Plant Daddy Podcast

*tap tap* ...Is this thing still on? Our hiatus has lasted slightly longer than we expected, but Maria from Growing Joy is on the very short list of people who can coax us out of podcast retirement. We hope you enjoy this conversation about caudex plants– a flavor we both love!From Growing Joy Podcast:"Are you ready to add some unique, eye-catching beauty to your plant collection? Meet the caudex plant—also known as the foot, Stephania erecta, or even the Potato Plant. While these plants may be stunning, they can be a handful to take care of without proper knowledge. Join us as we explore the world of caudex plants with expert guests Stephen and Matthew from the Plant Daddy Podcast. From the well-known Stephania erecta to other varieties that are more accessible and easy to care for, we'll share everything you need to know to be successful with caudex plants."Growing Joy with Maria Podcast - Empowering Plant Parents Worldwide

Our Season 3 finale is here, and we're wrapping up with a Q&A show covering succulent substrates, flowering plants for beginners, opinions on “rare” and “status plants,” favorite moments from this season, and more! Remember Lightning Rounds? To Stephen's delight, Matthew throws one in. Have we forgiven our Mandarin Plants yet? And have we forgiven ourselves for the Paperwhite episode? Let's just say we're ready for a vacation!Then on the After Show, we chat more about our summer plans – both planty and otherwise. To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastHave a good summer, see you in August!

Now that Summer weather has finally reached us here in Seattle, we sit down to share our plant-oriented reading and listening lists. Then we welcome Maria Failla back on the show to tell us about her new book, Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants), one we both loved! Remember almanacs? Which Plant Daddy gives Ortho some credit? And how are the Chinquapins doing? Happy Summer, y'all!Don't forget to pick up your copy of Growing Joy!https://bloomandgrowradio.com/bookThen on the After Show, we continue chatting with Maria to ask her a few more questions about the process of writing Growing Joy, and who she would have wanted to record the audio version if it hadn't been her. To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastShow notes: https://www.plantdaddypodcast.com/podcast-episodes/ep-143-our-planty-summer-reading-lists

It's truth time. Since we *so bravely* shared our plant goals earlier this year, have we made any progress? Stephen started using windows, and he finally has some results to report. And Matthew is doing a certain thing a lot more consistently. But do we still have those Mandarin Plants? Let's just say you can tell we're getting close to the end of our season! Also, what's 2+3? Asking for a friend.And a special thank you to our new Patrons for the month of June! Head over to Patreon to become an Official Patron to listen ad-free, and get access to our exclusive After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastNeed a plant sitter? We've teamed up with Watering Can App! https://www.wateringcanapp.com

At long last, The Plant Daddies will break their silence… and talk about Air Plants. We've discussed other Bromeliads in the past, so how has it taken this long to cover perhaps the most popular genus?! Perhaps it's because we don't consider ourselves great Air Plant growers, so we brought Tillandsia expert, Emily Allsop from Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle, to help! There's a lot of varying care advice for these, so what does she recommend? What have our experiences and/or struggles been? And what are some ideas for more experienced growers? Then on the After Show, do we feel more compelled to buy plants that contain the names of family and friends? To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastAre you in the Seattle area? Come see us live at the Volunteer Park Conservatory June 18th as we host a Pride Plant Parenthood Panel! Tickets at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pride-plant-parenthood-with-plant-daddy-podcast-tickets-341371761127Show notes: https://www.plantdaddypodcast.com/podcast-episodes/ep-141-air-plants

If you do everything right, the plant we're discussing this week will look kind of dead! Did that get your attention? If that sounds appealing to you - and it does to us - then you really should give the Bundle of Sticks Plant, Cynanchum marnierianum, a try. What are our experiences with this surprisingly easy plant? How can you even tell if it's thriving? And why are we not surprised Stephen already owned it? This is one we both love!Then on the After Show, we discuss what we found when we looked for online communities of Plant Parents with a love for "Dead Stick Plants," and what this interest might look like outside of the succulent world. To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastAre you in the Seattle area? Come see us live at the Volunteer Park Conservatory June 18th as we host a Pride Plant Parenthood Panel! Tickets at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pride-plant-parenthood-with-plant-daddy-podcast-tickets-341371761127We've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!Show notes:

