A Beginner’s Guide to Houseplant Shopping

This video is all about helping you navigate through a garden center if you want more houseplants in your life. Philodendron, pothos and beyond, this is almost a complete guide to not buying a finicky/fussy plant. I forgot to cover dracaena, but they are all beginner friendly.
Location:
Armstrong Garden Center
2123 Newport Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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[@LownieA]

This is brilliant 👏. Sometimes we forget that not everyone starts getting into plants at the same time. And let's face it Sometimes we get lazy and don't want to research what we need

[@cali_cutie162]

A co-worker (new plant parent) asked me what plants she should start with..🤔..I sent her this video! This video is timeless & was a huge help for me then & still helping people now. 👍

[@Patadendron]

@@cali_cutie162 thanks for sharing this video! Happy to help! 😊🫶🏽

[@deepikaramchandani1551]

You speak slowly and patiently,soothing and with all the greenery is good.

[@fleetingtym1961]

I absolutely adore this. Listening in the car on Mt way to work in the am and your voice is literally liquid peace. Your manurisms and vibration is just beautiful. I also LOVE this nursery tour with little details etc I've never seen another quite like this. Thanks for taking the time to post legit and unique content

[@karenmyers9146]

I want to thank you for an excellent video. You provided so much important information to new and even seasoned plant growers. I wish more information was given instead of “ look at the pretty plants “

[@claudinejonas4117]

I love the way you’re informing people about the different kind of care each plant needs, 💕💕💕🙍🏿‍♀️🙏🏿

[@ryansabstractart3518]

I work at the Santa Monica Armstrong I'm constantly steering people away from 300 dollar ficus Benjaminas and certain calatheas as their first house plant. Armstrong is employee owned and treat their employees VERY well. Santa monica has gotten way better as far as visual appeal in the last year, we were rated in the top 10 last month out of all 27 locations, we restock and recieve everyday but Saturday and Sunday . We just started getting in zz ravens, alocasia silver dragons, alocasia black velvet plants this week. Our house plants have gone up in price, but it's one of the few plant departments that we aren't producing most the plants in ourselves. Plus they closely watch the trends which hasn't helped the cost of house plants and they pay their employees very fair liveable wages for southern California. Also the price on same plants varies depending on the grower we get them from. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are definitely the best days to shop because between Monday and Wednesday the SM store will have about 7+ deliveries so alot will be out by Thursday Friday and the weekend. So glad you stopped in! Torrance is a beautiful store and has a great indoor area. Also for things you find high prices for in the 4" we likely have a 6" hanging pot for a much better value.

[@Patadendron]

That’s great to know! I’ll have to check out your location in Santa Ana! Thank you so much for watching and for all your info! 🙌🏽

[@brianneskol]

I love it when you come into the garden center. You’re such a joy!

[@Lauren-7777]

What an excellent attitude! I am glad I found you. You have a very positive energy. God continue blessing you.

[@Savanahcat211]

I just want to say how much I LOVE your vibe! You literally radiate happiness and your voice is so calming to me💖

[@Patadendron]

Thank you 🥰 🙌🏽

[@sheliaedmonds8387]

Great......presentations well experienced with all the plants and informations about them. I really enjoyed it!!!! Shelia

[@christinakara278]

Prayer plants =yukky, hoya=yummy Alocasia need heat mats and growlights in winter.. I guess I ll always stay a "beginner" 😉 in this hobby 🍀

[@deepikaramchandani1551]

I know how to rebloom orchids ---patience and love it.

[@turogers13]

Armstrongs would be loved so much here in 🇨🇦 Canada. I could never walk out of a plant store without buying plants!

[@maryannevines8346]

I am a die hard avid plant lover. Ever since Covid and people staying home..the price of plants have gone out of sight. I spend a lot of time now instead of buying..propogating what I already have. Just found your sight and I do enjoy shopping with you. I like your honesty about some of the plants being to costly.. God bless 🙏🏼

[@bianca_1005]

Thank you for the tour! Your enthusiasm for plants absolutely shines and is so contagious! I live in Italy - northern Italy, so not so much sun and lots of rain and freezing in winter. But I love looking at plants with you and learning more. Cool idea giving tips on easy to propagate plants. You said it right, everything depends on the location...at my parents' house we have a VERY shaded garden, and ivy is a lifesaver. Almost nothing other than ivy, ferns, spider plants and...the indestructible Aspidistra can resist and thrive. Also, ivy is very easy to propagate. In some less dark spots we managed to grow more tolerant varieties of campanulas. We chose white flowering ones, and together with the spider plants and variegated ivies we can have the illusion of a flower garden in the shade. You're absolutely right about the spider plant babies, we populated our garden with a baby from my grandmother, and she had the plant for decades. Oxalis does grow, but it's terribly invasive, you simply can't get rid of it here once it's in the ground. Maybe in California it's more tame, who knows? Edit: that nursery may be a bit pricey, but they have wonderful, healthy looking plants. Thank you again, I will look up all your videos (discovered you today!) 💕

