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Call for questions: HOUSE PLANTS (Patreon)

Published:
2025-02-22 02:12:56
Edited:
2025-02-22 02:15:22
Imported:
2026-06

Content

By very popular demand, my next interview is with passionate botanist and self-proclaimed mad scientist: Tyler Thrasher. We're gonna talk house plant care. From sowing to watering to fertilizing to pruning to -- let's face it -- simply keeping them alive, Tyler offers plant care tips and assistance. Leave your questions in the comments.

Deadline: Tuesday, February 25 at 5pm

Comments

Mykenzie King

Why oh why can I not keep a house plant alive???

Levin Dotimas

I wanna have house plants to add some greenery to my place. But where do I start?? (FTQA)

Kaffeine

Why are they so dang addicting?

decimals and more

I just scared the shit out of my husband screaming hell yes! I will have so many questions

Sara Rocero

Is there such a thing as too many house plants? Please say no.

Charlotte Parkinson

Ok what's some good plants that need little work? Do they exist??

Melanie Yakemovic 🦄

What’s the secret to knowing if a plant needs MORE water or LESS water? Or more/less light? I know my plants need something, but knowing WHAT they need seems like witchcraft to me 😂

Erica Bednarski

Why do some plants tolerate repotting, but not others? (RIP monstera)

Deviancy

Should I feel about killing house plants? Is it like keeping an animal in cage and not feeding it? I feel like I need to try to replicate their native environment but doesn’t always work well.

Kayla Meyer

how does one know when it’s time to change the pot size for the roots?

Scott Sheldon

I see on tags that certain plants are air purifiers, but like aren’t all plants to some degree???

Marlo Ann

Should I, like, never keep a house plant in a planter without drainage holes? Cause they keep dying dead.

Clarissa Hoskison

I have a cutie little Pothos and a Snake Plant, but they are the only house plants I can keep alive! Everything else dies! How can I train my brown thumb into more of a green thumb?

CRH

I kill every plant I bring home! Should I just stop trying it feels cruel at this point

decimals and more

And would you like to see photos of my babies 🤭

Fiona Dolphin

FTQA: Orchids!! How??? I always kill mine 🥲 is the ice cube trick a myth? It didn’t work for me at all..

Miranda Garniss

Most overrated house plant? Most underrated? FTQA

Storm

how come they survive easy in the wild but are super picky in my house?

Caseycat

What are the best cat-safe house plants? I would love to have a house full of plants but love my kitty more! Thank you!

Lindsay Deal

How much fresh air do houseplants actually make / filter?

Nicolette

What are the best types of plants to keep in the house? Bonus if it doesn’t attract pesky critters 😭 Also a general question about botany, what do careers in botany look like?? Mostly research? Owning a plant shop? Studying plants abroad for medicine, cooking etc.?

Jani Rounds

Do they really purify the air in my home or am I just fooling myself into buying more plants? Can I (please) skip the fertilizer? Maybe if i repot more often?

Sara Rocero

What’s your most coveted baby green?

Danae Sprouse

(Duh-nay Sprouse) How many plants is too many plants? Asking for a friend...

Storm

does having house plants actually improve the air quality

Aurora Cullen

OMG I LOVE HIM I’M SO EXCITED !! And I’m curious whether the tropical house plant obsession might ever lead to a new invasive species in the united states

Rachel Guthrie

Can we talk about plant pathogens and pests? What’s the risk of importing house plants from other regions/countries? Do house plants have to go through a quarantine during transport or are most house plants propagated in the US and don’t require strict regulations?

Scott Sheldon

I have a water lily and when I bought it years ago it had several flowers and the few months after more flowers came. Now, I might get a singular flower here or there. Why did that change? Soil/nutrient content?

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

Which house plants are okay for dogs and cats? Why are some people amazing plant parents and others aren’t? Does having a lot of plants in your house or apartment increase oxygen production? If you have more houseplants, are you likely to attract unwanted critters into your house? What is the most common houseplant people have? What is the definition of a houseplant, just anything you can keep alive indoors or is there an authoritative list?

ValBeListening

I ended up watering my house plants a little *too much* and now the apartment is plagued with fungus gnats. I've removed the problem plant to my fire escape (RIP) but they are still around?! Where do they live and how do I truly get rid of them (without poisons pls)

ValBeListening

When is the best time to repot a plant?

Scott Sheldon

Fertilizers…do I use them every week like the bottle says to? I feel like that will over saturate them.

Scott Hanley

I think soil choice is as important as plant choice for inside plants. Any thoughts?

PeculiarMxPie

I have a Hoya I inherited when my grandmother died but no matter what I do the mealybugs that plague it anyways seem to come back! Any tips for keeping pesky critters off my plants for good?

Matt Hirschl

Snake plants: can you tell us everything about them?? Why don’t they ever die? Do they hate water? Did their plantcestors hate water too??

Greg Walloch

Why do outdoor plants tend to be more resilient while indoor plants are often more fragile?

John Ginter

Is it true that plants like music?

Aurora Cullen

Should we be worried about the environmental impact of peat moss with house plants? And is the house plant industry sustainable?

Eating Spaghetti in Bed

Hi! Oh my gosh. Any plant varieties of houseplants that thrive with relatively low light? Asking after years of apartment living.

AlienOceans

What is the difference between 2-2-2 fertilizer and 20-20-20? How do you choose between them? Is organic fertilizer better for the plants? Why?

Scott Sheldon

Can water them with tap water that is more hard cause salt build up? And what can you do if salt builds up?

ValBeListening

I have a monstera that has been through hell and back - they've faced the shock of propagation from sitting in water to being transported to soil, thrips, and is currently hanging on by one leaf. It just goes to show some house plants are resilient as fuck. Can you talk more about that?

Diana Teeter

First of all, I adore Tyler’s art and science just please pass along how amazing of a human he is!!!! My house plant question is: why did monstera get soooo popular seemingly out of nowhere? What started the buzz? Are they really the best houseplant or just the current hotness?

Sara Rocero

Thoughts on these bougie, expensive ass plants?

Emily Krieger

yesssss!! talk to me about some of the first plants people kept indoors, and why --- food? cheer? medicine?

Rachel Guthrie

When did humans start keeping plants inside for fun and not for survival or food?

Emma Roy

First time question asker! Is it “traumatic” or overly stressful for a plant to be repotted? I had a beloved begonia that I repotted once and it never made a comeback:(

Lizzy

Air plants… surely they need more than humid air. Some people say they like being in the bathroom not for the shower water but for the poop particles,, how true is that?

Felix Lasselle

What are the best plants for limited sunlight?

Greg Walloch

How many plans would you need in your house and what kind to make a real air quality difference?

Katie Hammond

Plants in the wild have the benefit of fungal networks, animals, and other plants. Aside from fertilizer, are there good ways to naturalize house plants' environments?

Rick T

Where’s the best place to buy seeds and what is their shelf life ?

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

I’ve purchased too many trying to keep them alive, the definition of insanity. I got one to stay alive for a couple of months and I think the key was to do a couple of tbsps of water and buy it when it was warm outside

Aurora Cullen

Also, there was a study done by IKEA (yes, the swedish furniture company) that basically determined plants can get bullied to death/inhibit their growth. Are plants actually sensitive to vibes?? If so how can I appeal to them?

Sara Rocero

Are there plants you would advocate people stay away from due to illegal poaching and non-sustainable sourcing?

Steffany Halfrey

How do I become a good plant parent? Are there certain apps or other resources I should be using to look up proper care and issues?

ValBeListening

Thoughts on saving leftover water from cooking (obviously without any seasoning added) for house plants? Any methodologies?

Elizabeth Litwin

FTQA: how do I move across the country with plants and keep them alive?? I’m a park ranger tired of houseplant causalities from packing them in my car every six months. Thanks!

Matt Thompson

Is the NASA "air-purifying" plant list flim-flam or do some plants truly purify the air?

Susan Lin

How how how do pests come in to house plants? Feels like they just appear out of nowhere!

Fiona Dolphin

Are the tiny flies in my house from my house plants?? They’re like fruit flies but completely black.

Crystal Wilson

Can you talk about free swapping plant stands. I have them in my area and they are awesome. Also, why are they so addictive? Is it in our genes?

Oscar Courchaine

What plants can I have with cats?? Ideally non-toxic and something that won't incentivize the cats to munch on them, or sturdy enough to stand up to it.

Susan Lin

Also is there actually any way to know (beyond yellowing leaves) if the plant has too much or too little water?

T Noz

Does it help to put foil on the floor of the closet you keep your plants in? Ohh wait… just what kind of house plants are we talking about?

Sam Danielle

Are there any house plants that have 'companion plants', in other words, that have a symbiotic relationship with other house plant types?

Alexolotl

Why is bottom watering so much more effective than top watering? Is there a plant feed that performs the best? Succulents are my plants of choice, how do i choose a strong enough grow light?

Nicky G

The best way for me to not keep killing live house plants is to have fake ones... 🫠🥀 What house plants are fairly foolproof for those without green thumbs?

the ren you know

Why did the dead plant I threw in the yard come back to life and thrive without any assistance from me? Did it fake it's own death just to get away from me??