This month, we revisit a perennial Plant Parent passion – propagation! See what I did there? Thank you. Anyway, are there any new trends lately? What propagation are we doing in our own collections? And what the heck do we plan to do with these new plants? We “get into it” discussing sphagnum, perlite, and other preferred propagation mediums. But both Plant Daddies agree that this part of the hobby is so fun!And a special thank you to our new Patrons for the month of May! Head over to Patreon to become an Official Patron to listen ad-free, and get access to our exclusive After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

If you haven't seen the striking, bright orange growth of the Mandarin Plant, Chlorophytum orchidastrum, then you're in for a treat. We were so intrigued that we both tried growing them! After 6 months, what have we learned? Which Plant Daddy had a better experience? How are their flowers? And could this be the Spider Plant's prettier, moodier cousin?Then on the After Show, we discuss the plant pots we never have success with. Are they cursed? To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

Looking for a Hoya you can thoroughly enjoy… even without flowers? This week, the Plant Daddies check in on Hoya polyneura, one they both consider a favorite “foliage Hoya”. How did we cut through the varying care information found online? How did our plants fare in our different conditions? And why does Matthew prefer mermaids to fish? Then on the After Show, what are our next Hoya goals… if we have any left? To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-free with exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

We know it's an unlikely choice for most plant parents, but the strategies and fun involved in cultivating unusual houseplants like Welwitschia mirabilis is an experience we're excited to share! And even if he has never touched one, Matthew loves the botanical and evolutionary mystery this living fossil presents. What can we do when there's no clear care info for a plant? Does Stephen even know what he's doing yet? Say hello to Aunt Ephedra for us.Then on the After Show, what is Stephen's long term plan here? And what might be protecting wild populations? To listen, head over to Patreon - Official Patrons get to listen ad-freewith exclusive access to our After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

We have plenty of plant thoughts and goals on our minds as we sit down for our Spring-themed Chill 'n Chat! Should you put our houseplants outdoors during the warm months? As seasonal selections improve at plant stores, what are our current strategies to avoid plant burnout or over-collecting? Do you have to get a former goal plant if it's cheaper now? And the real bombshell – is Stephen finally ready for a Pothos? Brace yourselves!And a special thank you to our new Patrons for the month of April! Head over to Patreon to become an Official Patron to listen ad-free, and get access to our exclusive After Shows!https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

Looking for a low-stress succulent with beautiful, unusual flowers? Then Huernia zebrina should be on your list. We've both kept this plant for years, so we'll share plenty of mistakes for you to learn from! What is soil compaction? What is the easiest way to propagate? And what about the other amazing plants in the Stapeliad group? This is one we're both excited about!Then we did another After Show - head over to Patreon to hear it! https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!Show notes: https://www.plantdaddypodcast.com/podcast-episodes/ep-134-lifesaver-plant

We found articles calling Ficus Audrey and Ficus umbellata “the next Fiddle Leaf Figs.” So we decided to put this bold claim to the test. Do they live up to the hype? How similar is their care to the FLF? And years later, how are Matthew's "It Plants" doing? Stephen does a wellness check, and one of these shows promise!Then we tried something we're calling the After Show! Head over to Patreon to hear it! https://www.patreon.com/plantdaddypodcastWe've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST!

We're back with another classic that may straddle the world of houseplants and…indoor herbs? Beyond impressively easy care, we'll explore our own experiences with this ubiquitous plant over the years. Does it have uses beyond soothing burnt skin? Has its efficacy as a home remedy been studied? Will we find any good aloe recipes? And is this the first time we consume a plant as we talk about it?We've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Save 15% on amazing plant lights with code PLANTDADDYPODCAST at checkout!

We can talk about techniques one by one, but sometimes a scenario – like adopting an old plant – is the best way to discuss how we think of them *all working together*. Today we'll talk through fertilizing, potting substrate, pruning, and dividing, and when we'd consider each. Will we agree? Expect a few propagation and pruning tips in this one, and of course some teasing between us.We've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Use code PLANTDADDYPODCAST at checkout to save 15%

Have you ever listened to a friend's vacation recap, but wished they would ONLY talk about the plants they saw? If you answered “Yes!,” “Maybe,” or “...What?”, then this episode is for you! What did Stephen see that surprised him? And which plant-centric spots does he recommend? Most of all, will this finally coax him to get a Monstera? We've teamed up with Soltech Solutions! Use code PLANTDADDYPODCAST at checkout to save 15%

