The start of a new year traditionally brings about resolutions, diets, fitness regimes, and plans for vacations. Just visit any local store immediately after the holidays and you will notice workout wear and luggage galore.
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| A simple tube-style propagation station for houseplants is easy to obtain and the simple device can be used to support rooting several plants at the same time. PHOTO BY KENDRA RAYMOND |
During a recent cleaning project, my daughter realized that she had a lot more plants in her bedroom that she could care for or fit comfortably. Rather than discarding them, she took some cuttings from each to propagate some smaller plants. We then tapped into social media to rehome the large healthy plants.
After posting on a local plant swap and sell Facebook page, we promptly received a message from an individual who helps rehome people who have experienced domestic abuse. Only known to us as “Jane,” she told us that she was looking for things to make the new apartment feel cozy and homey for the survivor. “You are some of my earth angels,” she said as she loaded the wrapped plants into her vehicle. “I’m glad I found you – this is a good thing!” she exclaimed out her open window as she drove away. It seemed like the perfect fit for us: we had too many plants and we could help someone in need rebuild their life. It was only a small gesture and little effort for us, but somehow we knew that we had done something pretty important.
High school junior Kris Raymond said that sharing her beloved plants felt incredibly rewarding.
“It was really nice to bring some brightness to someone else’s home. Plants make a living space feel warmer. I had grown those plants for years and knew that they would be appreciated. Plus, it was great to declutter my space,” she said.
There are many other options to explore if you have too many plants, or some that have overgrown and are taking up more space than you’d like. As a horticulturist, I have discovered lots of tricks of the trade, some more successful than others.
Repotting plants
If your house plants have outgrown their current receptacle, it is probably time to move up in size. Choose a planter that is one-third larger than the current one. Tip the plant on its side and ease it out, trying not to disturb the root system. Place a layer of fresh potting soil below and around the roots and gently pack into place. Water the soil until saturated and consider fertilizing the next time the soil dries out.
Dividing and taking cuttings
Many house plants can be divided into several smaller plants. Gently separate the roots and place the new plants into their own separate pots. This method works well for many tropical plants as well as pothos and spider plants. Monstera, hoya, and peperomia respond well to pruning. This is actually healthy for the plant, promoting new dense growth. Cuttings removed from the plants can be rooted and potentially create new plants. The rooted cuttings can also be planted back into the original planter to bulk up the appearance of the plant. Plant propagation tubes or stations are available online for an affordable price. A simple glass jar will also suffice and promotes recycling.
Donations and gifts
If you simply have too many plants in your space, why not consider gifting extras to willing co-workers, family and friends? Often those without a “green thumb” will appreciate the contribution of a well-established plant to add to their home. There are several houseplant groups to discover on social media, and members are often eager to make trades, purchase or receive a new plant for free. My daughter was the recipient of such a bargain. She obtained a small jade plant cutting from the mother plant, “Midge”, at no cost. The lady was even nice enough to give her growing recommendations and tips. The new plant has flourished over the past year, and is now a healthy plant of its own.
The Apartment Therapy website offers several bits of advice for those of us overrun by houseplants, “Don’t be afraid to prune houseplants, propagate first before buying new plants, and be more intentional about houseplants as décor.”
The Wall Street Journal has offers some handy advice here: https://www.wsj.com/style/design/too-many-houseplants-yes-its-possible-how-to-declutter-and-display-them-with-style-9385b363 <
