10 PLANTS I WOULD NOT BUY AGAIN & WHY

[@MisadventureMisty]

My first plant was a calethea and it slowly died back to 4 leaves and then it kept those 4 leaves for TWO YEARS while I figured it out. It’s now one of my healthiest lushest plant I have.

[@jinyan3297]

So how did you figure it out if you don’t mind me asking?

[@MisadventureMisty]

@@jinyan3297 first, my conditions: pacific NW USA, temp in the house stays around 21-26 Celsius (70-80 f), humidity 50% under grow lights, but about 1.5 ft away. My soil mix is super water retaining, like mostly peat moss with a bit perlite and regular soil. About a 4-1-1 ratio. It’s my only plant in this mix. Peat moss is kinda fluffy so that helps aerate the soil. I water it when the bottom 25% is barely moist with distilled water since my tap water is extremely hard. That ends up being around once a month in the summer and once every other month in the winter. I never let it dry out fully or the leaves go crispy. I also bottom water as to not compact the soil around the roots. It’s now a beautiful, huge Calathea Musaica. I haven’t even had to prune a leaf off in over a year. So much easier than my monsteras, pothos, etc. and so much more low maintenance. Honestly, they’re an overwaterers dream.

[@laurenelyse9686]

Lucky you! My first plant was a white calathea that I purchased in winter with NO heat pack 😂😂😂 Needless to say, I’ve come a long way in my plant journey

[@MisadventureMisty]

@@laurenelyse9686 I feel a lot of people I talk to that got into plants did so because they couldn’t figure out why their calathea is dying lol they’re such beautiful plants and you can find them most anywhere in the US.

[@tinapomfrey5412]

@@MisadventureMisty , I am happy to find someone else who hasn't given up on Calathea when they start to decline. It is amazing how miraculously they come back after appearing to give up. I am a chronic under-waterer, so all my plants have a tendency to go crispy. Self-watering pots have been a savior to me. I am in Ohio, where the winters are long and snowy, and grow-lights are a must. My prayer plants do very, very well under them. The problem is that I can't really display them in my living spaces because they eventually get sad, so they're relegated to my basement, where the humidity is high and the sun, well, grow lights, always shine.

[@Planty-Mandy]

This is probably the most useful type of video. Everyone loves these plants when they’re new and cute and small but knowing how they actually are when they get big is super important. Please de-influence us!

[@sydneyplantguy]

😂😂fair enough!! Thanks :)

[@patriciabailey1937]

Not too dissimilar to people!

[@alfuqt2297]

If i looking for a new plant, i always google how the are in large or in big form.

[@Stylissh986]

This time I like plants that are not fast grower. My favourite now is a variety of anthurium.😅

[@Spoketlabolina]

Yes, for me I specially have this issue with some of the Philodendrons. I have a Philodendron Silver Sword which looks beautiful as a juvenile but repulsive to me in its matured form, I don't really know what I will do if my plant matures. Maybe restart it and gift it away.

[@rodneybever9583]

I feel so blessed to live in a very dry and arid region. We don't get much rain here but I have yet to see a single mite or thrip on any of my plants and I am checking them on a daily basis.

[@hana421]

TIP to Monsters Adansonia and other similar, if they have sick deformed or crumpled leaves. Watering water with aspirin 1/4 tablets per 2 liters. In my case, i literally water plnat a few times +- 1 month Thys permanently treating the plant. New leaves should grow healthy.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Interesting tip!! Thanks :)

[@oprofessionell]

acetylsalicylic acid may stunt plant growth and may kill off new plant tips, it will also kill ferns and moss!

[@ecroxsandoz]

Hi, can you do a video on top 10 easiest plants to grow with satisfying results (plants growing fast and big and not fussy)? I think that would be a great video for new starters like me.

[@MD.orion1]

Thanks for your honesty. It's important to see that some plants just don't do well out of the absolutely ideal environment and it is not our fault. Life is too short to agonise over plants that just don't respond to the care we give, just like people.

[@catgirl1000]

My relationships with different plants is similar to my relationships with different people. I may love “the thought” of having that plant/person in my life, but if the reality of it is harder than the value, of what I perceive, that I get out of the relationship…. It’s a one-sided relationship. Not every plant/person is a good match for me and not only do I deserve better….they deserve better too! I’ll pass them along and be thrilled to see them being loved and blooming elsewhere.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Love that :)

[@smajliiicka]

This is the best analogy I read today ❤

[@davidhalley9795]

Good way of looking at it. I feel the same way.