Jade

Does soaking banana peel in water before using that water to feed your plants actually help them? It’s kinda gross but I’ll keep doing it if my plants love it.

Sara Rocero

What do you think is the most overrated house plant?

Abby Jones

FTQA - do my houseplants hate me? I feel like I'm just snipping off their potential and keeping them from their evolutionary purposes, but I also love having them on my windowsill.

Jessi B

My office is heated during the day, but gets very cold at night so many of our office plants die. Is there a house plant you recommend that can take big temperature dips each day?

Pallison

Is it good to keep plants that like humidity in the bathroom? Do plants hate living in the bathroom?

30.004861 cm of fun!

These are fungus gnats. Mostly benign but annoying. You can put mosquito bits in your watering can to control them!

Pallison

Why are albo monsteras SO EXPENSIVE?

Pallison

How did plants evolve to have white spots that don’t photosynthesize? Isn’t it essentially bad to have an albino plant as it’s parasitic to the plant itself? First time question asker ❤️❤️❤️

Taylor Clinton

Do houseplants thrive or enjoy it more if they are surrounded by other houseplants? Similar to how trees do better when they are surrounded by other trees c:

Miranda Panda

Why don't we grow native plants as house plants? How come they're all tropical plants? (I say this as someone living in the PNW)

Jade

What’s the best practice for bringing new plants into your home? An ideal quarantine period, things to look for to make sure it won’t hurt your other plants, etc. and what to do if you only have on place in your home suitable for plants (making it therefore difficult to quarantine new plants away from your old ones)?

Darlene Skapura

Is it true most potted plants prefer to be a little root-bound? And that its not too much water, but lack of oxygen that kills plants?

Erika K.

Thoughts on benevolent insects to control pests? I tried lady bugs in the house which was... A mistake. But mites seem to be helping. Are there any risks with this form of pest control? What types of predatory insects would you recommend if any?

Pallison

Can plants sunburn? What evolutionary characteristics have plants evolved to have to prevent sunburn?

Darlene Skapura

Is it best to water root plant cuttings or use a porous material like perlite?

Pallison

AIR PLANTS? HOW? Where do they live naturally?

Pallison

Prehistoric plants. Ferns. Moss. Can we just talk about how they reproduce?? No seeds. They drop SPORES!!

Megan

Are orchids actually difficult to keep alive? Aren't they parasites out in the wild?

Miranda Panda

What are good alternatives to peat moss? I've read that it isn't sustainable to harvest and is often harvested illegally.

Ninja Squirrel

Why do I love them so much and why do I have so many?

Mandii Smith

Is there a good rule of thumb for knowing when you should repot /refresh the soil for various houseplant?

E Jordan

What's the deal with bagged soil? Should I use it, or is the regular soil I can find anywhere outside for free just as good?

Christina Samela

Do 'houseplants' exhibit morphological differences when grown as houseplants (ex. in pots by a window indoors) rather than in their natural habit? This question is prompted by seeing a *ginormous* philodendron vine reaching branch-to-ground in Australia last year. Love you Alie ❤️

Alexandra Rambo

Why do I love them so much? What is the brain chemistry that goes into bringing something living and green inside, and most importantly keeping it alive, that makes me feel so good?

Christina Samela

Does singing to houseplants actually help? For years I have heard people say they either sing to, or play classical music for, their houseplants to encourage growth

Fiona Rogge

Can coffee grounds go straight onto soil? Should they be soaked in a water slurry for a while first? Also what’s the deal with soaked banana skins?

DreamTree CaliGirl

How do I get rid of these little big sticky bugs on my plants? I try washing them off but I have a big plant where that won't work.

Keri Overall

My question is along the same lines, except specifically for succulents. 😊

leigh jolivette

First time questions : is there going to be a shortage or anything because I collect so many. Also why do I love them so much? Do you believe in the “plants are the new pets” phrase?

Angelica Olney

My plants will sometimes form a gap between the perimeter of the soil and the pot. Why does this happen and what can I do about it?

Jay Hagen

Is flushing the soil with water beneficial?

Adam Silk

What can I grow in a room with no natural light?

Between Dumplings

Why are calatheas and alocasias such effing princesses? What does it say about me that I declare I'm DONE! Done I say with you...and promise my next purchase is a simple, easy to please Chinese Evergreen.... and I get to the register with another effing calathea in my hand. I swear I meant to pick the easy one... Also I have crap natural light and don't want to turn my small loft into an ugly grow light eyesore. What's the best aesthetically pleasing make my plants happy light I should look at? Okay last one: worm castings, liquid and not, fancy soils, etc, I'm in the NE with SE sun a thin sliver of the day. I'm doing great to keep anything alive right? [hate that I'm so needy...]

Laureen Philipp

What is the best system for keeping plants alive when I travel? I don’t have a plant sitter who can water them.

Hayley

Why are all of my house plants just ok? None of them are super thriving, but they're all alive and green.

Hayley

We play music almost all day in our house, is this helping our plants?

Trevor Beck

Are houseplants just wild plants that have been domesticated? Or are they completely different and would no longer survive in the wild?

Jay Hagen

What should I look for in a grow light?

Melanie Ang

Can’t seem to successfully propagate succulents. Tried all the ways I watched on youtube, what do you do?

Lisa Gorman

I have moved across the country multiple times and successfully kept plants alive! Main tips: put Ziploc bags around tropical plants if it is cold as this will act as a protective bubble for them so they don't immediately die on contact with some cold air. Even if it's not cold, I like putting bags around the pots themselves for the trip, as this helps reduce moisture loss and loss of soil/rocks/etc. from the pots. Pack them in a large, shallow Tupperware box (like what is meant for under the bed storage) with a towel lining the bottom and towels between pots so they are all pretty stable. Last: don't be embarrassed about bringing your plant Tupperware into any hotel rooms/friends' houses/whatever on your way to your final destination! This is how I've traveled with bonsai trees I've now had for over 20 years and other houseplants I've acquired through many moves!

Between Dumplings

Yes there are premium pricey fancy soils.. are they better than the New England lobster shells products, or the commercial ones in the big box stores?

Between Dumplings

I've been using coco coir which I think is more sustainable and pretty easy to aerate soil.

Erin Powell

Omg so many questions please forgive me: What are the health/air quality benefits of having house plants vs what’s the harm that wet potting soil in your house can cause? I hear there are pros/cons. Are there invasive species concerns with house plants? What house plants are native to Southern PA? Can you talk about the biodiversity crisis that succulent farming is causing in California (I think?) Why can I not keep my pothos, of all things, alive? Am I planting too many cuttings in one pot? Also, my 3ft tall aloe bloomed next to a cold (sunny) window in east coast winter. Wtf?

Lisa Gorman

Why are the African violets in the grocery store nicer looking than the ones at the plant nursery? And is there any difference between the plants you'd buy at a nursery or a grocery store, if they are otherwise the same type of plant? Asking as a proud plant owner of a Norfolk Island Pine I got years ago at Trader Joe's for $5 that has doubled in size, among other grocery store acquisitions I love!

CeeMaa

YES!!! I excitedly picked up a plant at the grocery store the other day and hugged it's little container as I carried it around getting the things I actually ran in to get. I talked to it and told it how happy I was to have them. I'm certain I was getting "looks". Don't care. So much happiness! 🪴

Lisa Gorman

My bear paw plant seems historically quite happy, just flowered which I read only happens when they are happy, and yet its older leaves are yellowing and I am not sure why. Any ideas? It's still growing new leaves and nothing actually seems otherwise wrong with it.

Bennett Vanderbosch

I love the idea of investing in native plants for your yard, but is there any value in seeking out native plants for your house plants? If not, what's your strategy for picking house plants?

Lisa Gorman

Any favorite overlooked houseplants that you think should get more fans?

Tilly's mom

Do we know when humans started keeping house plants?

Antoinette Palmieri

My partner loves ferns… and has killed every single one we have tried to raise. What are we doing wrong? Love your show, love being a Patreon supporter, thank you for being a bright spot in this our darkest timeline (question mark)

RoadLesTravelled

never met one I couldn't torture to death. too much or too little attention. i should never be entrusted with the care and feeding of plants.

grace

TYLER THRASHER!!! OMG!!!!!Tulsa native asking a question to Tulsa native!! first time question: what is your opinion on big box house plants (i.e. costa farms)? they are more affordable but also tend to come with more problems! also—how should i repot my plants? timeline? i used to report as soon as i got my new plants but that seemed to kill them more often than not!

grace

ALSO!!!! what inspired you to work to create the first opalized flower? can you talk more about it?

grace

first time question asker! i would loooove him to talk more about his science!

Quinn

Don’t houseplants emit sound, we just can’t hear it? Also how are plants classified as houseplants?

Mouse Paxton

What is the most interesting plant you've seen someone grow indoors? Do you name your plants?