It's Chill 'n Chat time again! This month, we decided to go way back and revisit the first 5 plants we covered in the show. How are they doing in our collections? And how have our opinions changed? Let's just say some things have changed since 2019, and some things haven't. We discuss: Jungle Cacti (00:06:00) | Staghorn ferns (00:17:45) | Pilea peperomioides (00:23:40) | Begonia maculata (00:28:17) | Pothos (00:33:02) We're excited to team up with Soltech Solutions! Use code PLANTDADDYPODCAST at checkout to save 15%

Is there a perfect Hoya substrate recipe? Our answer may surprise you. We'll walk through our preferred ingredients, why we use them, some ideas for both new and experienced Hoya parents, and even the “potting equation” as a whole! You know us – we couldn't help getting into the details! What is a “coarse” mix? How do we both feel about coconut husk chunks? And which one of us hasn't repotted one of their Hoyas in 5 years?

So… what is an asparagus fern anyway? We'll share cultivation “experiments” that may help you avoid some common frustrations with these resilient classics, and we'll cover the common species that share this moniker at plant stores. How much water do these really need? Does Stephen *actually enjoy* these? And can Matthew resist talking about edible asparagus? These “ferns” deserve a second look!

Over the holidays, the Plant Daddies both tried some boxed bulbs from the clearance rack (...it turns out!), and our “results may have varied.” Now that indoor bulbs are gone from store shelves, this post-Paperwhite wrap-up is more about the experience, less about the care advice, and even leaves us questioning …what IS a houseplant to us? We get on our soapboxes. Did adding alcohol work? And what does Thalassa Cruso have to say? Buckle up for an interesting ride this week!

We sit down with Toine Overgaag of Westerlay Orchids, a major grower of Phalaenopsis on the West Coast of the US, to hear about their sustainability efforts, and the state of large-scale houseplant production more broadly. Are grocery store orchids considered “disposable?” Are there ways to tell if you're buying sustainably-produced plants? And what's the best thing we can do once a plant comes home with us? Stay tuned for our tips (and our impassioned appeal) for plant lovers of all experience levels to give Phals another look!

How well is the “traditional” plant industry serving the interests of the newest wave of plant parents? And for those who started in the hobby during the pandemic, how are they faring? We found two interesting articles about the state of the houseplant community that felt perfect for the first Chill 'n Chat of 2022. What is a “brutalist candlestick?” And is losing 10 or more plants a lot? We attempt to answer!

You may know about Sundews, but the Plant Daddies believe these particularly tiny, beautiful members of the Drosera genus deserve their own special mention. And we're happy to report that their care and propagation is easier than you may have read! Will they thrive in terrariums? What does it sound like when Stephen tries to sell Matthew on a plant? And how many ways can we pronounce the word gemmae? Don't underestimate us!

The Lipstick Plant is the very first Gesneriad we discuss on the show, and we both feel that this robust, reliably flowering plant is a great introduction to this amazing family of plants. Does Stephen admit to liking a flowering indoor tropical? And is Matthew getting too worked up about cultivar confusion? Have you ever thought you didn't have much to say about a plant, but then you had a LOT of thoughts about them? Well it happened to us this week! And we had a blast.

Is there more to our relationship with houseplants than collecting and cultivating? Maria Failla of Bloom and Grow Radio is back to make her case in a revealing interview that we both love. What does a mindfulness practice actually mean? And how can you begin your own? It's easier and more powerful than you might think. And it may surprise you which Plant Daddy this speaks to most!

If the Plant Daddies could surprise each other with a plant to grow together, what would happen? You'll find out in our last episode of 2021! Then we revisit (and judge) our plant predictions for the year, pick our favorite episodes, and chat about the plant highlights in our own collections. Can a rehab project be a “gift?” How well do we actually know each other? Cozy up for one of our favorite episodes of the year!

How much do you know about fertilizing your houseplants? …and how much do we know? After a radically honest discussion of our own routines, Miles from The Plant Store is back to answer our questions, dispel some myths, AND participate in our fertilizer lightening round. Are liquids better than slow-release pellets? Is "organic" mostly about marketing? What about DIY fertilizers? Some of his answers may surprise you!

