Houseplant Q&A | Etsy, Cats & Plants, Etc.

[@kelzbelz313]

Nick, Betsy begonia, and Planterina all uploading today. Plant-tuber gods are truly blessing us on this glorious day.

[@craftyGAgal]

I know right!

[@stlstlstltsi]

so did VoodooGarden!

[@everbrilLIANt]

and kaylee ellen

[@sandyg8794]

I totally agree!

[@masonplank6627]

I know what I'm doing for the next hour now lol

[@veganbyday3771]

"The boy has a passion." Love you Nick :)!!

[@beh4846]

I like this style of video; you seem so relaxed, and it's like hanging out with you for a bit. Thanks!

[@debihediger4760]

So glad to see young people “you” with a passion for plants and really share your knowledge. Thanks for sharing, it’s fun watching your videos and seeing your beautiful plants.

[@penni7155]

I have only been watching your videos for a few days now but you have become my favorite plant person. Love how your place looks with all the plants. ❤

[@monkey93xf]

I love that you condensed the similar questions into one. Sometimes people will answer super similar questions and reexplain half the same thing

[@bryum8898]

I use planters with no drainage holes all the time. Very successfully and no mess when I water. BUT I live in Las Vegas where the air is extremely dry and I am very careful not to over water. I really love this method. Not trying to undermine your wise comments about needing a drainage hole, just pointing out that it can be done under certain circumstances.

[@craftyGAgal]

I really enjoy watching your videos. You are charismatic & adorable. Thanks for the consistent quality content. Plant on ☮️ ✌🏼 ☮️

[@melindameikle9697]

I'm LMAO watching you use your tiny teaspoon to scoop soil!

[@patricialisowski1080]

Your talk with us today was excellent! I’m glad I tuned in and hope to see more of your videos and listen to your plant wisdom😁😁😁🤩

[@kelzbelz313]

You joked that buzzfeed must be writing articles about putting gravel instead of drilling drainage holes. I have seen three different videos by buzzfeed/nifty where they did just that.

[@user-ow7bi3se2b]

AHAHAH

[@eyesclosed3709]

I just honestly don't believe they aren't giving bad advice on purpose because this is getting out of hand

[@englishtuition370]

I think people are thinking about the gravel in false bottom for terrariums and extrapolating that to pots with no hole.

[@kelzbelz313]

eyes closed it doesn’t matter whether it’s good advice or not views are views.

[@Seastack11]

I tried that once for a succulent and it was terrible. Terrible advice.

[@hollyhasegawa6095]

Wow Nick, this was a fun video, and thank you for pronouncing my name correctly, you are amazing. I have 5 Aglaonemas, 4 are the colorful ones and when I decided to repot one of them I ran into the little plastic pots that they put each individual plant in, and I thought to myself, "who would do this to a chinese evergreen?" it was crazy, I ended up cutting mine off of the plants. I love that they are so bright and colorful, I have one called Red Gold, one called Siam Aurora, one called Butterfly Manis, one called Red Panama, and one called Silver Queen. I have around 113 plants in less than 800 square feet, I know I could have so many more, but I want to make sure I have the right growing conditions for any other plants I bring home, plus I live in the northern part of the country and we have harsh winters and I will need grow lights this coming winter. Thanks for a fun video I really enjoyed it, bye for now.

[@ashhanderson]

You are so fucking fabulous. I get excited to watch your vids every freakin morning! Thank you for being you and for sharing with us!!

[@jmmiez]

Hi Nick. I found your channel a couple weeks ago. I love the way you introduce each plant and show the name as well. For me it's very helpful. I'm just getting back into my house plants. I had cats for a while that would eat anything green. A quick comment about the gravel in the cashpots. In the 70s there was a big movement for house plants and inside plant scapes. If there wasn't a way to drain them, you started with a later of rock or gravel and planted above that to keep the roots out of the water. You see some of that process in terrariums. The internet makes getting accurate information much easier. The gravel is just an old school idea. I'm looking forward to seeing more videos.

[@malindabarberio5726]

I loved the misconception question! I would say for me it's people saying they "kill every plant" or that they "can't keep any plant ever alive" because that's totally not true! You just have to know the right stuff!

