The building, first discovered in parts among the property of a wealthy local businessman who died before it could be constructed, was donated to the city and opened in 1879, becoming the oldest wood and glass conservatory in the Western Hemisphere. After suffering extensive damage from storm winds in 1995, the building was closed for several years for restoration. It was listed as one of the 100 most endangered sites by the World Monuments Fund and included in the national Save America’s Treasures program. Restored and reopened in 2003, it is easily visible from the road on JFK Drive through Golden Gate Park. As of August 2021, admission for adults is $10.
The recently restored Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park showcases over 2,000 plant varieties, including a collection of tropical carnivorous pitcher plants. The East Wing features an aquatic plants pond with giant Amazon Lilies, capable of supporting a child's weight. Overhead, Nepenthes pitcher plants, also known as 'monkey cups,' thrive on insects trapped by their slick walls and digested by enzymes in the base of the cup. Named for the mythological elixir that erased Helen of Troy's sorrows, 'Nepenthes' means 'without sorrow' in Greek. According to the Conservatory, some cultures have used these pitchers for cooking rice, gathering water, and as remedies for various ailments, including eyewash, asthma relief, pain relief during childbirth, and treatments for indigestion, heartburn, stomach ailments, and dysentery.