Anthony Richards

I have a strange question. If you took an annual, that would normally be outside and would perish in winter, Could you keep it in the house under ideal circumstances. And more importantly, how long would it live if cold weather never hits it?

Dylan

HEY ok theoretically can i keep a houseplant alive forever? how do i do it?

CeeMaa

(First time Submitter)I Love My Plants! Watering though, aaargh, I keep thinking, ah, it's got to be time. It's been like a month. Soil DRY. So I water them. A week later they start to drop leaves or get mushy. So I go back to severe "neglect" and then they seem fine. 😶‍🌫️😢😭 Heeeeelp

Mary Ann Porter

What houseplants are environmentally friending? Also what good and bad chemicals do these plants emit?

Shelby Medlock

First time question asker: is there a good alternative to sphagnum for planting orchids in?

Baz Pugmire

Why do my cats ALWAYS try to eat my plants? does it do something for their digestion? Are they missing the outdoors? (their favorite delicacy is the many many spider plants, they must love tripping balls + honestly in these times I don’t blame them) do my plants miss the outdoors? :( also, do plants in the bathroom space do better because of the humidity (📍Chicago) or the 💩

Amanda Regan

OMG I AM SO EXCITED. Is it true spider plants make cats trip out/ hallucinate?

Claire Chaikin

What are the best ways to grow indoor produce/herbs year round in climate with four seasons (dry, dark winters)? Do those hydroponic kits with lights work well or only short term?

Susanne Collins

Fellow houseplant nerd here Tyler! I worked at a plant shop in Philly that stocked your Grow A Damn journals! What’s your most underrated houseplant? Reliable and sturdy but forgotten under appreciated?

Amanda Regan

Yes. All the orchid tips please. Why they so fussy?!

Mini Minnie

What are the best plants to keep when you have cats that are going to tear into anything you bring into the house? Non-toxic, resilient, can defend itself…

Claire Chaikin

How do I keep my perennials alive indoors during winter so they’re still alive come spring

Elongated Muskrat

Do popular plants vary by region or maybe economic status? Now or in other parts of history?

Waylo

Or, talking to plants? And, is talk radio/podcasts a good alternative? What about an Ologies podcast?

londennoelle

FTQA- Why can’t a keep plants alive? I have whatever the exact opposite of a green thumb is. What do you recommend to something who kills literally everything?

Elongated Muskrat

Bonsai is a way to make an outdoor plant a house plant. Besides trees can this be done with other plants? - Lupine enthusiasts who does not live in a great climate for them

Heather Ehrgott

I heard that monstera plants grow edible fruits. What do they taste like and are there any cultures that eat them regularly?

Elongated Muskrat

Are house plants…. Domesticated plants? I know wild monsteras look very different from the small shrub I have.

Amanda Regan

Calatheas and I have a similar relationship. I want to hate them but I also refuse to let them win by dying again 😂

Elongated Muskrat

I hear about plant to plant communications in ecosystems. Can they do this in a home?

Baz Pugmire

Why are plants usually green? Like, yes… okay. Chlorophyll. It reflects green to our eyes… but why is it the color green? Why not primarily red or purple or blue or yellow? Do you think in the future we could find a planet with a different color palate for its plants? What’s your favorite non-green plant? Or are they only green? (I don’t hate green, I promise.)

Baz Pugmire

What’s the most underrated house plant in your opinion?

Kieran C.

What pot material do you recommend (glazed/unglazed terracotta, other pottery, the hanging thing with the stringy peat (??)) and does it vary by type of plant?

Maggie

Do you think it's cruel to keep buying plants that you consistently fail with? For me it's ferns, and I love them, but I feel like a monster every time I give in and buy a new one, knowing that thing is most likely doomed.

Wendy Lockhart

Do houseplants have a shelf life? Like what is the life span of a ficus?

Addie Cappello she her

BUT WHY DO THEY DIE!?!??? If you look at them the wrong way they dramatically exit this world on spot. I live in Washington State and I never had such issues with house plants when I lived in NY. I’m assuming it’s light based issues and climate but truly- My mom is basically Professor Sprout of the outdoor plant world (she teaches for NYBG) and she tries to help me but the struggle is real. Help. Can you PLEASE explain why Calatheas are absolute premadonnas? I love them. I do. But I’m on Magnus the fourth (he’s my snake calathea) and we have relationship issues. Can you talk about calatheas and how & why they close up at night? The dark underside of some contrasted with the variegated greens on top- why? Does your home also look like the Hufflepuff common room? Can you speak at all to the emotional effects indoor plants have on people? Any research done to back why I always seem to feel better surrounded by my plants? String plants: I had dolphins, pearls and hearts. The dolphins and pearls literally just died one day but the hearts are going strong. Raised them all from gifted cuttings-treated them all the same: what is the deal? Can you please tell us how many plants are too many plants and why is the answer get more plants- do you have an actual strategy for preventing the accidental purchase of plants when you visit any nursery or garden center? Is this problem genetic because I blame my mom… THANK YOU I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS EPISODE!!!!!! 💚🪴

Krisztina

YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS! I love his plant content, can't wait for this. First time question asker: what are the environmental benefits of tissue culture plants and how does the price and species choice compare to big box store options? The process itself is pretty cool but not really talked about widely. Maybe a plant tissue culture expert could be on in the future???

Brennan Hicks

I LOVE HOUSE PLANTS SO MUCH! BUT - how do I keep killing my mint!?! Everyone talks about how easy mint is to take care of, but mine die every time... I have no problems with the "difficult" ones, just my mint!

Adrianne Mahon

Hello, I am wondering if there is any houseplants that you would recommend people avoid or be mindful of the source for ethical reasons? I wonder if there any plants (or communities that rely on them) that are negatively effected by the trade and demand for certain species.

Olivia Myers

Is it true that houseplants enjoy music? If so, what genre should I play for them to ensure optimal conditions?

Nina Eve Z.

I can barely formulate a good question. But why, WHY do we want them all? Is it socially engrained in us or just, like, animal instinct? Also, do they miss the wood wide web?

Addie Cappello she her

Ive been told bonsai is bad news for the plants so I’d love to hear what the ologist has to say

Olivier Calas

Is there such a thing as good or bad companions among house plants?

Addie Cappello she her

YESSSS #SAME!!!!!! Calathea drama and I cannot stop buying them!?!??

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Why do we seem to gravitate towards house plants that are poisonous to people and pets?

Eileen

Are there really house plants that are better for the air?

Meaghan Ratcliffe

do “air purifying” plants ACTUALLY clean the air?? like is my snake plant filtering air pollution or??? what’s the deal there?

Myra Poundstone

Why are house plants so much harder to read than outdoor plants? I grew up with a huge garden and I feel like I have a good sense for how my outdoor plants are feeling and what they need, but I have indoor plants now and I find it so much harder to tell

The Joyful Spitfire

Why do succulents seem to hate me? I’ve tried so many varieties of succulents and cannot seem to give them what they need. No matter the effort, attention to detail, they die on me every time.

The Joyful Spitfire

Where does “having a green thumb” come from and is it an inherited trait or can some of us be trained?

The Joyful Spitfire

My Pothos, Phil, is excited for me to finally learn how to take care of him better so he can stop dropping yellow leaves everywhere. Looking forward to this one!

Britney J.

Can you tell me more about plant patents? Why, how, and what common plants does this apply to? Also how do we feel about proplifting?

Teresa Gleason

When living in Colorado, I had a house full of lush, lovely house plants of all kinds. In 1995 we moved to the SF Bay Area, of course non of my plants were allowed to move with us. Since then I can barely keep anything green alive (in the house), including all the things that “you can’t possibly kill”. I feel like my plant karma turned because I left all of my plant children behind. How do I get my plant mojo back?

Jamie

The only house plants I’ve been able to keep in my life are Lego Botanicals, and sometimes they fall apart, too. Is there any hope of maintaining and keeping real plants alive, for folx like me?!?

molly

How many bugs actually live in house plants? Like there has to be bugs in there right?

Adalie Poland

Long time plant lover and grower as well as a listener from the beginning. Should you stick to a specific watering schedule for each plant or just water when leaves get a little sad? I tend to just water when they start to wilt a bit. I mainly have pothos and aloe atm. I use the app Planta to keep general track of all my plants and can keep progress reports on all my plants so I can notice if they start to develop issues.

Ann Eby

Why the heck do we like plants in our houses so much? Is this a new thing humans do? Did the ancient Romans have house plants? Did cavemen have little pathos in the corner of their caves?

Morgan Louvier

I’ve heard that plants emit sound when they’re stressed, I want to know the science behind this! Is there a plant sound translator coming for us in the future so we can know if our plants are stressed?

Hope

do houseplants actually give off enough oxygen to make a difference and/or what quantity of plants would that take? also, do the count for the “seeing trees helps with stress” thing?

Cooper Michael

I adore plants and have always wanted to be the kind of girl who could have a whole house full of them… so why am I so bad at taking care of them?!?!

Sydney Booker

Whenever I am struggling in life and the vibes are off in the home my house plants seem to suffer. What’s the science behind that??

