It is one of the world's largest botanical gardens, with an extensive collection of living plants and a herbarium of about 4 million specimens.

The botanic garden's mission statement specifies increasing and spreading "the knowledge of plants" and contributions to "the conservation of biodiversity".

Meise Botanic Garden was property of the Belgian Federal Government, but after several years of negotiations, it was eventually transferred to the Flemish Community effective 1 January 2014.

The first botanical garden in Brussels belonged to the École Centrale of the department of the Dyle that was created during the French rule of Belgium at the end of the 18th century.

But, the independence of Belgium (1830–31) was detrimental to the Dutch-born institution; it was regarded as orangist, as a mere playground for the local elites, and as not useful for the country's agriculture, among other critiques.

The State and the City did not want to support it anymore unless it proved useful to the whole country, so the Botanical Garden was obliged to develop its commercial activities.

It sold plants by the thousands, and created several money-consuming attractions and events for the local elite, like aquaria, a dance room, fairs, a fish nursery, concerts etc.

That is why, some months before the garden was bought by the State, the Government had purchased the famous Von Martius Herbarium that was held in Munich.

This greenhouse was designed in 1853 by the architect Alphonse Balat and transported from its original location at the Botanical Garden of Brussels.