Plant funerals are a growing trend in the world of plant enthusiasts, offering a unique way to process the loss of beloved greenery. I recently attended my first plant funeral at the Lower East Side gallery Chinatown Soup, where I bid farewell to my dying monstera vine. As I entered the gallery, I was greeted with a mix of funerary incense and the sight of wilted plants and shriveled leaves.
The event, titled “Root in Peace,” was organized by Dohyun Lee, who wanted to create a communal space for plant owners to mourn their lost green friends. Inspired by the death of his own snake plant, Lee wanted to provide a space for plant owners to come together and share their grief.
The gallery was decorated with gray tombstones in black planters, photos of former plant owners with their empty pots, and an illustration of potted plants ascending into heavenly clouds. Each photo had a loving apology and details about the plant’s demise, creating a sense of solidarity among plant owners who had experienced similar losses.
Participants, like Bianca Caniero and Samm Cohen, brought their deceased plants to the funeral to find closure and make space for new life. Caniero shared the story of her rosemary plant, which met its end when left outside on a balcony during the winter. Cohen, an avid gardener, brought three dead plants and found solace in finally letting go of their remains.
Richard Pham, founder of Plant Daddy MD, was on-site to assess each plant’s cause of death. Through Pham’s expertise, I learned that my plant cutting likely succumbed to soil shock. Pham shared that even experienced plant caretakers struggle with keeping plants alive, emphasizing the importance of understanding a plant’s life and death.
As the event came to a close, I took a small tombstone made of marigold seeds to plant in a new pot, symbolizing new beginnings and growth. The plant funeral provided a sense of closure and community for plant owners to honor their lost green companions and move forward with hope for the future.