[@kellydobberstine5011]

Me, too! I always tell them "you can't kill it if you follow the rules".

[@jayaroe4055]

I just ran into my kitchen and repotted all my plants that didn’t have drainage holes. I too read that buzzfeed article. My pothos and ribbon plant thank you.

[@Ichitogy]

OH MY GO THANK YOU SO MUCH THANK THANK THANK THANK YOUUUUUU grandmas will literally come in and rudely scream at us saying they have planted in pots without drainage holes and just put rock in the bottom! thank you good lord Jesus your advice will save millions

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Nick! Good to see this post! The pots you put your plants in look awesome! Your plants are so beautiful. Thank you for answering the questions, it was fun hearing your answers. Love all of your posts! Can't wait for the next Q&A, or any other video. Thank you for sharing! Missed seeing Muffin. Do you still play music?

[@debbies7752]

Hi Nick! I really enjoy your channel. Thank you for being you.

[@heathermac3699]

Have you considered those water absorbing pellets that people use for hanging baskets? Might help that Sanchezia soil hold a bit more water. I think the whole “gravel is drainage” myth came from outdoor gardening, where adding gravel to the hole actually does assist in drainage for the plants that need it.

[@xxsaaaron]

I just looked around me and realised I have about 4 plants planted in pots with no drainage. I will take them out, find a drill somewhere and make holes in them. My plants thank you.

[@caramelsandiego]

I love the point you made about people buying excessive amounts of plants because is exciting in the moment, without thinking about the long term. When I started collecting a lot quickly, I thought to myself- what if I have to move? What if I get sick? What if something in life changes? How will I re-home all these plants? God knows I can’t just throw my babies in the trash! Just food for thought. 😊

[@brianaalee1]

My kittens knocked over one of my more mature Monstera Deliciosa and then my bunny ate a whole leaf.... Looked it up and it says they are toxic to rabbits but my guy is happy as could be. I try to keep everything clustered together so the kittens can't get them down but it still happens every now and then! Thanks for sharing the info :)

[@montaraful]

Denver may be looking for cat grass, you know the grass they like to eat when they are outside. They are probably getting vitamins or other sort of nutrient from that. You could grow a pot of grass specifically for the cats, and then he may not bother the wrong plants. They sell cat grass in garden centres, at least in my country. I also think that adult cats avoid by instinct eating something that’s poisonous to them.

[@ScarlettDawn30910]

I feel that when you look younger than you are and peoples jaw drop when you tell them. I’m 24 too constantly mistaken for 17-18. I love these type of videos so much information and admiring your plants and love for them. Definitely took some notes from this. Thank you☺️🌱

[@mirapuff2072]

Nick! another wonderful video. You totally answered my questions about kitties and plant "safety" - I appreciate your insights and information! You really could write for buzzfeed. I would follow the heck out of that hehe

[@maribootz2534]

I’m glad to hear that you’re propagation again. I ordered from you twice and my plants are doing great. I would definitely want one of your plants again. Probably the tetrasperma 😄! 💚

[@juliejredmart]

Hi Nick! So happy I found you. Can't wait to watch your videos! 💚, Julie from TX

[@mommagarden]

So impressed with your collection. So much good information. Thank you

[@kriskrischi7571]

Hey Nick! Just a tip on prevention on spider mites. If you regularly mist your plants with water it will prevent spider mites. They love extremely dry, often dusty conditions. Plus, your plants will love it! 💚

[@colleenanne4032]

So glad to have found you! The Bachman's by our home recommends using 1-2" of rocks in the planter.

[@maleah8609]

Thank you so much for addressing the gravel/pebble myth! I killed so many plants at the beginning of my plant collecting because of that belief

[@MultiDragon1313]

I can see doing the gravel in the bottom. To help hold the nursery pot up and out of the run out water.

[@melodijanelacy8168]

Thanks for posting a video even when you're busy! Your videos relax me and your love for plants is contagious. I hope I'll be lucky enough to order when you get those plants up on etsy. Until then, be well

[@prettypothos4me290]

Many years ago houseplants were a really big thing. We were so worried about the cats that we instead set up a 90 gal fully planted aquarium with angelfish. Now I have snails in there I can’t get rid of although my plants went wild and it doesn’t seem to hurt them. You have convinced me to try a land plant indoors!

