Secret Houseplant Care Tips From a Master Houseplant Grower

[@drewoldfield6878]

That's my old boss John! He's the best! Working in the Garden was the best experience.. many wonderful mornings

[@aisyahsuandi5395]

omg i work at nursery b4 too. i'm a landscape architect graduate. my first job is gardener and i met my ex bos. she is wonderful and i really enjoy my time in the nursery 💕

[@eraserewrite]

I love listening to passionate people talk about the things they’re passionate about. I especially love the analogies of us to plants. He’s such a lovely soul.

[@leeroywolphagen8451]

One of my dreams is to have a greenhouse like this. Plants are very beautiful, peaceful and very attractive. Can't never get enough of it

[@maureengordon309]

Yours and mine.

[@willythepool3812]

me three

[@tukangtamankwb]

@@willythepool3812 hope you can have greenhouse too like me

[@MsWatchdog]

Who would ever want to go on holiday when they have a green house like this!

[@CatFish107]

Maybe a ski / snowshoe trip for a change in scenery could be nice?

[@CrankyAuntyLinda]

In the 50’s and 60’s it seemed everyone had the Lunaria Silver Dollar plant (at least on the East Coast) Then it seems to have disappeared for 40 years. Last year I found a garden center which, tucked away in a cluttered corner, 6 or 7 small (4” pots) and maybe 4 larger 6 inch pots of Silver Dollar plants. Priced between $4.00 to$8.00 and yes I just had to buy one. I’m 70 years old and it was just a blast from the past! Several people around me came to listen as I recounted my memories of the plant and the times with how people decorated with the dried seed pods (they looked like Silver Dollars). Several months later I had to return to the garden center for help transplanting the mass of babies that covered the bottom of the pot. I’m running out of people to give plants away! They are so easy to grow and they are fast growers too. Sometimes I feel as if I’ve become the crazy Lunaria Lady 😂. Perhaps this plant will be the next fad. Or at least in Colorado 😊

[@derickwilliams2075]

Very cool.

[@greenleaves6340]

Im trying to grow them first time for the pods🤗.

[@Letycs]

That is such a beautiful plant I've never seen before, I'd love to try and grow one. 😍🌿

[@ericarichardson2983]

Love the “weakly weekly” idea! I always stress about how frequently and remembering what to feed when. Weakly weekly makes it easy

[@averagegalsgarden639]

Absolutely LOVED this! I had tons of houseplants that I grew from the 70's through to the mid 2000's. Some of my spider plants were babies of babies of babies from the original plant in 1978! When my husband and I moved to FL in 2005, we had no idea where we would end up, so I gave away to loving homes, most of my collection. This has inspired me to start again! I currently have 3 orchids. One just bloomed again for the first time in over 3 years. The other had a pup that I divided and both of them are thriving but no bloom indication yet. If they do, they should be blue!! Thank you again for an awesome and inspiring episode!!

[@chuck4714]

There's no such thing really as a blue phaleonopsis. If it rebloms it will be its actual color of white. It's dyed

[@chuck4714]

And I oop-

[@Flieder9]

I just came back from a nursery and they had bright blue and also orange phaleonopsis. I said to the employee that I have never seen blue Phals. He said, no, they do not exist. These are dyed.

[@blubalub]

Thanks for giving us this view behind the scenes! Although I would have like to hear John reply to your questions with less interruptions. He seemed like a great orator.

[@MsWDWFAN1]

My grandmother grew gorgeous orchids. She also loved growing roses, bird of paradise & stag horns. She could pretty much grow anything!

[@PlantGuild]

This is a great way I see Epic Gardening evolving! I hope that going forward we see a lot more of you going outside of the gardening to showcase different plants, but more importantly, different people doing just as many great things as Epic Gardening. Thank you!

[@mollypitcher9380]

GREAT INFO on maintaining terrariums! ADVICE: filtered water, also - “weekly, weakly”

[@willcookmakeup]

Man you can just tell how much knowledge John has and has amassed over decades.

[@judyjohnson2892]

This was such an enjoyable episode! Thank you.

[@claireincolour]

Loved listening to all of the knowledge Mr. Clements was sharing. It'd be amazing to have his wealth of plant experience just a conversation away at the local botanical garden. Loved this tour!

[@nicolecantu1695]

I love you Kevin, and everyone on the Epic Gardening team, but I could listen to John talk for hours about plants!

[@daplantbaby]

The Spiritus seems to be doing great after a part of it was stolen in 2020! Glad to see it is still growing well.