Hannah Gorrie

When I talk to or about my individual plants, I sense genders and personalities with each one. Am I the only one?

Nicole Kleinman

Is there a good plant to help with depression?

Hannah Gorrie

Are some plants bad for other plants to be around? Can they impact each other's welfare?

Tyler Bates

Forgot to put first time question asker on my last one. How do I get those literal scum of the earth mealy bugs to not take over every winter?

Hannah Gorrie

How big is the house plant industry? Where do our house plants come from?

Hannah Gorrie

Same here I've had to restrain myself from getting anymore succulents as a rule 😕

GhoulNextDoor

Have houseplants always been popular throughout history? Has house plant ownership increased in recent years or is that just my perception from seeing more about plants on social media?

AJ Tenter

I found starting with cuttings to be the easiest way to keep plants alive and learn how they thrive. Tiny monsteras, and philodendron brazils! I got my monstera sprouts at Trader Joe’s and they’ve always thrived on neglect. That, and a grow light for consistency really changes the game!

Hannah Gorrie

Are there do's and don'ts for disposing of dead or no longer wanted plants? Is it risky to local flora to toss unwanted plants outside, like how it's not recommended to flush your maybe-still-alive goldfish into the sewer?

Hannah Gorrie

Are there any known trends of what happens to people's houseplant collections when they die? My grandma has a snake plant my whole family agrees is to be a family heirloom, but I never considered what happens to people's unhoused plants!

Dane Camacho

what is the most kissable plant asking for a friend

Hannah Gorrie

Anecdotally, my spider plant lives in a windowed pantry bc my cat chews down their leaves like a corn on the cob 😭 just dozens of holes in each leaf

Bre Snodgrass

In warm places (like southern California) where common tropical houseplants such as aloe or jade grow massive in sidewalk strips, what do people grow inside their houses?! Seems redundant to grow cactus or succulents inside, while your outdoor garden is full of them. - Bre

Hannah Gorrie

Do houseplants have lifespans or are they immortal if continually given space to grow and the right nutrients?

GhoulNextDoor

It seems like pothos and snake plants along with a few others are particularly popular plants, how did those in particular get so popular? I am guessing it has something to do with being east to care for, but I feel like that can be said about a lot of other hardy plants. Why am I sitting next to a snake plant now and not a potted dandelion?

Maddy

Personal top 5 house plant ranking?

Pacheecha

My vibrant green aloe, Medusa, started getting scratchy looking marks under her leaves, turning black and yellow, and generally is not appearing to be very healthy. She was great for a few years and pumping out new shoots like mad. What happened? Is it over watering, outgrowing her pot, root rot, something else and how can i save her? Also, what's up with fungus gnats? They're so annoying!

Janika Mäki

Why do I keep accidentaly murdering all of my succulents or cacti? Please help me not to be a succulent serial killer! Is it just more difficult to keep them alive in the northern hemisphere (Finland)?

Hannah Riedl

Besides meditatively plucking them off with a skewer at the end of a hard day, what else can I do about scalebugs?

Hannah Gorrie

Advice for moving large plants from place to place? Movers won't move house plants in their trucks and I dread having to figure out how to move my tall fiddleleaf fig out of my apartment one day.

Ja Jo: Art & Craft

If you’ve created plants that only exist in your greenhouse, do those plants get a scientific name and categorization? How does that work?

Kathleen Regovich

I’ve heard about certain species of plants being poached from the wild. What makes some plants more likely to be poached rather than grown in a greenhouse? How can you be sure something wasn’t poached?

Carlye Reynolds

Is it true that plants enjoy being around other plant friends?

Marissa Jacobsen

Which plants will be happy in low light conditions? I live in the PNW and most of my houseplants wither and die due to lack of light in the winter.

Jessie Wright

First time question asked: Why do my cute little succulents keep dying? (Vancouver Canada )

Leanna Shuster

Oooh oooh, I just became a plant parent of a lovely orchid (phalaenopsis) and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the varied information online. The academic study that looked into using ice cubes as a watering source looks really well designed and thought out, yet there are also seemingly very legit websites that say that that's a terrible method to use. What say the ologist?!

Sunflower star

My cats absolutely devour calatheas and ferns, but have left my pileas and phalaenopsis orchids alone -- they seem to avoid the more succulent leaves. My local nursery recommended getting a "sacrificial" spider plant for them to eat. Apparently spider plants have hallucinogenic effects on cats????!

Sunflower star

Aerogarden and iHarvest owner here -- they work pretty well. Plants grow faster in hydroponics, but the small units like AGs can't actually grow them as large since the pods are small. The quality of light is important. Also greens/lettuces/herbs and veggies have to be grown separately. I'd be curious if they are less nutritious than grown in soil, but it's wonderful having fresh stuff in the kitchen all year long and no slug /snail damage.

Kieran H

One question: WHAT THE HELL IS INDIRECT LIGHT?!?

Erin Everton

So hype for you to have Tyler on the podcast!!!!

Anna Skellenger

I live in Texas reluctantly, and the water seems to be murdering my plants. Why? And should I just them distilled or filtered water? ILYSM Allie

Ellie Golding

Would love some information on plant "consciousness" or the ways they communicate with each other! Is there any research/evidence around this topic? Do my houseplants gossip about my poor life choices?

Ellie Golding

Are there any plants that are considered "unethical" to have? Is indoor plant ownership the plant equivalent of a sad zoo? Do they long for the wild? Is there anyway to even measure this..?

Silvia Triverio

Is it true that the peat/soil used for plants in pots is not sustainable?

Silvia Triverio

I love indoor plants but I don’t see to be able to keep them alive, any recommendations for plants that thrive in a house with little to no direct sunlight?

Silvia Triverio

I read that aloe Vera is toxic for cats, other plants to avoid when having furry babies?

art_by_di

What is the number one killer of house plants?

Scalebar

Any tips for edible houseplants? I keep many chillies but I'd like something I could prune by grazing

Alex

Why is neem oil so good at healing sick houseplants?

Alex

Diagnosis tips please! When I look up any given houseplant symptom, it seems like it can mean absolutely anything is wrong—too much water, not enough water, too much sun, too little sun, too much fertilizer, not enough fertilizer, etc. How can I definitively figure out the problem and not always have to resort to trial and error to rescue my beloved ailing plant friend?

Euan Munro

Where are all of these plants from general? All over the world or weirdly are most from a specific part of the world?

Taylor Wade

why does my fiddle leaf fig drop leaves if i breathe on it wrong ?

Tom Catchesides

What's the best way of dealing with fungus gnats once they've established themselves?

Ruby Gordon

Why can I never keep any of my plants alive?! 😭😭😭

Clara Nungässer

Is there any plant that survives in relatively dark rooms (like with north facing windows ) ?

uzay

1) how do i get rid of plant flies??😭 2) is it true that plants can sense our energies and grow faster/better if we talk to them etc

Guido

Is it true that it's dangerous to keep plants in your bedroom at night, or is it just flimflam? How many plants do you need to release dangerous levels of co2?

Clemens V

Why houseplants? Since when? Is it just colonial show-off and learned value systems? The good old biophilia theory? And in which parts of the world are houseplants still not a thing today? I also assume the whole LED revolution but also more soffisticated plastic plants are transforming how we keep plants around. But to which degree?

Clemens V

Oh yeas. Feeling this way about bonsai trees. Whats de scientificly grounded notion of empathy for plants?

Clemens V

And how do I convince my landlady that I need humid tropical climate in the whole apartment?

Lindsey Bartholomew

SCALE BUGS (we might need an episode on these to help me like them). Where do these motherfuckers come from, and what is really the best solution to annihilate them? I’ve tried wiping each leaf individually with soapy water and isopropyl alcohol, as well as the stems and the honestly whole goddamn plant. They always come back. Are they in the soil?

Cynthia Z

What are good passive pest control alternatives to systemic insecticide? I tend to wipe down my plant leaves with soapy water to prevent pests (mostly thrips and spider mites) from establishing, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Systemics are low effort, but I don’t really like the harm they can cause to the environment. I’ve even tried predatory mites like Swirskii, but they’re so expensive!

Lindsey Bartholomew

What makes a plant a good house plant? If I see a lovely plant outside and want to bring in a clipping, how can I ensure it is happy in its new environment?

Cynthia Z

The history of houseplants is filled with poaching, stealing, and inflated prices due to demand. It’s kind of disheartening to know that even good intentions can contribute to the extinction of certain species in the wild (I’m thinking of Nepenthes in particular). How can I try my best to collect ethically and limit my harm? What are telltale signs of poached plants, and how can we source them more mindfully?

Cynthia Z

I’d love to know more about tissue culture as a way to meet demand without poaching from the wild! Do TC plants grow differently from seed-grown, like many claim? What are risks/downsides? How do you avoid accidentally cloning something with genetic issues?

Cynthia Z

I work in a plant shop and often find it disheartening to see large-scale growing practices and the commodification of plants for profit. Have you noticed the plant market (especially rare plants) change over time? How do you think it’ll change in the near future?

