PlantRx

It was a dark and stormy day at Plant Rx. No, really. Listen closely and you may hear the wind howling while Justin Hancock and Marcos Garcia search for plants that look ready to haunt the place. After Justin declares Calathea the spookiest houseplant, Marcos reveals that thirsty plants frighten him far more than anything with fangs. Fortunately, Justin explains how a self-watering pot can make Calathea Dottie considerably less terrifying. From there, they explore the dark foliage of ZZ Everlasting, the skeletal veins of Alocasia Polly, Rabbit's Foot Fern crawling over the sides of a skull-shaped pot, and Eyelash Fern fronds that look just strange enough to be suspicious. Carnivorous plants join the party, along with orchids that fool spiders, ghostly Philodendron, silvery snake plants, and the magnificently bearded Old Man Cactus. Add the right Halloween pot, and even an innocent houseplant can look suspiciously prepared for the zombie apocalypse.‌

There's been an insurrection! This week, Justin Hancock has been demoted from cohost to "special guest," leaving Marcos Garcia gleefully in charge of the questions. Happily, Justin came ready to play. Marcos digs into Justin's background, including his 10 years at Better Homes & Gardens, to find out what made him qualified, or possibly crazy enough, to write The New Complete Guide to Houseplants. Justin talks about moving from magazine articles to a 270-page book, the best and worst surprises along the way, and how he narrowed an entire world of houseplants down to the 100 that made the cut. He also reveals his personal favorite and names the hippest plant currently on the market. Marcos pipes up with stories from the photo shoots, where the plants were photogenic even when the designer was feeling less than pristine. They wrap up with details on when the book will be available and how to preorder a signed copy from CostaFarms.com, because apparently writing 270 pages wasn't enough for Justin's hand.

Is a pothos really a pothos? As Justin Hancock and Marcos Garcia discuss in this episode of Plant Rx, the answer is a perfectly reasonable "sort of." They dig into the sometimes-confusing world of common and botanical names, including why the plant most of us call pothos is actually an Epipremnum and how botanical research shook up its family tree. Justin explains what a true Pothos is, how Scindapsus, often called silver pothos, fits into the conversation, and where the name devil's ivy came from. They also explore why Epipremnum has become the quintessential houseplant and uncover one of its stranger, and perhaps sadder, secrets: It appears to have lost the ability to flower naturally. So how does a plant that does not bloom or produce seeds keep turning up in homes everywhere? Justin breaks down how it reproduces, proving that you do not need flowers or seeds to become one of the world's most popular houseplants.

Indoor Plant Week has been celebrating houseplants since 2007, raising an important question: What exactly were we doing with ourselves before that? In this episode of Plant Rx, Justin Hancock and Marcos Garcia dig into what makes an indoor plant an indoor plant, where our houseplants come from, and why some are much better roommates than others. They also take on a few persistent plant myths, including whether houseplants really clean the air, help us heal faster, or lower blood pressure simply by sitting there looking pretty. The conversation explores biophilia, our natural connection to the living world, and why adding plants can make a space somewhere we actually want to spend time. Plus, Justin and Marcos consider whether caring for a houseplant is the botanical equivalent of putting a record on the turntable: a little nostalgic, refreshingly hands-on, and much harder to accidentally delete.

Dorm rooms don't exactly scream "homey," but a few well-chosen houseplants can fix that fast. In this episode of Plant Rx, Justin Hancock and Marcos Garcia dig into bringing plants to campus, from picking varieties for small, dimly lit rooms to settling the age-old debate: one statement plant, or a whole crew of little ones? They talk about how plants can ease stress, give roommates something to bond over, and add personality without hogging every inch of desk space. The conversation also covers the plants everyone's talking about right now, self-watering pots for the perpetually busy, supplemental lighting for darker rooms, and how to set up a terrarium from scratch. Plus, Justin and Marcos share what to consider when it's time to trade the dorm room for a first apartment.

It's summer, which means your houseplants are hot, thirsty, and possibly judging your life choices. In this episode of Plant Rx, Justin Hancock and Marcos Garcia tackle the biggest summer plant-care questions, from heat stress and watering woes to humidity myths and fertilizer basics.

You'll learn why plants may appear to "hit pause" during extreme heat, how to transition houseplants outdoors without shocking them, whether self-watering systems still work when a plant slows down for the summer, and why blasting your favorite pothos with cold air from an AC vent isn't doing it any favors. Justin also breaks down those confusing NPK numbers on fertilizer labels and shares practical tips to help plants thrive all summer long.

Stick around to the end to hear Justin and Marcos share their favorite plants of the summer.

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 the common name confusion around Epipremnum species — is it always "Pothos," or should we be more precise? Listeners will learn why common names can be messy, how Costa Farms approaches naming for plant parents, and why philodendrons add another layer of confusion.

The hosts cover how to tell the difference between a spider mite infestation and a regular spider. They share practical tips—from spotting tiny moving specks to using your phone camera or magnifying glass — plus a simple check for leaf damage that gives spider mites away.

Finally, Justin and Michelle discuss their favorite fast-growing houseplants. From Monstera deliciosa and fiddle leaf figs to Albo Pothos and Monstera Peru, they offer plenty of inspiration for plant parents who love quick, rewarding growth.

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.

