Ways to make your houseplants look a little bit nicer

[@Miko_Maus]

Benji is the only person with this sort of content that actually makes me feel relaxed while watching. It’s very rare. I’ve not come across another person on here that gives off such a natural peaceful energy that I end up feeling too.

[@k9spot1]

same tho

[@iamatitle5031]

Yes! It’s such a breath of fresh air to see a content creator not necessarily “putting on a show” or over producing content. His work speaks for itself and his personality is lovely and natural.

[@erinestes7598]

Speaks softly and gently and seems to know his own preferences and methods without being insistent that it’s correct, just what he likes and works for him. And the calm energy and attention to detail does it for me.

[@bienemaier6142]

You should check out noah daniel, too. He is also very relaxing and makes house content.

[@sof7737]

Your videos reminded me how much I love plants I got really busy since I'm a senior in high school now but I like to watch your videos while taking care of my plants I make sure to take a break and check up on my plants once in a while now hehe, Hope you had a good day Benji!!

[@yourleftovers6645]

i’m also a senior in HS and i recently discovered my love of plants but i’m so busy with school and work that i’m now paranoid i’m gonna kill them via neglect 😭

[@oatmeal848]

i’m also finishing up hs with about 70ish plants! benji has definitely inspired me to treat each one as a little piece of living art; rare or not. though my rare ones are the real stunners, let’s be honest.

[@michaelangelochavez4215]

wait no but that’s exactly meeee

[@benjiplant]

Good luck with your last year! I had a really nice day, my parents visited and we had pho/vietnamese coffee

[@ashleydeliberto2533]

lol I'm a senior too~ I'm so worried about how I'm going to fit all my plants in my dorm room.

[@spacecookiesvlog]

We, the succulent people, like top dressing the soil because it also prevents rot, burns, of any other water damage to the bottom of a plant 🌵

[@powerlevel8000]

Benji, if you're looking at this, know that you are inspiring people around the world with your calming voice, calming home decor and lovely plant care! I literally started my plant journey 4 months back watching one of your videos and now have a small and cute bustling indoor plant family.

[@sashas3374]

I tried this bending method (thanks to the mentioned channel!) earlier this summer with the plant that has grown too leggy and tall and had his branching spot too high for my regular ceiling height and it was a big success. After a month and half I removed the strings and now the plant is really interesting to look at and has his branching spot at eye level. What I noticed is that with the main stem, if it is somewhat mature, you want to bend it a little more than the bending result you have in mind. Since the whole procedure is a little traumatic to the plant it also wakes up quite a bunch of sleeping growth points.

[@oz802]

I could literally just watch you do dishes and be entertained. You just have such a sweet and relaxing aura and such a unique and calm style of doing and presenting things, its honestly just a whole mood. 💃🏽

[@babayaga3098]

Benji. I’ve been putting your videos on while I go about cleaning my home for spring, and I needed to say this: you remind me of my best friend from my teens, you have such an inviting and comforting energy and it is so appreciated. I love the way you explain your thought processes, allow the things around you to go with their nature and allow yourself to go with that flow, and treat your surroundings with gentle care. You’re inspiring me to simultaneously care more and care less in ways that are better for me, so thanks very much to you for that ♡

[@dianal3827]

Here's an idea I've been experimenting with: Put a small plant on the top of your larger pots. When you have a big plant, it often has a big pot with a large, bare surface around the trunk of the large plant. If you have a pot with a baby plant, succulents, or a miniature, place it there and try to match its pot color to the top dressinng of the large plant. It will look very natural and grown-in. There are two warnings to consider: 1 - make sure the plants are healthy, because being this close together can spread any kind of diseases, pests, mold, etc. 2 - do not plant the small plant in the same pot as the large plant because the roots of the large plant will suffocate the small one, this is why you need a separate pot

[@JustJ0nathan]

You have the most calming voice! You should consider narrating books.