[@liswhetstone6567]

I got a small pot of shamrock for St. Patrick's. What a cute plant it is. They need lots of water and the close up their flowers and leaves when the sun goes to bed. They are great company for me.

[@Patadendron]

I love a plant that moves! 💚☘️

[@megansfo]

Pat, this is one of your best videos, and I'll keep it and watch it again. You have really given us a clear idea of each plant's personality. I have to watch myself, though, because as a recovering shopaholic who already has a living room with plenty of planys, I want to go out and buy many more! One thing I do is buy plants not expecting they will last forever, but if they do last a few months or more, so much the better. A $10 plant is not much more expensive than a boquet these days, and boquets rarely last more than a week!

[@rosesarabia7746]

LOVE!! Love that you give priced and when you give your opinion if it's a fair price!!!

[@nancyrodriguez791]

😁 great video🌱👍 I would like to see more of these plant shopping👏

[@RukiyaAlisha]

HI! You had me at that warm welcome! Liked, subscribed, and notifications on! Great video too!

[@Patadendron]

Oh thank you!! ☺️💚 Welcome to my channel! 💚

[@mellewedin8221]

Finally after like searching for plant care such after no joke 20 different ppl finally found someone that breaks it down for me. Thank you so much. I hit sub and all notifications buttons 😍😎💯

[@Patadendron]

Hi!! Thank you so much for subscribing! 🥰🙌🏽💚

[@livmeretejacobsen5785]

You have great videos 🪴🍃😊🇧🇻

[@susiestara0387]

As a beginner, this is so helpful! Thank you!!!

[@mszxkay]

I got a fiddle leaf about 2 weeks ago and boy I wish I had seen your videos. It is a challenge

[@angie_getsfit22]

Awesome video! I just started to get into plants and I had many questions, but didn’t want to ask, and you answered many of my questions and I learned a lot of new things. Thank you.

[@Patadendron]

Thank you!! That’s great!! Happy to help!!

[@debbiefox6846]

So many people are very friendly in the plant community. I'm sure if you have questions many people won't mind helping you out. People may have different opinions but many answers can be correct for the same plant but it's good to get them info. 😊🌱

[@aditimishra9900]

Such a lovely ( and informative) video! ❤️

[@emilykarrh421]

My husband says I need to stop bringing home plants because we’re running out of places to put them, this really scratched my plant shopping itch 😅

[@Patadendron]

😆🙌🏽💚

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Lol, I just sneak them in through the garage, my hubs will never notice if they just appear in situ : ) Good luck with your plant craze! I just tell my husband it's cheaper than collecting puppies or Gucci bags!

[@Heidi-Beth]

Hi Patrick, I'm new to your channel and love your videos! Thank you for sharing your great knowledge on plants! I need it 😉💚🍃

[@sherryporsch9349]

I love Calatheas an don’t think their as hard as some say. Just don’t let them dry out. Thanks for sharing the easy plants. 💚😀

[@lengarion]

I think the secret to keep prayer plants is living in a naturally high humidity location. Mine are doing well without additional humidity + rain water.

[@Malexah_mor]

But will I need to buy a humidifier?

[@bribri2925]

I’m a new plant mom and just bought what caught my eye: A Lemon-Lime Maranta/Preyer Plant. It was so pretty and I just left it in the kitchen (after a 30 minute google session) and have been giving it tap water (that ice let sit for days, and some other days I give it distilled water cuz I’m still learning which water is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ based off its reaction to it and it’s been fine). I LOVE my boi so MUCH, he’s just been GROWING and his stems got tall enough to slump over (which scared the CRAP outta me, had to do another google search) and there’s so MUCH new growth I’m worried I might need to get a new pot or cut some of it back bc some leaves are blocking others from the light. It seems to be healthy and happy and I just talk to him every day…he’s been wonderful and I wouldn’t mind buying another calathea. I still fear the rumors even though I’ve been okay for 5 months so far

[@rramos3157]

Great tour on the beautiful easy to grow plants for beginners! Thank you for sharing!🙌

[@Patadendron]

Thank you!! ☺️🙌🏽

[@hazelmcgill1813]

Thanks for the ferns

[@charlenepolsky1575]

My experience has been mostly in line with your recommendations/warnings. Especially ferns. 2 exceptions: I have now killed 3 rubber tree plants & am done with them. & peperomias have been a joy! I have a bunch including several of the silvery ripple kind & they are very happy little guys. Maybe running a humidifier near them is key. My polybotrya has grown so much & is just stunning. Thanks for the insight

[@naegwut]

Great topic!!! Love ❤️ Coleus Tita in the house!