[@valiumk.9489]

Lovely video, stunning plants!! Have a great weekend!! 😊

[@janiceraby6175]

Never feel bad for asking customers what they are going to do with pebbles, you’re helping their knowledge.

[@twistysunshine]

Betsy begonia also talks about the gravel myth, with a really visual examples and a discussion of capillary action Also I'm pretty sure you're right, that's a red emerald aglaonema

[@MelissaWalker82]

Hi there! One thought is to try a self watering pot or semi hydro set up with your heavy drinkers. My stromanthe really thrives in self watering :) thanks for the great video!

[@asianguyinmd]

If the top part of my plant is heavier than the bottom part (plastic pot+soil), I'll put gravel on the bottom of the pot so it won't fall over. Of course, the pot must have drainage holes. Most likely happened with pots that have 12" or more in diameter.

[@caseycronan9217]

So cool that you were a musician! I’m a horn player and sometimes it’s nice to just be around plants; they’re much kinder than tuners and metronomes. 🙂

[@debraromanich9953]

I am looking for a comprehensive plant guide and am hoping you can help. Thank you! I really enjoy your content and find it very helpful and I seem to remember you had a go-to.

[@knitwit2871]

You see I'm 21 & I started collecting two weeks ago & already have 15. I actually got into plant KZbinrs a few months ago nut didn't start collecting till my payroll started coming in. I absolutely love it. The care. The watering. The repotting. I just love it all. I knew what i was getting into but if you start you have to have knowledge or you wont have any luck

[@Chocorah]

A question for the next one: what to get near a drafty window in cold climate? I have a huge west or southwest facing window with a wide windowsill (and ceiling space for hanging planters), but unfortunately there is a hidden ventilation system of some kind (two of them actually) attached to it above it: and it basically blows cold air from the outside in. Is there anything that can handle that?

[@shaneclawson5854]

Love your videos! I been tuning in for plant care advice. Thanks 🥰

[@georgevega962]

Where did that tall white terra cotta pot come from?

[@sarimosher]

We love you, Nick. Speaking of red, I just bought an Abyssinian Banana tree. OMG, sooooo beautiful. There are various shades of glorious greens along with red stripes, red veining, red undersides and red stems. I was never into banana plants until I laid eyes on this gorgeous guy. 😚

[@DaPlantBbz]

One of the real ones!! Lol I’m here for it!! ☺️💚👍🏼

[@BoojiePanda]

Any idea why those net pots were on the roots like that? I've seen folks posting about this a lot in the plant groups. I recieved a pilea peperomoides in a 2" pot and always had issues with it (severely deformed leaves, stunted growth etc), so I finally repotted it. The roots (what little there were) had been completely wrapped in a thin black plastic! I've since stuck it in leca (I thought it was dying, figured why not). It's losing all of it's deformed leaves but the new leaves are soooo cute and beautiful!! Why are these things being wrapped around the roots of plants like that?

[@Lifeisaboxof]

Hi Nick, can you provide a tutorial on introducing new plants into a collection. I recently started to collect plants. And I started to see gnats. That made me so afraid that I almost threw out all my plants. What is the proper intake for new plants? Spray with Neem oil and quarantine?

[@Alypinkflower]

Shout out right BK at you...keep video coming!!!❤🍸

[@Feralandshort]

Hi Nick! I’ve been watching you for ever now anddd I use to play the OBOE AND BASSOON too! ❤️❤️ I still have both of my instruments, I can’t give them up😅 I have always been into plants too, and here I am in my 20s loving plants 😬❤️

[@plantlvr]

Yep,one of my cats chewed a drac leaf,he threw up,the end.

