Are you always seeking out new plant friends to swap plant care tips and experiences with? This episode is perfect for new plant parents looking to learn from experienced plant lovers or anyone who wants to be part of a community of plant enthusiasts. Join me as I chat with the Potted Together trio Adam, Nicole, and Becca about the evolution of plant parenthood, the different seasons of plant care, and all the topics that only true plant friends would discuss. So grab a cup of tea and listen to the conversation!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:28] Meet my new budgie, Frankie!
• [02:53] Plant Friend Hangs
• [03:12] Meet Adam, Becca, and Nicole from Potted Together!
• [13:30] How their friendship started
• [17:55] What made the three decide to start a podcast together
• [20:02] Difference and advantage of podcast vs youtube
• [22:22] How have Adam's feelings about plants changed over time?
• [26:00] Nicole's experience as a plant parent
• [27:32] Where can you find Oprah's favorite bed sheets?
• [29:45] Safe and high-quality potting mix and fertilizer for your houseplants
• [32:27] Becca's plant parenthood journey!
• [35:56] Which plants did they regret buying and which ones did they love?
• [36:09] Nicole's Philodendron Florida vs glosorium
• [37:35] Adam's Hoya carnosa ‘Grey Ghost’ vs Monstera Thai Constellation
• [40:05] Becca's variegated alocasia vs Pilea peperomioides
• [43:40] Why Maria thinks Rhaphidophora tetrasperma should never go out of style
• [44:13] Which plant would you choose if you had to keep only one houseplant and get rid of everything else?
• [49:48] Adjusting your plant care approach through the seasons
• [54:09] Unforeseen consequences of being a plant parent
• [59:51] How the online plant community has evolved and grown, especially during the pandemic
• [01:05:15] What changes have they seen in Plant-Tube, and what the trends will be for the community in 2023 and 2024
• [01:11:25] What are Adam, Becca and Nicole’s favorite plant memories?

 

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!

 

Meet the Potted Together Trio!

Through their online platforms, Nicole, Adam and Becca provide valuable insights and inspiration for anyone interested in becoming a plant parent or expanding their plant collection. Their friendship is a testament to the power of plants to bring people together and create meaningful connections.

Nicole started collecting houseplants during the winter months in Chicago. As a wedding photographer, she had some downtime and found joy in bringing greenery into her home. Her channel offers a unique perspective on plant care and features helpful tips and tricks!

Adam has a certain affection for macramé plant hangers and wall art. He began his plant journey around the same time as Nicole and found himself drawn to the natural pairing of plants and macramé.

Becca has a background in agriculture and runs her own cut-flower farm in Florida. She brings her expertise to the podcast and offers a wealth of knowledge on topics ranging from plant propagation to sustainable gardening practices.

Together, Nicole, Adam, and Becca make up the “Potted Together” crew, a group of plant-loving friends who share their passion for all things green. You can find them on Instagram and follow their plant journey on their podcast for more tips, tricks, and plant-filled adventures.

 

The Birth of Potted Together

Adam, Becca, and Nicole met through their shared love for plants. They all began their plant journeys around the same time, but it wasn't until later that they connected through Instagram. It’s a testament to the true power of social media, plant friends! Finding a community of shared love and interest for plants can now be as easy as logging in to your favorite platform.

Becca and Nicole met first at a botanical garden, and later, Adam and Becca met at a plant swap. They started communicating and collaborating on YouTube before deciding to start their own podcast.

Their friendship and shared passion for plants brought them together and inspired them to create a platform to share their knowledge and experiences with the plant community. It's interesting how their paths crossed through the world of plants, and how they formed a bond that resulted in a podcast.

Plant friends are essential in the plant community, as they provide support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Plants, like pets, can be therapeutic and have a positive impact on one's mental health. Having friends who share your love for plants can enhance that experience, as you can learn from each other and share your successes and failures.

 

Plants That They Regret Buying and Plants They Love and Would Buy Again

In the vast and diverse world of plants, trends come and go, and sometimes we end up with plants we regret buying. For Nicole, it was her Philodendron Florida plant (Philodendron squamiferum x pedatum), which she feels is not worth the hype. On the other hand, her Philodendron glosorium is a plant she loves and would buy a million times over. Gloriosum is easy to care for and adds a prehistoric vibe to any home.

