Unbox 7 NEW Plants With Me!! | Etsy Plant Shopping 🌿📦

[@hanniegl]

Melissa, could you possibly do a video showing how you prep and clean up your plants with the cleaning and sanitizing of the leaves and roots?

[@finnster6582]

I buy from The Green Esccape alot and never had a bad experience yet. Love the starter plants.

[@solairas]

Same! The one time I decided to try someplace new I was SO disappointed I went back and bought two more from TheGreenEscape and was happy as can be. 😅

[@patriciajackson5414]

Well Melissa. I’ll just wait til you propagate the Hoya’s and I’ll purchase them from you.

[@sherrybomb499]

I made the mistake of counting my plants yesterday and I had no idea how many I had! They’re all spread throughout the house and I just didn’t realize how many I accumulated. Thank you for helping me get so lost in my hobby 🤣💕 Love the new additions!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you!! That number gets up there quickly! lol How many did you count?! 🫣 Sometimes I feel like I am good for a while and then I get the urge to buy more 😂

[@nikkireigns]

Yeah you have to tell us how many! 😁 I still feel small at around 50 haha

[@ThatGirlShelbyy]

I'm scared to count again.... easily around 200 considering I was at 140 last I counted and that was almost a year ago and I've added at least a couple dozen plants during that time... 😂 How many did you have when you counted?? I always love hearing about other peoples collections ❤

[@sherrybomb499]

I’m only at 60! 🤣🙈 but I could have sworn it was only twenty something 🤣 I know it’s just going to continue to grow!

[@lindsaykendall885]

I'm close to 200 myself. They accumulate so quickly!

[@catphoood]

The Green Escape is so good! They package everything so well. And the plants are gorgeous!

[@ThatGirlShelbyy]

Beautiful plants!! Plant mail is the best kind of mail ❤🎉

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes it is!! 🥰🫶🏻

[@lisaanglim9588]

Love the longiloba with the purple abaxeal

[@Stef_T-G]

Such a beautiful haul!!! I understand you abiut the "fresh start" I change the soil of all the plants I got and wash them! It's really rare that one shock. So far I had a Jacklyn who shock and that is it! 😅 Sadly she was super beautiful with 3 10" leaves and she yellow them all! She's in stratum and a ton of new roots are growing and a new leaf is comming 😊 I cutted the last leaf just over the new growth.

[@boopeepope56-ey5gz]

Melissa I so appreciate you. If it wasn't for your teaching on stratum I would have given up on the green escape. 😢. Their plants honestly are almost rootless especially anthurium. It's like their growth is stunted being so small. Now with stratum and a prop box and patience and learning it's now ok. Thank you so much

[@plantsbymelissa]

You are so welcome!

[@lindsaykendall885]

I love watching your excitment, Melissa! Congrats on your new babies!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you so much!!

[@melrussell7830]

The Syngonium Chiapense variegated is my favourite, I have the green one and it’s my favourite plant in my collection 😊 So lucky you to get one as here in the UK nobody has them for sale 😕 The Hoya mathilde I have and is a fast grower 😊 My daughter has the Hoya thomsonii and it is such a slow grower! So good luck with all your lovely plants 💚

[@stacylarsen1795]

The green escape gets all my money. I watch his lives on palm street. He gives alot of information about the plants, industry etc.

[@JermaineGertse]

That longiloba is soooo beautiful

[@plantsbymelissa]

right!! the color is so pretty!

[@dianespring3228]

I don’t catch you live very often but have to finish this later I just got invited to lunch by two of my favorite people my daughter and granddaughter thanks Melissa great video so far 😊

[@plantsbymelissa]

Hope you enjoy! Have fun ❤️

[@lisaanglim9588]

You’re right they don’t look alike. Will be interesting to see what the next leaf looks like when it grows in. It may be gray and black when the new leaf comes in.

[@bettyelliott7414]

Hi! I’m so excited to see you getting into more Hoyas! Love to see you trying random shops

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you!!

[@carolstuff]

Awesome plants; thanks for sharing Melissa!