[@snertkriebels]

I completely switched over from coco poles to putting my plants up on just random sticks of driftwood that i find around in nature. Everytime i see a nice stick without bark, i'll take it home and so i have sticks in a range of different shapes and sizes. Some are a bit more curved and crooked and some are a bit more straight but i absolutely loooooove the look of it. It looks so natural and the natural curves in the wood make for interesting plant designs. And i love seeing the natural grain and the eyes in the wood behind my plants. I cannot recommend this method enough. I also think that my plants roots grow into the wood a bit so that i an added bonus :). And best of all, it's free!

[@greenthumb1658]

Wow, please, more of this design tips😃👍! I didn't know about the most. I guess plant community should turn to not just getting more and more plants but to their design, how to place them in the interior, tricks and tips for convenience of care, how to create a picture, how to choose a plant for our household conditions, not just simple collecting.

[@Lim_]

Solid content Benji, you’re my fave!

[@ninajazzy1840]

You are always so informative and your kindness is contagious

[@tarag9653]

You have the most relaxing voice. I could listen to you talk about anything.

[@condor9685]

Every time I watch one of your videos I venture into my room and make something feel a little better or nicer to me. It's always so comforting to see these gentle inspiring vids.

[@spidey2a]

love the focus on the aesthetics, can you do some for plant health?...top dressing is great but its hard to get the watering right when youre trapping in that moisture.

[@des8616]

Putting a top-dressing on your soil also helps prevent those dang little fungus gnats from taking over! As far as poles, I like to use cool looking sticks or branches I find on hikes. I have one that at some point must have had a vine growing around it, as it now looks almost like a cork screw. The stem of my mini monstera fits right into those twists.

[@gabrielm2234]

Thanks for the Theo shot at the end, the video wouldn't be complete without him 🥺

[@irrationallyhappy]

I love ficus umbellata, it reminds me of Totoro’s leaf umbrella and that inspired me to get one. I found one on clearance at my old local plant shop and it’s become one of my favorites! I have it in a light terracotta “pipe” pot (tall cylinder pot) and cut off the bottom leaves and it is like a little art sculpture in my home :)

[@julzgulz1992]

Tip for cheap potting and up-cycling nursery pots: I bought a can of metallic spray paint, one of those hammered metal finish spray paints they sell for repainting metal things. I take all my nursery pots and just give them a spray. They look cohesive and like a nice planter from a distance. You could paint them any color that matches your decor. Also, for top dressing… my favorite is fish tank gravel. I personally have white gravel in all my pots. It looks clean and keeps fungus knats down. A bag costs $4 and comes in any color you want!

[@dianebortle1141]

Love your shown specimens.

[@fatemanusrat8939]

I don't have that many houseplants but I just find your voice incredibly soothing and therapeutic. I could listen to you all day :')

[@bridgetc07]

I would love to see a video detailing your non moss pole growing methods. I’m not a huge fan of the look of them myself & would love to see how you support the plant with a piece of wood or string.

[@til0o_]

Just moved to a new place (in a new country lol) and I've been feeling really overwhelmed with especially because there is a lot of things I want to do in this place and so little time and money! I only have one small kalanchoe in my room but I'll be adding more to my collection, little by little. Thank you for sharing this tips I'll be trying them for sure!

[@terrizimmerman5297]

I ALWAYS top-dress my houseplants. I use gravel, rocks, tiny animals or wood. To me, It’s as important as the plant and container that I have chosen. I’ve gotten inspiration from Debra Lee Baldwin’s books.

[@hnelson5609]

Easy to scavenge too.

[@AlphaHenriksen]

Tiny animals??

[@terrizimmerman5297]

@@AlphaHenriksen tiny toy figurines of animals

[@AlphaHenriksen]

@@terrizimmerman5297 lol that makes sense. I felt that putting small animals in the top of your soil sounded a little morbid

[@roflstomplolmao]

Quick comment about the moss poles - absolutely correct that you don’t need them and can use wood beam and they’ll mature. The only thing is when propagating or “chop and extending” the plant will no longer have any roots in soil to survive off once they’re cut, so it will shock the plant significantly more. Being able to chop and extend means that you’ll be able to achieve peak maturity with a plant, and given the older leaves don’t last forever it’s a good way to keep the plant for a very long time (forever) in the same space. Either way works perfectly it’s just about what you want and how long you hope to keep the plant for!