[@elasalach6584]

so true! but slightly sad when relationship is, i quote, "you are just a little bit too ugly, sorry!" 😆

[@catgirl1000]

@@elasalach6584 I hear you, but unlike people, our attraction to plants is usually entirely superficial…

[@robynfisher4455]

My "never agains" are also calatheas. Alocasias are all on last legs except for cuprea. Variegated monstera standeleyana is topping 2nd pole, but no change in leaf size, it's really slow and boring. I've tried many velvets, but none go well for me, so never again. Just tossed out last attempt at pink princess, and white princess is next. They never do anything but slowly die off. Come spring I'm getting rid of everything that doesn't make me smile. Might not be much left 😅

[@Lindsey-bj5iu]

"You are a just a little bit too ugly, sorry" 😂😂😂 At least you were nice about it.

[@sydneyplantguy]

😂😂

[@elune43749]

so german 🤣

[@apvlee5890]

Its time to combine the plants into one planter😊. Like philo ROF sits below sodiroi

[@michellecarini8382]

“I’m already so pissed off at this plant,” sums up the plant hobby for me! Lol! Take the good and the bad 🤷‍♀️

[@Eliseadriennee]

I love all that you said! You’re so real with it. This is exactly how I feel about the plant hobby. I’m not a botanist. I’m trying to have fun and enjoy and not stress out over plants just because they’re hyped. I’m doing what makes me comfortable and happy 💚

[@AnnisGarden]

I am not ready to give up on Alocasias 😅 They are just so pretty...❤ Or maybe I like the thrill, when they melt over night for no reason, so I have search the soil for the only corm that is not completely rotten, to bring it back to life... ☠

[@fliicreates]

I love Philodendrons but I would never ever get a Pink Princess ever again. And I also don’t really fancy Alocasias as a species either, so they’re a no go for me as well. Ultimately, it’s just a preference and I think it’s rather healthy to limit your collection!😅

[@melwingun]

True! Having different ways to care for different plants when you have that many plants is really overwhelming...😢😢

[@rosine2011]

Maybe grouping plants with similar care together and use an App to keep track... it's OK to be overwhelmed, but if it is effecting your mental health you should consider downsizing. Good growing 💚

[@fabiennebovis-higgins7149]

Spot on re. Calatheas. Got 8 or 10 in 2020 and as soon as winter hit they started slowly declining. Would not even grace me with proper death - just slow and ugly decline….. Have managed to get the orbifolia to thrive in leca (thanks Nora LQ) and have since moved any new one into leca. All good so far 🤞

[@ChristyD97]

I understand your reluctance to go semi-hydro, I know I did. I will say this though over here in the US it's easier to get self-watering pots than it is to get clear airwood pots. So I have switched a lot of my pots to self-watering pots, either with aeroid mix or with pon. And the nice thing about the self-watering pots, generally, I don't have to water them as often as my aeroids, or plants that are actually in my perlite/dirt mixture.

[@monicacaliber3953]

I’d love to watch you get into semi hydro, especially pon, and follow your learning journey. You can make your own pon with pumice, zeolite and lava rock .

[@frogtime9164]

After working in greenhouses with houseplants for 5 years and at home with them as a hobby for over 7 I've had experience with hundreds of different houseplants and these are the ones I've had the worst experiences with: calatheas (any type they're dead to me), alocasias (they have spidermites 24/7), stromanthe, agaonemia, crotons, philo birkin, philo pink princess (easy when you have good conditions but can be hard to propagate and get root rot easily), bird of paradise, majesty palm, and ferns (if not given enough water/humidity). Most of these I'm sure do great if given the right conditions but I just haven't had great experiences with them

[@kaleighwhelchel1916]

I've cracked the code to prayer plants and ferns!!!! Self watering pots. NOT for everything, but for plants that can't handle going a bit dry? They are a GAME CHANGER.

[@frogtime9164]

@kaleighwhelchel1916 I do love ferns but hate the constant upkeep. I'll definitely have to try this thanks for the tip 👍

[@SeraphimMuse]

​@@kaleighwhelchel1916Yes! My prayer plant was down to 2 struggling leaves and my mom told me to put it in a self-watering pot. Easier to care for now (just keep water in bottom) and she is LUSH now!

[@SeraphimMuse]

Philo birken seems like a weird one for this list. I'm only a new plant mom (started about a year ago) and it's one of the few I've managed to keep alive since the beginning of my journey!

