Professor Nox Makunga of Stellenbosch University in South Africa joins me to explain the pigments that give houseplant leaves their colours, I answer a question about a ‘Silver Ripple’ Peperomia and we hear from listener Mia.
Read More
I am joined by fellow houseplant expert Mr Houseplant, aka Vladan Nikolic, to discuss the ingredients that go into your plants’ pots, plus I answer a question about finding name-appropriate houseplant gifts.
Read More
This week I find out what why silicon’s so important to leaves, answer a couple of questions about brown spots on leaves, and we hear from listener MV.
Read More
Terrestrial ecologist Dr Polly Schiffman explains these vital plant processes, plus I answer a question about a lanky Pilea and we hear from Joe from Texas in Meet the Listener.
Read More
If you’ve ever been flummoxed by a houseplant that came with a label marked simply ‘foliage’, this episode will help you start to figure out the name of your new addition.
Read More
Every wondered why the leaves of your houseplants are different in shape? Professor Enrico Coen of the John Innes Centre joins to me to explain. Plus, I co-opt Stephen of the Plant Daddy podcast to help me answer a question about a Nepenthes, and we meet listener Mikaela.
Read More
Biophilic designer Oliver Heath joins me to explain how being surrounded by nature can have palpable benefits for us all. And I answer a question about watering cacti in winter.
Read More
I explore the botany between houseplant propagation with horticulturist Leslie Halleck and answer a question about a floppy calla lily.
Read More
Botanical Latin can seem like a confusing alphabet soup that’s full of tongue twisters. But Latin names help us learn about the history of the plant, who brought it into cultivation and what it looks like. This episode will set you on the road to becoming a scholar of plant taxonomy - the science of naming plants. Plus a question on corkscrew rush.
Read More
Do houseplants really clean the air in your house? I talk to PhD researcher Curtis Gubb about his project to discover whether houseplants really do have a positive effect on air quality. And I answer a question on small ferns for terrariums.
Read More