Plant Rx

It's our special holiday episode of Plant RX, and we're talking about the four stars of the season: Poinsettias, Holiday cactus, Norfolk Island pine, and amaryllis. Justin, Michelle, and Marcos break down what makes these plants "holiday plants" in the first place, plus the behind-the-scenes details that make them showstoppers. You'll learn why the red on a poinsettia isn't actually the flower, how to spot a fresher plant by checking the tiny yellow blooms, why holiday cactus can become a passed-down family heirloom, how Norfolk Island pines are grown from seed (yes, it takes years), and what's really going on with wax-dipped amaryllis bulbs if you want to keep them growing after the holidays. Stick around to the end and tell us: what's your favorite holiday plant? 🌿🎄

Justin and Michelle talk about what to do when you bring home a houseplant that's been severely overwatered. From simple drying tricks to "root surgery," listeners will learn practical steps to save their plants and what warning signs to look for. The hosts cover browning on Thai Constellation variegated leaves. They share how to tell if it's stress, disease, or just the plant adjusting to a new environment, plus helpful tips for monitoring and recovery. Justin and Michelle discuss the growth habits of Philodendron Golden Crocodile. They explain whether it needs a moss pole, how it can be grown self-heading or climbing, and why it's a versatile addition for plant parents.

We love houseplants. And we want you to, too --- so we've put together this podcast where we answer common questions and share tips to help you be successful. Michelle, Senior Integrated Pest Manager, and Horticulturist Justin answer questions from the houseplant community. In this episode they cover: 1) Michelle and Justin talk about watering Xanthosoma (aka Caladium lindenii, aka Phytotaenium lindenii). How much is too much, and what's not enough? Picking it up can be one of the best ways. We talk about it --- as well as other factors that can cause brown leaf tips/edges. 2) Pruning Little Swiss Monstera (Monstera adansonii) so the vines don't get too long and scraggly. Good news: You can prune this plant any time without worry. Bonus: Michelle talks about how you can propagate the pieces of your Little Swiss Monstera you prune off! 3) Pushing as much growth from your Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'). The biggest thing for this plant is enough light. While Pothos tolerate low light, they grow best and fastest in bright conditions (and a warm environment). Also check to make sure it's not too rootbound...being rootbound can stunt growth. Plus, they tackle the myth that you can use iron supplements to fix chlorotic (yellowing) houseplants. Enjoy this episode? Then dig in to our others. We've covered topics like getting rid of fungus gnats, spider mites, and other pests, pruning and repotting tips, and more. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhoGaaEXGU0PrZS8_nd1ClCEsNMAfVu4D Do you have questions for Michelle and Justin that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below or email us at Questions@CostaFarms.com. And, if you enjoyed this video, press the like button and subscribe so you know when our next episode of Plant Rx is out.

Can't get enough about houseplants? Dig into Plant Rx, the podcast from Costa Farms dedicated to talking about indoor plants. Michelle, Senior Integrated Pest Manager, and Horticulturist Justin answer questions from the houseplant community. In this episode they cover: 1) Michelle and Justin share tips for propagating Pothos (Epipremnum) and whether they like to start Pothos cuttings in water, sand, perlite, potting mix, and other media --- and if rooting hormone is necessary. (Tip: In most cases, rooting hormones aren't necessary with Pothos because these plants propagate so readily.) 2) Using beneficial mites to eradicate spider mites instead of neem oil or other control methods. Thinking about using predatory mites against your two-spotted spider mites, one of the things Michelle recommends considering is the number of plants you have. 3) Protecting houseplants from summer heatwaves. Justin recommends watching the watering really closely --- in excessive heat, check to make sure your plants aren't drying out fast, but also that they're not slowing down and not drinking much. The truth about dioecious plants (those where plants are either male or female and can't produce seeds on their own). While male and female plants are needed if you want seeds, having both genders is not necessary (nor does it have any impact) on the plant's ability to bloom. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Michelle and Justin that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