[@juliegeagan-chevez1992]

Any time I see a hint of spider mites anywhere (always the result of bringing something in from somewhere else) I pick up some predatory mites. They clear them in no time and they don’t return.

[@jamessloan4422]

True! Billie and ROF take up way too much space in my home, too! Biggest plant in my home is my mammoth elephant ear. I’ve learned calathea care is to use distilled water with aquarium water stress conditioning.

[@clarewhite3004]

Aw, I love my ring of fire! It was one of my two first plants! It's been really easy and it totally blew up on my front porch this summer (North Carolina, hot and humid, fully shaded by a large tree). I got it with three leaves and ever since it got to around 6-8 small leaves, it's produced new orange growth consistently, both indoors in very poor light during winter/spring and outdoors in the shade/indirect light during spring/summer.

[@Gkrissy]

Yan, you are correct most of the semi hydro folks don’t test ph. In America our city water is hard so I only use rainwater on my plants so it makes it easy. I just put it pin out the solution and leave it alone but your frydeck is more exotic then my green velvet, Amazonica, and whatever bigger variety I’ve had for 3 years.

[@margimorris7360]

My Calathea, Fiddle leaf fig and snake plants were my enemy until I changed them to semi hydro and now they are all thriving. I doing a clean out of plants I don't love anymore, it's freeing

[@cassthompson3386]

Why were your snake plants your enemy, if you dont mind me asking? I know why the Calathea and Fig would be your enemy 😂 but usually Snakes are very easy going.

[@margimorris7360]

@@cassthompson3386 I'm the classic over waterer, I just can not help myself

[@plantypittsburgh]

Oh, my heart. I love the frydek. I do grow in passive hydro with no drainage, and it's low maintenance for me. If they're are those who want to try to alocasia, do not fear! And my ghost is my easiest, fastest growing plant. It lives in my ambient, though, so low temps and lower humidity but high light. Not the recipe for the best plants, which is why i love it so.

[@Livinglifetruthfully]

Completely agree with you on most of these and I’m so glad you shared as it’s nice to know you are not alone.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks for watching :)

[@kristiemowry3267]

I have watched many videos on this same subject, but yours by far is the best. Very clear explanations and filming. A really great video. Hey

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@kimr4741]

I love this post! I love it when you share the awesome but i love the nitty gritty talks just as much. it makes me feel better and that I'm not the only one that does certain things or has some of the same problems. when you said you it didn't stop me from buying another- its 3 for me, i try to give up after three tries but by then i dont like the plant but i have a bizarre need to grow the plant on the same token. always love your videos, thank you!!

[@briteddy9759]

I would never buy another Alocasia or so I think! Mine stay at two leaves. Love the leaves, but I probably do not have the right environment or I do not know how to care for them. I also stay away from pest magnets. I don’t mind the regular maintenance, but why not avoid the unnecessary as much as possible. Great video!

[@mollusc3125]

My frydek was growing so well for ages. Was one of my pride and joy plants! Then it dropped all of its leaves for no apparent reason and for the past 6 months, I’ve got a bare stem that tries to push out a new shoot every month or so, only for that shoot to quickly turn brown and die. So close to throwing it out!

[@1faithchick7]

Treat it for thrips. It took over a year before I actually saw a thrip on my plants, but all of them were going down for a long time before that. 99% of the time that's the issue. :)

[@wiedesignarch]

Hello, I am from Indonesia. And I thought, all of your plants are growing beautifully. Every single of them on this video. Not single soul is sad or unhappy. 😍 I hope everyone of them would have a long life and stay happy in unconditionally love from yours 🫶🏻

[@Sheesha87]

You could try using an aquarium water conditioner for some of the more sensitive plants like calethea, it removes all the chlorine, chloramines and other things like flouride that may not be detrimental to the plant.

[@MonsteraUnderTheBed]

Any type of begonia seems to hate me. And the worst for me- easyplant plants. My ex got me some when I was getting into growing my collection. These self watering ready made plants were beautiful but took the fun out of the process of growing them, also leaving me questioning how I could fertilize, repot them, how the pot worked. 3 months later- they start just absolutely unaliving at rapid speeds, turning black, tons of gnats. Treated them, isolated and cut them, then found in a Reddit thread that despite the 4.9 reviews, a ton of people had the same exact issues. It was depressing, especially when the plant is supposed to be practically self sufficient, to think it’s your fault. It’s spread to my other plants, luckily I kept my really prized ones in another room. Anyone else heard of this? I’m pretty upset! And thank you! Amazing and nice to hear real facts! Appreciate that! Say hi to Brad!

