Seoul plant hospital admits 10,000 potted patients since 2023 opening

Seoul’s Companion Plant Hospital, a city-run facility tucked inside the Seoul Agricultural Technology Center in Seocho District, has treated a remarkable 10,886 cases of ailing houseplants since its 2023 opening. The hospital functions much like a conventional medical center for verdant flora, handling everything from diagnosing pest infestations and mysterious wilting to prescribing targeted pesticides and emergency repotting.

Resident plant doctors at the hospital are equipped to handle a wide range of plant maladies, with some cases requiring intensive inpatient care. Plants that need special attention can be admitted for up to three months, allowing them ample time to recover. Meanwhile, plant parents are provided with personalized home-care prescriptions to ensure their green companions thrive once they return home.

The hospital has encountered its fair share of high-stakes, emotionally charged cases. One notable instance involved a resident rushing in a wilting Chinese money tree, the final gift from their late mother. The hospital immediately admitted the botanical heirloom into critical care, successfully nursing it back to health.

Another success story from the hospital involves a trendy Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, known affectionately as the "mini monstera." The plant’s swift recovery serves as a testament to the hospital’s expertise in treating even the most delicate of green patients.