The Houseplant Coach

Today’s plant chat is about plant care variables, specifically how to determine if someone’s prescriptive advice is actual fact or if it’s based on insufficient information.

Unless advice is based on repeat instances of a plant’s behavior (like blooming, wilting, etc) with many plants of that particular species, all variables are accounted for, AND the result is repeatable (i.e. you can make any plant of that species do it again), informational is anecdotal and shouldn’t be treated as fact. Even my results! If they’re based on a sample size of 1 plant, EVEN IF I ca...

Today I ran across someone feeling hopeless and helpless - feeling that their small impact wasn’t enough. We ALL can move the needle if each of us keeps up the work. So it was time for a chat about herbs that can help us keep our heads up. As always, check with your doctor (and pharmacist!) for advice and interactions before using any herb.

If you want to skip straight to the herbs, go to the 33.5 minute mark.

Also, V’s Mix is going on sale again this month - spend $50, get a free quart! Sale...

Two-parter this time! We’re talking about how to recognize good advice as well as a thorough examination of a Christmas cactus’ drought issue and how to remedy it.

Also, 40% off sale on DrySoil gallons through 1/1/2026, because I’m turning 40 this week! :)

This was one of the hardest plants to care for during my time in interiorscape, and a lot of the dead ones were due to shipping issues! Learn more about the cuetlaxochitl (aka poinsettia) here!

Also, free gifts with every order through December 2025! Https://ohhappyplants.shop

Have you ever potted a plant up in a super chunky mix and watched it go downhill? It may be the wrong substrate for your watering style! But here’s how to prevent that :)

Also, holiday freebies are going into every box from Oh Happy Plants through the end of December (2025)! Get your plant care on at https://ohhappyplants.shop

Ever import super expensive plants, only to have them rot? Here are some tips! Tip #1: take a deep breath. None of this is urgent :)

I got some questions about bringing potted evergreens indoors in terms of issues with breaking winter dormancy, so I did some more research and is still encourage you to get one - if only as an experiment!

Also, sale on now - free $49 bag of V’s Mix with every $200 spent at https://ohhappyplants.shop! Sale ends 12/7/25

Explore variegation with me! We’re talking types, colors, flavors (well, maybe not that one!), and causes of variegation :)

Plus, check out the sale - for every $40 spent at https://OhHappyPlants.shop, get a FREE quart of Tropical Climber soil!

I’ve heard a lot of folks say they choose an artificial tree so they wouldn’t be cutting down a live one. Let’s dig into the sustainability of the whole thing before we make a choice this year :)

Don’t separate your houseplants! PSA on the plant loneliness epidemic (yes, yes, I made that up 🤣 tell the others! 🤣).

Last two days of the sale! Spend $50, get a free quart of either V’s Mix or B*tches Love Hoyas soil! Https://ohhappyplants.shop

SALE! Spend $50, get a free quart of V’s Mix or B*tches Love Hoyas! Now through 11/5/25

This episode is about grief journeying, community building, vulnerability, and self-forgiveness in plant care. Bonus: puppy snores.

Recently(ish) someone brought a video to my attention from a soil scientist who was talking about the concern with perlite and fluoride toxicity. There were a few issues with the data and the points presented, and while the studies I found that line up with this video do show little cause for concern, they weren’t designed with real-world applicability in mind. Listen to the episode for these points as well as what we can do to minimize risk. And, as always, Oh Happy Dirt remains perlite-free because it’s my job to make it the absolute best available :) Duration: 01:13:59

Hi folks! This is a “how to stop feeling so damn helpless” episode, plus interspersed info about hoyas and a sale announcement.

For Doc Tenzin’s work including his comic book A Capacity to Change, see https://doctenzin.com

Want great dirt? Https://ohhappyplants.shop - and remember, if you share OHP social media posts you’ll be entered in a drawing for a gift card each month!

It’s a WHOLE rant today, in a number of directions, but we’re also talking upcoming tree pruning and mealybug treatment, as well as the current sale at ohhappyplants.shop

Have you fallen for the old “plants slow their growth in the winter because of dormancy” BS? For our houseplants, this is usually counter to their natural cycles! Listen in for more :)

Here’s my current nonsense: plants in a jar! Plus: sale announcement, and the sewer rat of hope :)

What temperature is the nightly low in your area? It might be time to bring your houseplants in for the season! Here’s a guide to temps, pest treatment, and more!

I’m about to try a a few new-to-me home remedies for powdery mildew - stay tuned for updates! Also, a discussion about repotting plants as the seasons change.

