The Wirecutter Show
Stop Killing Your Houseplants
Apr 16, 2025
Darryl Cheng, a plant expert and author known for his engineering-based plant care approach, shares how to keep popular houseplants like pothos and monsteras alive. He emphasizes the importance of understanding plant needs and offers tips from his latest book for thriving plants. Joining him is Rose Maura Lorre, a senior writer specializing in affordable plants, who reveals insider secrets for scoring cheap or free houseplants, bringing a fun and frugal twist to indoor gardening.
36:58
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Realistic expectations about plant care, acknowledging that leaves will decay over time, can enhance appreciation for houseplants.
- Utilizing a light meter to understand home light conditions ensures optimal placement for plant growth and health.
Deep dives
Understanding Plant Care Basics
A key point discussed is the common misconceptions about plant care, especially the notion that plants should always look perfect. Many people expect that with proper care, plants will never lose leaves or show signs of decay, which is unrealistic. In reality, every leaf has a limited lifespan, and the goal of houseplant ownership is to ensure that growth outpaces the decay of older leaves. Setting realistic expectations about the natural life cycle of plants can help owners better appreciate their green companions.
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