[@Ksnamaste]

The green escape is my favorite plant shop on Etsy. The amount of money I spend with them they need to make me a business partner😂

[@Planted386]

Hi Melissa! Nice haul! I have heard of Christina’s garden. She always has a nice selection. I haven’t ordered but I’ve def wanted to. I have Alo Longiloba and she is super easy. I’m not great with Alo’s but none the less she steams ahead. Should’ve a breeze for you! I’m commenting before you get to the green escape box. I’m hoping it goes well! It’s been a mixed bag it seems with them lately. I’ve seen good and bad. My personal experiences have been good. I like that they offer starter plants at an affordable price. Anyways, just wanted to say HI! I love these videos you do. Gives me new places to explore! Sending love from FL! Now I’m gonna finish this video 💚

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you so much for watching! Happy to hear the Alocasia is easy! I'll definitely order from her shop again! The alocasia is doing so well and I was really happy with how it came to me. I do hear mixed things from TGE and the plants usually end up fine that I have gotten from them. I just know what to expect haha.

[@nikkireigns]

I found a huge Hoya at Menards (kind of like Home Depot but more midwestern lol). It was unlabeled so I’m not sure what it is! Ended up being a favorite 🤩

[@adriac21]

Love all the plants especially the Hoyas. ❤

[@anashehsookezian4094]

The green escape did the same to me. I ordered a Florida ghost and it had a Florida green in there with it. Took me a bit to realize what was going on lol

[@plantsbymelissa]

oh no! yeah I was so confused for a min haha, Sorry it happened to you too!

[@lindabezet3139]

Melissa, so happy to see your new babies. Love that Chiapense. Could you show exactly how you clean all your new plants. What you use and how. I might have missed a video where you showed it. Thanks

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you! I think I’ve shown it a few times in random plant chore videos but I just take all the old dirt off and rinse the roots under the water. The leaves I just clean with some Castile soap. If it has some hard water spots I’ll use some water/vinegar and then I just isolate the plant for a little bit. Sometimes I keep the old soil and I don’t repot right away so it depends but I try to make sure it doesn’t have pests before I put them with more plants.

[@Amandasplants]

How exciting i also just got the inner polly from a friend for free i feel blessed thanks for inlighting me lol they all are so gorgeous

[@juliam.e.barragan5992]

I have a watsiona lightening I got from PalmStreet. The seller told me it is a cross between and longiloba and the watsiona white vein.

[@craySean]

I Love Christina’s garden!! All my anthurium from her have been top notch!! And of course The Green Eacape is always too tempting not to buy from!

[@plantsbymelissa]

So happy I found her shop!

[@dianespring3228]

Did anyone tell you you’re a bad influence lol I have written down several plants I want due to your videos. Great content and beautiful plants 😊

[@plantsbymelissa]

haha thank you!! I know whenever I see unboxings I am always tempted to buy more too 🫣

[@Brokenspiness]

That Alocasia is beautiful! 🖤

[@karenmyers9146]

After seeing your inner variegated polyneura I had to go to Etsy and get one of my own. Bad Melissa lol 😂

[@plantsbymelissa]

Haha oops!! 🙊

[@dora9368]

Tfs Melissa 🎉

[@Jamiegsahova]

I've been eyeing the Alocasia Watsonia red vein that is on The Green Escape's Etsy shop. That is actually what I thought you got when you said you already had two other variations.

[@laurenwhite4759]

Omg I’ve ordered a rare maranta from vada before!! I was super happy w the shipping. Same little plant tag and everything! My maranta looked awesome. I ordered from them back in January I think. They insulated it well. Very fun!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Aw how cool! I am really happy with it 🥹 such gorgeous color! I’m glad your maranta came okay!

[@katyperx8676]

The cutest bambino got me😍

[@chelsearuzesky2834]

So excited to see more Hoya, beautiful haul!!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@colleenreimer3639]

I have a Hoya Mathilda. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong with it but cannot seem to get it to grow! Your plant hauls are always so fun to watch! Wish I could buy from your shop but I’m in 🇨🇦🌺 You’re the sweetest lady and I enjoy your videos with your kitties and hubby making an appearance once in awhile. Typical goofball husband lol!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Aw thank you so much! Haha he is a goofball 😆 I’m excited to have the Mathilda! Sorry yours isn’t growing 🥹 have you checked for any kind of flat or broad mites? When I get a Hoya that has stunted growth those little things are in the back of my mind. They’re super tiny so you can’t see them without magnification.