Got pests in your garden? Plant more flowers! Here’s the most legit excuse EVER to plant a zillion flowers and turn your veggie garden into a beautiful, half-edible, half-ornamental paradise 🥰

Are your plants taking over your home, or looking super scraggly? Here’s an episode about propagating all those crazy beasts :)

Here’s the thing: they never left. But this is a trick that folks don’t tell you - another piece of the treatment process that will ACTUALLY lead to complete eradication. PSA: this treatment is a leaf spray ONLY - do not pour onto roots!

How much soil do you need? How do you figure that out when you’ve completely forgotten high school math class? And what’s a better deal, using the OHP 30% off sale on 5 ‘generous quarts’ or buying a 2-gallon bag? (Hint: it’s the 2-gallon bag if you’re getting one type of soil!) Answer all those questions and more with this episode :)

This episode is about how education works better when people are relaxed about it, how gatekeeping is a capitalist ploy to keep us separate, and how communication is my goal - not “proper” language. Trigger warning: mention of an unpleasant bodily function - skip from 7:20ish to 8min.

Trigger warning for vegans - we’re talking outdoor gardening and blood meal. But this is all relevant to indoor plants! Today it’s a discussion of the importance of feeding your plants so they can bust out some awesomeness for you :)

Want a bushier houseplant? Here are some scientifically proven tips for branching, plus info about light, holding off on repotting a plant, and more!

For soil and other incredible houseplant supplies, check out ohhappyplants.shop!

What are your plants dreaming about right now? Is it a new moss pole, repot, or pruning job? Maybe they’d just like you to notice the spider mite issue that has suddenly become a real problem due to higher temps? Here’s a discussion of plant behavior, summertime considerations, and more!

The ONE thing that made the biggest difference to my plants across nearly 30 years of houseplant tending is consistency - and when you have late-diagnosed AuDHD, it’s extra apparent. Listen in for practical tips to get you more consistent, plus extras: discussion of subirrigation, spider mite treatment, soil nutrients and nitrogen-induced tip burn, self-forgiveness when caring for plants in early widowhood, and more.

Also, for the next two weeks, get a FREE quart of V’s Mix for every $50 spent at https://ohhappyplants.shop - this soil is absolutely MAGICAL and I’d love for you to have s

Think orchids are too fussy to keep alive — let alone get to bloom again? Think again.

In this episode, Veronica is joined by the incredible Raffaele DiLallo of Ohio Tropics, creator of “Become an Orchid Master."  He’s here to break down the myths, mistakes, and surprisingly simple techniques behind long-term orchid success. We cover:

- Why your store-bought orchid stopped blooming (and how to fix it)
- The BIG things most people get wrong about watering orchids
- How to understand your orchid’s roots — literally
Whether you’ve killed five orchids or just picke...

Learn about bromeliad watering, root systems, soils, and more!

Here’s a question from an OHP member about snake plants and stress blooms. To join the FREE member community, visit https://members.OhHappyPlants....

Lots of people think some houseplants just grow slowly, but usually it’s our care (or something else that’s fixable). Here are a bunch of solutions, including a discussion of soil testing and veggie garden corrections :)

Do you have a water softener? You could be killing your leaves with sodium toxicity! Full description and solutions in the episode. Products available at https://ohhappyplants.shop - FREE member site at https://members.ohhappyplants.... :)

Got grey spots of mold in your begonia? Love planty shenanigans? Want fast-growing hoyas that bloom like crazy? This is the episode for you! Products mentioned are available at https://ohhappyplants.shop

Hi everyone! This one is about inviting pollinators into your space, and a general PSA about the impact of poor estrogen metabolism on energy levels and how beef organs can fix the whole problem. No houseplants this time, but you can always make your plants go NUTS with soil from https://OhHappyPlants.shop!

Have you seen those trendy companies that sell pseudo-fancy soil for aroids, but the only thing in it is big chunks? Here’s why to avoid this!

Learn about causes of different types of leaf yellowing, soil mushrooms vs slime mold, and then it’s a long discussion about different kinds of intentional community building, “independence as trauma response” that we all carry, and ideas about building interconnected communities right where we are ❤️

Have you ever listened to a podcast and learned about some previously-unheard-of way you’ve been harming your plants, then said “wait, is this really true? That’s odd…”? Well, here’s an example of that - and the solution (guess what - the solution is a team of nerds who are strangers to each other because that’s the power of the internet and the plant community!). Talking about pH Up/Down products and how they DON’T harm your plants when used correctly ❤️

Bad propagation advice, soil sale, business tips, and stay tuned for an incoming orchid podcast with Raffaele of Ohio Tropics!