[@marvenmema]

Coming back to this video after months of having first watched it. Just wanted to say that the tip John gave on frequent micro dosing (as opposed to a feast or famine regime) has been a game changer for me, especially when combined with the use of soft/RO water and finding the best spot light-wise (and in some cases light and aeriation-wise) for the plant. Thank you!

[@SuperManning11]

Have you ever heard of using a water conditioner normally used to treat tap water that will be used in an aquarium, but using it to treat water that will be used to water plants. It removes the chlorine and chloramines and some other stuff. I wonder if anyone has tried this approach as opposed to filtering or using R.O. water.

[@AlexKiritz]

The main problem they talk about here is the dissolved minerals, not the chlorine/chloramine.

[@marvenmema]

@@AlexKiritz Actually it's both. It's for the chlorine/chloramines and other undesirable things like the fluoride, sodium, etc. Chlorine/chloramines shouldn't bother most house plants, but long term exposure is known to cause leaf browning in some of the more sensitive species (like some of the calatheas). Considering how in nature plants are watered with pure rain water the whole RO water thing seems to make sense at least for the fussier plants.

[@marvenmema]

@@SuperManning11 I know the youtuber SheffieldMadePlants says it works well for him. Personally I don't need to because I run a densely-planted Dutch style aquarium that requires me to use RO water (remineralized to specific ideal values). And since I change 50% of its water every week, I use that to water my house plants. But it's funny you mention this because that's how I got into the house plants hobby in the first place.

[@jhowardsupporter]

@@marvenmema In Australia we apparently have the world's best drinking water. I water my most sensitive carnivorous plants with tap water. I've kept sundews with both r/o water and tap water and see no difference. But yes feeding weakly is good, I use a syringe without the tip to get the amount I need. As for the aquarium, I don't think freshwater requires r/o I thought only saltwater needed it. I use to keep these Australian native shrimp which are like clear cherry shrimp before my friend passed and my tank broke and I haven't started growing aquatic plants again. But with the terrestrial plants if they can handle your tap water than use that, you wouldn't want to be the guy bringing buckets out while your neighbour is watching you with the hose 😂

[@danielmuller2701]

Amazing plants, great "guest" you can really see how passionate you both are about plants! I honestly never got the variegated versions, they look "sick" to me.. so I'm definitely either way behind the curve or way in front of it 😅

[@lienecarter6411]

I have never cared for variegated plants either.

[@lukeblossom4870]

Love the video! Just wanted to let you know that the “Philodendron Brasil” is actually a varigated Cnathea/Calathea of some sort 🌿

[@mikulaskalny4580]

Yep, Ctenanthe lubbersiana. One of the easiest marantaceae to grow 👍

[@silvanaansaldof7846]

Yes, as I soon I as a saw it I knew it was mislabeled! I have one and it’s doing great. I am so surprised that neither one of them picked up on the mix up

[@driley2752]

I noticed this too. If you look closely at the container that what was shown is living in, does look like there is a brasil with it, but the one shown is definitely a calathea.

[@swedishrainbow_garden7672]

I came here to say that too. :D

[@tinglebelle7344]

the brasil iss under the calathea lol

[@lorimanis825]

Man, I got sucked right into this video and didn’t know where I was for a minute once it ended. So so so interesting. ❤

[@NadineTouzet]

What a lovely interview, I want a specimen of each of these plants, they are gorgeous! Two years ago I moved to a newly-built house with better insulation, a more stable air environment (no nasty drafts) and my living space has generally good natural lighting. My houseplants, some of which have survived 4 moves, have literally taken off. The only thing I have to learn to do is give them water regularly and feed them.

[@travistaylor6110]

I can always respect someone who truly knows their stuff. This man has to have literally DECADES of true hands-on experience. Respect.

[@shawshank6015]

Epic Gardening taught me to grow Ginger. I'm a pro at it now & teach others. It was so easy. Thank you Epic

[@angelicav.4443]

I love being Puerto Rican because anywhere you look, you see all of the greenery you see in this video. ❤ I live blessed 😍😍

[@helenmcclellan452]

So interesting! Thank you for "taking" us on this journey. I liked how they had healthy and unhealthy plants so people can see the difference. I wish we had a place like this near us. So cool!

[@Pandolcee]

I haven't been to the San Diego Botanic Gardens for YEARS, I think its about time I gave it a visit, I used to go every single weekend as a kid, loved it to death.

[@randyo6019]

Everything is absolutely gorgeous! Definitely on my list to visit hopefully soon. Thx for your visit with John

[@cat_atouille]

I really loved this. Didn't even notice that almost 30 mins went by!