[@Patadendron]

Those coleus were…😍!!!

[@i_know_it_all]

The Torrance Armstrong has a beautiful selection of plants btw! They oddly have a TON of black velvet alocasias in 4-in pots and a lot of variegated sting of pearls in 4-in pots

[@Patadendron]

👀 Oooh! Thanks for the heads up! I’ll have to check them out!

[@SunnyNoodless]

35:20 not me peering over at my maidenhair fern with literally 2 fronds hanging on for dear life…definitely a rite of passage 😅

[@Patadendron]

Not me doing the same just now… totally 😂

[@SunnyNoodless]

@@Patadendron lmao at this point I’ve just accepted she may never go back to her former greenhouse glory but as long as she’s alive I’ll have a pot for her 😤✌🏼

[@Nniikkii87]

I just came upon your channel randomly! I’m really loving your video and vibe! Keep up the fabulous planty work! 🪴🪴🪴

[@Patadendron]

Thank you so much for watching! 🥰🙌🏽💚

[@stacywettstein8285]

Your a pleasure! I so enjoyed this adventure with you. And I’m definitely getting some of these. As much as I would love them all, I don’t want it to be more then I can do.

[@Patadendron]

Thank you 🥰

[@suzannkuhns777]

Hoya rabbit hole 😂joke made me laugh out loud! The information you gave totally made me less scared to try Hoyas.

[@hollyhinkel2418]

Just subed! Your channel showed up on my feed and I was hooked! Your voice and love for plants is so calming! Thank you ☺️

[@Patadendron]

Thank you so much Holly! Welcome to my channel! ☺️💚

[@Christine-su4em]

Loved this video !! I will say, my red maranta is a DRAMA QUEEN 👑 but I still love her.

[@Patadendron]

Thank you! Sometimes marantas know they’re cute 😝💚

[@maya.tshroom]

I feel you catching feelings for plants! I do the same….lol, the temptation is real

[@fufufuaru]

As a beginner/lazy plant keeper living in the tropics, I found the ff to be extremely friendly and forgiving (I keep them indoors by the open windows, receiving mostly indirect light and occasional water): ✅ golden pothos ✅ dieffenbachia (I grew them from stubs lol) ✅ dracaena fragans (I grew them from leafless 7-9" cuttings) ✅ miniature/baby rubber plant (mine is the solid color peperomia obtusifolia) ✅ tradescantia zebrina avoid: ❌ coleus (I had several placed indoor and outdoors that all died) ❌ succulents ❌ pennywort (I still feel sad about this, it looked so beautiful and it filled a 6" pot, but turns out it shouldn't be treated as a regular potted plant)

[@Patadendron]

Thanks for this!

[@msmarvi8]

Oh you are at the Costa Mesa location...

[@beckyserio2842]

I feel any thirsty plants are perfect for beginners lol

[@Patadendron]

Good point! Lol

[@jillianleblanc9370]

Thank you for sharing beautiful and amazing plants collection lovely Nursery ❤❤

[@greenleaves6340]

Spring time means more plants coming out to buy🤗. That place has so many plant selection but some are a bit pricy for me🙈. Great you suggested the easier ones for the beginners👍

[@Paula-sw2tt]

Hoyas are so very addictive! And there are so many varieties to choose from. I have ten and want more. I grew ip in San Diego, CA and my late father had two shade houses. He grew so many varieties of mounted Staghorn fern. He also had a huge round ball of Rabbit Foot fern hanging in the center of one of the shade houses. He and my late mother were Master Gardeners. Dad could grow anything that didn't need the cold, no tulips for example. My late father has an Orchid collection to die for! Personally, I would so not recommend African Violets for beginners.