The forsythias are rooted and ready to give away! Here’s more info on attempting to create economic disruption armed with only rooting hormone and pruning shears 🤣

Skip to minute 38 to get straight to houseplant content. This episode covers using sauerkraut to break down glyphosate, eating “weeds,” moss pole info, and the sale on tropical climber soil (up to 40% off! Ends 3/8/25).

Time to prune the plants in your yard (or trim that crazy hoya that went nuts after repotting in Oh Happy Dirt)? Pot up the cuttings and share the love! Big box stores have shown us that they don’t care about individuals, so it’s time to move our spending to home nurseries (and give away cuttings for free, too)!

Today’s episode: things we need to consider when repotting - specifically when changing soil texture or pot size. I go into acclimation and a few other things. Also! If you use logs in your garden, drill some holes for bees!

Want to keep a plant cute and smöl indefinitely? This episode is on choosing the right plant, pruning techniques, and care tips for keeping your plant adorable :)

Here’s some new info about the bug poo I sell at ohhappyplants.shop, and a bit of discussion about reasons for rules and why we should disregard them (or follow them, if we choose to).

It’s time to build your community, folks! And if you’re as awkward as my AuDHD ass, you need a good excuse to throw a get-together - so why not throw a repotting party! Get together, strengthen your community, build connections you can lean on through hard times, and get that social accountability for repotting at the same time!

Quick reminder to check for spider mites - ‘tis the season! Also, free quart sale is over when January ends - get yours at https://OhHappyPlants.shop

There’s a pile of soil in my yard that’s 6’ tall and 20’ wide! This episode is about what I’m doing with it - increasing biodiversity, feeding local insects (responsibly, without increasing neighbors’ use of herbicides by letting weeds run rampant), and the January FREE DIRT sale!

Maranta and ctenanthe propagation, how to term when roots have grown, and FREE SOIL through January 2025!

We’re talking resolutions today - specifically those that support self kindness rather than capitalistic “you’re not enough” culture. Also, I do a little walkthrough of my home and changes I’ll be making with my plants to support easy care in the new year. And be sure to take a look at the thumbnail photo for this episode - note the difference in leaf size on the Calathea orbifolia!

Info on the aphid life cycle, killing them, and new projects :) (The log pile is a new project!)

This episode is an audio “peek” into my house right now - early warning signs of spider mites, crazy etiolation from ignoring a Monstera esqueleto, air layering shenanigans, and hoyas going completely nuts after their re-pot :)

Okay everyone, I just finished a certification in tissue culture! I learned SO MUCH but most of it was related to lab practices and not actually usable at the consumer level, but I got some extremely good insights and will be putting the info together in a course or booklet, plus putting together more podcast episodes on the acclimation process for TC plants. Hold tight for more info soon!

This is just me encouraging you to do whatever the f*ck you want with your plants 🤣

Here’s an episode about watering/plant care tips for when your executive disfunction is a brick on your chest that prevents you from doing anything, plus (second half) what I’ve figured out about grief resiliency and things you can do *now* to prevent yourself from falling into a black hole of despair when a loved one dies.

Quick episode describing how I’d stack moss poles because you KNOW your plants are going to outgrow them :)

Just a little chat about the humidity-fungus connection, plus info on lighting, hoya growth, and bug poo :)

I need help! If you’ve ever been to OhHappyPlants.shop and couldn’t figure out what soil to choose for your plant, and thought “if it was just organized THIS WAY it would be so much easier” - I want your thoughts!!!

Okay y’all, I finally repotted my avocado tree. I’ve been scared of this for a really (REALLY) long time because the root systems can be super delicate and the tree is really special to me. But: SUCCESS! Here’s what I did (plus 80 million tangents, complete with zombie stories).

Did you know that imidacloprid systemic granules are neonicotonoids and totally bad for bees? Let’s talk about using them thoughtfully, plus letting go of our houseplant-parent egos and giving ourselves EASE instead ❤️

Some tips for packing and getting info from other countries’ import agencies.

How does watering Oh Happy Dirt differ from watering standard potting soils? Learn more in this episode!

Sale announcement for followers only! Plus tips on choosing a moss pole and caring for it properly, and repotting tips :)

I’m launching a new style of info-sharing soon, and I need help! Listen in for more, and for a few product announcements :)

Here’s one on seasonal considerations when making houseplant purchases!