Marcos, Justin, and Michelle talk about Monstera deliciosa—from how to pronounce it, to where it comes from, to why its leaves develop those iconic fenestrations. Listeners will also hear the truth about its fruit: what it tastes like, how to ripen it safely, and whether it's worth the hype.

The hosts cover Monstera care tips, including staking, light levels, watering, and dealing with aerial roots. They share practical tricks for getting that showroom look at home without stressing your plant.

Finally, the team drafts their top easy-care plants, from classics like snake plant and pothos to left-field picks like orchids and ponytail palms. You'll walk away with inspiration and confidence to expand your collection.

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.

We're passionate about plants --- and helping you enjoy your houseplant experiences. Can't get enough about houseplants? Dig into Plant Rx, the official Costa Farms podcast focused on 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 talk about pruning Baltic Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue), including the best time of year to trim it and how much you can (or should) chop it back. Plus, they talk about using the pieces you prune off as cuttings to start new plants.

2) They go over spiders and houseplants, and whether your houseplant collection attracts spiders. Tip: Having plants won't specifically attract spiders, but may provide habitat for the spiders to reside.

3) Growing Aloe Vera. It has a reputation for being super-easy to grow because it has low water needs, but that doesn't mean it will be happy in low-light conditions. The biggest thing for success is to to make sure this plant gets lots and lots of light, and doesn't get too much water.

Fertilizing houseplants --- and whether you need specialized/boutique fertilizers. The truth is you don't --- just about any general-purpose fertilizer labeled for use on houseplants will do just fine. They also cover using organic vs. synthetic fertilizers.

Don't miss 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!

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!

Attention houseplant lovers! Check out 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 growing English Ivy (Hedera helix cultivars) as a houseplant. (Neither recommend growing it as an outdoor plant because of its potential as an invasive plant). Like most indoor plants, English Ivy likes a bright spot (as much light as it can get indoors). It's a spider mite magnet, unfortunately. But the duo shares tips for combatting spider mites here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD9Zggcu9D0

2) Identifying whether your Pothos (or other indoor plants) have bacterial leaf spot, and tips for discerning if leaf spotting is bacterial or fungal in nature.

3) Top indoor plants you can grow for flowers. Since indoor light levels are typically pretty low, you don't tend to see a lot of houseplants that have attractive flowers. Among the duo's picks are Anthurium, Spathiphyllum, and African Violet. Tune in to hear about a dozen more!

The truth about soil mites. Good news --- you don't need to repot your houseplants, do any special sprays or drenches, etc. Dig in to discover why and what they do recommend. Tip: Some soil mites will actually attack fungus gnat larvae!

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!

We love houseplants --- and we love sharing our knowledge/passion/love of plants with you. That's why we put together this podcast! Two of our houseplant

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) Plastic vs. Clay Pots for Your Plants: Does it really make a difference? Yes and no! Plastic is lighter weight and less likely to break than clay (terra-cotta) pots. But clay pots have a classic look and a porous nature that makes the potting soil dry out faster.

2) Thrips vs. Fungus Gnats: How you can tell the difference between an infestation of fungus gnats and thrips on your plants. One of the easiest way to tell is to get yellow sticky cards to catch the insect in question so you can look at it up close. Also: Look for leaf damage. Thrips damage plant leaves; fungus gnats don't. By the way: Looking for tips on fighting off fungus gnats? Don't miss this podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1lLwasi6XA&list=PLhoGaaEXGU0PrZS8_nd1ClCEsNMAfVu4D&index=18

3) Growing Coffee Indoors: You can grow a coffee plant as a houseplant (but don't expect it to produce enough seeds for you to grow you own home brew).

Plus, they about talk why fertilizer isn't always the best solution to help struggling plant.

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!

Attention houseplant lovers! Check out 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) Whether you can grow a Fiddleleaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) as an outdoor container plant on your deck, patio, or porch. Spoiler: As long as it's acclimated to the sun (or you grow it in a shaded spot), you can. You'll probably notice it grows a lot faster outside!

2) If houseplants like Baltic Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue) need a special soil mix and how to choose the best potting mix for your favorite indoor plants. A lot of people are talking about "chunky aroid mixes" right now --- see Michelle and Justin's take on transitioning plants from a coir-based mix to a chunky soil mix. BTW: You can learn more about Baltic Blue Pothos on our website: https://www.costafarms.com/plants/baltic-blue-pothos

3) While Sansevieria and ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are the poster children for low-light conditions, you can enjoy a wide variety of colors and textures. And if want even more interior plant choices, we discuss using plant lights, and give tips for how you can incorporate plant lights into your home decor without making them look like plant lamps. Learn more about houseplant light needs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxxdXhkqlTA

Plus, they talk about ZZ Plant and how poisonous it is (and isn't)!

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!

Two houseplant experts from Costa Farms answer your most common questions about indoor plants! Michelle is a senior manager of Integrated Pest Management (so she works to prevent issues with pests and diseases on the farm) and Justin is a horticulturist. They're both serious plant lovers, too! In this episode of our houseplant podcast, they talk about:

1) Variegation on Manjula pothos... what does it mean to revert and what you can do to get variegation back.

2) The safest and most effective ways to deal with whiteflies on indoor plants

3) How to save an overwatered houseplant (tip: Just because root rot sets in doesn't mean all hope is lost)

Plus the duo talks about aerial roots on Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron, and other climbing aroids!