[@janedylla]

you could potentially try air layering if you're planning on chopping and propping

[@roflstomplolmao]

@ definitely works too 😊

[@chrisfairley2930]

You are very knowledgeable and listening to you is a joy!

[@happycookieoh]

I love how much care you put into your videos!! They’re so relaxing I watch them when I’m getting washed up 🥰

[@laurynshannon4261]

Top dressing is an amazing design tip!💡 I follow you for the design as much as the plants :) thank you, Benji!

[@jjjjjjjj3368]

Thank you for such a super informative video, with no unnecessary fluff! Going to start implementing some of your tips now!

[@GreenhornBonsai]

Very interesting to hear your take on moss poles and to see the alternatives you use--they are so much nicer! And thanks for the link to Japanese Plant Meister Zen. I watched his video about forbidden watering system, too! Have a lovely Sunday, Benji.

[@ashleygroen5839]

Just popping in to say you're my favorite. I love your content. I look forward to it every week. I especially love this kind of content because I too get bored of things easy and love learning about interesting display ideas, planty projects and different perspectives. Ty for what you do!

[@GreenWitch1]

I love the look of moss poles after algae covers the surface. I find them easy to maintain, but they’re not for everyone. The other benefit to top dressing is it holds the moisture in therefore, you can wait several more days before watering. I’m working on that now. Your plants look beautiful!

[@Tang63]

Thanks Benji for the tips! Question - how do you repot your plant if you have the top dressing (e.g lava rocks)? is there a structured way to cleanly remove them all? Or do you just end up letting them all mix together and reuse that same mix

[@BrianaCunningham]

I use cool looking branches from the woods for my stakes/poles and for me they add to the jungle feel to me.

[@ladylove34]

Wow these are really great tips! And, yes, Sydney Plant Guy is the only one I've seen so far who make moss poles look amazing.

[@meredithheath5272]

Very nice videos. Glad you support other Plant Meisters, and Enthusiasts. (You seem like nice a young man, yourself!)

[@durianfarmer]

omg yes i love the ficus guy's channel - he was such a good resource for learning how to style my umbellata! i'm still waiting on mine to grow tall enough to use the string methods effectively but im a big fan of how sculptural the s shaped ones look ^^

[@josiemojica3674]

I don’t like look of moss poles either. I’m glad someone else agrees. Yes maybe they are better for plants but some are eye sores. Love your aesthetics.

[@megancanflyy123]

i have plant burnout rn and this video is so inspiring to me, can’t wait to give my plants some care now :)

[@joannanovara815]

I love the idea and look of top dressing but I like to be able to see the moisture levels by glancing at it. I've never seen the string from the ceiling method, very cool!

[@Ian-rm3qk]

thank you benji for useful tips!! I am getting obsessed with plants more and more😍

[@paulagambrell3506]

Benji, I love your content. Also you have the most smoothing voice.❤

[@yinxiang6740]

You are so true about the moss poles!!!

[@amphreded]

Benji thank you for consistently sooth my mind with your content ❤

[@budgetwithdoughva6849]

Thank you so much Benji I look forward to seeing Theo in all of your videos, he makes me so happy and puts a smile on my face and heart. You are extremely eloquent in your speech and bring calmness to the YT space 😊

[@minteabee]

I'm growing a little pancake plant for my mom. (I have a big boi myself that I didn't rotate) And I noticed the things you're saying about the leaves growing differently if you rotate them. I also love the little trees. I have a raindrop plant (idk if these are the correct English names lol) but it didn't grow very well, it isn't dying either. But it's been looking like a tiny tree for a while now, it's slightly bare but it looks really cute. It has a windy stem as well. As a plant lover I really appreciated these tips ❤️

[@stephenj7137]

very informative! thank you! Love your place the book case behind you gives a very mid century vibe, looks great

[@olr121811]

Love your voice....and love the ideas. I will try the larva rocks on plants that I don't intend to repot.