Need a foliage plant for a low light spot that will actually survive? Even thrive? This week we talk about Aglaonema, which we both believe is one of your best options for this situation. How long can these actually survive in less-than-ideal light? And how much moisture (or lack of it) can they tolerate? Our answers may surprise you. Also, what's an “Aglaonema stepfather,” and how's that custom textile print coming? Like we say, this is about respect.

What should go in that less-sunny window? The Plant Daddies tackle a timely listener question in this month's Chill 'n Chat, and after so long without plant updates, let each other know how their respective urban jungles/bogs/deserts are faring. Is success in a north-facing window about plant selection, or managing expectations? What does Stephen do when he thinks he has overwatered? And was Matthew aware that we did an episode about having too many plants? No new episode next week, but we'll be back in December!

Many of us have owned a Croton plant, Codiaeum variegatum, but how many of us can reliably get them to thrive indoors? The Plant Daddies have had mixed results themselves, so Mark Peters of Peters Crotons and Cordylines joins the show to help. Should these plants be allowed to dry thoroughly? Of the surprisingly diverse Croton cultivars, which is the best for indoor growing? We get these answers, fascinating history, and some surprising tips for plant parents from this expert grower!

Are you a fan of cactus flowers… but not cactus spines? This week the Plant Daddies cover Echinopsis subdenudata, the Domino Cactus, an easy-to-care-for favorite that's often easy to find, too! It's great for newer plant parents, but does this species offer anything for seasoned growers? Will we make sense of the taxonomy here? Then someone utters the sentence "I don't know flower talk."

Are you considering a splurge Hoya? If so, the Plant Daddies believe Hoya callistophylla should be on your short list. Are the rumors about straightforward care for this species true? And where are the cuttings Matthew promised Stephen? After we share other, similar Hoyas in the Finlaysonii complex worth considering, will this episode get an explicit rating? At this point, no one should be surprised!

For this month's Chill 'n Chat, we dish about plant pots! (See what I did there? Thank you.) We'll cover our dos and don'ts, how these fit into the broader care equation, and our tips for converting mugs and thrift store finds into vessels your plants will thrive in. Which kinds do we find most difficult? And what are our strangest pots? In a shocking twist, we even throw in some aesthetic opinions.

The Spider Plant finally gets some love! We share our experiences, care tips, opinions (of course) and even a few stories about this hardy favorite. How can you keep them bright and green? Have we ever killed one? And could this plant be poised for a resurgence in popularity? Just hear Stephen out. Also, if you've mastered these, we'll share a related species that might tempt you. Check out our sponsor! Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% off at southsideplants.com

After some Stephen-centric plant updates, the Plant Daddies cover a surprisingly rewarding houseplant that you may be able to propagate after you make that fruit salad. The pineapple, Ananas comosus, is in bloom for Matthew, who details his care experiences - good and bad - and the long road ahead to that sweet snack. But is that the point, or is it about the journey? Is this the best tropical fruit to grow at home? Does Stephen know what one looks like? Check out our sponsor! Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% off at southsideplants.com

Not long ago, the Plant Daddies discussed how many houseplants is too many, and if memory serves, they felt like they had enough... so what happened last weekend? A plant sale to benefit a couple of their favorite local plant organizations! They each pick a new plant to share, discuss their geeky research so far, and use each other as additional resources - but who's growing the caudiciform Gesneriad, and who picked up an uncommon flowering shrub? Then, it's time for a listener question about aerial roots! Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

This week the Plant Daddies cover Scindapsus pictus and treubii, ubiquitous trailing tropicals with variety and hardiness that may surprise you. Are these truly alternatives for the classic Golden Pothos? And why are these considered "a Pothos" …and why is a Pothos called a Pothos anyway? Matthew's mic breaks, so it sounds like he's calling from an airplane. And it's been a while since Stephen hasn't grown a plant we're discussing, so he leans in. Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

Can't stop buying plants? Or have you ever felt so overwhelmed you've considered leaving the hobby altogether? The month's Chill and Chat is near and dear to our hearts, and we have a feeling it may speak to some of you as well. Do you have too many plants? Do we?! How does it feel, and how should we think about this? While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, the Plant Daddies offer some stories that may tell you the signs and suggest some next steps toward feeling better. Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