We've launched this houseplant-themed podcast to help you enjoy more success with your favorite indoor plants. Two of our team --- pest expert and Sr. IPM manager Michelle and horticulturist Justin --- answer your most pressing plant questions. In this episode, we cover: 1) Whether you should water your houseplants right after repotting them. Justin and Michelle mostly agree that you should --- but listen in if you want to hear the exceptions. 2) What it means to "scout for pests" --- and how you can do this at home (or in the store while shopping) to help identify any pest (insects and mites, including spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips, as well as disease) issues so you can stop these pests/diseases from taking hold in your home. 3) Tips for bringing your houseplants outside for the summer (and they touch on the debate about whether you should). Plus, they talk about horticultural charcoal as a soil amendment. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Michelle and Justin that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Whether you call them houseplants, indoor plants, or interior plants, Costa Farms is here to help you enjoy (more) success with your plants! So we've put together a podcast where we answer your most common houseplant questions. Hosted by Michelle, Senior Integrated Pest Manager, and Horticulturist Justin, we love taking plants. In this episode: 1) Calathea Care: Michelle and Justin share their secrets to growing beautiful, healthy, colorful calatheas in your home. These plants have a reputation for being difficult and dramatic, but we break it down so you can enjoy success with these variegated plants, and recommend varieties (including Network and Rattlesnake Calatheas, aka Goeppertia since botanists like to keep us on our toes by reclassifying plants...). Tip: If you struggle too much growing Calatheas, try Aglaonema. Aglaonema have similarly patterned/variegated foliage and are a lot more tolerant to a range of conditions. Note: Spider mites are one of the most common pests on Calatheas; get our tips for controlling spider mites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9Zggcu9D0&list=PLhoGaaEXGU0PrZS8_nd1ClCEsNMAfVu4D&index=16 2) Whether you can (and should?) grow Caladiums indoors as houseplants. More commonly grown as outdoor annuals, these variegated plants go dormant (they drop all their leaves) over winter, leaving you with an empty pot half the year. For more on Caladium care, see: https://www.costafarms.com/plants/caladium 3) Spores vs. scale insects on ferns... How do you know if the dark bumps on the bottom of your fern fronds are the fern reproducing or an insect pest? Michelle and Justin share how they do it on their ferns at their homes. (Want to see Michelle's personal houseplant collection? Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NzKogPAkq8&list=PLhoGaaEXGU0PrZS8_nd1ClCEsNMAfVu4D&index=1) Plus, they talk about how well Rosemary repel insect pests when you have one of these plants in your houseplant collection. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Michelle and Justin that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Love houseplants? So do we! That's why we launched this podcast. Two of our experts --- IPM Manager Michelle and Horticulturist Justin dig into the indoor plant questions you send in! In this episode they cover: 1) The debate over whether you should break up the rootball when you repot your favorite houseplants (Justin is for it; Michelle not so much). 2) How to treat your indoor plants for scale insects (unfortunately, this is a tricky one, so it's not easy) 3) Watering houseplants in pots that don't have drainage, including why Costa Farms ships many of its plants to stores in pots that don't have drainage. The easiest way is to grow your houseplants in a cachepot (a slightly smaller pot dropped into the larger pot). Plus, they talk whether you should move your indoor plants out for the summer and why you shouldn't use mayonnaise to shine up your houseplant leaves (a very diluted vinegar solution is a much better bet). And they talk about cold-hardy banana (Musa basjoo)! Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Justin and Michelle that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Love houseplants? So do we! That's why we launched this podcast. Two of our experts --- IPM Manager Michelle and Horticulturist Justin dig into the indoor plant questions you send in! In this episode We're doing something a little bit different! To celebrate Earth Day, Justin and Michelle are sitting down with our Sustainability Specialist Erika to talk about what Costa Farms is doing to be more sustainable. We cover coconut coir, new tools we're using to help reuse resources, and a whole lot more. We of course also talk about our IPM program, where spoiler alert, Michelle gets passionate about bugs! Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Justin and Michelle that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Enjoy more beautiful and healthy houseplants with the help of the Costa Farms team! In this episode of our plant podcast, IPM (integrated pest management) Manager Michelle and Horticulturist Justin talk about: 1) Whether you can propagate philodendrons (such as Philodendron 'Birkin') from just a leaf. Spoiler alert: You can't from just a leaf. 2) What to do when you see mold on top of the soil of your houseplants. Fun fact: These fungi aren't pathogens, but rather saprophytes. What's that mean? Basically that you don't need to be worried about them. Michelle and Justin go into detail why! 3) Repotting houseplants such as pothos (Epipremnum) in winter. You can do it, but should you? If you're not sure, dig in to find out! Plus, they talk about the common practice of using spinosad (a natural insecticide) to treat spider mites, and why it's not the most effective choice for these houseplant pests. (One of the main reasons is that spider mites are arachnids, not insects, so in general insecticides aren't as useful for defeating mites). Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Have questions for Justin and Michelle that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Enjoy more beautiful and healthy houseplants with the help of the Costa Farms team! In this episode of our plant podcast, IPM (integrated pest management) Manager Michelle and Horticulturist Justin talk about: 1) Why pothos (and other aroids) may drip water from the tips of their leaves -- and what you should do about it 2) Dealing with aphids if you see them appear on your indoor plants (from organics to sprays). Tip: As tempting as it may be, don't use ladybugs in your home to try to control this houseplant pest! 3) How to grow Baltic Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue), one of the new-for-2022 Trending Tropicals houseplants, and close relative of Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum Cebu Blue). Plus, they talk about whether you should treat your plants with cinnamon as a natural insecticide. (Did you know most of the cinnamon we buy at the store isn't from the true cinnamon tree?) And Michelle talks about how long it took her Monstera siltepecana to begin fenestrating! Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Have questions for Justin and Michelle that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Enjoy more beautiful and healthy houseplants with the help of the Costa Farms team! In this episode of our plant podcast, IPM (integrated pest management) Manager Michelle and Horticulturist Justin talk about: 1) Their recommendations for quarantining new plants (tip: it all has to do with how comfortable you are with pest scouting) 2) Dealing with root rot on Monstera adansonii and other tropical houseplants 3) What's going on with Fiddleleaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) when they start dropping their leaves. Plus, they dispel the myth that plants prefer to be rootbound. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Have questions for Justin and Michelle that you'd like to hear covered on a future episode of the podcast? Drop them in the comments below!