[@Atelier19a]

You definitely are my favorite plant guy. I could listen to you all day. Thanks for the great info.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you so much :)

[@1Waarheid]

Three years ago I bought the Philodendron Peru. I have no growlights and the plant is thriving about five meters from my south facing window (in the Netherlands). It's a beautiful very dark green and shiny plant. Only the young leafs are of a lighter green and even more shiny. Your plant is looking like it gets too much intense light. Normal daylight is enough. I love trailing plants, I love those big leafs of many climbers too but the moss poles not so much, but that's just me.

[@1Waarheid]

Just saw that the Peru also is called Epipremnum Peru. I wonder who is making all those names up and confuses everyone.

[@alicelarez4311]

Have you taken us to Bunnings lately to look at plants?I love your field trips also.Great video with alot of truths to support your views,I totally agree.thank you !!!!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Once spring is in full swing, I'm sure i'll do more plant shopping again :)

[@alishazablow1003]

When I switched my frydek from airoid mix to pon it rewarded me 3 weeks later with a huge beautiful leaf almost double the size of the previous leaves it’s now pushing out another leaf and it’s only been couple weeks since that last leaf appeared🥰 I’m so excited

[@MrsJLathan]

I hung my Jungle Boogie in a window with a macrame hanger because I had absolutely no floor space for it. It is beautiful in the window and has all the space she desires ❤ I get it though, they are huge!

[@canadiyank]

Oooh, I like this idea!

[@Jordyspeeledbuffalochickendip]

thanks for the idea because mine is taking over!

[@riwolfe574]

Try the alo Jacklyn in pon - seems to really help with the pests and this plant grows well in it. My old chonk sprouted shoots as soon as it touched pon.

[@janmontarsi.-blendangles7960]

I have a night blooming Cereus , I got a little leaf five years ago, they like to be root bound, but near three I upped the pot to a 10 inch diameter 12 inch tall pot. Year four the green growth exploded to the size of the first plant you were holding in your video over the winter 6 foot tall spires about six of them over the summer. Those have sprouted leaves so the plant is about 7 feet tall. The base is about 2 1/2 to 3 feet in diameter, but I am finally for the first year and year five getting flowers, it’s going to produce at least five. It’s been a very interesting plant to get to know, I wish I had a greenhouse because I would just let it go wild I do have pictures of it on my Facebook page. I will put a short video on my KZbin page if anyone wants to see it.

[@richardr5878]

Moving my alocasia to Pon was a key to success. It took about 6 months to transition but they are going nuts now. Easiest plants to care for as well. Just fill the containers with water, diluted fertilizer and done.

[@carolstuff]

Although I only have 1 of your 10, I agree with your ideas on why they’re not worth getting. Thanks for sharing Jan!

[@gaddaitherage8204]

You are absolutely right about the Alocasia Frydek. If you grow it really well it actually becomes a super high maintenance plant. I had an Alocasia micholitziana with 5 plants in the same pot grown in pascal chips in semi hydro. It was a stunner: 3 feet tall, huge 18inches long leaves, each plant giving 6+ leaves. But I had to carry it to my bathroom twice a week for a rinse down (best pest control), it’s thirsty as hell, it took up way too much space, and if I don’t rotate it, it will chase the light and in 2 days it might topple over. The leaves began fighting each other. It was getting so large it bullies its way into other plants. Then I had to go away for 5 days and my temporary caregiver killed it (she filled up the ENTIRE CATCH POT with water) and I was upset. But looking back it was actually a huge blessing because now I have a life 😂

[@lydia_n_au]

😂😂😂

[@marciajohnson1825]

Your last two sentences 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@sydneyplantguy]

'now I have a life' hahaha :D

[@dabittyslaya]

Man you not lying. Mine is in semi hydro and I swear every time I check the meter, it's dry. It's been cut back like 3 times now and it always comes back with a vengeance. I really don't pay it any mind now. I finally realized I need to spray it(and all my other alocasias) weekly

[@gaddaitherage8204]

@@dabittyslaya same exact experience as you. Gotta fill it every other day. And that’s why I think m caretaker decided to short cut it all and fill up the entire putter pot 😂

[@judyanderson3500]

Thanks for the plant therapy. I truly needed it after buying plants today with no space for their growth. That is hoping they live and grow. I enjoyed your video ❤

[@Plarofly]