This week we cover what may be one of the original strange houseplants, Bowiea, which has been described as "possessing little beauty" while also being "certainly one of the most curious plants." So guess which one of us is more excited? Kidding - we're both here for this one! We clear up the vague care guidance found online, detail our growing experiences, and even talk styling choices. How flaky does Stephen like it? And since this is a bit of a oddity, Matthew goes wild sharing botanical facts! Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

This week we talk Ficus elastica. If there's so much to love about the hardy, beautiful, low-light-tolerant Indian Rubber Fig, then why is this one just in the friend zone for the Plant Daddies? We also cover ideal care and our recommendations for pruning and shaping your plant as it grows. Then we give you multiple pronunciations of "Banyan!" And why does Stephen sound like he's calling in from a quiet library? Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

This Chill and Chat is about houseplants that don't simply grow larger - they undergo dramatic metamorphoses. Monstera deliciosa is a familiar example, Nepenthes do this when they're thriving, and the Blue Star Fern even has some surprises up its rhizome. How long until splits and fenestration develop in Monsteras? Stephen presses Matthew for answers, but has he ever experienced upper Nepenthes pitchers on his own plants? Then the Plant Daddies answer a listener question about propagating cacti. Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

In the first Plant Profile of Season 3, the Plant Daddies cover String of Turtles. Should you treat this like String of Hearts or String of Pearls? Is this their favorite of the "strings of things"? And how can you promote lush vining? In a Plant Daddy Podcast first, Stephen asks for a picture of Matthew's plant to judge! And please act surprised when Stephen reveals he's growing a hard-to-find alternative.      

We're back and excited! To kick off Season 3, we're returning to Hoyas, and diving deeper into these plants both of us are so enthused about. With so many varieties new to cultivation, how are we researching their care? What unusual and unexpected ones have caught out attention? What about mounting them? Where is this craze going?? And did you know that they are people who don't like Hoyas?! (No, it isn't Stephen this time!) Use code PLANTDADDYSUMMER for 25% at southsideplants.com

Hey! We missed you! We're not back from break quite yet, but we thought we'd share this fun, brief chat (mostly about Hoyas) with Jane Perrone of On the Ledge Podcast that took place a few months ago as we set up to our record about Thalassa Cruso for Episode 95.

The Plant Daddies brave a historic Pacific Northwest heatwave to bring you our final episode of Season 2! In this Chill and Chat, we give some plant updates (mostly about Hoyas, who are we kidding?), share our heatwave plant care strategies, and talk about an interesting recent study suggesting Staghorn Ferns may be eusocial. Stephen can't resist mentioning Ant Plants, and Matthew is already planning a fern colony in his stairwell. We'll see everyone in a few weeks!

We made it! And you made it! For our 100th episode, the Plant Daddies serve a variety show of sorts - with listener questions, our most (and least) improved plant skills since beginning the show, and even we have learned from each other. How do you make that grocery store Phalaenopsis orchid bloom again? How should you move with plants? How have our collections changed in the last two years? Does Stephen still think his plants are the coolest? Does Matthew like Hoyas yet? (eye rolls)

Looking for a consistently-flowering houseplant for that warm, sunny spot where more delicate plants may not thrive? Euphorbia milii is one Matthew has kept for years and Stephen feels may be having a moment. Is care the same as other succulent Euphorbias? How much should you worry about the sap toxicity and thorns? This might be another plant the Plant Daddies agree on.

It’s Chill and Chat time again, and the Plant Daddies cover a grab bag of planty topics on their minds. Is Matthew changing his mind about terra cotta pots? Stephen finds a chart for profitable propagation... supposedly. And is this the first time we talk about growing things from seed?

We don't mean to be cocky, but this may be our most titillating episode yet. See what we did there? Thank you. We tackle not one but two of the most popular novelty cacti, the so-called 'Boob Cactus' and the 'Penis Cactus.' Something… for almost everybody? Anyway, how easy are these to care for? And why do they look this way in the first place? Can the Plant Daddies resist the cheap jokes? And if we could only choose one, which would we recommend?

We're delighted to have Jane Perrone back on the show to talk about the under-appreciated houseplant icon, Thalassa Cruso. Who was she? How does the advice in her book Making Things Grow hold up decades later? And why isn't she better known today? To our surprise, we found some currently trendy techniques and plants in her 1968 book. Did Thalassa finally teach Stephen how to care for a Rex Begonia? Oh, and Jane is writing a book, too! We demand details.