A new Brocki has opened in Basel, but it’s a special one: it only sells second-hand plants! 

Plant Brocki opens up in Basel

A thrift store - known as a Brockenhaus or Brocki in Switzerland - can be a real treasure trove for bargain-hunters, offering everything from furniture and books to bric-a-brac and clothing. But now a new special type of thrift store has opened in the Swiss city of Basel, one that only sells preloved plants. 

The Plflanzenbroggi on Kleinhünigertstrasse takes in people’s unwanted plants and sells them to new homes. Owners Stefan, Jasmin and Ariane told 20 Minuten they wanted to create a “colourful meeting place for the neighbourhood and the people of Basel.” 

According to them, buying a second-hand plant is a sustainable choice, just like buying second-hand furniture or clothes. “Houseplants are often not sustainable,” they told 20 Minuten. “The plants have almost certainly been treated with pesticides and were not produced under good working conditions.” This has an impact on local water supply and local populations. 

All kinds of plants can be donated to new thrift store

Almost any plant can be donated to the store to be resold - including sickly or untended-to plants that have seen better days, and everything from houseplants to flowers, shrubs and small trees. Prices will reflect the condition the plant is in and how much care and effort will be needed to look after it. They even offer a collection service for large and heavy plants. 

If you love the idea but are not in or near Basel, the good news is that there is already another Pflazenbroggi in Bern.