience.

Thank you for supporting our Butterfly House!

Donate

blue morpho butterfly in front of a fern

Support for the Tropical Butterfly House is generously provided by The Pendleton & Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation.

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about the author

Emily Jeung is a passionate marketing and communications professional based in Seattle, working at Pacific Science Center. Specializing in engaging content creation and strategic outreach, Emily is dedicated to enhancing the center’s mission of delivering impactful science education and fostering community connections. When she isn’t working, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, crafting, and cooking.

Email Emily for insights and collaboration opportunities.