[@hellodarling9073]

Wow, each video of yours gets better and better, from shots to editing, you seem quite dedicated to produce high quality content for your viewers, from entertainment, to education. It doesn't go unnoticed. I appreciate the effort you are putting in your content, keep up with a good work. 💚

[@BarbaraGoodnight]

I, a millennial, invested in a garden this year. I bought my first pothos last year in a 2x1in pot, it's now separated into 3 pots in 2 homes. My friend had the space for a small garden in his townhouse and I decided to try growing inside my studio apartment. He's successfully growing the pothos, a spider plant, peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, scallions and i think a couple things. I invested in succulents that are living, some thriving better than the rest, and am successfully growing a bean bush (which I do recommend staking up to get more growth) tomatoes, scallions, onions cucumbers garlic and (right now) 1 carrot. I've probably spent about $300 for all the gardening supplies this year (mostly dirt), which is definitely cheaper than the yearly cost of owning a dog 😂 plus I get food

[@tinawindham6958]

No one will love u like a dog. Maybe my white rabbit but why not have both? Maybe a senior citizen that would love to be your couch potato 👍🏻✌️🐶😉

[@CatFish107]

If you like a pothos, they do excellent with their roots hanging in the back of an aquarium. So long as you feed your fish, filter, aerate, and change the water regularly, you won't have a single worry about forgetting to water or feed your plant.

[@connieefurulee]

Wonderful listening to you both interacting with such excitement and joy. It’s infectious. Thanks 😄

[@geisenma]

I remember making a suggestion on your channel like 6 months ago that I would like to see some greenhouse tours- maybe you were already planning this then, but seeing this video definitely made me feel like you have been listening to our requests! Thanks!

[@pennyfenner1354]

Amazing place. Just a tip though... when you interview an expert, you should let the expert speak. 👍🏼

[@Tryreading]

I love the moments when they ‘geek out’ together about their love of plants and nature! ❤

[@jessicapetrin1655]

WOW!!!! I am at a loss for words just watching this video! So beautiful 🤩

[@SJL07]

This video was so inspiring, informative, and incredibly peaceful for me. I've watched it several times. I love all the plants and have just started purchasing a few of my own, but the terrariums are incredible!!! I HAVE to have one! lol! Yesterday I found a local garden center that sells them along with a huge variety of tropicals. I'll be investing in the next month or so. Thank you, Kevin and John!

[@thefutureisnow8159]

Just love Kevin! He’s always bringing value and not going all conspiracy theory, anti government like another channel I used to watch. Kevin never attacks his followers and all his video content is extremely valuable. Keep being the amazing role model of what a channel can and should be!

[@BritInvLvr]

I would love to see a part two and three. Great episode.

[@Savko_TTV]

Love it when you do stuff with a focus on indoor growing!

[@EMuro-wu7uy]

I also call it "the happy spot" or the "sweet spot" for plants. Where they live in forest, where they live in homes, and mimic conditions even down to soil mixes. All of these things help.

[@PetsNature-l2f]

This is amazing how different kinds of plants species growth in harmony,it's really beautiful❤

[@rareplaid]

This was great! Would love to see more of the San Diego Botanic Gardens- and more John! 🌿🌿🌿🌿

[@acatinthegarden]

Love that you’re getting into tropicals more now too! For me, outdoor gardening led to a passion for growing tropicals indoors as well. Would love to see more content like this!

[@acatinthegarden]

Also wanted to add… that plant was not a philodendron Brasil at all… it’s actually a ctenanthe. I’ve also watered my plants with just tap for 2.5 years now and I don’t get browning leaves… for the most part, tap is just fine unless your area has known water issues. And spiritus sancti is in TC so it’s not really that rare anymore, but it is pretty!

[@TheAdhdGardener]

Same. I'm more of an outdoor gardener but the winters bummed me out so POOF houseplant collection 😁

[@Grrrnthumb]

Excellent video! At 14:23 the plant they discuss as Philodendron 'Brasil' is not even close to being a Philodendron. That is Ctenanthe lubbersiana.

[@barbaraowens2299]

Omg! That Ctenanthe Lubbersiana was gorgeous!!! It was the fullest most healthy I've ever seen. The quoted Brazilian Philodendron is definitely more common and more likely to see that big and flush.

[@RoseR7997]

Walmart has large glass cooking jars here in the mid USA. I use them for Terrariums and they are less the $20.00, just a thought that you may like to give a try😊

[@marianafranowicz]

How about cake domes on pedestal for lower plants.

[@WorthyWorkmen2024]

Peace and blessings Kevin. Thank you for your valuable time, energy , and effort , you are truly an inspiration❤

[@simplifygardening]

Loved this mate, especially as I grow tons of rare houseplants myself. in fact the new studio is packed with them. Great video Kev

[@tukangtamankwb]

seeing the very fertile plants there really amazed me, because every plant there easily grows well in our place, but seeing it there is really extraordinary, how it can get through every season so well, especially when it snows, there must be very detailed care starting from temperature regulation and light, one word for you is PERFECT

[@tellwel3767]

Not even one minute watching and my jaw dropped and it won’t close. Fab fab fabulous

[@SuperManning11]

Those glass bell jars were also used in Colonial America where they were set directly on the ground over plants that might be sensitive to the weather conditions in the area. As such, you can buy them from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia. They are quite beautiful and of a high quality, and as you can guess, they ain’t cheap!

[@Landen-Torres]

Epic Gardening taught me to grow Ginger. I'm a pro at it now & teach others. It was so easy. Thank you Epic

[@donneone]

So many beautiful exotics. So much information. Need more like this. It was a super special treat. Thanks for getting John to share with us. I gave up on houseplants because I kept getting mosquitos and who knows what other bugs. Maybe I'll try again.

[@Admin-tk5nt]

So wildly amazing. Thanks for sharing. Your content is fire!!!

[@epicgardening]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@christythompson6692]

I love going to botanical gardens.

[@HeidiLee-e6s]

Wow, each video of yours gets better and better, from shots to editing, you seem quite dedicated to produce high quality content for your viewers, from entertainment, to education. It doesn't go unnoticed. I appreciate the effort you are putting in your content, keep up with a good work.

[@mamabear4576]

This collection is breathtakingly beautiful. It has been the while since I have watched a video and been sucked in the entire time. Thank you for sharing and making my day❤

[@tinawindham6958]

I wish I could set up my iron bed in there and live. Ha! That’s all I need besides 3 dogs, 3 rabbits, 1 cat and box turtles. What a beautiful place!

[@jessiemcbride3465]

John is the best! Great episode. The gardens there are amazing and I recommend to anyone. Great kid spot too.

[@richardbicycle5262]

John's the best haha, so passionate with so much good info! I couldn't believe this was 27 mins when it ended it felt like ten.

[@sherri5575]

AMAZING. I used to live in San Diego in the 70’s and 80’s. There was a tiny shop on the way to El Cajon that specialized in African Violets. I started collecting and growing all types, colors and sizes of them. I was enamored with the miniature African Violets. I don’t see them much anymore.

[@epicgardening]

They've fallen out of favor a bit!

[@sherri5575]

@@epicgardening sadly so. They are quite pretty and satisfying to reproduce. My favorite tree is also the Ficus Benjamina from seeing the giant one in Balboa park.

[@patcracker6383]

Felt like a field trip, thanks! Always good to learn about new plants.

[@lissapowell967]

This vlog/interview was absolutely delightful. the best I"ve seen this month!

[@brendanbang6636]

John is amazing… love to see more of his talk on the SDBG KZbin pls.

[@Valentina-km8cg]

Loved, loved this episode! I can't grow things outside very well but I've got over 40 gorgeous houseplants. Thanks for this! Might head out and see this for myself. I'm only an hour away. 😃

[@LittleKi1]

Wow, nice interview Kevin and John!

[@nativegirl559]

I love the idea of putting my pants in my will do be donated. I’d hope people take care of my plants as much as I have. Especially my oldest and biggest plants. For them to live forever.

[@nuclearscarab]

OK, so no plants natively grow in houses, but what about a tree house?

[@epicgardening]

That counts

[@alonsoalcantar7847]

No that doesn't count because the house grows on the tree

[@technoraptor7778]

Greenhouses are good. If its built for the plants health in mind.

[@assenavogneram6213]

Lol

[@lynningram4218]

Tree houses are plants. They are aroids that grow on the tree.

[@cathybranly1839]

What an amazing tour! I will take better care of my very common and somewhat stressed house plants from now on. Of course, with Virginia humidity in the summer, they will have to settle for a gentle fan. I can see the allure; I saw at least 3 plants I want to get!

[@josephlloyd9636]

This is one of my favorite places in all of San Diego. It's as great as any Museum or any house tour. 🏆💕🚀💫

[@jacobpayne1]

Those prayer plants are gorgeous.

[@miickeyp1695]

John is delightful. What a happy and knowledgeable guy!

[@GirlJustDIY]

Thank you, I just learned I need to use filtered water for my houseplants. That explains a lot! We're also considering installing an RO system for under our sink.

[@notverynotoriousg5674]

I have some really fussy plants, there are a couple filters that filter out fluoride if you have it in your water, not something most people think about but even that can be a problem for plants.

[@justinmartin7188]

John gave a presentation at my nursery! Super cool guy, has amazing insights and lots of knowledge

[@onemoredoll5791]

This episode reminded me of California Gold. Loved it.

[@Manue-lMayer]

This vlog/interview was absolutely delightful. the best I"ve seen this month!

[@aliciaconnolly1227]

Loved this - more tours! Really enjoyed the full “care guide” portion on the terrarium providing real value to walk away with on top of the great tour.

[@jinosampanayil]

02: 00 A novelty plant in Southwest Florida, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (A. paeoniifolius) is a favorite of eclectic plant collecting gardeners. Examples of common names are Elephant Foot Yam, Sweet Yam, Snake Lily or Corpse Flower. Like all amorphophallus species, it has a large underground stem called a corm. We used to eat this tuber crop in our recipes.

[@k9spot1]

I’m so glad the plant community is finally getting into cloches! You can buy them at any place that sells food stuff and they work SO WELL for plants. It’s the ONLY way I can keep my venus fly traps alive

[@emmyashbaugh]

I feel like Kevin would make an especially epic video touring John’s home garden too 😍🤪 this was incredible. Thanks so much for bringing us along.

[@elainereed4842]

Beautiful plants, thanks for the information and gracious humor! I’m with the Rex Begonia dude, love the leaf patterns and blooms these plants produce. Don’t enjoy the mess they make but find they are easy to grow in my home. The Corpse plant was fantastic!!😊

[@asterixgaul7076]

What I love most about this video is the forethought to name the plants. ❤

[@inezfinley]

I'm in love with this place!!!! Thank you so much for doing this video. Big up to John - love, love, love his wisdom and enthusiasm.

[@moreliamedero4394]

I love how passionate he is ❤

[@idzneha]

Very nice video! I loved all the plants in the video and the details about the corpse plant. And now I'm going to feed my houseplants weakly weekly. 😊👍

[@jylromain6439]

Years ago, I had tons of house plants in NJ and they were beautiful. I bought them at a little house plant shop in the mall. But since moving to Arizona in 2001, I struggle to have any live for very long. And there are no cute little house plant shops. This video could have been twice as long and still been very interesting. Enjoyed hearing all the advice.

[@m.maclellan7147]

The best thing to do for humidity is to group plants, and put their individual pots on a gravel filled tray (A boot tray for example!) When you water the excess goes down into the gravel & increases the humidity. Also, buy a temp./humidity sensor - they are super cheap !

[@jylromain6439]

@@m.maclellan7147 I'm hoping that as we go toward cooler temps, I can get them outside for more sun. I have them in small groups, on trays and I spritz with water. But when humidity is 10-20%, that evaporates pretty fast.

[@nicoleturgeon-courchesne2212]

What a tour. Absolutely loved it. So many beautiful plants and watching the video is calming. My list is ever growing of those I would like to find in my house. Thank goodness for rain barrels to help with the water as opposed to tap water. Thanks for this.

[@TobiasWeberRSA]

I'm a millennial... I've got 5 cats and a house full of plants and I love my gardening 😂 still think it's cheaper than kids though and a lot easier

[@kcsubramani9909]

it was really an very very Grate video the senior person explained very cool, very nice to meat him by you in this vlog thanks a lot we can feel that senior persons passion

[@ixchel420]

Wow I love how they have the same plants with different lighting! That’s so helpful

[@ephphathaoracle]

This was so fun!!! Thank you. Funny, I have started picking up glass items from goodwill/flea markets to start terrariums.

[@just1voice994]

Holy crap I been working there for the last couple weeks so glad you made this vid. You the man.

[@jonisolis9645]

Dogs and plants, sounds good to me. I have tons of plants but only had one child. I love this greenhouse!!!!!!! 💚💚💚

[@Redline6ix]

That was really nice how excited and kind he was about the people from Lebanon

[@brendanbang6636]

This is fantastic.. SDBG… really responsive to the current trend and interest of new patrons. So many great presentations.

[@elizabethard3620]

This was such a great episode. I loved that you are a fan-boy. And the change of content from the outside to the inside. Love it.

[@lizard6444]

This was absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for this wonderful tour.

[@georginacampuzano6412]

Thanks for taking us to this amazing place. Gorgeous plants.

[@ZoneKei]

I'm definitely gonna give weakly weekly a go. Thanks for the tips John!

[@Talula72]

Loved this tour! I'm thinking it's about time for a big Pothos comeback 😄

[@jelatinosa]

Many of those "house plants" are just normal plants where I live. We have them growing wild and in the landscape here in the tropics. And, as it would be, I often find myself coveting plants that grow in temperate zones that we can't really grow here, especially certain fruiting trees, conifers and stuff like that that need a cold winter to fruit and flower.