[@strawberrybambi]

I just got a variegated pink bambino alocasia! I was worried about killing it when I removed the sponge plug material but it seems to have rooted a little more since switching substrates. fingers crossed it stays healthy it’s my favorite plant 😭🌱

[@Densmosis]

I with you on green escape!

[@ladymustangtn1973]

I got 2 starters from Green Escape today !! PBCP and a Dragons Breathe.

[@kissaneitinen]

I just bought two cuttings to beef up my hoya mathilde, it is so pretty little plant. 😍

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes!! 🙌🏼 so excited to have it!

[@kristathompson9888]

My Mathilde Splash is pretty tiny but very silver. It’s such a beautiful Hoya 💚

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes!! It's definitely going to be a favorite I can already tell. I adore it so much already! 😍

[@anashehsookezian4094]

Christina’s Gardens sells a lot on FB. Lots of positive reviews there.

[@plantsbymelissa]

Aw I don't use fb anymore. Really glad I came across her shop! I'll definitely order again ☺️

[@ABedofThistle]

I have trust issues with the Green Escape lol. Dead plant on arrival, snapped stems, and an expensive variegated alocasia I bought as a longiloba, that has grown into a lauterbachiana 😅

[@plantsbymelissa]

😅😅

[@darbystarr1101]

Succulents empire has alocasia bambino var for $99 😊 4 inch pots . If you watch there palm street lives you can pick your plant 💕

[@rosemontez3674]

Do you put your corns in stratum too? I never know which side of the corm to put in the substrate?

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes! 😁 the part that is connected to the root end is the bottom it’s more flat or round and the pointed end is the top where the growth point comes out.

[@bloody_me6401]

I remember your last big box shopping tour finding this “new” / “unknown” alocasia and you were talking about not having space for another alocasia 😂 surprise! 3 new alocasia 😂😂

[@plantsbymelissa]

haha I know!! I saw that alocasia when I was on the hunt for the syngonium and I HAD to have it. Then I wanted the hoya and it was just not planned at all 🤭

[@synapticburst]

That longiloba purple is so beautiful. A lovely relaxing video as always. Wonderful haul! I think mathilde is naturally splashy. I recently got a very small plant for only 5 euros! Crazy how plant prices are so different depending on your location. My normal mathilde is splashy so I imagine if you give it optimal conditions yours could get more intense 🤔

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you so much! I try giving it more light to see how it grows but the splashy leaves are soo pretty! 🤩

[@larab5214]

Thank you for putting the actual prices on the screen I really appreciate that! I'm going to go finish watching the video now!

[@Planted386]

Well, I see it didn’t go so great lol. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope they really get it together. Be a shame to make it, and then drop the ball disappoint too many people and lose it all. 💚

[@plantsbymelissa]

Are you talking about one of the shops?

[@Planted386]

@@plantsbymelissa yes I was referring to the green escape here. I had commented earlier while watching and you hadn’t yet opened the box. I didn’t want to lose my train of thought so I left the first comment and then later left this one 😊

[@MyLocsMyPlants]

yay new babies 💚💚

[@ttschrock7126]

Melissa, do you any kind of pest control, or just antibacterial soap wash ( know you use the castile soap)? I am such a newbie and just starting to buy my hoyas and FEAR pests. Trying to figure out what I should do when I unbox new plants. Also do you treat larger plants that are established differently than itty bitty ones? Thanks for your help and congrats on your amazing plants. I really love your videos. I probably watch one or two every day (catching up). Your cabinet series was very helpful!!! Have a nice day and wonderful weekend.

[@brandiejones2249]

I jumped on ur site right at 4pm when ur restock was supposed to start. I put a Manjula and a jade in my cart went to check out and it was sold out😢 dang girl you sell out FAST! It's ok cause I'm so happy for you😊🎉

[@plantsbymelissa]

I'm sorry 😢

[@Awebster414]

I have new alocasia plants coming from the green escape today!! ❤

[@plantsbymelissa]

aw yay! Happy plant mail 🥳 I hope they come to you okay!