[@danielleaurora9828]

Nick💜💜🤗🤗🤗🤗 I cant wait to run into you into the store. I just got a kitten, she’s so cute her name is Elle so I’m happy to see the title and view this video especially any insight about pets and plants... I have a Diffienbachia and even a huge ZZ both of which I hear are toxic to pets... she’s been good and I keep her out of the living room where all my plants are. I think she’ll be fine as I’ll train her not to go into the pot, as she grows. Im totally coming to Urban Jungle sometime this summer as I’m always in Cherry Hill as I’m from the Cherry Hill Camden Area but I live in Cape May down by Wildwood. I love your channel and your awesome. I’m not so worried about her eating the plants but digging in the large planters and peeing in them.omg I’d be totally grossed out by that... I heard some cats do that but I keep rocks or peebles on the top of my soil in all my pots to reduce fungus gnats. That charcoal tip even with pot with drainage holes is EPIC.

[@cindyleblond182]

Great video, great advice, enjoyed your story of your first experience with houseplants

[@cherylfaulkner7991]

Good info on the plant bugs.i must get some captain jacks

[@malindarayallen]

I love my sanchezia!!!! She's thirsty for sure. 😂. Use the Blumat watering stakes with the hose that goes into a container to preserve your sanity. 💚🌿

[@ojalajodi]

So funny, I do not usually have pots that do not have a hole but this one time I did and I did read on the internet on how to do the rocks at the bottom. I was like "oh this must be a new thing". I tried and fail miserably. So you are right. Do not do that. lol

[@AlishaPhillipsloveslife92]

I know this video is pretty old but I just came across it (and your channel). I am a new plant enthusiast and I have been looking for someone to help guide me on how to balance my newfound love for plants and my three cats! Your videos help. Thanks :)

[@redgriffen]

What are your top ten hanging house plants and why?

[@georgiadaisybell]

Maybe try a self watering pot that wicks water up from a reservoir for the sanchezia! that way the soil will always stay moist and you won't have to water it as often :)

[@bluecthulhu1817]

I have a problem with fungus nats and was wondering if mixing hydrogen peroxide with water would help get rid of them?

[@nikkinik24]

It absolutely works! I think the mixture I found was 3 parts water to one part peroxide (Google to be sure) and it kills the larvae just not the actual flies but they die in a few days just because they have a pretty short life cycle. I actually kill them myself too because they are slow and are usually just hovering around the plants.

[@akahina]

I was a buyer and sold houseplants in a major garden center for over a decade in the '80s & 90s. People always asked about toxic plants and pets all the time. In all those years I never had a customer report a sick or dead pet. I had one customer insist that Poinsettias would kill if eaten. She (a Karen by today's standards) got really angry when I told her that nature made poisons taste bad for a reason. She became so irate and angry that I plucked a leaf from a Poinsettia and ate it. I told her to come back the next day to see if I died. She never came back, and I am alive.

[@jelliedbiscuit]

I love this 😂 “people go zero to 100 in a month” but you have collected nearly 300 in 4 years. NO HATE AT ALL I swear, I love your videos but that was so funny to me. It’s refreshing to hear your take on plants and cats. I find a lot of people try to educate me on this (because clearly I must not have researched this) as I have a 4 mo old kitten and a lot of house plants, but I personally feel that they are fine, he doesn’t mess with them and they aren’t going to kill him.

[@roxy9832]

My lucky bamboo is getting crazy tall. What's the best way to repot those?

[@danielleaurora9828]

Also, do you have a list-serve for the store? Like when or if you get the ZZ raven in I’d like to know so I can come and get one. Your close to me so, it wouldn’t be anything to just jump in the car and come get one. I really want a ZZ raven. 💜💜☺️🙏

[@KnotDude]

Loved this!

[@Plantsandpalettes]

But for real, if your cats are eating your plants *BUY MORE PLANTS* *The answer is always BUY MORE PLANTS*

[@dylannolder9657]

Wow thirty minutes just flew by awesome stuff! We counted our plants as well we have 53.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

