If you have 250 plants in your home, what would you do? That seems like WAY too many plants to care for, right? But for Samantha Hermann, better known as @houseplusplant on Instagram, this is her second nature. She’s my newest plant friend, and I’m so excited to have a casual conversation with her on this episode (let me know if you want more episodes like this). Samantha has been successfully keeping that many plants alive and happy for years, and I’m sure it’s a lot of work. But she’s here to share her best tips for managing a large indoor plant collection without stressing out!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:46] Meet Samantha, the houseplant expert with over 250+ plant babies
• [05:37] What happened at the recent Tropical Plant International Expo?
• [11:22] When did Samantha start collecting houseplants?
• [15:09] Grow healthy plants in any corner of your home with Soltech’s stylish grow lights
• [17:26] Make your houseplants happy with Espoma Organic's high-quality, premium potting mixes
• [21:39] Why you should try new methods/species to avoid boredom and burnout
• [25:30] How Samantha’s plant collection has evolved over the years
• [30:51] What does Samantha’s research process look like for a plant? 
• [32:30] Why is trial and error in plant care important?
• [36:25] How does she take care of her plants every day?
• [39:24] What is her approach to controlling pests?
• [45:44] How does she care for her plants while she is away? (and smart home gadgets!)
• [51:25] Tips for maximizing your plant space through styling and organization
• [57:23] What are the challenges she faced having to take care of a large plant collection?
• [01:03:03] Why you shouldn’t let plant care become a source of stress (dark side of plant care)
• [01:03:59] Tips for moms on how to manage both children and plants
• [01:08:35] Starting her Instagram plant account
• [01:11:20] When did she realize that she wanted to be a full-time plant content creator?
• [01:14:37] Where can you find Samantha on social media?

 

 

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

 

 

 

Samantha’s Plant Parent Approach

With four kids, a dog, and hundreds of plants, Samantha is a pretty chill plant parent. In fact, she doesn't do strict watering schedules or frequent repottings. She embraces something more like a survival of the fittest mentality—just meet each plant's needs as they come up.

So instead of one big watering day–which can take hours, water just a couple of plants each day as needed. Spend 10 to 20 minutes each morning walking around, checking on your plants. So if anything needs water, grab your pump sprayer bottle with fertilized solution (this is what Samantha uses) and simply water any plants that are thirsty that day.

The philosophy here is all about taking time each day to really look at and enjoy your plants. That's how you'll catch any potential issues early before they become problems.

 

Simple Plant Care Systems

Of course, caring for hundreds of plant babies still requires some practical systems and tools. According to Samantha, consider investing in automated watering stakes for your thirstier plants like alocasias. It’s like a stick that you put near the plant's roots to water it right where it needs it. 

For hard-to-reach hanging plants, you can use a telescoping watering wand (a tool with a slender tube that can extend or retract). And if you have grow lights, make sure to put them on automatic timers.

When it comes to pests, Samantha recommends spraying down new plants with insecticidal soap as a preventative measure. If you see issues starting, treat that plant with something like horticultural oil until it's resolved.

 

Letting Go of Plants When Needed

It's okay to let plants go when they no longer bring you joy. I’m not kidding.

Even with her chill approach, Samantha says it's important to let go of plants you're not enjoying anymore. If you find yourself neglecting or feeling “meh” about a plant, don't be afraid to gift it away, sell it, or compost it without guilt.

Accept the fact that plants naturally have a life cycle. Letting go of “plant guilt” helps keep this hobby fun and joyful, which is the whole point of having plants! It’s supposed to be something to help you de-stress.

 

Style Your Plant Collection

One of the most impressive things about Samantha's plant areas is how stylish and uncluttered they look. She recommends using neutral-colored planters, group plants together, and incorporating different heights with shelves and plant stands.

Keeping your color palette simple helps make the eye focus on the beautiful plants, not distracting patterns and colors. Not to mention, different heights make it feel more like a scene set in a jungle.

 

An Important Lesson on Collecting Plants

At the end of the day, plants should enrich your life, not cause you constant stress and anxiety. If taking care of your plants stops feeling like a fun hobby, then it's time to re-evaluate.

Maybe you need to downsize your collection temporarily. Or you could buy varieties that do not need as much care. Or get better plant care tools to save time and effort. The goal is finding more joy, not to make more work for yourself.

So if you've been dreaming of a huge indoor garden, take a cue from Samantha. Set yourself up for success with smart systems and realistic expectations. And most of all, prioritize your own happiness above anything else. Caring for plants should be a relaxing and enjoyable activity!

 

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE)
• Foliage Focus
• Foliage Pro
• Prop Drops | Market Botany
• Market Botany (@marketbotany) | TikTok
• Mossify
• 46th IAS Annual Show and Sale Information
• Cultivate'23
• Sol Soils
• Pocket Wall Planters | WallyGrow
• Growing Joy Ep 219: How to Care for Alocasias
• YouTube: Make Your Own Moss Pole for Indoor Climbing Plants

 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

As we enjoy the spring sun, ensure your plants are still getting enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code “bloom15”.

Espoma Organic

If you want houseplants that thrive, set them up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mixes and more! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

 

 

Follow Samantha:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Facebook

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria