One weekly email with tips, tricks, guides and discussions around our favourite thing – houseplants!
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3 Ways To Spoil Your Houseplants
Together with
Rich here, and welcome back to Houseplant Digest, sponsored by SANSI – the global leader in LED lighting.
In this week’s issue:
Weekly Q&A
3 ways to spoil your houseplants
The future is growing fast
The “ring of fire” plant
And more…
Sheffield Answers
Every week, I get tons of questions about growing houseplants. In “Sheffield Answers”, I’m going to pick one out each week and answer it. Want to submit your own and get it featured next week? Click here to ask me a question!
Question: "Can you reuse potting soil?" Sandy Geddry
My Answer: "The problem we have is cross-contamination. We don’t want bugs or potential diseases spreading from plant to plant. I’d recommend adding spent soil to the compost heap if you have one but if you don’t you could try sterilising it. Heat is the best way to do this, adding small batches to the microwave or oven and letting the soil get to 80°C (180°F). Don’t let it get over 93°C (200°F) or the soil can start producing harmful toxins. Your soil will now be lifeless so you’ll need to fertilise your plants regularly."
🪴 JUST FOR FUN
3 ways to spoil your houseplants
So Valentine’s Day was a few days ago.
In last week's newsletter we talked about the best houseplants to gift your loved ones.
But this week, now that the madness of Valentine’s Day is over, why not spend some time on gifting our houseplants something special? We may not love them like we do our significant other (depends who you ask), but they’re still important to us, right?
Maybe you received a bouquet of roses, or maybe not. Either way, there’s someone (or something) that could still use a little TLC: your plants.
Here are 3 gifts that’ll make your green friends feel extra special:
1. A Fresh Pot & Soil Upgrade
After a winter’s worth of growth, some plants are craving a new home. Upgrading to a slightly bigger pot with fresh, well-draining mix can do wonders for root health. Plus, it’s like giving them a brand-new pair of shoes, just in time for spring’s growth spurt.
2. A Handy Grow Light
If you’re tired of watching your plants slowly reach for that tiny slice of window sunshine, consider grabbing the SANSI 2-Head LED Puck Grow Light, a tiny (but mighty) way to keep your green friends happy. This full-spectrum light gives them the sunniest seat in the house, no matter where they're placed. You can stick it, hang it, or mount it. I’ve tried them all and really either way your plants will soak up the glow. Plus, it's super energy-efficient, so you get happy plants without the high electricity bill.
Sometimes a quick rinse under lukewarm water is all it takes to wash off dust, boost humidity, and give your plants that “Ahh, fresh air” feeling. It’s a mini spa day in your sink. Just be careful not to drown any delicate soil (or yourself in the process).
Show your houseplants some love this week, even if the big romantic holiday has passed.
After all, they’re the silent companions who brighten our spaces every single day.
🪴 LET'S TALK
The future is growing fast
Just a couple of weeks ago we spoke about some of the new cool tech coming out in the land of houseplants.
In that newsletter I also predicted we’d see some more interesting ways that technology is being implemented in houseplants.
Well… it didn’t take long!
Last week I came across an article talking about a genetically engineered Marble Queen Pothos that claims to purify air 30 times more effectively than a regular houseplant (which, in my opinion, is already very little to none at all).
Basically, this “plant” pairs with monthly Power Drops, a formula packed with "good" bacteria that supposedly boost the plant’s ability to capture and recycle harmful VOCs (like benzene and toluene).
It sounds impressive on paper, but here’s the thing: houseplants already offer plenty of natural benefits without a lab-built upgrade. And while there’s no denying the science behind VOC absorption, I’m not 100% sold on whether this plant is truly a game-changer or just clever marketing.
Even the sustainable planter, made from flax and agricultural waste, feels like part of the sales pitch. Sure, a built-in water reservoir is convenient, but if you’re already a seasoned plant parent, is it really necessary?
But… I want to ask you:are these innovations realllllly improving our plant care, or just complicating something that’s already pretty magical?
What do you think? Would you try a high-tech plant like this, or are you sticking with the classics?
Plant Of The Week
Philodendron Ring of Fire
Let’s mix things up this week. This is a mystery plant box, where you get a carefully curated selection of unique plants, ranging from rare varieties to extraordinary species, all available at 20-50% off their usual retail prices.
Pothos can grow over 40 feet long and climb trees in the wild. Once it latches on and starts climbing, its leaves grow bigger (over 2 feet long) and develop dramatic slits and holes. But if it stays on the ground without climbing, it keeps its smaller, heart-shaped leaves, just like the ones you see in hanging baskets indoors. Pretty cool, huh?
Houseplant Digest is brought to you by Houseplant SOS, my self-paced online course teaching you how to grow A+ houseplants and avoid all of the guesswork (that’ll cost you unnecessary time and money!)
If you want to learn how to propagate houseplants like a pro, click here to learn more.
If you want 1-on-1 help with your houseplants, click here and book in a consultation with me.
