Visiting Seoul Botanic Park: A Retrospective Look at a 2022 Green Escape

How I Ended Up at Seoul Botanic Garden in 2022

Originally, I hadn’t planned on visiting the Seoul Botanic Garden during my 2022 trip. My destination was actually a gardening shop in Seoul, recommended after I saw the "Roommate: Special Indoor Gardening" exhibition. But when I told the shop owner about my interest in plants and plant tech, she insisted, "You must visit Seoul Botanic Park." And so, I added it to my itinerary—and I’m glad I did.

A Popular Spot for Plant Lovers

By the time I visited, the Seoul Botanic Garden had already become a well-known attraction online. So while my photos may not be groundbreaking, I wanted to record the experience from a personal point of view—one of reflection, inspiration, and plant-focused discovery.

📍 Location: Seoul Botanic Park, South Korea
🗓 Visit Date: 2022

First Impressions: The Lobby and Garden Shop

As you step inside, you’re welcomed by a large, airy lobby. Right away, there's a souvenir and gardening shop that draws you in. I remember spending almost 30 minutes there before even stepping into the actual garden.

At the time, I was particularly curious about plant LED systems, and the shop had LED lights hanging from the shelves and ceilings—mainly for display, but effective nonetheless. It got me thinking about how ceiling LEDs can highlight indoor plants and elevate interior design.

Recognizing Familiar Plants

Looking back at the photos, I can now name many of the plants I once thought exotic. These are the same species commonly found at flower markets today. It reminded me how much one can grow—literally and figuratively—when immersed in plant culture.

Entering the Garden

After exploring the shop, I purchased a ticket at a self-service kiosk and entered the garden.

The Seoul Botanic Garden features a large indoor tropical greenhouse—well-maintained despite Korea’s seasonal climate. There's also an outdoor garden, a rest area, and thematic zones. Though it seemed quiet in some photos I took, it was actually bustling with people.

Beyond Gardening: Thoughts on Smart Farming

My experience made me reflect on the future of agriculture. The rise of LED-based smart farming and indoor agriculture feels like a natural extension of indoor gardening.

While there are still technological hurdles to overcome, innovation has never stopped humanity before. We bring imagination to life—plants included.

Seed Museum & Human-Nature Interaction

One of the highlights was the Seed Museum, as well as booths offering garden design consultations.

I’ve always been more drawn to the systems and psychology behind nature than to its visual beauty alone. That visit reaffirmed how plants are part of a larger equation—one that includes technology, emotion, healing, and human rhythm.

With society growing ever more convenient—robots cleaning our homes, streaming content everywhere, automated transportation—we also see a rise in the healing industry. Why is that?

The Korean Plant Survey That Made Me Think

A Korean plant influencer named PRODOG conducted a survey on why people in Korea enjoy growing plants. Using Naver Forms, the survey collected responses from 662 blog subscribers.

https://m.blog.naver.com/professionaldog/222984097641

The standout statistic:

36.2% of respondents said they grow plants for emotional stability (relaxation, comfort, healing).
33.3% simply love the beauty of plants. Together, these made up 69.5% of responses.

Surprisingly, only 0.3% said they grow plants for air purification.

There's something fundamentally human in our relationship with plants—and we're still discovering what that is.

Final Thoughts

My unplanned visit to Seoul Botanic Garden in 2022 became a quiet turning point—a moment of reconnection with plants, technology, and what it means to grow in a digital world.

It wasn’t just a garden. It was a lens into future living.

🌎 Planet Greenfingers, Green Architects’ SOUUP

Visiting Seoul Botanic Park: A Retrospective Look at a 2022 Green Escape