Moth

Hell yeah! Stoked for this topic. My question is HUMIDITY- does misting work? How do you care for plants that like humidity without making your house damp?

Moth

Why are anthuriums such divas?

Moth

Can you substitute rain water for the water from a dehumidifier?

Moth

Can we talk about Fern sex, so cool!!

howdycrab

Do plants really respond to music?

Meagan Walker

Do they really affect oxygen levels or air quality in the house?

Meagan Walker

Can you use softened water on them?

Kayla Whyte

Is it possible/appropriate to turn outdoor plants into indoor plants? Living in a 2nd floor apartment with a balcony that doesn’t get a lot of sun makes things difficult for growing

Meagan Walker

Peeeests. Mine got thrips, and I’ve got 25+ plants throughout the house so washing them all down is not realistic. What’s your favourite solution?

Meagan Walker

What are the potential mental health benefits of plants, so that I may justify another? 😆

Clemens V

Oh yes, would love details about the functional biology and common traits of house plants!

Brooke Nowicki

I had a tradescantia zebrina that grew amazing in my old work's office. I have a new job, and while my other office plants are doing great, my zebrina does not seem to be thriving as well. Its leaves dry out, closest to the soil, even though the new ones are lush and bright. My (jewish) sister and I like to joke that it is because the plant is also jewish and thrived under adversity and maybe my new job is too easy, but that cannot be it. What am I doing wrong?

Mini Minnie

Mint usually come back on its own. I have a mint plant in a pot outside that dies a withering, gruesome death every winter but comes back every spring.

Channon Koty

From my bio major child "I've seen both philodendron and monstera fenestrate, and since they're both vining plants, does that mean that pothos could fenestrate?"

Clemens V

This! And which milestones were there and will be? (is crispr-cas/ genome editing a thing for the future of producing house plants?)

rita mnxo4

I have a fiddle leaf fig that has been struggling b/c of the location I'm forced to keep it ( low light on the "plant shelf" above the foyer closet). If I move it, can it recover (it's got like 3 good leaves at the bottom)? Also, asshole cats digging in the pots are the reason for the bad location. Tips/tricks for thwarting them, please?!

Blobfish guy

so I have a spider plant and I would like to know if I should or should not give it music, and if the answer is yes, than what kind of music?

Tamera Tennant

Why are they called money trees and do they like to be braided?

Ruben Pots

What are the best plants for the cold, cavernous core of an apartment? Asking for a friend’s friend’s… challenged cactus.

Candacer28

Does talking to your plants really make them happy or is it more beneficial for the life form with a mouth... and vocal cords...?

Rebecca Morrison

Hi Tyler! We took your moonbeam flora class at the Denver Botanical Gardens and I’m so excited you get to meet Alie! How did you decide what to name your own plant? With endless options I would have waffles for ages :)

Yngvi

What would you say when it is too much in terms of number of house plants?

Anastasia Press

Are there mental health benefits to having houseplants? If so, how many houseplants does it take to make an impact?

Anastasia Press

What is the history of houseplants? When did people start bringing plants outside to inside?

Gail Lane

What are the safest and best houseplants to have in a house with cats?

Skye Sweet

Do plants have feelings?!

Anastasia Press

Do dead houseplants negatively impact mental health?

Anastasia Press

What are your favorite houseplants? And do you have any that you hate?

Kai Kishimoto

Why do plants turn yellow when they’re either underwatered or overwatered? How do you tell the difference?

theshampooplanet

1st time question asker here (2 part): Do houseplants prefer clay pots (or other material) over plastic ones? Can (micro)plastics leech into house plants?

Keely Chavez

My home is like a jungle, but GNATS! Y THO!?! I have tried diluted hydrogen peroxide on the soil, and I don't want to use harsh chemicals. But I'm about ready say adios to the whole jungle!

Amanda Lask

Is it important to shake your indoor plants (mainly trees and vines) to keep them growing strong?

Amanda Lask

Is it better to bottom-water indoor plants or to put them in your shower?

Dylan

sos how do i keep a juniper tree inside

Dylan

underrated houseplant picks and where to find them pls i’m sick of pothos

Ploy Keener

What plants are best for someone who always kills plants and also has a cat?

Piper Warnick

Telling the difference between underwatering and over-watering aloe vera plants? I think I'm probably underwatering mine, there droopy and a kind of weird pinkish color

Hannah Gorrie

I have a rescue fiddleleaf fig that only turned over it's existing leaves but did not grow for about six years - then all of a sudden she seemed to overcome her trauma and grow two feet in one year! Do plants need time to heal from traumatic experiences?

Lauren Cooper

How much water are you actually supposed to give cacti?

Paul Hoffman

Buying at Trader Joe’s or Home Depot: good or bad idea?

Lauren R

1st time question asker here! How to get succulent propagations to “full size.” I can’t ever get any past the dime-sized stage. Are there any lower profile grow lights that actually work? Brands or key descriptors to look for? How close should they be? Please talk about moss— moss balls, moss in pots/ terrariums, all the moss. 💚

Dylan V

I have about 20 house plants and my favorite, a coffee plant, just hates how i care for it. I do live much further north than they're supposed to grow, so in winter, it drops leaves and barely makes it to the next spring. I've moved it to a bathroom where it gets less light, but more heat and humidity, hoping this helps. My question is how can I keep a plant alive through winter when I live so far from it's natural habitability zone??

MothxLamp

My boyfriend is wondering how the heck do you get an orchid to bloom again?

Tasha Downey

How can I keep my cats from munching on them?! I would love to have them coexist in my home.

Marisa

First time asker. What is the most helpful app or website for diagnosing problems with plants? I really want and need greenery in my house but find that many of them end up with diseased looking leaves and I don't know what's causing that. This is especially true during cold months when the air is so dry. Thanks for your help!

Jenny Chambers

Does our energy or “vibes” effect our plants? I’ve put a few plants in my 15 yr old son’s room, giving them the same light and care as all my other plants, but no matter what I try, every plant in his room struggles. I’m convinced the teenage angst has something to do with it.

cheesemonger

how much does humidity actually matter? is uncontrolled humidity the *root* of my troubles with houseplants? is it possible to have houseplants with a different humidity requirement than what your bioregion maintains? how do you measure humidity at home? can you control it at home? HELP!!

cheesemonger

why do big box store plants die so much faster than farmers market plants when I bring them home?

cheesemonger

why do sprouts tend to do so well for a few weeks then give up and die?

cheesemonger

do you trust self watering tools like an oya?

cheesemonger

is there an organic and conventional market for decorative plants like there is for food?

Jacob Shepherd

Why are all of our house plants tropical? It doesn’t seem like there’s any “native” house plants at least here in the US.

cheesemonger

in the right conditions, are plants immortal?

Natalie’s Synesthesia

First time question asker. Why do the big box stores get it perfect every time and then I bring them home and KILL them. Do they have plant algorithms?! If so, why gate keep?

Matthew Winn

When I put my low-light plants in direct light, they produce tons of new leaves and seem like they love the light. What’s going on? Is "low-light" a big lie?

Matthew Winn

Even when I don’t see any bugs and I took actions to get rid of bugs, do I still have bugs?

mish the fish

can you keep succulents successfully in containers without drainage? if so, how?

Mariana Alvarez

Also, why are calatheas so hard to keep alive? Also also, can you talk about what is going on in my brain when I see plants? Are they good for me? Do they like me too?

Elisabeth L. Daley

Elisabeth L. Daley · just now Are those phone apps that ID and prescribe plant problems any good? How can you keep geraniums blooming? What is best potting soil for Xmas cacti and other succulents?

Squirrel Nutkin

Do indoor plants need rest periods or “winters” to stay healthy? My plants seem to think it is summertime all year long, does that mean I should fertilize them all year or should I put them in a dark space to nap? It’s like they think summer is endless, but some bitch keeps moving them back and forth from the tropics to the desert

Squirrel Nutkin

Is it even possible to give house plants too much sun during a northern winter?

Squirrel Nutkin

When people say “wait till the soil is dry” to water them, do they mean bone dry? Or should it be damp like under a log in the forest, but not wet? Is cool soil damp?

Squirrel Nutkin

Does standing water under your house plant really not do anything for humidity?

Amanda Regan

Yes! Same. And someone told me it's because they get HIGH. Those furry little stoners....