Appreciate the video. I went from noob to a wannabe sydney plant guy in probably half a year. From having only pothos and some philodendrons in bad soil to everything in aroid mix and moss poles. Many plants died in the process, but some I never thought would make it are thriving. Got an Adansonii that is ready for a chop and extend, got two melanochrysum that are thriving, a monstera deliciosa that is just exploding. Everything else that is not either of those or pothos is kind of suffering. That means mostly variegated ones that I thought I am ready for. I just stick to non variegated plants from now on. I am too afraid to kill my plants and that is probably what is holding me back. I think a video about how not to worry so much would help me the most at the moment. I just transferred an alocasia dragon scale that did quite well from the soil it came in to semi hydro because I thought it is the better choice and it just transformed to dust within a week. Also had a thriving philodendron scandens with head-sized leaves that just turned completely yellow all of a sudden without any warning sign. An adansonii cutting I took from the thriving one that did very well at the beginning just got some mushy leaves and turns into black soup atm. I am pretty sure it is neither over or underwatering. No idea why the leaves get swampy. I am hanging in there. Oh and also f*ck Thrips.

[@HarleyDTV]

Recently I've taken my picky calathea out of their soil, and thrown them in some water to get water roots going, and after all the old ones die off, I plan on trying them out in just some stratum to see how that goes. I have an orbifolia I moved to just water a couple months ago thats looking happier now and is just about ready for the next stage. I have some maranta cuttings I put in stratum recently as well and they're looking very happy.

[@lupitasmith9944]

I don't think the majority have the issues of having a plant maturing too quickly or getting too big.

[@sydneyplantguy]

U’d be surprised :)

[@Emenord]

​@@sydneyplantguy Come to Norway and say that! 😂

[@CatherineHurley-wk8ef]

@@Emenord Oh, right! I did a cruise around Norway once. Swore I'd leave the bar when the sun went down. It was summer. It didn't go down. What a wild week that was!! Great country, lovely people 👍😍

[@asmitadeshpande1712]

I agree with you about learning to use alternative mediums for growing plants, additional expenses and also the space some of these plants take.

[@r4tgl]

I love the philodendron ring of fire, I have a smaller more manageable one currently but they do spread out quite a bit and take alot of room under a grow light. I'll make the exception because i love the leaves. I actually have dealt with moss poles prefer to not do that again. Too much work, maybe one day but not soon

[@emmanuelV37]

Great tips on what doesnt work well so as I build up my collection I'll keep these in mind. Thanks!

[@how2withbasics567]

I had to smile as I too have gone through a learning curve of indoor plants where I have wanted large but not space demanding with nice foliage suitable for uplighting to create the perfect ambience. I finally settled for an indoor Palm but learnt that it doesn't like direct sunlight as it's leaves will burn so positioning it accordingly within the room is critical. The other fabulous plant is the Ficus Adora or known as Ficus benjamina with its braided trunk and the added plus with it is that you can prune it's branches into shape keeping it looking fabulous. Furthermore the Ficus Adora enjoys lots of filtered sunlight. I wish I could upload photos of these plants within my home to depict their effect.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Love a good uplighting moment 🙌🙌

[@childofpersia1213]

THANK YOU! I relate to your frustration with some plants. There are some plants that I feel I just can’t trust anymore (lol) - like my stromanthe triostar - I’m just waiting for her to get mites again and it’s taken the fun out of it. I appreciate you showing the realness of the hobby.

[@tetianakolokolova1752]

Thanks for the video! You saved me money 😂 and I like your approach to growing for aesthetic reasons. I like this as well!

[@roxannegordon2854]

Good video with great information. I use Grow lights all year round for plants that are fussy. Not 12 hrs a day like winter but some. It really makes a difference. I don't propagate. I don't know that many people to give them away to. At one point my African violet kept getting bigger, I broke it up, then I had 3, then I had 5, then I stopped. I have ONE now. My two Ivys are being attacked all the time with sticky bug crap. I put them in the big sink. Wash all the leaves with detergent soap, like Dawn. I rinse the leaves, then spray with indoor bug killer. The serious kind. Then spray with Neeme oil. I wear gloves as I wipe all the leaves with the Neem oil. I do this every 3 month or less, and they are coming back, thriving. This winter, 2024, I will turn on my small fans and humidifiers to battle those pests even more. 'Blow them away. The big Ivy is getting too big for the sink, so I'll have to use the bathtub. No more adding more plants. This is enough.