[@Plantmomofthesouth]

Yes! Loving all those plants

[@abagailpeterson5991]

thank you I totally enjoyed your video, explaining each plant and even gave giving some prices

[@Patadendron]

Pleasure was mine! Thanks for watching! 💚

[@ceciliaarchibold8187]

I’m a loving succulent and cactus person , please show me more next time ! 😜 -- but I still enjoyed the house plants ! Great job

[@Patadendron]

I’ll try to find a good nursery with all cacti and succulents for you! Thanks for watching! 🙌🏽💚

[@ryansabstractart3518]

@@Patadendron have you been the desert creations in Northridge?

[@janisturner2814]

Great video!! Very informative !! Thanks!

[@spyscy]

I’ve never seen string of pearl flower!! That’s really cool

[@Patadendron]

I love that they smell like cinnamon!!

[@adrianarebolloso7968]

Definitely loved all the plants. Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge. New subscriber ✋

[@Patadendron]

Thank you!! Welcome to the channel!! 💚

[@aviabad]

Thank you. ❤🌱❤🌱SUBSCRIBED. I NEEDED THIS.

[@katiealger86]

Variegated string of pearls look like Wasabi peas to me lol

[@Patadendron]

I can see it!

[@KaiaLoken]

That’s their new name

[@christinak9587]

I find Hoyas to be Thrip magnets. The common Hoyas are ok for beginners but I find others (rare) can be challenging. I use live beneficial bugs to prevent a Thripocalypse LOL

[@mountainmythbox]

Another fantastic video my planty friend. Immensely important information you're giving newbies so well. Thank you Patrick! PS you're hair is amazing 👏 😍

[@twistedelegance_]

"varigayson" 😂❤❤ love it

[@angela86753]

Watching my large money tree die before my eyes. Oh well, they can't all be winners 🤣

[@Patadendron]

😂 True! I feel like we all have that one plant! 🤗🥴

[@ritamercado5313]

What great content, Patrick!!!! I love you. Thanks for all the info. XO

[@Patadendron]

Thank you so much! 🥰🙌🏽💚

[@jackiemills6948]

Thank you for this great informative video! I just subscribed. I enjoyed your content and appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Thank you!🪴💕

[@Patadendron]

Thank you so much!! I’m glad you enjoyed my video! Welcome to my channel! 🥰💚

[@carolynponder4953]

Love my Raven ZZ so much.

[@vlong7112]

The Hoya Rabbit Hole 😂🙈🙋🏽‍♀️

[@Patadendron]

😂🙋🏻‍♂️👋

[@waikatoplants3059]

Thank u for naming the plants..it helps

[@doreenhamilton7943]

Enjoyed this so much I subscribed. . I am so tired of hearing about hoya on other channels but when you said about the hoya flowers that you peaked my interest . So which hoya should I try. I have large floor to ceiling windows but live in Ont. Canada so we still have our heat on but I grow lots of plants. Thanks

[@Patadendron]

I think a great Hoya to start with is either a carnosa (regular green, krimson princess and krimson queens are variegated so it has beautiful foliage you can enjoy until it blooms) or a hoya pubicalyx (has beautiful splashy leaves) or a Krinkle 8 which has “krinkles” in the leaves and is quite beautiful when it’s long and trailing! Hoya bella is also an easy bloomer as it was my first one to give me flowers 💚

[@breddiemercader5021]

Nice

[@sandrasealy7411]

Great video so helpful Patrick 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@AH-wp7lw]

I want to go plant shopping with you!

[@kyfy24]

I found your thumbnail so adorable I had to watch your video

[@mikec3820]

i see 14:99$ pothos in 8 to 10 inch pots here (north east us) you cali planty people got some really high prices woah!. ill be honest tho your weather is wayyyyyyyyyy better lol. nice planty content tho TY pat. new sub (old plant head tho) and thumbs up for you dude! happy planty'ing every1

[@Malexah_mor]

Snake plants are very easy!!! & beautiful 😍❤️

[@erikaroy2549]

My sister got her orchid to bloom again so you shouldn't have too much of an issue!

[@gloriabuford4576]

Thank you for this informative video. Loved it 🥰

[@heatherstephens9295]

Subscribed 👍👍

[@ireneservino]

😍😍😍 omg I need to check this place out!!

[@najah7781]

I was very late to the plant part too and only started getting some (and keeping them alive) in 2019. I started with a jade plant and a spider plant.

[@Patadendron]

Those are great plants! Great job for keeping them alive!