You need to buy a product called soil moist for your plant that keeps drying out and I would suggest to put it in with all your potting soil for every plant because it helps to aerate the soil and Supply the water that a plant needs. In fact I am thinking for my own use that it would be useful to you be used by anybody that tends to over water. It is the best product ever invented! They are a little polymer crystals that absorb 50 times their weight in water. They are not like the polymer that is in Miracle-Gro with soil or moisture control. Or like the polymer that sin Pampers to absorb the liquid. These little crystals keep their shape and don't cling to each other even if they swell up and push against each other. I use these crystals in every plant I repot or plant in the ground. They never let the soil get too soggy and the plant always has water and Reserve stored in the crystals. Hanging baskets outside in the summer don't need to be watered two or three times a day. You don't waste water because it doesn't go out the bottom of the pot or run all over the ground instead of soaked into the soil. I also think the expansion and contraction of the little crystals in the soil helps aerate the roots and keeps the soil from getting compacted. I grow a lot of plants outside and I like to do cuttings of coleus early in the spring so I can multiply the number of plants I have to put in pots outside where to put in the ground. Coleus water roots sometimes struggle to grow in the soil or into the pot but with these soil moist crystals in the potting soil in the ground it seems to help. Also coleus or a plant that does not like to dry out and we'll start to lose leaves if they dry out very often. My coleus cuttings by the end of the summer or a foot or 18 in tall and the pot is like I don't know for them whatever size pot it's planted it in. I think it's the best invention ever! And if I reuse it for one year to the next the company says the crystals can be viable for maybe as long as five years I don't have to worry because the soil never gets soggy. If I use too much in a pot and we get it big rainstorm the only thing that happens is it looks like I'm growing clear chunks of Jell-O if iPod along with my plants. I have never found any problem with them except it will if you let them drip on the ground outside or inside anywhere and they get wet it will make where you walk a little bit slippy. Oops I guess I just used to Pittsburgh word slippy instead of slippery! I'm using the microphone on my cell phone keyboard to dictate this they commented. I try to catch any mistakes if the microphone thinks I said one word when I really said another but I don't catch every mistake. I enjoy your channel keep up the good work. Also how do you take monstera cuttings to just take a leaf and put it in water

[@917EmilyElizabeth]

Can you pleaseeee do a video about Crotons? I’d love to hear your tips, especially since there aren’t many videos about them (and of course it’s one of the 4 plants I chose at the nursery to start my houseplant journey with...😳🙃)

[@SteveNoblin]

I have one here in 2021 that is giving me a fit is the beauty star. It is so finicky It wants light and the it dosnt. Its driving me nuts

[@beachpurls]

loved this video!!!

[@silviasellerio728]

Hi Nick, and thanks for all the tips! Can I ask you how to get rid of Botritis Cinerea, or grey fungus? It is covering a cherry tree of mine, and I don't like the idea of using chemicals on a plant that has edible fruits. The common suggestion online is "Cut off all the infested parts and burn them with fire" but that would probably kill my plant, as it's a tiny grafted thing... I'm keeping the infestation at bay with a dedicated soap-based spray, and it's not jumping to my other plants if nothing else, but I'm worried for my cherry... I've had some weird suggestions, such as showering it with hot water or mechanically scraping away the fungus. Should I do these things, or will it make thibgs worse? Please help...

[@claravonlinstow7650]

my cat is 1½ years old and ive had many plants for most of his life and he have NEVER even tasten one of my indoor plants he eats outdoor grass plants but thats it the is to amazing im more woried about my dot that i am about my cat that is sleeping close to them

[@aquadesignsbymlt4769]

Every now and then, my cat takes bites out of some of my plants leaves. Ugh! THAT is so irritating. Esp., my monstera leaves! So, I grew organic cat oat grass in about 6 days. I keep growing fresh grass each week now. 🙂 Happy cat now... maybe your roommates cat would like its own grass? I place it on the floor and call the cat over like a treat. I pick up the plant each time so it will regrow each day and my cat doesn't eat too much. It can really help with hairballs. Think you want to try it?🕊

[@myshanamakisi6063]

Yeah. I want the Peru and a silver sword. Do you have a silver sword? These two are on my wish list.

[@jcmendezify]

24? You’re a baby! Lol anyhow, I really enjoy your videos nick. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion with us :)

[@rodneysaito7924]

Hi Nick. I love your plant wisdom. I wish I could be your plant sous chef.

[@Patricia-uu6wo]

Do you do propagate snake plants???

[@sharifajan-silva1197]

17.22 the plant that needed more water maybe you can try wicking. I have some ferns that are wicked and it’s doin well:)

[@meganrousse7042]

This is such good content. Thank you!