Squirrel Nutkin

How much do plants hate dust on their leaves

Squirrel Nutkin

Why does my MIL have Jurassic park versions of the same scrawny plants I have (literally the same, she gave me parts of her plants)?? She even lives in a colder climate! She can grow Meyer lemons Boston ffs, no greenhouse needed

Davis Born

I’d love to hear the ologist monologue about fertilizer for a while. I have a ton of plants but I’m always nervous when it’s time to feed them. I definitely under-fertilize. Also, I want to plug my favorite plant shop: Leaf & Spine in Highland Park. Fair prices and very healthy and interesting plants

Kelin Jackman

I seem to be a pro at killing Christmas cactuses. I am on my 5th and final one before I give up for good. It is in indirect light, and I do my best to wait long enough between waterings. After a few months, they start getting pink edges, wrinkle, and then die out 😭 Also, why is my monstera so droopy 🤔

Deborah Gray

How many plants is too many plants? Asking for myself 😁. What are some strategies for keeping plants that love humidity in a dry house? How do grow lights compare to sunlight coming through a window? One time when I was repotting an indoor-only plant, I found a worm in the soil, and I left it in because the plant seemed to be thriving. What are your thoughts on beneficial bugs indoors?

winn

How do I keep my cats from eating them!!!! They just love to chomp!!

sigpig

usually i have no trouble keeping houseplants alive and kicking. last year, i re-potted some houseplants and also put some cuttings into a new peat-free soil advertised as being specifically for houseplants. after a few months, the cuttings had all given up and died, and the older plants had simply not grown - not even a little bit. i re-potted them into another brand of peat-free soil, and hey presto, they started growing again. so my question is: what do i have to look out for in the list of ingredients the next time i go shopping for brown goodness for my planties?

Matt Ceccato

I have what you would call a brown thumb and two cats. What do you suggest for someone like me to get started with caring for a houseplant?

winn

how often do I actually need to fertilize?

Terra Kolb

How do I get my Xmas and thanksgiving plant to bloom?

Terra Kolb

Are self watering pots a bad idea, even for tropical plants?

The Joyful Spitfire

Im right there with yah. Maybe this ologist will help us out!

Kait

Also curious about bugs!! Relationships to plants, people and pets?

Marianne Thomas

I fully exclaimed when I saw who the guest was. Tyler is a highlight of the P4A every year! Here's my question - carnivorous houseplants, worth the effort? I've failed miserably several times & have just been gifted more saracenia. Halp!

Kait

Does the ologist recommend a reliable guide (book, website, etc) to match a plant to your lifestyle? I live in a prewar apartment in NYC, which is to say the climate is unpredictable. In the fall and winter, the radiators kick on so high you have to open the windows and the summer AC doesn’t reach every room. There’s also the ever-looming threat of roaches and rodents, even in the cleanest apartments, sneaking in and making a little snack of a plant. I’ve even wondered if I should just put pots of mint around my home since I heard rodents don’t like mint oil? (And I’ve found tiny bugs on plants that I ended up composting because I didn’t want to risk unidentified insects inside) Basically, I try to keep houseplants alive. But I cant??? Am I a monster among monsteras??? Is it even worth trying? I’ve been heartbroken too many times!

Erik Pohanka

Do house plants need to be dusted?

Erik Pohanka

Do house plants filter the air in your house? If so, how effective is it?

Hannah Riedl

How to prune back bursting plants?

Erin White

When did people start keeping houseplants? Seems to me like something that would have needed either a warm climate or the invention of window glass.

Louise Lynch

I want to know what is it like for a houseplant to live indoors in a pot, compared to being free outdoors? Is this a decent life for them? Are they happy? - biologically speaking or are they our prisoners?

Amelia Heins

Should I be wiping down my plants so they aren't dusty? How often should I be re-potting? Why are fiddle leaf figs such brats?

Barbara Blackie

I have little those white fuzzy mealy bugs on my hoya and I think I have tried everything (soap sprays, neem oil, rubbing alcohol, soaking the plant, putting it outside …)- the plant persists (I’ve had it from a cutting that I took 30 years ago!) but it no longer blooms. Is there a nuclear option for these pests that won’t kill the hoya?

Jacob Morvay

How can you tell if a plant is safe for your cat?

The Stoned Ape

Without a specific greenhouse, how many types of edible plants can be maintained in a standard home? Essentially, can I grow a vegan diet in my living room? I’ll hang up and listen.

Terra Kolb

Do you cut dying leaves or let them fall off on their own?

Betsy B

How do I get my cat not to dig in my houseplants? (and sometimes pee in the big ones... :| )

Yuri

How can we ethically source houseplants? What to look out for? How can we avoid mold? Beauty without the b

Yuri

Are there ecosystems that are being damaged by plant hunters?

Steven Lee

Fungus gnats! Why?! How do you stop them?!

Liz

Is it true that the leaves of a ficus tree is poisonous to cats? My cat nibbles them occasionally (but not often) with no side effects.

Eating dog hair for a living

How hard is it to grow a White bat plant from seed? I ordered one from a mail order nursery and it failed for me. I want one because they're so beautiful... but I live in NE so does it have a chance living here with me? Would it do better primarily as an inside plant or can it go out in the summer?

Dario

Does pruning smaller leaves actually promote growth of larger leaves?

Elongated Muskrat

I work in an office building and some windowless offices have plants surviving??? What???

Kristen Sibley

Recommendations for thrips and mealy bugs. I’ve had plants infested with them for years. I’ve tried wiping down the plants with insecticidal soap, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and dish soap, as well as tried hosing off the plants. They always end up coming back.

Alice Munn

CACTUS QUESTION What does it mean if the older parts of a cactus go brown and dry but the newest growth is still fresh and green? Is this bad or normal? Should the brown bits be cut off? Can you regrow them? Love from alice and jasmine, cactus mums

Olivia Lester

how do I get my cats to stop eating my plants?

Dot K.

Challenge 1: it needs to accept a pot heavy enough to NOT be knocked over/off by the feline. Ask me how I know.

Dot K.

I've heard that a sprinkle of mosquito BT granules on the surface of the soil will prevent fungus gnats.

Kathleen Carlson

Is there a good resource you would recommend for trying to diagnose houseplant issues? I find so much conflicting info 😩

Voxothoth

Is there any legitimacy to the idea that music affects plant growth? And if so, do my plants not appreciate my at home death metal karaoke sessions lol?

Tristyn Vaughan

I have managed to keep several plants alive over the years (yay me) but one thing I always am dealing with is a sort of mold growth on the soil of most of my house plants. I can freshly pot a plant with brand new soil, avoid over watering and still within a few weeks have mold start on the top layer of the soil. What can I do to prevent/remedy this?? Thanks bunches

Rachel Guthrie

I am having this problem too! Is there a specific temperature or humidity level that can prevent this?

Rachel Guthrie

When you go to buy a plant, can you tell that a plant has a pest or do you just have to take your chances? Are there any reputable sources for purchasing pest free house plants?

Rachel Guthrie

Should you quarantine a new house plant before setting it near or with your other house plants?

Rachel Guthrie

What type and how often do you fertilize or feed your house plants?

Tessa Lew

First time questions asker: I have gotten into house plants in the last year and a half and have a few questions. 1. Why won't my monstera deliciosa leaves size up, and what can I do to help it? (could it be a Borsigiana, instead of a Deliciosa? Is there a difference?) 2. What is the global impact of mass growing houseplants on resources like water, soil, when many of the plants then die soon after? 3. What are the easiest and best ways to make money from plants? 4. I want to try to grow houseplants by seed, what would be the easiest ones to start with? Thanks! I can't wait to listen to this episode!!

Abbi Lawson

Please debunk misting your houseplants!!!

Claire Nurc

Why do mine keep dying 😭

Honeybee

FTQA what in the hell is up with maidenhair ferns dying all the time

Stephanie Leské

Hello! Avid plant mama here, please tell me the secrets of keeping a calathea alive?

Stephanie Leské

Sorry I had more, should I be repotting my monstera? What are the pot to plant ratios? Do you rate drip water-ers? Should I cut off brown burns off my leaves? Should you water a snake plant by pouring it into the wee leaf tubes? Thank you for your plant wisdom! Also what house plant personality do you associate yourself with?

Sonjabird

With the zillions of plant species out there, why do you always find the same few houseplants at the store? Is it just that so few can survive indoors and be propagated successfully?

madamepancake

How do you handle watering when you have a large quantity? My houseplants go on vacation outside during the summer and watering is so easy, but during the winter I put them all in the bathtub to water and transferring them back and forth takes forever!

Julian

FTQA: I bought a tiny terrarium once and it almost immediately died. My partner loves terrariums how do I know which ones are sustainable?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) What plants are safe for pets? If you have a cat that likes to chew on leaves, what would be ok for them and robust enough to survive? 2) Recent research has found that catnip acts as a mosquito repellent for cats, so would growing catnip keep mosquitos away from your home? Are there some plants that are good to keep bitey bugs away? 3) When do you need to repot stuff? How do you tell? 4) What are good edible plants to grow, especially indoors? Do you have tips for growing a small array of herbs for use in food? 5) Are there good plants to put in bathrooms where the humidity gets high? Can they act as dehumidifiers at all? 6) Is it possible to grow the tea plant Camellia sinensis at home of a quality that would make good drinking? 7) How much are people actually growing their own marijuana for home use? Is it legal to grow enough for your own medicinal use? 8) Are mushrooms a good houseplant project? How hard is it to create good conditions for them? 9) Do plants actually like music?? Do they have preferred genres? 10) Are there house plants that like to grow together and help support each other? 11) What are good house plants that smell really nice? 12) If you don't get direct sunlight, do you have to get special lights to provide certain wavelengths or can some plants survive on whatever is coming out of the normal house bulbs?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Safest ways to hang houseplants in a bathroom with no shelving? I’m in a rental & can’t put up hooks (don’t trust the sticky guys)

Abi R.

here to second the what to do if you you have a cat question! I would love to even be able to have flowers our and our cat (yes he is orange) has to chew on/knock over or otherwise investigate all of the plants

Joy Stanfill

Why do all of my houseplants eventually become like disgruntled, colicky babies? WHAT DO YOU WANT?! TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT! I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!!! Help, An Exhausted Plant Mom

Joy Stanfill

The only space I’ve found safe from my cat is in the shower…I call them shower flowers

Rachael Swenson

How do I know what my plants need? I get so many conflicting recommendations is there a go to book or website?

