With its iconic glass domes and towering Supertrees, Gardens by the Bay is a landmark of Singapore’s skyline. Home to over 1.5 million plants from around the world, its immersive gardens have welcomed more than 115 million visitors.

Within this vibrant space, scholar Aristia Ho works as Assistant Manager of Conservatory Operations. Working alongside a multi-disciplinary team, she curates the Flower Dome’s ever-evolving floral displays. Together, they create spectacular horticultural showcases offering captivating experiences that reflect the beauty, diversity, and wonder that define the Gardens’ global appeal.

Passions Take Root

Aristia’s earliest memories are filled with the scent of ixora flowers and the taste of freshly harvested bananas and rambutans in her grandmother’s garden. Those childhood moments spent among fruit trees and blooming plants sparked a fascination with nature. Yet despite her interest, she initially struggled to keep plants alive. Determined to nurture her green fingers, she started small with a few begonias, learning through research, trial and error, and advice from experienced hobbyists. “Gardening is an art that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable, connecting people through a shared appreciation for growth and beauty,” she shared.

Her passion blossomed in Junior College when her aunt suggested turning it into a career. That gentle nudge helped her see horticulture as a real possibility, an unconventional path converging her many interests. Her conviction deepened while working at a local plant shop, where she found joy in helping customers care for their plants and inspiring them to appreciate nature’s beauty.

Fascinated by the horticultural splendour of Gardens by the Bay, Aristia began dreaming bigger. After countless visits, she wanted more than to admire the displays — she sought to play a part in creating them. The Gardens by the Bay Scholarship became the bridge between passion and purpose.

“Gardens by the Bay has always been a constant source of wonder and inspiration for me,” she said. “That sense of awe naturally evolved into a desire to contribute to the very experiences that once inspired me, and to be part of the team that brings them to life.”

Growing Expertise From the Ground Up

The scholarship offered Aristia the chance to explore horticulture from every angle. Rotating across the Conservatory Operations, Gardens Operations, and Research & Horticulture departments, she gained insight into how the Gardens’ daily operations come together while learning hands-on skills that can be applied in the conservatories’ unique microclimates.

Beyond technical expertise, the scholarship provided invaluable mentorship. Colleagues and supervisors generously shared their knowledge, guiding her in horticultural practice and soft skills such as design, communication, and systems-based thinking. Over time, Aristia honed her design sensibility and aesthetic eye — skills that now influence both her work in the Flower Dome and how she engages with the world around her.

Her academic foundation in Life Sciences further strengthened her horticultural expertise. A deep understanding of plant physiology helps her to make informed decisions on plant selection, identify early signs of stress or disease, and meet the nuanced needs of different species.

An exchange to Cornell University broadened this perspective, giving her first-hand exposure to global plant diversity, including temperate species from climates very different from Singapore’s. Today, this experience allows her to adapt techniques and ensure a wide variety of plants can thrive in Gardens by the Bay’s controlled environments.

Harvesting Moments of Wonder

As Assistant Manager of Conservatory Operations, Aristia’s day begins long before visitors arrive. She checks displays, plans horticultural work such as plant replacements and pruning, and coordinates with colleagues to keep the Flower Dome vibrant. Beyond plant care, she spends much of her time in meetings planning future displays, sometimes more than a year in advance. Each show, from conceptualisation to planting, is the result of months of effort and collaboration among dozens of talented individuals.

One project she’s particularly proud of is the upcoming Sakura display, set to launch in March 2026. As part of this project, Aristia joined a study trip to Ishikawa, Japan, visiting regional gardens, meeting local artisans, and establishing collaborations with international partners. The experience deepened her understanding of Japanese spring traditions and showed how design, horticulture, and cultural exchange can combine to create an authentic visitor experience.

Creating meaningful visitor experiences is what Aristia finds most rewarding. She derives joy from watching visitors interact with and delight in the landscapes she helps create. “The wonder in their eyes reminds me why I decided to pursue this career in the first place: to inspire a love of plants in those around me,” she mused.

Hearing about the fond memories people make in the Gardens is especially precious to her.

“It’s a reminder that our work doesn’t just create displays, but moments that can touch people’s lives,” she reflected.

Planting Seeds for the Future

Looking ahead, Aristia is inspired to take a more active role in shaping experiences that connect visitors emotionally to plants and nature. She hopes to one day design a show of her own, carrying forward the Gardens’ legacy of innovation and wonder while creating moments that spark the same sense of awe that first inspired her to join.

For those aspiring to follow a similar path, Aristia advised, “Be resilient, adaptable, and unafraid to get your hands dirty — literally and figuratively.” She added that while Gardens by the Bay may be a haven for plants, it is also a vibrant workplace where people, collaboration, and bold ideas flourish on a scale few other organisations can offer.