Adam, however, regrets buying a Hoya carnosa ‘Grey Ghost’, which he feels did nothing but die on him. One plant he is grateful for, though, is his Monstera Thai Constellation, which he got at a cheaper price because it was imported. The Thai Constellation is a trending plant that Adam loves because it is hardy and easy to care for, just like a split leaf monstera.

Becca found the variegated alocasia to be pest-prone and high-maintenance, ultimately causing it to die and deciding it wasn't worth the effort, whereas she loves the easy-to-care-for and prolific Pilea Peperomioides, commonly known as Chinese money plant, which is also great for sharing with friends.

 

A Plant Parent’s Favorite Houseplants

Houseplants have become a popular trend in recent years, and for many plant lovers, they hold sentimental value. Here are the trio’s favorite houseplants and why they would choose them!

• Nicole: Donkey Tail – This succulent holds sentimental value as it was her first plant, and it has been with her for a long time. It represents the beginning of her love for houseplants.
• Becca: Hoya ‘Compacta Variegata’ – This plant taught her about perseverance and patience, and it holds a special place in her heart as it reminds her of a trip to California, which represented her independence.
• Adam: Hoya carnosa (Heirloom) – This is a cultivar that has been passed down and is a huge plant. Adam got it from his grandfather, who also had a love for plants. It holds sentimental value and reminds him of his family's love for plants.

 

The Evolution of the Online Plant Community

The online plant community has grown and changed, especially during the pandemic. While drama has been present in the past, the increase in plant creators and diversity of perspectives has expanded the community for the better.

There has been a shift towards a more long-term and genuine passion for plants, rather than just a trendy hobby. Some people turned to plants out of fear during the pandemic but what's left now are people whose hearts were genuinely changed by plants.

Overall, the expansion of the online plant community has allowed for more information, perspectives, and opportunities to make friendships.

 

 Favorite Plant Memories

Taking care of plants is more than just a hobby for many of us. Having plants and learning how to care for them can provide different learning opportunities, and even expand our personal experiences for the better. Here are Potted Together’s favorite memories of plants: 

• Nicole's favorite plant memory was from her time in Arizona, where her family had an amazing Fence Post Cactus in their front yard. She took a piece of it back home with her to Chicago, and it still grows every summer.
• Adam's favorite plant memory was unboxing his Hoya Avada plant, which he saw and knew he had to have. He loves growing it out and sharing it with others.
• Becca's favorite plant memories were from her childhood when her parents would take her to cactus nurseries and they would plant annuals in their backyard together. She appreciates how her parents made time for creating these special spaces despite their busy schedules.

 

How about you, plant friend? How has your plant journey been? What’s your favorite memory of your plants?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Nicole’s YouTube video My Clean Leaves
• Summer Rayne Oakes’ YouTube channel
• Hilton Carter’s Instagram
• Nick Pileggi’s YouTube channel
• Let's Talk Hoya podcast
• The Green Plant Instagram
• Growing Joy Episode 51: How to Live with a “Crazy Plant Person”
• Growing Joy Episode 109: Passive Hydroponics: Pon and LECA
• For Good from Wicked YouTube channel
• Becca De La Plants
• Becca De La Creations

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

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.

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

Cozy Earth

Sleep is foundational for optimum health, like having quality soil for our plants to thrive in, so doesn't it make sense to have bedding that reflects that? Cozy Earth's best-selling bamboo sheet set is temperature-regulating and incredibly soft, and it's made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo which makes it not only feel like silk but actually truly cooling to touch. Plus, they have a lengthy warranty and everything you need for bedding with a variety of luxury pillows, sheets, blankets and even PJS!

Check out cozyearth.com and enjoy an exclusive offer of 35% off site wide when you use the code “GROWINGJOY”.

 

Follow Potted Together:
Potted Together Podcast
Becca's YouTube
Becca's Instagram
Becca’s Website
Adam's Youtube
Adam's Instagram
Nicole's Youtube
Nicole's Instagram

 

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