[@karenb136]

Thanks for the look at Theo. I just love him to pieces 🥰

[@shirleychung8517]

Wow the bending I’ve been looking for videos to show how to bonsai bend my regular house plants! Love

[@jamieanderson5991]

Love thrifting for pots

[@fairlyfrugalph845]

Lots of amazing tips! Thanks! I'm gonna go cut the lower leaves of my tall plants now. 😄

[@syedammarrizvi4516]

Great video. Keep ‘em coming

[@sarahsfishtanks]

Thank you for your tips! I'm just getting started with house plants, I love your videos and have learned so much from you. Just ordered top dressing along with your watering can :) Cheers

[@thanksxvan4998]

Hey Benji! I’m a big fan and I was wondering if you could start making some plant care vids?

[@SpecialSP]

I'm SO glad that I found your channel! You give inspiration & knowledge beyond your years … Thank you for all of this ❣

[@mariacastellanos988]

Theo so sweet 😌❤. Benin thanks for those tip, very useful. I used to turn around most of my plants but u are right about .

[@BLANKU2]

I'm not into moss polls at all when I do a creeping plant I use drift wood pieces I've taken from the beach. I like the architecture to the driftwood from their age in the water. I make them with the plant like I was setting a painting.

[@zemelatmenberu4989]

love your videos, very calming

[@Aviclex]

I really enjoy your content. Living in Tokyo, I have very limited space + good lighting. I rely solely on grow lights and have an ikea greenhouse cabinet for my orchids. It's very easy to get visual clutter with too many plants so I really have many considerations when it comes to plant placements. I don't have the popular monsteras, ppp etc. More into plants that have special structures. I have the Everfresh plant/tree as my statement plant. Also, maybe I'm weird but I can't use soil cos I was traumatized by earthworms in soil during repotting! Love soltech too! Thanks for your videos. They're inspiring.

[@rebarobi]

oooo, the lime wash terracotta pots are such a good idea :-)

[@cubbyv]

You've gone and influenced me to buy a song of India! I got a 5-foot specimen online but a rather bushy one that I will have to train to a tree-like form. Please make a video about care for this plant particularly for training it. I'm starting the process myself. Thanks! PS yours looks lovely.

[@bigjeo123]

For more interesting shapes, exploring bonsai techniques such as pruning and wire can do wonders for the shape of the tree. Really recommend yearly pruning for any plants that respond well to pruning (ficus, jade, schefflera etc)

[@lindawales2394]

Not a fan of moss poles either. I think your idea using the string and ceiling hooks is interesting, and i may experiment with that. I really love the idea of bending the plant trunk, similar to Bonsai except larger plant. Great tips!

[@xaiuon]

Benji.. that’s happened to me too bending my dragon 🐉 tree, it snapped like 8 years ago. I was like Nooooooo!!!. But I still have the other one, he is beautiful. I also planted two small ones in its place and now I am afraid to bend it. Thanks for the tips on top dressing, I am going to them bonsai rocks for top dressing all my 75 plants.😊

[@homeygumi]

I only have three plants in the house, but I get inspired to buy more when I watch your videos. I also like watching you because of how relaxed you talk. I hope I talk like that 😀

[@maritesfontanosa1114]

Beautiful plants ♥️

[@cynthiaabouammo2637]

I find my plant pots at the Goodwill and Salvation army and it is amazing how affordable and nice they are!

[@MELODYofDREAM]

Just found your videos this week and love it! Really like you voice, very calming.

[@antonortega]

Could you do a video or story maybe going into detail on defoliating your plants? I go back and forth between cutting off “healthy” but visually unpleasant foliage due to fear of stressing out my plants or limiting their ability to photosynthesize, especially with my monstera for instance. My question applies to unruly aerial roots too! They have a mind of their own and they get in the way so sometimes I think about trimming them back

[@green_heart_epics]

Briliant inspiration on the bending ficus. I have bonsai trees for more than 20 years but never figured to wire any indoor plants. First victim: shiveriana moonshine...

