[5] The Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched a public poll in 2005 to replace the station's working name "Adam".

While "Cluny" garnered more votes at 46.5% over "Old University", "Botanic Gardens" was chosen in November as the station name due to it being a popular suggestion from the respondents.

[32] The interior of the DTL station incorporates touches of nature with green palettes that reflect the design concept of flora and fauna.

1, by Lam Hoi Lit and Chua Chye Teck, is a large mural of paper cuttings depicting varieties of animals and plants along a section of the CCL platform wall.

[37] In light of Singapore's rapid urbanisation, the artists also wanted the work to bring attention to preservationist and conservation efforts.

[35] Using a technique similar to traditional Chinese paper-cutting, the artist produced various images in a short time and pieced together the paper cuts.

While digitalising their work, Lam and Chua smoothened the jagged edges of the paper cuts that ended up pixelated in the scans.

by Shirley Soh depicts the iconic Tembusu tree on the front lawn of Botanic Gardens through three art mediums – a photograph, a metal engraving and a sandblasted silhouette.

Her first permanent public artwork,[40] the piece is also accompanied by a series of quotes by poets, artists and nature lovers that are etched into the station's floor.

Soh also intended to draw the attention of commuters, making them feel familiarity with the artwork and having them consider whether it was the same as the Tembusu tree.

[42] The barren form which exposed the Tembusu's trunking system was initially planned to be crafted out of rusted Corten steel to resemble the original colour of the tree.

Due to safety concerns, the station contractor suggested using copper, which was burnt and brushed to achieve the desired colour.

[42] The photograph displayed at the DTL platform is accompanied by seeds and leaves collected at the Tembusu, with the flowers extended in surrealist style.

[43] As many Singaporeans visit the Botanic Gardens, Soh sought public involvement by working with National Parks Board to gather thoughts about trees.

For the artwork, Dr Geh Mih – the Nature Society President – and the NUS students of Tembusu College provided their reflections on trees.