Enjoy more beautiful and healthy houseplants with the help of the Costa Farms team! In the sixth episode of our indoor plant podcast, we share: 1) Information about our potting mix (hint: It's coconut coir and shredded wood, two renewable resources) 2) What it means if you see sooty mold, a benign black fungi that grows on honeydew (the droppings of several different kinds of insect pests) 3) What you need to know about bright light (it doesn't necessarily mean direct sun through your window, but maybe, depending on where you live and what time of day the sun comes in) Plus, we talk about repotting your houseplants! For more in-depth information, be sure to check out our Beginner's Guide to Repotting Your Houseplants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ogY... In this, like every episode, Costa Farms IPM Manager Michelle (IPM means she works with beneficial bugs!) and Horticulturist Justin help answer your most common houseplant questions/problems. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips. Do you have questions for Michelle and Justin? Email us or drop them in the comments below!

Grow happier houseplants with the help of the Costa Farms team! In the fourth episode of our plant podcast, we talk whether you really need to use distilled water for Calatheas and other indoor plants, go over how to treat sunburn on your plants leaves (unfortunately rubbing Aloe on it won't quite do the trick), clear up why you might see in your plant's soilwhat looks like, but definitely isn't, bug eggs. Plus Justin gets to brag about his brand new Passiflora hybrid! In each episode Costa Farms IPM Manager Michelle (IPM means she works with beneficial bugs!) and Horticulturist Justin help answer your most common houseplant questions/problems. Be sure to check out our other episodes for more fun houseplant care tips!