Katelyn Schwartz

How important is drainage in pots? How do I know if my plant babies have root rot?

Rachael Swenson

How can I tell how much sunlight a certain spot in my house gets?

Rachael Swenson

Do I need to replace the soil in my pots? How often?

Maren Malling

FTQA, long time listener. OBSESSED with succulents! But I live in Denmark and keeping them happy during winter is so hard because we get so few hours of daylight. I get a gorgeous new plant, and it just starts stretching towards the light. Any tips to keep them thriving?

Sarah Philo

Some of my houseplants (looking at you Dracaena and pothos) sprout mushrooms and other fungi, is this bad for my plants? How can I tell if it's the good type of fungus or the bad type? Is there a way to prevent this? Should I repot everything?

Purple4Parasites

I have a small collection of poisonous (to pets) house plants that I keep in my very sunny office as "demos" for my Vet Tech students to ID. I have a cycad, a croton, and a peace lily. Any other common killers I should add to my little collection (which, rest assured, is kept completely separate from all animals)?

shebby

first time question asker and i’ll keep it simple: TISSUE CULTURE!??! and what has the impact of it been on the houseplant industry? like big box vs specialty plant store

Kathleen Sachs

I have read stories of several people who have purchased a house plant, only to discover that a gecko or another creature has hitched a ride on it. If you find an unexpected bonus animal in your recently purchased house plant, what should you do? Also, what other animals have been found on recently purchased houseplants? I heard of geckos from Florida. What else?

Kathleen Sachs

I read a news story from one community that said that the house plant industry had become a problem. Poachers were digging up plants and selling them online to other countries, to the point where those plants were becoming endangered in their local community. Can the Ologist comment on times where the houseplant industry disrupts ecosystems? Can the Ologist also talk about ways that we can purchase ethically?

Kathleen Sachs

I usually don't buy houseplants because I have cats. What houseplants are safe to purchase if you are a cat or dog owner? Which plants are super toxic that you should avoid?

Kait

Historically, is there a time when ordinary people started bringing plants indoors? Was it some sort of trend or did they serve a practical purpose in the past?

Small white dog

Long time fan FTQA. Tyler, does talking lovingly to your houseplants help them? I think it does.

Lindsey Wallace

need serious help: bought my boss a GORGEOUS variegated rubber ficus plant (to replace a plant of his i nearly murdered- ironically) and it initially didn’t love the spot i chose for it and a bunch of the leaves went brown at the edges and dropped. i’ve managed to get the browning to stop with a relocation to a nice sunny spot and full dry out between waterings, but wish the brown leaves weren’t there (quite honestly just a reminder of my plant aunt fail!) i’ve trimmed a few off entirely but afraid of shocking the plant…. any advice for “resetting” her to her former beauty?? will the leaves grow back in the places the leaves are trimmed or does she just grow new leaves vertically?? THANK YOU!

Karen Seidler

I love having plants in my bathroom , but it has a west facing window . I cant seem to get any to grow in there. Any suggestions

Dionne Needham

When house plants escape. What are some horror stories of plants brought into the country as house plants that have then ended up outside and taken over from the native ecosystem. I’ve got a house plant in the same family as the silver inch plant that I wage war on in the garden as it totally covers everything. The houseplant grows in a similar way so very careful to dispose in the rubbish/garbage and not the compost.

Dionne Needham

Going away on holiday. Tips for shorter trips to keep them watered when you don’t want to pay for a plant babysitter.

Kirsteen Macleod

I think it started in the colonial era when explorers were paid by someone to go fetch plants from exotic places and bring them back to live in their huge greenhouses mostly in Europe/northern hemisphere. Depends on your definition of ordinary people though, I would guess most of these plant hunters were wealthy white and male, not sure if that counts as ordinary.

Kirsteen Macleod

Avoid anything that is a Lilly for cats, I know they are super toxic. I think it depends on the cat, some cats don't show any interest in plants, some eat/nibble/sit on/shred all plants that are in their area. I have had dogs for years and mine show no interest in anything with the exception of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and pet grass (Dactylis glomerata) which they are allowed to eat. My dog does know how to pick raspberries and strawberries and does help himself. One of the easiest to care for plants that is pet safe is the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) it will make babies easily so you can pot them up in case you are worried about killing it.

Kirsteen Macleod

Ok- toxic for cats and dogs include, Cyclamen, Crocus, Oleander, Dracaena, english Ivy, holly, Philodendron, Alocasia, not sure if they will all grow inside happily- worth a shot though. I used to work in a nursery and I would get asked what is toxic/safe almost everyday- I would tell them to talk to a vet but I guess not all vets have any idea about plants.

Kirsteen Macleod

I think, but could be wrong, if a plant is really really sad it is more vulnerable to scale attack, if it is repeated attacks of scale-it could be the plant saying to you "Help!!! save me" I would try after treating with Neem to move to more/less sun, try feeding/watering more or check if it needs to be repotted and all the roots are desperate for a new pot. Usually, it is one or more of these things that is why the plant is sad and thus unable to fight off scale. Also, some plants are just weak and not meant to live forever, don't feel sad if a plant dies on you, it is not a reflection on your parenting skills, even plant experts kill plants. I have tried removing scale with an old paintbrush/toothbrush or a soft microfibre cloth soaked in neem, that way you can rub the whole leaf/stem and get all of the scale.

Kirsteen Macleod

Feed your orchids, only 1-2x per year, they will flower, also try to find out where it grows in nature, some orchids come from cloud forest where its cold but humid and wet all the time, while some come from warm tropical areas. Try to replicate it's home environment- you might have more luck with flowering. Also it could need repotting if it has been in the same pot for aaaaages!

Kirsteen Macleod

As a general rule, what i do is squeeze the pot and if it slides off easily and there are heaps of roots tightly bound- it needs repotting, if there is a 50:50 roots:potting mix you can probably leave it for a year/season but check in -6-12 months.

Kirsteen Macleod

they have done this experiment where two identical plants were either spoken to nicely or abused verbally, and they are much happier when you tell them nice things. Everyone I know talks to plants if they love their plants.

Kirsteen Macleod

use cover pots for your ugly plastic pots with regular drainage and nice pretty pots with no drainage to hide the ugly, also drip saucers and a moisture meter- so you only water the thirsty plants. it takes me hours to water my plants and yet I still buy more-why do I do it, no clue.

Kirsteen Macleod

TLDR-it's hard work growing new stuff Once you start a conversation with a commercial grower, you find out how much time and effort it takes to bring a new plant to market, In Australia is it super hard because we have super strict plant quarantine and its very expensive to import plants from anywhere unless you are working in university research and have the budget for it. Lots of new plant species are protected by Plant Breeder Rights or PBR some have copyright or trademark protection which means only a few people can grow that specific plant. Sometimes, you import something and then you find out it doesn't like your local climate or gets attacked by local bugs/wildlife/diseases and ends up rotting or looking too sick to be able to sell in markets so they end up plowing them in or ripping them out and the whole product line gets thrown out! Sometimes a new plant is actually caused by a mutation but the mutation is not stable, and it then reverts to the original form or the seeds/cuttings don't show the mutation in the leaf/flower and so then it's not a new thing anymore because it's not stable/consistent. Basically, there are like heaps of things that can and do often go wrong when trying out new plants and most of the time it is the cost of trying new stuff that prevents new stuff making it to the market. However- if you are growing things like wheat/corn/barley/rice then there is heaps of funding and research being done on this due to climate change and because they are important food crops so there is always a new type of GMO or fancy more resistant to X condition or Y disease grain crop being released and trialled in commercial greenhouses all over.

Magda Kossowska

From Olga: WHY DO I GET FUNGUS GNATS WHATEVER I DO

Magda Kossowska

I once catsat a baby who ate half a palm frond… and then threw it up. And then went back for more. How can we discourage cats from munching on our houseplants, even the non-toxic ones? Also any best houseplants for cat owners?

Mikayla Story

I’ve heard that singing/talking to your plants can affect their quality of life. Is this true and what is the science behind it?

Jared Cooper Cobain

Me too! Any tips for complete beginners, overwhelmed with where to find information about plant care for each species? 🥺 🥺 🥺 🥺 🥺

Penny Loader

When do you call it quits and turf a dead plant out of a pot? Because I killed my cardboard palm (twice) and was too sad to ditch it so I stick it out the back and it's grown NEW FRONDS and now I struggle to tip the soils out of dead pots because what if they come back too!?

