The Systematic Zone was conceived as a gigantic tree composed of a network of pedestrian paths along which plant families are distributed.

The Ornamental Zone surrounds the main buildings (pavilions, main entrance) and brings together a collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants with outstanding ornamental value.

The Cultivated Plants Zone is a collection of plants that humans have used throughout history. Fruit trees and short-cycle plants (vegetables, grains, and tubers) that are used in the National Botanical Garden itself are represented.

A special section of the National Botanical Garden is the Indoor Scientific Collection Nursery. This area consists of six shade houses and two glass naves, which house the core collection of species with extreme humidity and full sun requirements, cared for by specialized gardeners. The area is under the scientific care of botanists.

The garden also includes special collections, such as archaic forest, palmetum, scientific collection, Ekman collection, Martian forest and economic plants (ethnobotanical collection).

The very interesting Archaic Forest brings together the primitive species, present-day representatives of remote flora, specifically from the Mesozoic (135 million years ago), among which conifers, cyadae, and the earliest flowering plants recreate the proposed environment.

The Palmeteum houses over 250 varieties of palm trees, approximately 90 of which are native to Cuba. This is the largest collection of palm trees in the world.

It is useful to know some of the special collections in the National Botanical Garden. For example, the Ethnobotanical Collection is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Juan Tomás Roig y MesaThe eminent Cuban botanist who dedicated much of his life to the study of plants useful to the humanity, Ethnobotany is the science that studies the close relationship between humanity and plants, which are used for food, medicine, clothing, shelter, and other services. It is closely related to the customs and culture of the native peoples of each country.

Close to the entrance of the exhibition pavilions there is the Ekman Corner, dedicated to the memory of Erik Leonerd Ekman, the renowned Swedish scientist who had a profound knowledge about Cuban flora. He collected and discovered numerous new species and climbed the highest mountains, including the Turquino mountain range. Plants dedicated to Ekman or species he collected and described are planted in this corner.

Another interesting collection is located in the Martí Forest which you can encounter in the surroundings of the socio-administrative building, and next to the bust of José Martí. It is part of the Cuban semi-deciduous forest in the botanical garden. To select the species to be planted in this area, José Martí's Campaign Diary from Playitas to Dos Ríos was reviewed, written between April 11, 1895, the date of his arrival at Playitas de Cajobabo, and May 16 of the same year. In this Diary, Martí only mentioned the species that most caught his attention, regardless of whether there were other trees in the forest. In the selected area in the National Botanical Garden, there were adult trees of the Cuban forest, some mentioned in the Diary and others not, so it was decided to leave them and begin planting the mentioned species that were not available. Since 1996, the tree and shrub species listed by Martí have been planted. All plants are identified with a label, which includes the scientific name, common name, and family. In the case of the species Martí referred to directly, they also have a sign with the commentary.

The Herbarium wich is the second in Cuba, contains more 200,000 specimens of Cuban flora, distributed in various plant groups. It covers the national area also with some exotic collections from Mexico, French Guiana, Ecuador, Spain, Germany, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Virgin Islands and Florida (USA). Its fundamental objective is to preserve the collection that serves as the basis for the studies carried out for the publication "Flora of the Republic of Cuba" and for the understanding of biodiversity. The herbarium of the old Botanical Garden of Havana, located in the Quinta de los Molinos, was the nucleus from which the accelerated development of botanical collecting in the country began. Its foundation dates back to 1902.

To date, 120 bird species have been recorded at the National Botanical Garden. Eight of these are endemic to Cuba and 12 to the Caribbean. At least 34 species nest in the garden. However, four of the bird species living in the garden are endangered and listed on Cuba's Red List of Endangered Vertebrates.

Another 70 bird species are migratory. Most of these come from North America and, like the warbler, spend the winter in the tropics. Other species, such as the Honey Buzzard, which comes to Cuba only to breed in the summer, originate from South America.

Due to the attractiveness of its birdlife, the National Botanical Garden is now a prominent place for birdwatching, as birdwatching is a very relaxing and educational hobby that allows one to enjoy nature and promotes knowledge and conservation.

The construction and opening of new attractions, including a canopy tour—the first in Havana—a mountain bike trail, a ropes park, and a climbing route in the Mogotes area, are increasing the number of recreational options at the National Botanical Garden.