On The Ledge | Grow houseplants with the experts

This week I talk to garden writer Ben Dark about his new book, Green Kingdom. We cover being called "the Bill Bryson of Botany", why ferns are such survivors, Darwin's "abominable mystery", the work behind the humble moth orchid, and why taxonomy deserves better PR.

For full show notes visit http://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/green-kingdom

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

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Plant edu-tainer Krystal Duran aka @_plantswithkrystal_ joins me to talk about her new book More Than Just a Plant, how plants helped her cope with bereavement and so much more - plus, how 'chunky soil mix' became a dance, not just an approach to repotting houseplants.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/krystal-duran

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

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I've been mooching around looking for the coolest new plants - here's my pick. Plus, whatever happened to the everfresh tree, and I answer a question about propagating succulents.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/new-houseplants

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

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Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Want to go toe-to-toe with your fungus gnat infestation? This advice will save you time - and your sanity.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/fungus-gnats-rules

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Check out all seven of the plants I picked for flowering houseplant week in this compilation of all seven mini-episodes.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

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Meet Stapelia hirsuta, the carrion flower: a striking South African succulent with spectacular flowers and a distinctly unpleasant smell. Perfect for Halloween!

For all the plants featured in flowering houseplant week, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Let me try to convince you why this spint Madagascan succulent deserves a spot on your sunniest windowsill.

For all the plants featured this week, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Moth orchids sell in their BILLIONS around the world every year - and there's a reason why. Find out how to grow these easygoing, beautiful epiphytes in day five of flowering houseplant week.

Want to check out the other plants I've picked? They're all here: https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

This flowering plant from South Africa is a real statement plant, but make sure you can give it tons of sun if you want it to thrive!

For full show notes for all the plants I've picked for flowering houseplant week, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

This flowering houseplant is, I believe, going to be a sleeper hit. Get this Gesneriad in your collection now, you won't regret it!

It's number three in my pick of my top seven flowering houseplants - stay tuned for number four tomorrow.

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Every day for the next week I'll be picking my top seven flowering houseplants, explaining why i adore them and telling you how to grow one in your home. Day seven is going to surprise you! If you prefer to listen in one go, I'll be putting out all seven plants in one episode at the end of the week...

Day two - Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa'

I take a look at this beautiful trailing plant from SE Asia, that's as easy as can be to grow.

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

It's flowering houseplants week on On The Ledge! Every day for the next week I'll be picking my top seven flowering houseplants, explaining why i adore them and telling you how to grow one in your home. Day seven is going to surprise you!

Today's houseplant is the flamingo flower, Anthurium andreanum - it's sexy, it's from South America and you need one in your home this autumn! Hear why this aroid epiphyte is one of my absolute favourites.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants-week

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Root mealybugs are the most underestimated houseplant pest of all - and you probably don't even know you have them. Here's my quick guide to dealing with these creatures.

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

If some of your houseplants have been outside this summer it's time to start think about bringing them in. Feeling overwhelmed? I can help! Check out my five Ps of bringing plants inside after summer.

Want to hear this podcast ad-free? Sign up for my Patreon now to unlock ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and much more!

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/bringing-houseplants-inside

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

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Jane Perrone talks with Adam Critien aka @earthchampion about the joys and challenges of keeping plants and animals under glass, from simple terrariums to more advanced vivariums and paludariums. Where do you start? What can go wrong? And why do animals add such interest when kept under glass with plants? Plus Adam talks about the award-winning show garden he built with Alina Hibbert at this year's RHS Malvern Show - Back to Grandma's House.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/animals-terrariums

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge - patrons at the Ledge and Superfan tier can watch Adam and I talking about dart frogs here: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge/posts/extra-leaf-135-169038860/

This week's guest

Adam Critien aka @earthchampion on Instagram and @earthchampionecosystems on YouTube keeps houseplants plus fish, dart frogs & a tortoise. He is probably best known for co-creating the multi-award winning RHS Malvern show garden Back to Grandma's House with Alina Hibbert, which we discuss in this episode. Find out more about Adam on his website.

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Want to create your ultimate greenhouse without breaking the bank or making mistakes that harm your plants? Professional plant geek Leslie Halleck joins me to talk about her new book Home Greenhouse Revival: find out how to choose, site, and manage a greenhouse so it actually grows what you want, rather than becoming an expensive garden ornament or storage space.

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/planning-dream-greenhousehttps://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/planning-dream-greenhouse

Want to unlock bonus content and listen or watch ad-free? Join my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge - patrons at the Ledge and Superfan tier can watch an extra chunk of horticulture chat with Leslie Halleck here: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge/posts/extra-leaf-134-168504922/

Check out Leslie's book Home Greenhouse Revival here.

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

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Five tips to kickstart the back to school vibe in your houseplant collection. The main theme is a reset: it's time to look honestly at our collections and decide what is worth keeping and what is not. New mantra - quality not quantity!

For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplant-tips

Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge - 30% off annual and monthly memberships until 8am BST on September 4 2026!

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

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Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

'Dear Jane ... it's Jane here, your own good self checking in from four decades in the future.'

If you could talk to yourself when you first started growing houseplants, what would you say?

For full show notes visit http://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/begonia-ladies-terrarium-goo

Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

How do you keep these tricksy plants alive indoors? With 100million+ mini roses sold every year, I am out to help save a few from the trash… and to tell you what plants to grow instead.

For full show notes visit http://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/miniature-roses

Want to enter my giveaway for Scott Zona's online houseplant course? Patreon members go here: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge/posts/enter-now-for-to-166655730

And non-Patreon members visit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcBe8aviMe6/

Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans

Come with me to Broad Chalke in Wiltshire on a sunny summer's day in the early 1960s as we explore SIr Cecil Beaton's Winter Garden at his home Reddish House.

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Want to see images of the Winter Garden at Reddish House? Start here. For images of how it looks today, check out this page, where you'll also see photographs of some of Beaton's famous friends at Reddish.

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Cecil Beaton produced some of the most iconic photography of the twentieth century. Learn more about his work here.

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Read more about Reddish House at Gardenista.

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Architectural Digest really did visit Reddish House in the 1960s!

More on the Terrarium Time Machine

If you missed our trip to Loddiges Nursery in London in the 1820s, you can listen here. I answer some commonly asked questions about the Terrarium Time Machine here.

For full show notes visit http://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/begonia-ladies-terrarium-goo

Support On The Ledge on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ontheledge

Check out The Atlas of Deadly Plants, Legends of the Leaf, my book on houseplants and my houseplant cards Houseplant Gardener in a Box here.

Follow Jane Perrone on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.l.perrone

Follow Jane Perrone on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j.l.perrone

Join the Houseplant Fans of On The Ledge group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/houseplantfans