Welcome
The Growth Facilities serves as the primary plant growth facility for researchers in the Department of Cell & Systems Biology (CSB) and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). The Growth Facilities are operated by Chief Horticulturist Tom Gludovacz and Horticulturist Alice DesRoches. The staff maintain the research greenhouses, teaching plant collection, and grow plant material used in course lectures and laboratory exercises. They also provide researchers with growth space and material, and have a wide range of knowledge and experience that they are happy to share.
Have Questions? Check out our Growth Facilities Protocol Handbook (Sept 2023)
Interested in working in the greenhouse?
We hire assistants twice a year through the Work Study Program. We encourage all those interested to apply through the program. We do not accept volunteer help at this time.
Looking for pictures of the teaching collections?
Visit our Currently Flowering page or Instagram @uoft.growthfacilities
Glasshouse and Growth Chambers
The Growth Facilities at the Earth Sciences Centre include over 80 plant growth chambers and rooms, and provide excellent support for plant & some model systems (fruit flies, aphids, rotifers, damselflies…) research at the University of Toronto.
Contact Tom and Alice to request glasshouse space, change environmental settings and report pest problems.
Contact Tom and Alice for chamber requests, program changes or to report problems.
Teaching Plant Collection
The teaching plant collection, comprised of over 500 unique specimens of botanical and human interest. The collection is located in glasshouses on the 5th floor of ESC. The collection is used to supplement a wide range of departmental courses, and is instrumental in public outreach.
The collection houses are on the penthouse (5th) floor of the North wing of the Earth Science Centre (Rooms 5001, 5003, 5007, and 5009)
Take the stairs from 25 Willcocks Street or 33 Willcocks Street to the penthouse (5th) floor. Elevator access from 33 Willcocks Street entrance.
