Fostering Flora

Gardening aficionadas offer plant-parenting advice

WARM WELCOME
Cozy houseplant shop Palm + Pine in West Asheville has been referred to as the “Millennial Tractor Supply.”
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Houseplants are nothing new — we’ve been greening up our living rooms with meandering vines and verdant leaves for millennia. But in recent years, indoor-dwelling flora have received more limelight thanks to the “plant parenting” craze. 

According to Lindsay Riley and Meghan McIver, owners of the Asheville houseplant store Palm + Pine, this flourishing trend means “a lot of different things to a lot of different people.” 

OLD-SCHOOL PHONE, NEW-SCHOOL NURSERY
Meghan McIver and Lindsay Riley are here for “plant parents.”
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Some plant parents, the pair explain, treat their peace lilies and ponytail palms like you would a baby. These foliage fanatics name their plants, talk and sing to their plants, and even load them into strollers for neighborhood jaunts. (“Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day” is a bonafide holiday celebrated by plant zealots across the country on July 27.) 

But not all plant parents go to such extremes. Riley, for instance, is quick to draw a line. When asked if she would ever give her plants nicknames — say, Figgy Stardust the fiddle-leaf fig — she laughs and then offers a decisive “no.”

McIver shares a similar mindset. Though she raises her plants with a deep reverence for their being, she doesn’t consider them akin to children. “They are a design element, equivalent to a piece of furniture or artwork,” she says. 

Photo by Rachel Pressley

Of course, if you want to coo to your Madagascar dragon tree or take holiday photos with your succulents, Riley and McIver aren’t here to judge. Quite the contrary. During a recent conversation, the women shared plant-parenting advice from their storefront — a funky, music-filled space that’s been described as a “Millennial Tractor Supply.”   

Before we dive into tips and tricks, let’s talk about this plant-parenting craze. What do you think has caused it?

Meghan McIver: Social media has played a major role in popularizing houseplants. It’s very easy to learn how to care for plants via YouTube tutorial videos, TikTok, and plant-care accounts on Instagram.

Good vibes only: the key to healthy plants.
Photo by Rachel Pressley

Some people say the plant-parenting trend has been driven by millennials. Is that true?

Meghan: Plants are universal! Their attraction and appeal span all generations — it’s not a specific hobby or interest of millennials.

Which houseplant species would you recommend to a new plant parent? 

Lindsay Riley: The best thing you can do is learn what your caregiving style is and choose plants that fit that style. Are you busy? Travel a lot? Do you prefer to water your plants every other week or once a month? Get you a sansevieria or a pothos. Maybe a cactus if you have a lot of sun in your home. Are you interested in watering, misting, and fawning over a plant very regularly? Calatheas, marantas, and ferns might be for you.

Any guidance on picking the right spot for your houseplant?  

Meghan: It can be helpful to think about how the plant lives in its natural environment. For example, if it’s an understory plant [i.e., living on the forest floor below larger trees] it likely needs dappled sunlight. Taller plants that form the canopy of a forest [think: bird of paradise, ficus varieties, etc.] can tolerate brighter, more direct sun. In general, east- and south-facing window exposures provide the best light for most indoor plants.

Are there any pests plant parents should be wary of?

Meghan: With plants come bugs. We actually wrote and illustrated a zine on pests that we carry at our shop and online. I’m a big fan of preventive pest control to avoid infestations. Making sure your plants are kept clean, dusted, and shined is a really easy way to deter pests.

Any other secrets to growing beautiful houseplants?

Lindsay: Plants love music. Most importantly, though, they love good vibes. 

Palm + Pine, 178-B Westwood Place, West Asheville. For more information, visit palmandpine.com or call 828-505-2232.  

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