Math in Bloom
Artwork is courtesy of the Simons Foundation and is part of its Infinite Sums initiative.
Math is inherent to nature’s design—from the spiral of a pinecone to the curve of a fern and the pattern in which branches grow. Throughout 2026, the San Antonio Botanical Garden invites you to see the world through a new lens with Math in Bloom, a creative exploration of how mathematics shapes the natural world.
Math in Bloom is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of “Infinite Sums,” a national initiative that will, among other things, connect people to the mathematics inherent in nature. Each participating botanical garden will create interactive experiences to celebrate mathematical beauty.
Check this page for upcoming Math in Bloom events and related programs in San Antonio.
Math in Bloom Programs at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Math in Bloom will activate across participating Gardens nationwide around three key dates in 2026. Each date activation offers a fresh perspective on how math and plants intertwine. To shape these experiences, SABG has teamed up with mathematicians from Southwestern University, St. Mary’s University, and Trinity University.
Celebrate Pi Day! (3.14)
Celebrate Pi Day with a day dedicated to circles in nature. Count tree rings, enjoy a slice of Pi(e), experience sound bowl vibrations inside the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, and explore circular garden designs blooming across the grounds. Local mathematicians will be onsite with fun, hands-on activities for all ages.
Celebrate Infinity Day! (8.8)
Infinity Day turns our focus to cycles—the endless processes that sustain life. From the nutrient and water cycles to pollination and propagation, guests can explore how plants depend on infinite renewal. The Garden will showcase the patterns of infinity in nature with displays of ancient cycads and ferns, along with fractal-inspired patterns. Visitors can get their hands dirty by creating terrariums, making compost, and propagating new plant cuttings—a living lesson in continuity.
Celebrate Fibonnaci Day! (11.23)
For Fibonnaci Day, the Garden will showcase the world's favorite sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8... From the spiral of a sunflower to the arrangement of leaves on a stem, Fibonnaci numbers describe how plants grow efficiently and beautifully. Guests will create Fibonacci-inspired cocktails, discover Fibonnaci sequence-inspired landscapes, hunt for spirals hidden throughout the Garden, and write a "Fib"—a short poem form that mirrors the famous sequence.
This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its “Infinite Sums” initiative. For more information, visit infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org.
Led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Math in Bloom includes six botanical gardens across the United States: Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Nashville, TN), Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, CO), Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ), Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Columbus, OH), Queens Botanical Garden (Flushing, NY), to bring this idea to life through plants, design, and discovery.