[@lookathergrow]

I just laughed when you whispered “the leaves are not that nice” about the soidoroi, trying not to hurt its feelings 😂

[@sydneyplantguy]

:D

[@caitlinserviss]

For alocasias; my grandma planted a generic kind in the side yard of my parent's house and they have mostly sandy soil. It gets cut back every couple of weeks and still thrives. After my entire lifetime of 32 years, I started getting into plants and propogating and grabbed a bunch of the alocasias, just ended up putting the cuttings in cups of water. Still thriving strong with nothing but I'm sure they need a little liquid food fertilizer.

[@simonjohnston9488]

Hi! I tried growing frydek in Pon - they absolutely hated it. Back to a chunky aroid mix, and they're thriving!

[@umbotaniconoapartamento]

As always, I love your video! Congratulations!!!! In fact in my observations, Philodendron rugosum needs a little more sun. It loves almost full sun! With best wishes!

[@berlinaroids]

Hey Jan! I know I've already said it but beliiieve me: You dont have to necessarily switch the Frydek to semi-hydro. Although most of my Alocasias sit in semi, half of my most beautiful Frydeks are sitting in the chunkiest mix for my poles plus some extra chunks ;) I swear they love it. But I happen to agree: neglect (in terms of watering) but high light conditions for the win!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Good to know :) thanks !!

[@GEOMETRICINK]

I want a Florida beauty so badly! It’s been on the top of my wishlist for years now. My Florida ghost is probably 6 feet tall with three different stems actively growing. It’s stunning. Amazing. I adore it. I just know a Florida beauty would thrive in my home.

[@sydneyplantguy]

If you’re in Australia check out flora magnifica :) they have some inexpensive tc babies :)

[@amariebfree5326]

I made the mistake of buying a cute little philodendron at a nursery and 6 months later I'm realizing how huge it's growing and how quickly it's taking over my house.

[@jeanabano9515]

I enjoyed watching your video. Thank you for your honesty. It gave me an idea what to expect from those plants you discussed

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thanks :)

[@renatara9026]

Sometimes my plants grow too big, multiply too fast (especially some perennials in the garden, but also some houseplants). In this case I usually just divide them and sometimes I give them away, if they are taking too much space, or if I want to make space for a new plant. Regarding big houseplants try donating them to community centers, school, doctors' offices etc. Many would be very happy to accept them. Also some people have really big houses and a lot of space to grow big plants. Regarding Alocasia Jacklyn, I have one as well and I have purchased a small plant about half a year ago. It is still pretty small and now has 3 new bigger leaves and the original 3, smaller leaves have died. Actually I like the fact that so far it is not growing too fast and it still fits perfectly on my side table and looks very beautiful. I often mist in with a distilled water and I water it every couple of days, when the top of the soil becomes dry. It is such originally looking plant that I think it is worth trying out to grow it.

[@niecythebudgetnista3223]

Do you use fertilizer ? What do you do to make your plants grow big and fast? Thank you. 🌹

[@desireeroberts2484]

I don't have any of my alocasias in semi hydro. I have them in my aroid mix as well and what I have noticed is they do fabulous in the greenhouse it seems like they are humidity lovers. Or if not that then I will put them in 100% nutrient water and they will thrive like crazy then I can rent the leaves every time I change the water That's just what I do anyway I love watching your videos I have learned so much from you

[@Im4realtryme]

Yes, that Alocasia Jacklyn works my last nerve, until it starts growing back lol. I won't get another one though.

[@dabittyslaya]

Sameeee. I've cut mine back like 5 times. It's had babies. The babies grow like shit, not to mention it grows soooo slow! That foliage keeps my coming back lmao

[@arches00]

As soon as I saw the title I knew I needed to watch and gain your wisdom!!!!

[@SlovenskyRaj]

Oh my gosh is this a German plus Australian accent I'm hearing!? Omg I'm so amused... luv it.

[@sydneyplantguy]

It is haha

[@ericab936]

I have a large collection of plants and I love them all equally 😃

[@aym280]

You're so funny! I can't believe it that I actually enjoy watching this although I never like indoor plants.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Hehe glad u are enjoying the videos :)

[@Kamilla-o5k]

It is indeed very enjoyable go watch how all the plants thrive when the spring comes. A few plants I have started to grow superfast once the daylight has extended its time. Now it's autumn again, and I feel bad about my planties. Hope they will survive it harmlessly😢 PS I find you philodendron sodiroi is absolutely gorgeous and astonishing❤

[@mnbotanicals]

I’ve struggled with almost every one of these plants 😆 it’s reassuring to know it’s not only me

[@DawnLeca]

