В Сиэтле впервые пройдет международная выставка PlantCon

Tell Your Fronds: PlantCon sprouts up in Seattle this weekend Calling all plant lovers! For the first time, PlantCon International is coming to Seattle, and local green thumbs are thrilled. Make your way to the Summit building at Seattle Convention Center on Aug. 15 & 16 to mingle with like-minded gardeners. PlantCon's roots go back to November 2020, starting as meetups for budding gardeners to safely connect outdoors during the pandemic. That group quickly grew to include themed events, holiday markets and block parties. In 2023, it officially became PlantCon International, the brainchild of founder and president Kenny Kong. The traveling plant convention now visits multiple cities every year. Kong, a soil enthusiast, launched the nonprofit in Houston with just one show, and says, "We are now taking on seven shows in six cities in 2026!" The Emerald City is famously green, but this will be the first time Seattle has hosted. Kong says, "Seattle has so many plant people who have never experienced a PlantCon before, so we decided to bring it to this incredible city. I think one of the important things we want to do is make sure we reach out to local businesses to not only offer the experience of something familiar, but something new with our exhibitors who travel to every show!" What can you expect from this family-friendly event? Kong says his team will be there to greet you with a smile and maybe a sprout clip or two. "We have music playing as you walk through the doors, and plants as far as the eye can see," he says. "There are workshops like our kokedama workshop or tissue culture workshops you can sign up for or peek in on." One special guest, SydneyPlantGuy, will arrive all the way from Australia for his first PlantCon in Seattle. "We are looking forward to having him participate in our panel and all of our special guests, creators and more," Kong says. Also for the first time, PlantCon is expanding from its own panels of special guests to include PNW plant experts who can speak to our unique growing climate. Visitors will find over 175 plant-related booths, with opportunities to learn and connect with local growers and international exhibitors. You might even see some reptiles. There are scavenger hunts, silent auctions, and children's story times. PlantCon also provides fellow non-profit organizations with free booth space. So what is Kong most looking forward to? "I’m always excited to see the turnout when we do new cities, but even in cities we’ve returned to before, it’s amazing to see new faces and old faces all coming together to support small businesses, locals and snag plants they’ve never even heard of!" Kong adds, "My biggest excitement is seeing everyone’s smiles when they leave with a cart full of plants." Learn more and find tickets to PlantCon Seattle here. Corinne Whiting is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined. Follow more of her adventures here. WATCH | Gardening with Gaard: Tackling an overgrown yard with ease