[@Plantloverliana]

Hi Melissa, I love seeing the cats, they are adorable, but I love love these plants. Thank you for unboxing and sharing with us! When your plants arrived, did you switch out the substrate to stratum right away? Or do you wait for the plants to acclimate before switching them over?,Thank you.❤

[@plantsbymelissa]

I switched these right away. I usually wait to let them acclimate but I wanted to take care of the dry ones so I just decided to go ahead and do them all.

[@Plantloverliana]

@@plantsbymelissa awe ok. Thank you for letting me know.🥰

[@helenavogel7674]

Your hair looks amazing! And I totally get you want to rush back home even when on vacation. Nothing like plant mail to get the adrenaline pumping. The plants you got are all wishlists for me. You are so lucky to be able to own and grow them. Enjoy your journey with each one of them. What brand of stratum do you use?

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you so much! That's the unstyled hair lol I washed it that morning but left with it still wet 🫣 I can link the stratum here that I buy: www.amazon.com/dp/B00JMA9S52?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzmeli0992-20&creativeASIN=B00JGQIY48&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1OODWALE01UEU&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin&th=1

[@tasja47]

I love your channel i watch from the netherlands but the hoya inner variegated is in my eyes expensive here you can buy it for 26 euros☺️

[@PlantedinPlatinum]

Beautiful plants 😍😍

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you!! ☺️

[@nikkireigns]

Ugh the variegated bambino is a wish list plant for me! A local plant shop has a gorgeous one for nearly $2,000 😅

[@plantsbymelissa]

Oh my gosh 😅😅 that’s a price tag!! 🏷️

[@paubel58]

the green escape pisses me off so much...every single plant i have ever bought from them has been 100x smaller than i expect it to be and i ALWAYS have to rehab them just like you said. i just find them to be SO expensive for the starter plants/plugs and what you end up getting. just a huge disappointment and after having an issue, they talked to me in such a condescending way that really turned me off and i don't really want to support them again. your chia is absolutely beautiful though and that purple alocasia is SO cool!! love all the hoyas too :)

[@cbail1323]

Every time I buy from them the plant is always sick or has root rot/ stem rot or a pest. It's crazy

[@noemyg28]

I purchased from them once and all the plants died on me I thought it was user error but now I’m not so sure 🤨

[@plantsbymelissa]

So sorry about that. I remember being shocked the first time I ordered and everything was so small and a little disappointed with the rehabbing and state that some of them come in. I now know the plugs are really tiny. I've gotten some good little plants from them though and they have grown well in some time.

[@kdilleybean1594]

I’m in Alaska. I’ve only received plant mail from Pretty In Green in CA. They package so beautifully, everything has arrived perfect! I recently placed an order from The Green Escape and now I’m nervous! Florida to Alaska - I may as well start importing 😂

[@plantsbymelissa]

Aw hoping it arrives to you okay! 🫶🏻

[@kdilleybean1594]

@@plantsbymelissa I got my first box as I was watching your video! 😂 It was a long journey, and they were boxed for several days. They will definitely need a little extra TLC. But for the price and variety available, I’m pretty happy! Thank you for your content! My daughters and I love watching your videos. 💚

[@melissaafkrichardson9204]

I don't feel so bad about what I spend on plants now 😮

[@vanessam.903]

That Polyneura is a steal!! I’m waiting to find that inner variegated one when the price drops a lil 😢

[@plantsbymelissa]

Check her shop when she comes back at the end of June. I saw more listings so I think there’ll more for sale 👀

[@carolynd1679]

22:18 A small world. I used to live there.

[@laurenrose3905]

Hi Melissa ❤I love watching your videos! Do you ship internationally- to South Africa yet please? 🙏

[@KelsiRheanne]

Hi Melissa! Random question but how do you decipher whether to put a plant in soil or stratum?

[@plantsbymelissa]

I use stratum for propagating or rehabbing purposes not to grow in long term. I also use it to let the plant adjust before moving to pon. You can leave a plant in stratum for a bit but it starts to break down over time and you have to end up watering it more often the more roots that grow in.