Love this! I agree with so much - I'd never get another calathea and those sprawling philodendrons are not my thing. I've given up on the Peru so many times but always find a few in my prop box so they have never really gone away and weirdly after many years I do have one potted up and growing nicely. Alocasia are my favourite genus and I find most of them pretty easy to grow in leca. I don't understand why people only grow one in a pot whereas if you have a pothos you'd never have only one vine

[@Ryhoiku]

Alocasia have absolutely captured all of my heart... and the obsession was jump started by the jacklyn. Your opinion is so valid though lol

[@theminimalistninja]

Definitely calatheas too .. got them at the beginning of my plant journey and would not get them again. They all died on me. One even developed a massive thrips infestation! I heard that they grow better in pon than soil but I am a soil girly so wouldn't have switched just for calatheas .. gotta love the look of them but growing them? Same here, def. not for me 😄

[@amberporter299]

I watched this and I absolutely agree with every plant you put on this list as I have them all and have the same experience with most. I also agree with the Alocasia and seeing everyone is moving them to PON - I have always grown everything is soil and don't want to add anything new :) For the Peru I currently have it growing on my ceiling. It is one trailing plant I have found that will still grow along the ceiling. I really think though that this plant would do good on a poll and I have seen some of my leaves get huge. I think you should keep trying with this one! My Frydek is doing much better this summer and I think once they reach a certain level of maturity it will take off. My babies from corms are still struggling I need to get them past that point of growing a leaf and dropping a leaf.

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you :)

[@tashalousdadful]

Great video! I just purchased an Alocasia jacklyn that has spider mites. Mainly on a new leaf it just put up. I seem to be making progress using insecticidal soap. Is it ok using it or do you have another recommendation for treatment? Alocasia's are a pain. Thanks for any info.

[@redlady3123]

Your Peru is stunning actually. But I love trailing plants!

[@sydneyplantguy]

it's not bad ... it's just not what I signed up for :D

[@elasalach6584]

I really like how you manage to keep your philodendron billietiae in such a compact form. Way less annoying than trying to nicely arrange that 3 headed giraffe i have.

[@paulawilkinson6341]

My monstera Peru is beautiful really deep in colour and leaves so shiny it’s also so bushy ! I love her . She’s my table centre piece

[@Maddox-79]

I love the Peru. I love the texture

[@eunoiaplanter]

I have 2 Frydeks in my aroid mix and 2 in pon, both do equally well. I think the trick with the ones in the aroid mix is just to make it a little bit more dense than your usual mix and water it more frequently. I have the ones in aroid mix in ambient conditions (humidity sits at 30-40% in summer) and in what you would maybe consider medium lighting. If you are curious about semi-hydro, definitely give it a try, but I feel that you can definitely grow them in a more dense version of your mix! 🙌🏻

[@sydneyplantguy]

I'll give that a try this spring :) thanks :)

[@susanheath5467]

This chap is brilliant! Particularly enjoyed the moss pole episode where he hound the huntsman in the pot! As an arachnophobia in UK who luckily missed spiders while in lovely Oz It was such fun….he didn't scream and run as I would!

[@susanheath5467]

I can spell arachnophobe….spell check can't!

[@sydneyplantguy]

Hehe thanks :)

[@MegalomaniaHere]

You always give educational content! I just got calathea and alocasia a few months ago, now I'm mentally prepared for things to go downhill 😂 at least it wont be a surprise..

[@sydneyplantguy]

Best of luck :) 🤞🤞

[@babyclown]

18:53 totally agree! I’ve only seen like two in pictures that look “good”

[@Ghost-sz7uo]

noooo, your spotlight video is one of the main reasons i even got a ROF. i even added a moss pole to it. i guess i'll grow it in a lower light setting so that it won't get as big so quickly.

[@sandphants]

Great video really useful observations and tips. But I have to say, YOUR CAT ON THE STAIRS! So cute just being there.

[@sydneyplantguy]

he's always the star of the show :)

[@turogers13]

I have a Rugosum. I love it because it is so different from all my others and I have not had any issues growing it. 😊 Gotta really like the texture of it though. And I like the lime 💚 color. I love ❤️ video's and have been a fan for a few years. ❤ from Canada 🇨🇦 😊

[@sydneyplantguy]

Thank you :)!

[@ulrickts]

Currently dealing with a spider mite infestation on my Jacklyn. I agree. Gorgeous leaf, but very reluctant to give leaves... instead it gives me mites.

[@sydneyplantguy]

She's a handful .... argh !!