I get this question a lot, so here’s the answer! :)

Skip to 16:30 for the actual science, but start at the beginning for cute stories about my kid :)

The main takeaway here is that fertilizing your plants is good for YOUR mental health (and their health too!). Publication referenced is posted at https://members.ohhappyplants.... - member site is free!!!

The mechanics of sunlight direction :)

Go to 27:30 to skip story time! But also: thank you for the privilege of nerding out for your benefit 💚

Hey! Get fertilizing! The light is back, now is TIME! Plus: 2-gallon soil bags on sale - 30% off and TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! Sale ends 4/15/24 at like 11:30pm PST. Also the last like 5-10min is a grief update; may be useful if you lose a spouse in the future, I don’t know 🙃

Here are some watering tips, tricks for putting in non-draining containers (gasp!), and some updates :)

I got a question from a podcast listener today about peat - does it retain water or repel it? Here’s more info!

Learn to spot spider mites in a few more ways :)

A stick! This one is about pruning ficus trees - specifically, how to tell when your twigs are dead, and how far back to prune them :)

Answer: It depends! Let’s dig in :)

Here’s a tiny fraction of the info available about why I use mycorrhizal inoculant in soil!

Here’s some info on a rust infection on a cute little cactus :)

Just an announcement - DrySoils are on sale for 40% off through the end of the month! (January 20th 2024, starting at 3pm PST, through January 31st).

Just a quick one :)

Here’s your annual floppy sansevieria rant. If your sansevieria isn’t happy to see you, here are some key ways to perk it up ;)

Hey folks! Tl; dr: Oh Happy Plants will have sales in January and (probably) March. I’ve decided to skip the sale this month so you can focus your energy on holidays. If you want OHP products for a gift, ask for a gift card! Then use it on the January sale to get that discount ❤️

This episode is a little bit about plants, with lots of updates and ranting about how I want everyone to own a small business if they want that. And also: I love you. Huge gratitude for supporting me through the hardest year of my...

Poinsettias - originally known to the Aztecs as Cuetlaxochitl (language: Nahuatl) - are tricky little b@stards. Get to know them a little better and learn some tricks in this episode!

Skip to the ~27 minute mark if you want plant content only (and stop at ~75ish) :)

Got soil mites? You might, if you’ve purchased a plant in the last few months! Take a breath - they’re beneficial! But if you don’t want them in your house, they’re easy to get rid of. And yes, I’m trying to find the source; they’ve shown up in plants from three local plant shops so far and I’m working on finding the growers who is selling the plants :)

Are they aerial roots or an attempt at global domination? Here’s a discussion of what aerial roots are for, when they show up, and a touch of complete silliness (or twelve).

The question: my Thanksgiving cactus is looking a a bit sad, but it’s going to bloom soon. Should I re-pot now or wait?

If your plants are done with the soil mix and pot size they’re in, but need a little ‘oomph,’ try out this super easy method to get them kicking ass again :)

Sorry for the delay, this took me 3 tries to record due to mic issues. If you want to skip the life updates and rants to get straight to the content, go to the 30 minute mark ❤️

Here are some propagation tips for making TONS of babies to sell for fundraisers, etc.

No info included about patented plants or nursery licenses - info provided at your own risk (and I fully support disrupting capitalism but this is in NO WAY legal advice, hehe).

Thumbnail photo is a wee froghopper we found on a bunch of flowers, not an aphid - it’s just what I had right now, sorry :)

Does your potholes have yellow speckles on its oldest leaves? This is probably manganese toxicity. Here’s what to do.

When should you fertilize after bringing home a new plant? What about throughout the year? Here are some tips for liquids and slow release fertilizers. Plus a picture of Drumstick, fascinated with a caterpillar he found today :)

How do you propagate a dracaena or aglaonema or dieffenbachia without beheading it? I got you ❤️

Wick systems, vacation tips, and self love! This episode cuts off at the end, sorry - got a damn call :/ Visit https://ohhappyplants.shop and find the AMEND Kit to see a fabulous, cheaper way to get OHP magic into your soil.

Root hairs make me want to snuggle plants! Go Google them; you’ll see what I mean. This is a discussion about root hair function, how to support them, and some brief life and product updates :)

Here’s a little info about putting plants outside as the weather warms up :)

It’s that time again! In this episode I go through the most common houseplant pests, quick description of recommended treatment, and diagnostic tips :)

Staghorn ferns drink a lot - here are some tips for growing them :)

Just nerding out on etymology while I package up mustard meal :)

Here are some tips for setting yourself up for months of near-paralysis without killing all of your plants.