Britain's first houseplant hospital has opened in Edinburgh, offering 'surgery' and care for ailing indoor plants. Owner Rosanna Costello launched Hilda Houseplant Hospital to assist customers whose plants need extra attention or are struggling to survive.
Services Offered at Hilda Houseplant Hospital
Located in Edinburgh, Hilda Houseplant Hospital allows amateur horticulturalists to drop off their plants for services including repotting, pest removal, and trimming. The hospital operates on a consultation basis where customers describe their plant's issues, and pricing is determined by plant size. If pests are detected, the plant is quarantined before treatment. After repotting, trimming, and cleaning, the owner is notified that the 'surgery' was successful.
Rosanna explained: "I'd been into plant shops where you could buy compost and things to repot your plants at home, and even though I knew how to do it, I still wanted either somewhere else to do it and make a mess, or somewhere with advice on hand to avoid any pitfalls." She added that most customers prefer to have the work done for them rather than learning themselves, though workshops are available for those who want to learn.
Common Plant Issues and Advice
Rosanna's top three houseplant mistakes include overwatering, using outdoor compost, and neglecting to trim leaves. She advises watering only when the plant feels light, avoiding outdoor compost which attracts fungus gnats, and trimming leaves regularly to promote growth and prevent pests. During heatwaves, she recommends moving plants out of direct sunlight and checking for drooping or curling leaves as signs of dehydration.
"A lot of the time, people have pests and either don't know they've got them, or they don't know how to deal with them, so we've created our own unique quarantine and treatment system," Rosanna said.
The Most Popular Patient: Monstera
Rosanna notes that monstera plants are the most common patients at the hospital. These large tropical plants can become unruly without proper support. "They are such a popular houseplant, but they can very easily go a bit wild if you don't have them trained up a moss pole, or give them a good feed," she said. The hospital trains them onto moss poles to keep them compact.
Future Plans
Rosanna believes houseplants are essential for city dwellers to connect with nature, especially after the pandemic highlighted their importance. She hopes to open a second Hilda branch in another city soon. "I think city living in flats, people really need their houseplants to have that healthy home life," she said.
Heatwave Tips for Houseplants
Rosanna warns against moving plants outside during a heatwave, as sudden light changes can burn leaves. She advises keeping plants away from south-facing windows and watering thoroughly when the pot feels light. Open windows during warm weather can also invite pests, so regular leaf checks are recommended.