[@AAZAZELHAZEL]

I'm guilty of the gravel thing!! :0 I don't know where that misconception came from for me though...

[@green_eye_gossip]

Does repotting count if you’re doing it OUT OF FRAME?!

[@jkgymnast49]

I also used to live in South Philly with a cat that is also named Denver.

[@maunster3414]

12:44 OK! I won't do the gravel thing!

[@jordanlevine7747]

Asking all the plant masters to talk about this... 😅 Can you do a video about boosters and soil additives? I have seen so many videos/pictures of “before and after boosted growth” and would love to know more from someone I trust. I’ve seen products like the Sunshine Boosters from TopTropicals, microbial additives, amino acids, vitamins, literally about to take my plant to a spa and put it on an vitamin B IV drip 😂 Would love to know if you use anything like these especially for boosting roots on cuttings, general growth and transplant shock! Thank you! And thanks for all your awesome advice in this community!!

[@Seastack11]

Great video!

[@plantsandpiggies7758]

Thanks so much for answering my question! Great advice. I totally agree with you about houseplants being the ontrend thing and newbies getting too many. I loved the pot colours for your new plants. I think the orange terracotta matched the red aglaonema well. And love the hoya australis because I'm from Sydney, Australia!

[@azukar8]

Oh nooooo! I was doing the gravel at the bottom of the pot thing, even without having seen the 'Buzzfeed article' XD

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

You can spray the plants that the cat or dog or pet really likes to chew on with hot sauce and in a spray bottle with some water they don't like the taste

[@austincannon27]

Hi Nick! I was wondering, what type of water do you suggest/use for watering? I live in Utah and we have super hard water here. Do you use distilled, deionized, reverse-osmosis, or tap? Thank you!

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

Austin Cannon I use water from my dehumidifier to water my orchids. We Get Enough from the dehumidifiers the two of them from the rec room downstairs. I rinse my orchids off first with plain dehumidifier water and then in a different Tucker tote I have the water from the dehumidifier that has orchid fertilizer and epsom salts and seaweed fertilizer and that I soak them in for 30 minutes or more. Then drinking and soaking up there fertilizer and water I use that water that's left over to fertilize my house plant and my plants out in the ground and in pots around the house

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

If you're just worried about chlorine you can let it sit for 24 hours. I've also seen people use those portable water filters for their own personal drinking water use to make water for house plants

[@austincannon27]

I'm most worried about the amount of salts and metals in the tap water, but good idea! I think chloramines are the compound which will degrade after a day or so, if you need to remove chlorine from water I think a dechlorinator used for fish tanks would work in a snap (this solution chelates metals as well, but the EDTA salt would build up so I'm curious if it would be better to use deionized water).

[@michelleschafer9692]

I have 5 cats and I also have about 160 plants, toxic and non toxic. Non of y cats go for the toxic ones, they all know, they sniff them when I first bring them home but thats about it. The only plants that one cat will eat are the non toxic ones and the ones that look like grass, such as spider plant draceana marginata and ponytail palm...oh yes and palms!! All of these plants I have to put up high so they don't get munched on. All others are within reach of the cats and nothing gets eaten. They are smart and I believe they have a sense of what could harm them

[@lexrocks36]

Omg I had to pause the video to comment! So I think the “rocks at the bottom of pots without drainage” is an “old wives tale” or a dated bit of info because both my mom and grandmother told me to do that when I was first into plants... I have learned that that is a horrible idea and informed them of this but just wanted to comment cause I think people may be hearing it from older generations :)

[@chrystalsabin4091]

Gorgeous plants

[@dakinikiss9413]

OMG. lols!! Great advice regarding Buzzfeed.

[@selinamularz9194]

The gravel thing is spread in Facebook plant groups a lot too lol.

[@janiceraby6175]

I also have some toxic plants and have two cats. They are older cats and show no interest in eating any plants.

[@francesledrew4194]

Do you ship to Canada?

[@bj4690]

Hempy Bucket?

[@N7Tigger]

I'm a simple man. I hear someone associate mis-information with Buzzfeed, I hit Like.