[@faresite]

One of the loveliest plant videos I’ve watched in a long time. As a self proclaimed plant addict I sometimes get rare plant fatigue and it’s so easy to forget why I love plants so much when you’re just chasing the next plant instead of taking the time to meditate and amaze upon the plants I already have. Styling plants creates that special relationship between me and my plants, it’s very intimate. Thanks for your content Benji. Just subscribed to Japanese plant meister zen 🌱.

[@gregmeissner9960]

I agree Benji, a nice pot is like framing a nice painting. My own oil paintings sell much better in frames! Also, i wish folks would remove the plastic steaks from their new plants ( hide the name somewhere else if necessary ) 😂

[@RedRona7]

I'm also not a fan of moss poles so I love the other options that you gave!

[@EricRhysTaylor]

Please reveal how your dracaena reflexa was made to branch like that. The traditional technique of cutting the branch and having it spawn two new branches doesn’t appear to apply in this case. Was it grafted? Thank you.

[@Miko_Maus]

Yessssss my daily dose of benji. ❤🌱☮️

[@ginasmitten7836]

Great video I learnt alot. I also don't like moss poles, I use wooden sticks. Moss poles take too much focus from the plant with them being so big

[@blehbleh1276]

So, skincare routine when?

[@Sandreline]

Rotating your plants all the time can also stress them out. It takes energy for a plant to shift its leaves, and it generates less energy if all its leaves aren't facing towards the light. My pileas have been much happier since I let them crawl.

[@uzeous]

Hi Benji! I love this video topic. Can you share what you suggest to do to manage vines? I understand that with moss poles, you're supposed to train the vines into the moss pole, but what do you do instead if you use wood stakes? - sincerely a monstera owner with lots and lots of vines

[@judyp.]

Thank you! I don't like mosspoles either,finally someone understands me haha And your solutions look so much better

[@chloeprapuolenis9408]

For my Pilea Peperomioides I prefer to rotate it once in a while to avoid the plant to grow leaning to one side and in fear of her base, but I agree, she looks so prettier with all the leaves on one side !

[@saratart500]

Great ideas thanks Benji!!

[@77deebee77]

Nice work! Thanks for these ideas. You’re a cutie!

[@valerieclark5695]

Thank you so much for the tips. I have a Rhapidophora decursiva that really needs something to climb, and I didn't want it to get huge as I have a small apartment. For right now, I will look into the cork bark and when it's a little larger, the string. Both techniques are new to me. I don't like the appearance of moss poles either, nor do I really want eight and ten foot aroids in my living room. It would dwarf me to have massive plants 🤣

[@sapphosmistake1649]

if the expenses of limewashing terracotta are too much for you, I've had success with just using cheap ceramics paint from a local craft store. the big con of this is that it's not waterproof, but it cost me like £3 for a set of paints

[@pilarbustos2338]

Hola, me encanta la forma de explicar tus cambios a las plantitas. Soy de Chile , uufff al sur de mundo. Me encantó oirte hablar en español. Estoy aprendiendo mucho contigo, muchas gracias por eso.

[@milajude_Environmentalist]

Nice ideas thanks for sharing

[@advojoycefit]

Awesome tips! Look forward to ur vids~keep them coming!,

[@CeCee-no8bg]

There IS beauty in imperfection. Great content, benjiplant

[@miurtouissi1093]

This emoji is so cute

[@MariaRomero-jt8xm]

benji thank for the video I think I need to invest in top dressing for my succulents its definitely a must! also you forgot to talk about you fishing wire method! I'm trying this now because I hate the self adhesive hooks I used to use on the wall to train my plants up the walls

[@ShiraShiraa]

So many things I have to try now 😊❤

[@ninagabat4770]

Very informative Benji, thank you 😊

[@sillyNAHcheeto]

I like using milk paint for my terracotta pots (saw it on Martha Stewart lol)

[@mahitoyee]

Uhh your voice is so SOOOOTHING 🍃

[@jakiblu1]

very nicely explained blessings

[@waterisgold]

I just subbed to your channel and I really enjoy it thank you 😊 🌱✨️

[@marilyn3605]

I just literally went and ripped lots of bottom leaves from some of my plants 🎉🎉🎉 thank you Benji!,❤

[@k.s5889]

Love your vlogs make me take care of my 9 plants