[@b.r.v.8609]

Brand new subscriber, love this video 😁 I know what I’ll be binging how haha

[@irmadelport8255]

Goldfish & lipstick plants very difficult to get here in South -Africa will go on a hunt for them when going to Gauteng🙄😒

[@Patadendron]

That’s interesting! They’re considered basic and common in (most of) the states

[@erinjoy5625]

Im a brand new plant mom, and iv been debating the goldfish plant they have at my local grocery store. Is this a good option for beginner ? Ps, I just love the look of the neon pothos, that is deffinitly something on my beginner wish list and an enjoy pothos because of my name of course 😂, So far I just got a Birkin and a snake plant (along with a few cactus and am aloe and fishbone) that iv already had. But the Birkin has started me on my plant journey . Wish me luck.

[@Patadendron]

Good luck! Great start to your plant journey! I think you’ll do great with that goldfish plant!! N’joy pothos is perfect for your name! 🤗 Thank you so much for watching! I’m so glad you’re on a new plant journey! Very exciting! ☺️☘️🙌🏽

[@melissawittner70]

My favorite Hoya is multiflora.

[@Lanmcg]

“It will rot” 😂

[@Patadendron]

😂😂

[@mariederal7195]

I like your vibe :)

[@kathyjohnson8304]

Thank you for the information..wish you had made a small list of best for beginners

[@Patadendron]

Thank you! You’re in luck, cause I did make a video just for that 😊🙌🏽

[@PEACEBRINGER8959]

I got a alocasia polly,pathos,alocasia zebrina alocasia regal shield, alocasia low rider ,purple zebrinas ,monstera,as my first house plants all seem to be 😊

[@Patadendron]

That's awesome! Yiu have some great plants 🙌🏽

[@alicelarez4311]

Patadendron,first I loved the video.I have had a diffenbachia and a marble pothos for app. 10 years,my son gave them to me for mom's day and I don't want them to die.The problems is my pothos gas fade to almost white a very light green and sm.flecks of green in spots.My question is a plant needs sun for photosenthesis but too much sun makes them get too white I have heard.Do i keep it under a grow light in the cooker months in wi. As we don't get strong sun or not.If you could advice me as you have alot of knowledge i would appreciate it.And thank you alot for your videos on plants A fan in wi.

[@Kayla_P99]

This may or may not help but I rotate my plants when they start going white to get that area away from the light. Also pothos are great in a shower with window if possible.

[@hazelmcgill1813]

Some ferns please

[@sandrams7939]

Awesome but i guess they are a bit pricey. Quite easy to propagate and can enjoy many at home.

[@sabineweber929]

Hallo, ich schaue ihre Videos sehr gerne 😃 aber könnten Sie eventuell den Pflanzennamen schriftlich einblenden das wäre super 😁

[@spyscy]

Orchids are easy??? Suuureee riiiiighttt haha

[@Patadendron]

It’s true! They just want to be watered every week and left alone

[@christinak9587]

I've yet to keep a string of anything alive LOL!

[@zye....]

Which calathea is this at 23:20? So lovely

[@Patadendron]

Pinkish one is called a Stromanthe triostar and the all green “striped” one is a Calathea zebrina

[@BerylBerry]

I just got an Ivy last week for my bathroom will it be okay in there or will it attract bugs !

[@Patadendron]

If it gets enough light it should be ok in the bathroom! Just keep an eye on it and at any sign of spider mites, just give a quick spray of some Captain Jax Bugbrew!

[@BerylBerry]

Okay it’s getting the west sun and will Neem oil work too

[@CitiznDouchebag]

15:47 *Spits out Deiffenbachia salad* 😳🥴

[@kyfarm]

First time to your channel. Would it be possible to state prices of these plants? I know sometimes the store doesn't want you to, but usually big box stores let you.

[@Patadendron]

Hello! Welcome to my channel! My normal tours normally always has the prices mentioned so I hope you check out some of my other plant shopping videos outside the series of "A Beginner’s Guide to Houseplant Shopping" Thanks so much for watching! 💚

[@carriepiquette-henderson3625]

hello from oklahoma

[@k0secha]

Get your plants at your local nursery, put the money into your local economy instead of supporting corporate giants with questionable labor practices and unethical sourcing! Oh also they’re half the price and won’t die on you right away.

[@petermidd2306]

Am i still a beginner if this is my second year of collecting (i have 24 plants)

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

✊🏾

[@glennjaso4859]

Hi, can you give me some name of plants that thrive in low light? Thanks!

[@Patadendron]

Yes! I've made a video on that topic. I hope you found it 🙌🏽

[@glennjaso4859]

@@Patadendron ok. You look like a Filipino😀

[@ajimolsworld7017]

True that plant looks like large FITTONIA