Mel S.

Is it reasonable to assume that with proper care and propagation most house plants could essentially live indefinitely? Or do they all have an upper limit? What a great topic for an episode, I have developed quite a love for my house plants and am really looking forward to this one!

Stephanie

No questions now but excited for a houseplant talk as I have over 200. Love to learn new info. Thank you!

Rachel

I am excited for this episode! Is there a combination of house plants that like to be together?

Austin Broadwater

What’s the best way to determine what side of your property has what strength and temperature of light? And how do those need to be adjusted with seasons and latitude?

Austin Broadwater

What do you look for to determine common house plant ailments? Too much water, too little water, too much sun, not enough sun, cold damage, needs fertilizer, root rot, etc.

Austin Broadwater

What’s the trick to getting orchids to bloom for more than one year? How do I make sure they undergo the proper temperature triggers?

Got_any_grapes

Has the rise in house plants affected anything in the natural world?

Got_any_grapes

Brown thumb here. When do you give up an a dried up plant baby? How do you bring the poor things back from the dead?

The Best Intentions

Some of my plants seem to be neither growing nor dying, just maintaining. Are they unhappy? Is there something I should be doing differently? Also what's the trick to repotting plants without shocking them into an early grave?

Danniii

First time question asker! How do you get rid of the little flying black bugs that hang out in the soil and are everywhere in my house?? I already killed one of my plants trying to get rid of them and I don't ever want to do that again

Dahliagirl

I got a wandering star jasmine to replace the one I had that died after the age of 50!! The new one started growing and then just stopped…didn’t die, just stopped growing. Help!

Ry_ofthetiger

Is it true that keeping houseplants has historical roots in colonialism?

Ry_ofthetiger

How is it possible that some houseplants (ZZ plant, snake plant) can survive without any sunlight? I have a ZZ plant in my windowless office and the thing amazes me in its tenacity for life.

decimals and more

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9fZhjBpiWH/?igsh=Mzduank3ZDRuMnU2 Should I really be smacking my plants? 🤣. But, I have two actual questions. 1. I have spent money on tabletop greenhouses with small lights and I CANNOT get seeds to sprout no matter what I do. Help! 2. I keep seeing apps on instagram that help stop “abusing” house plants by taking a photo of it and the apps tell you to all this random shit to do or put in the soil. It seems like a lot and I’m wondering if it’s legit.

Honor

What is the most unconventional houseplant you can think of? or what is your favourite houseplant ? :D

JolieAMH

I live in an apartment with a north facing window so I get zero sun all day. My apartment also does not get above 69 degrees very often. Are there any house plants that's can thrive in this environment? I have a seedling heat mat and plant lights but every plant I try to keep alive dies. Any suggestions or should I stick to crocheted plants I cannot kill?

Taryn Selch

Do my houseplants really grow better when I tell them I'm proud of them and that they're doing a good job? It seems to work, irrespective of whether I am more or less proactive in caring for them.

EllenLouG

How do you know what pot to put a plant in? And when to have a pot within a pot with drainage? Also why is my mother, who is a good gardener, unable to keep any houseplants alive ever? What is she doing wrong?

Jeanette-o-saur

I have an avocado tree that I grew from a pit. It really struggles in the winter with the forced air heating (lots of shrivelling leaves, not dying). Is there anyway to make it happier? Besides turning my home into a greenhouse?

Jeanette-o-saur

How often should you fertilize houseplants? Are there guidelines for various plant types?

Jeanette-o-saur

Why does EVERY indoor basil plant ever become infested with aphids within a week or two of entering my house? Even the ones from the nice greenhouse (I expect this from grocery store plants but c'mon). No other plants have aphids. WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM?!

Jeanette-o-saur

Adding to this question: why do some pothos brown easier than others. My pothos that wraps on a trellis is much sadder than the one circumnavigating my wall. Is it just about sunlight blockage when the leaves overlap?

Julian

My partner asked: “Can they communicate with each other? Are they friends?”

Karol

What percentage of typical house plants are now domesticated breeds that can't survive in the wild?

Karol

How do house plant "trends" work? For example, why did the fiddle leaf fig get so popular? Who is influencing us?

Sam Danielle

Does the temperature of water used to water a plant affect its growth?

Alex Eli

FTQA!! What’s the history behind indoor plants, when did they become a popular household object and how have plants changed genetically to survive indoors. Also curious what countries a lot of indoor plants are native to!

Kadie Quiles Gray

How can I set my plants up for success? I often have the perfect corner for a plant, only to realize that the plant much prefers a different environment (more/less light, etc.) I have plants in the most random spots in my home because that's where they've chosen to thrive.

Lauren Eggert-Crowe

How close to the window do plants need to be? How bright is "bright, indirect light"? Do I have to move my plants to bigger pots every time I repot them? How do I keep them from getting leggy?

Liz Moss

How can I help my plants transition between seasons? They all throw a hissy fit when the Canadian winter comes and goes (I too, throw a hissy fit over our winters)

Liz Moss

What's the most dramatic plant (and why is it the polka dot plant)?

DeWaine Tollefsrud

Aloha! Trying to get this in before deadline so didn't scan for any others who have the same question, so apologies!! So I seem to recall from a previous ologies that most "free living" plants are all connected by a “mycorrhizal network." (I hope I am remembering that correctly!) My question is this, since potted plants can't be connected to this network are they missing out? Are they lonely? Or do they just not give a shit because they do not know what they are missing? I sometimes feel sorry for my potted housemates. Cheers!

Skye

Are ice cubes actually a good way to water plants?

Between Dumplings

If alocacia were people they'd have some trashy reality show. SUCH high maintenance princesses that make you crazy then die anyway. Calathea also mostly drama queens but I have one that seems to not be dying. Was urged to use the "butt chug" method of watering - he seems happy.

Molly Scott

At least one person has asked about tissue culture. Adding to that, I have a lot of houseplants and I've killed a lot of houseplants and I used to be able to find a lot more DIFFERENT houseplants. Now the majority of what I see in non-specialty nurseries are maybe 10 species? And don't even get me started on the only kind of orchid available is various colors of Phalaenopsis. They're pretty but they're all the same! Where are we headed in the world of houseplants if we only have access to a few types?

Fraser Robertson

I have a few! Green-ish-yellow thumb (by sheer luck or proxy...) • Best plants for low-light flats?! (In Scotland, it gets bloody cold and wet) • Soil mites?! (tiny white mites - allegedly harmless, but kinda gross?) Thoughts, feelings?! They suddenly appeared in my avocado plant that I've been growing for 6 years. • Also why are Parlour palms such assholes?

Fraser Robertson

Any rogue houseplants that have affected biodiversity in a country?! (Rhododendrons I believe were super invasive in the UK, now they're everywhere.)

The Fang

Do sick plants really ever bounce back? Am I a bad person for wanting to give up on them (after years) and throw them out?

Valerie Hanley

Dad ward.. chat NEEDS an episode on Potoo birds

Kayla Tozier

If I just moved to a tiny apartment in NYC with barely any sunlight, what kinds of plants can I have to still have green in my space??

Zinc

maybe this is stupid but literally how do i tell if a spot for a plant is low or high light? sometimes it’s obvious but sometimes it’s really not to me and it seems to totally inconsistent based on the day, time of year, etc.

Zinc

i know there a lots of indicators that a plant’s leaves can give us to tell us what it needs, and i would love to hear you talk about how you can learn to recognise those and address them. my pride and joy plant is my burgundy rubber tree, and those leaves are so thick and waxy that im worried she will never tell me if something is wrong. might you be able to help me out? are there indicators a plant can give us even with unusually thick leaves?

Zinc

im pretty sure the uk is the most environmentally destitute country and it makes my heart sting

Zinc

is there a way to propagate woody plants like bay trees?

Pamela Vorce

I'm too late for questions, but I can't wait to listen to. this! Mine will be doing great, and then out of know where they just give up on life. Can't wait for some help!

Between Dumplings

What are some nice looking and also effective grow lights? I don’t want my small loft to start looking like 9th grade science class.

Between Dumplings

All the #soils out there! Rosy, Mother, etc. lobster shells…I use perlite and coco coir to aerate and moisture control…what bagged soil is best? I also water with worm casting, have low light, and northeast light (sometimes when the sun/season/clouds/buildings allow )

RugbyGeek

What are the best plants to liven up a windowless, soulless office? How do I keep them alive with only crappy office lighting?

Marcela Duca Martins

Best plants for beginners that are also pet friendly? My dog eats my plants.

redtoque

Tell us more about plant propagation!! Which plants? how to best do it?

redtoque

i want to build an indoor herb garden - which herbs do you recommend and what are your tips for each of them?

Ana Larke

Sorry if this is a repeat — but is there a nice way to stop my cats to stop eating my plants??? They’re so adamant! Also is it even possible to keep calatheas alive? 😭

Regina Muth

Why don't more people grow food as house plants? That seems like it'd be a great way to get more back from your house plants