[@SparkleInMoonlight]

Good you speak about Monstera Peru - I was thinking whether it would do better on a pole. I see not 😀 So trail it will 😀 Alocasia: I have great success with them in Lechuza pon, their fertiliser and self-watering pots. They do excellent and don´t suffer much from pests. I have the same set up for calatheas and marantas. I believed I fined tuned my semi-hydro set for marantas, calatheas, alocasia - all very happy. Then I got several cane and rex begonias and it seriously challenged me for the first months (some begonias died in the process) - but know we understood each other and no more deaths (for now) 😀 I think the challenge is what makes us more versatile growers, the more challenges, the more experience and the more knowledge and resilience 🙂

[@tim_koch14]

How did you kill the Begonias and how did you fix the problem?

[@SparkleInMoonlight]

@@tim_koch14 I was watering them wrong. I used pon with slow release fertiliser on marantaceae and all alocasias without any deaths, but begonias had different water needs - some wanted a lot of water, some did not, and before I figured it out, some died (water-propagated cuttings). So I bought them self-watering pots and they water themselves - problem solved (they all bloom now). From now on, I´ll use only self-watering pots on begonias, because I can´t handle their demands 🙂

[@TruthInBeauty]

I use chunky aroid in about 1/2 of my plants and a mix of pon and leca in the rest. I use pon without fertilizer and I water all of my plants with the same water with fertilizer. I just put more water in the semi hydro. I also don’t use self watering pots. I use clear pots similar to orchid pots but in all sizes and find a good outer pot.

[@theresakennedy238]

My Frydek went nuts with growth when I changed it over to just Australian fern fiber as substrate. I fertilize every feeding. I make a mix with RO water and various other nutrients and pH to 6.0. All my plants are in soil.

[@livingnatural3225]

That's true ... there are plants that do a lot better in certain environment comparing to others

[@redlady3123]

Brad literally watching Sodiroi as charged. ☺️ ❤ or is he contemplating life? 😂

[@lydia_n_au]

I can relate to ROF and Jacklyn. Can you be convinced to try a stromanthe or maranta again? They are so rewarding for me. I find a good hose down once every month does help keep the pests at bay. Highly anticipating your upcoming varie Adansonii video. Mine has reverted and I’ve propagated it three times now in the hope of bringing back the variegation. No luck yet or just a sliver. The damn roots (instead of leaves) always grow out of the white stem part. Tad frustrating. Maybe I have a dud. Thanks for another fab video.

[@sydneyplantguy]

I actually grow marantas in my garden & love them :) just not the biggest fan of them indoors :)

[@LanaSangina]

About Pholodendron Sodiroi. Would it looks better if you'll make a spiral path around plant support for him? it could become denser

[@SilverSky333]

I think Ring of Fires just need a lot of light to keep the leaves looking fiery! Mine is admittedly like a tenth of the size of yours, so it could be related to maturity, but mine lives very close to a grow light, and it's almost all pinky orange. Intensely colored and gorgeous.

[@jessh9988]

Do be careful if those are rust spots around your other plants, it can spread very fast with the humidity you have, just make sure its not near a fan and your other plants, itll blow the spores everywhere! I know you know what to do most likely but, I'd just hate to see you lose multiple plants to rust, like I recently have....good luck! I'd love to hear how you're combating it, I went with Physan 20 and removed every leaf that had a spot and spraying them weekly as well as and sealing every cut wound with cinnamon, and keeping the diseased ones away from the others. Its been 2 weeks and already have it mostly under control. A couple more sprays and it should be over *I hope*

[@dieghitos85]

I definitely won't get again maiden hair fern, too complicated to grow, too much humidity required. Shame because I love it so much, but what can we do to give it so much humidity??

[@dmorfo4359]

My Alocasia Frydek is located a meter from the east window, growing in an aroid mix which mainly consists of coco peat, perlite and vermiculite and at a humidity of 50%. She loves natural nettle fertiliser and rhizotonic. I wash its leaves every week with a mixture of nettle fertiliser and insecticidal potassium soap. This bush is already big. But you need to wash it constantly, and also give it quite a lot of fertilizer. Perhaps you can try local natural fertilizers for it. Because it seems to me that everyone suffers with frydeks in that hydroponics and synthetic fertilizers

[@katebeck609]

I noticed your cat is so pretty & his or her color is special. What breed of cat that has two colors? Thanks 😊

[@asverma93]

100% agree on alocasias. I have stopped adding to my collection in deference to traveling. I can’t be the best plant parent if I’m only half paying attention.