Rich here, and welcome back to Houseplant Digest.

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In this week’s issue:

• Weekly Q&A
• My top 7 lessons from moving 200+ houseplants
• Yarn-based greenery
• Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’
• No other aroid can do this other than the ZZ 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!​

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Question: "Why am I not seeing great growth in leaf size on my Monstera Deliciosa? The leaves are fenestrated because they get good light (morning, east-facing). One is 6" from the window and the other is across the room, but directly across from said window). I fertilize during spring/summer and don't overwater."

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​Answer: Most of the time lack of growth is down to light. You say one of the Monsteras is across the room and this probably too little light. A light meter really will tell you how much light they are both getting. Above 500-foot candles is the target. It could also be a lack of nutrients, although less likely. If the plant is growing then fertiliser all year.

🪴 HOW TO & TIPS

My top 7 lessons from moving 200+ houseplants

A few of you caught a glimpse of my recent moving video, where I packed up 200+ beloved (and slightly clingy) houseplants. Let’s just say, carting around a jungle is not for the faint of heart.

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But here’s the good news: I survived, the plants survived, and I picked up a few lessons along the way. If you’re planning on moving in 2025 (or whenever life decides to throw you a curveball), hopefully these 7 tips will spare you some time, energy, and general freak-outs.
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1. Tame the Beastly Plants

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​Got a floor-to-ceiling monstera that’s ready to bust out your windows? Sometimes you’ve gotta prune those giants back before the big move.

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Also, quick propagation bonus: the cuttings can turn into more plants, which you can conveniently gift (or not) to friends and family. Because, hey “houseplants make the perfect gift” is basically written in the Plant Parent Handbook.

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I’ve got a complete video course showing you how to propagate houseplants from A-Z. Click here to check that out.​
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2. Timing (and Temps) Are Everything

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​If you’re moving in the dead of winter, keep your plants away from the cold truck for as long as humanly possible. Sealed boxes are your friend here.
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Tuck the plants in like little green burritos for warmth. And if you’ve got a rare plant worth more than your couch, consider adding a heat pack. It’s basically like giving them a toasty little winter coat (without the fur trim).

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3. Delay the Watering Session

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​Resist the urge to water everything the night before. Trust me, the last thing you want is a soggy box, muddy floor, or a pot that weighs as much as an elephant. Aim for a good watering about five days before the move. (Your future back will thank you.)​
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4. Label Like Your Life Depends on It

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​Markers and sticky notes are about to become your new best friends. Clearly label any boxes with “Live Plants” so your helpful movers (or unsuspecting friends) don’t turn them upside down.
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5. Unbox ASAP (or at Least Let in Some Light)

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​Once you arrive, try to unpack the plant boxes soon. I know, I know, there’s a million things to unpack when you’re moving. All I’m saying is don't let those lousy boxes that linger around the house for weeks be one of your houseplants.
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If you can’t get them fully out just yet, at least crack them open to let in some air and light. They’ll be mostly fine in a box for a couple of days, but let’s not keep them in the dark for too long…
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6. Relax About the Perfect Placement

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​News flash: Your first guess at where to put that fiddle leaf fig probably isn’t going to be The One. Give it a trial run. Some corners might be too bright; others too dim.
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Watch how your plants react over the next few weeks and shuffle them around until they find their happy spot. I noticed myself moving the plants around every few days because it didn’t quite feel right. Just like us, they need a bit of time to settle in.
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7. Don’t Sweat the Breakages

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​Accidents happen. A snapped stem here, a lost leaf there, it’s all part of the journey. Most plants bounce back faster than you’d expect (especially my alocasia that took a little beating during the move, if you’re curious). If they don’t, at least you have an excuse to buy another plant, right?

🪴 JUST FOR FUN

I was scrolling through social media the other day (very productively, of course) when I stumbled upon something unexpected from actress Sutton Foster: crocheted houseplants.

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Yes, you read that right, yarn-based greenery. Take a look.

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What’s the big deal? Well, imagine the cozy charm of grandma’s knitting paired with the lush aesthetic of a botanical garden. Minus the watering schedule of course. No droopy leaves, no brittle stems, and definitely no mysterious brown spots.
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The cool thing about crocheted foliage is that it avoids that plastic sheen you often see with faux greenery. Made from cotton yarn (or whatever fiber you fancy), each creation looks like a handmade piece of art rather than a half-hearted attempt to replace the real deal. Definitely not AS good as the real thing, but I think it’s got its place.
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Styling them is a breeze: pop a few in ceramic pots, line them up on your windowsill, or add crocheted blooms for a dash of color. It’s low-maintenance, playful, and still brings a sense of life to your space without a single drop of water.
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If that’s not a win for the plant parent with too much on their plate, I don’t know what is.
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Reply to this email and let me know what you think of them (or better yet, if you one or two yourself).

Plant Of The Week

Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’

Native to South East Asia, this guy comes in both 9cm and 12cm options. Easy to care for and a perfect conservatory plant. Nuff said.

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▸ You can order it here (UK only) 👉 https://collabs.shop/cogitn​

Use code SHEFFIELDMADEPLANTS for a further 10% discount.

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Products I use to keep my plants strong and healthy

▸ Amazon UK 👈

▸ Amazon USA 👈

📹 Watch & Grow: This Week On YouTube

👉 I Was Challenged To Grow The Best Plant in 1 Year​

👉 I Stopped Killing Calathea Once I Knew This​

Did you know?

The ZZ plant is the only member of the aroid family that can reproduce from fallen leaflets. They do this to save water during droughts.

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!)

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If you want to learn how to propagate houseplants like a pro, click here to learn more.

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If you want 1-on-1 help with your houseplants, click here and book in a consultation with me.