[@l.l.3073]

I got lots of plants from The Green Escape but their "Buy 3 get 4th free" is not correct. Example if you get 4 expensive start say 50/each... the discount only takes off $15 not $50 for the full value of the 4th. Where as the standard 10% for all 4 would net a $20 discount.

[@shadesofgreene]

YAYYYY

[@lyndseymoye12]

Have you ever considered growing and keeping in stratum?

[@plantsbymelissa]

Stratum is hard to grow in long term because it breaks down and the roots can get so compacted when it dries out. My stratum cups dry really fast too.

[@lyndseymoye12]

@@plantsbymelissa thank you!!! So how long do you recommend keeping plants in stratum?

[@jimmyjo1375]

I’d love to tour GreennEscape nursery.

[@plantsbymelissa]

That would be fun!

[@smerida8]

Love that trellis on the mathilde picture! Do you know the name of seller for trellis?

[@plantsbymelissa]

I found a similar one on amazon I can link them here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3CTP1LV?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzmeli0992-20&creativeASIN=B0C3CTP1LV&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1LJT2UQC0VHBZ&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin

[@rorilee9791]

Stratum as in Fluval? TIA

[@katiesandnas5380]

What do you prop the polyneura in? It seems everything I prop in stratum ends up rotting and dying. I lost several polyneura cuttings because of my incompetence with stratum.... Along with other cuttings

[@plantsbymelissa]

I use stratum to root pretty much everything I love that stuff 🙂 I make sure the propagation cups are getting enough light and once it starts to dry out I add water to it. It becomes really light it color if it get too dry 🤭 if you have a thicker vine you can let the end callus some first to help reduce rotting.

[@patriciajackson5414]

Good morning Melissa. Yes be very careful ordering from Etsy, horror plants. $140. Anthurium came in HORRIBLE CONDITION. Another seller never sent my plant. They also have to order the plants they advertise. Be very careful.

[@plantsbymelissa]

If I really want the specific plant I'm looking for I usually take the chance and I end up browsing to see what else I might want from them. I have found great shops that way. I would say most of the time I have had good experiences and I have purchased most of my collection online over the years.

[@KC-gj4bi]

You must read through the reviews because they say so much about the shop or individual selling plants 🪴. It’s time consuming but a must when shopping online.

[@Jennifer-nz2ss]

I didn't have such a great experience with a pink varrigated string of hearts. Showed a beautiful one. Got a ragged straggler one! Only 2 strings on it! But, it's doing better and so is the varrigated string of pearls.😢

[@jaoc4283]

I think Etsy has matched EBay in terms of stress and bad business. I use Gabriella’s in Florida. Quick and easy transactions. Very strong plants.

[@sagewillowLisa]

Where’d did you that water from? 😃👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@plantsbymelissa]

My Kroger had them!

[@sagewillowLisa]

@@plantsbymelissa ohhhh ok. Imma look next time I go to Kroger. Maybe cuz we both live in GA mine will have them, too lol. Here’s to hoping!

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

I’ve ordered from 2 Etsy sellers referred by creators and both places ordered the Mathilde splash and both had no splash but looked like the normal Mathilde and had to rehab the rest of the plants and the variegated hueshklauna never rooted and is just dying. Does anyone know is there is a trick to starting a var hueshklauna?(sp). I think I’m going to stick to in person purchases. I’m very happy your orders have been good (except that thrips one). It definitely is a learning curve to online purchases

[@StasiaPenguin]

Too many plants and cats on the countertop is a very good problem to have 😄

[@plantsbymelissa]

Haha exactly 😂

[@Erki750]

❤❤❤

[@WilaineEufracia]

It had 3 leaves I saw the stem of it

[@mariaestrada3346]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@KC-gj4bi]

You are going to fall hard in love with Mathilde ❤

[@plantsbymelissa]

I already love it so much!! 😍

[@amandaking7519]

Whoa, its so strange to hear you swear !

[@plantsbymelissa]

🤭

[@sbmiller]

I just bought thw same alocasia 3 weeks ago. I saw it on Instagram abd just had to have it.

[@plantsbymelissa]

It’s so pretty!! 😍

[@sbmiller]

@@plantsbymelissa yes it is. ☺️

[@Amandasplants]

They missed moma

[@plantsbymelissa]

❤️❤️