Committed to Doing Better, Every Day
A sustainable approach from the start
Our Green Commitment at Mall of America®
From the beginning, Mall of America wanted do things differently. And back in 1992 when we opened, we made choices that were—at the time—a little crazy.
For instance, the visionary architects and engineers who designed Mall of America knew that a central heating system could be avoided, if constructed properly. And that integrating hundreds of trees and tens of thousands of plants would clean the air naturally. And we just got greener from there.
- 1.7 square miles of skylights help keep the mall climate at a constant 72° and sunny—simply through passive solar energy
- More than 60% of waste at Mall of America is diverted from landfills—and we’re doing better every year
- Unclaimed lost-and-found items get a second life as donations to local nonprofits
Creating New Cycles: Stores that Recycle, Reuse + Upcycle
We’re proud of the efforts under our roof to minimize waste and prolong the life of clothes and other everyday items. And at these stores, it’s not just a short-term effort: it’s a new way of doing business, with a big impact on the planet.
Ready, Set, Grow: Our Year-round Gardens
A dedicated team of landscapers make every effort to avoid pesticides and chemicals in cultivating the trees and plants that flourish throughout our spaces. And every year during Earth Month, Minnesota schoolkids join them in releasing 100,000 live ladybugs to help control pests naturally.
Plants in Nickelodeon Universe®
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow image
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
Location: Near La Aventura De Azul
This flowering shrub features a deep purple blossom which fades to lavender and then white before falling off. It flowers in early spring and early June. There are two of these plants located inside Nickelodeon Universe®! Native to Brazil.
Schefflera Amate image
Schefflera Amate
Location: Near Guppy Bubbler
This large tree does not flower but features rich green leaves that can get quite large. You can find nearly 30 of these beautiful plants throughout Nickelodeon Universe®. Native to Australia, New Guinea and Java.
Kentia Palm image
Kentia Palm
Location: Near Swiper’s Sweeper
These large plants get an inflorescence flower – or cluster of flowers – arranged on the stem. You will find nearly 20 of these plants throughout Nickelodeon Universe®. Native to rain forests and tropical climates.
Norfolk Island Pine image
Norfolk Island Pine
Location: Near Log Chute
These beautiful trees can grow as tall as 100 feet and live for more than 150 years! There are about 20 of these trees inside Nickelodeon Universe® and most have been here since we opened in 1992 . Native to Norfolk Island off the coast of Australia.
Azalea image
Azalea
Location: Near Shredder’s Mutant Masher
Part of the Rhododendron family, the Azalea are known for their beautiful shiny flowers. Our plants bloom in the spring and feature purple, white and purple/white flowers. We have eight beautiful Azalea plants in Nickelodeon Universe®. Native to North America and parts of Asia.
Camellia Bush image
Camellia Bush
Location: Near Log Chute & Big Rigs
This flowering shrub produces beautiful red, pink, and pink/white flowers – but take a picture when you see them because the flowers don’t last long! There are many of these throughout Nickelodeon Universe®. Native to East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Ficus Tree image
Ficus Tree
Location: Near the exit of Log Chute
This majestic tree is original to when the park opened in 1992. There are more than a dozen Ficus found inside Nickelodeon Universe®. Native to Asia and Australia.
Lemon Tree image
Lemon Tree
Location: Inside track of Big Rigs
This beautiful tree does not flower inside Nickelodeon Universe® – so no fruit is produced. This is the one and only lemon tree found inside the park! Native to Asia and Northeast India.
Orange Tree image
Orange Tree
Location: Inside track of Big Rigs
This beautiful tree does flower and produces fruit. Part of the citrus family, our tree produces smaller sized oranges once a year! Native to Asia, Southern U.S. Central and South America, and tropical climates.
Croton, variety Petra image
Croton, variety Petra
Location: Throughout Nickelodeon Universe®
This beautiful ornamental foliage plant features stunning leaf color ranging from pinks to reds, oranges, and yellows and variegation. Approximately 40 of these plants can be found throughout the park. Native to tropical climates including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and the western Pacific Ocean islands.
Clivia image
Clivia
Location: Throughout Nickelodeon Universe®
Part of the Amaryllidaceae family, common names include Natal lily or bush lily. There are about 30 of these beautiful plants found inside Nickelodeon Universe®. They feature large, beautiful blooms (mostly orange) throughout the year. Native to southern Africa.
Oxalis image
Oxalis
Location: Near Big Rigs and Azul
The foliage found in the park is a dark purple. These plants feature a dainty pinkish/white flower – they are a delight to behold when blooming. Native to many climates/regions, but particularly rich in tropical Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
Pineapple image
Pineapple
Location: Near Fairly Odd Coaster
There is only one pineapple plant inside Nickelodeon Universe® – keep your eyes sharp! Native to South America, the pineapple fruit has grown in popularity throughout the world.
Bird of Paradise image
Bird of Paradise
Location: Near Fairly Odd Coaster
Part of the Strelitzia family, this plant is commonly known as Bird of Paradise. The variety found inside Nickelodeon Universe® features showy white flowers – and the plants flower throughout the year. Native to south Africa.
Shrimp Plant image
Shrimp Plant
Location: Blue Spot
This beautiful plant features clusters of two-lipped flowers. The Shrimp Plants located inside Nickelodeon Universe® all have yellow flowers and bloom early spring and throughout the summer months. Native to Guatemala.
Green Means Go—Forward: See our Latest Eco News
Our goal is to constantly set new standards in protecting the planet and choosing a sustainable path forward. Check here to see our latest initiatives and eco-minded updates.