When Rosanna Costello first got into houseplants, she noticed something missing from the shops she visited. She could buy compost and repotting tools, sure—but what she really wanted was someone to help her figure out what was actually wrong with her plants. Nobody offered that. So she created it herself.
In Edinburgh, Scotland, Rosanna has opened what she believes is the UK's first houseplant hospital: Hilda Houseplant Hospital. Here, drooping ferns, pest-ridden monsteras, and root-bound ferns come in as patients and leave looking refreshed. Some get put on liquid drips for a nutrient boost. Others spend time in quarantine if bugs are involved—Rosanna even developed her own special system for treating infestations that customers bring in.
"People want a drop-off," Rosanna said. "The majority wanted it done for them and then aftercare advice."
The process starts with what Rosanna calls a "patient history." Customers bring their plant into the shop and describe what's going on. How long have they had it? What seems wrong? What do they want? Then Rosanna quarantines if pests are present, repotting or trimming as needed, and gives the plant a thorough cleaning before calling the owner with good news.
"There's an awful lot of feelings and emotions attached to the houseplants that we see," she said. "When they come to collect and get care information, there's so much relief and joy."
Rosanna emphasizes that she's not trying to overwhelm people with complicated plant science. A simple tip: just pick up the pot. If it feels light, it's time to water. She also warns against using outdoor compost for houseplants—it's too heavy and often comes with unwanted fungus gnats.
The hospital's most common patient is the monstera, a large tropical plant with dramatic split leaves that has become wildly popular in recent years. These plants can quickly take over a room if not properly trained. At Hilda, Rosanna guides them onto moss poles so they grow up instead of out.
Rosanna believes houseplants play an important role in city life, especially for people living in apartments without backyards. She remembers the pandemic, when people spent more time indoors and suddenly realized how much they valued their green companions.
"I think city living in flats makes people really need their houseplants to have a healthy home life," she said.
Looking ahead, Rosanna hopes to open a second branch of Hilda Houseplant Hospital somewhere new, helping even more people keep their indoor plants thriving. For her, it's about more than just plant care—it's about helping people feel connected to nature, even in the middle of a busy city.