PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Watering & Repotting, Pest Scouting, and Bringing Plants Outside
Release Date: 08/04/2022
Holiday Plants 101: Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Island Pine, and Amaryllis
Plant Rx
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...
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Pothos Naming Debate, Spider Mites vs. Spiders, Fast-Growing Houseplants
Plant Rx
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,...
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Overwatered Plants, Variegated Leaf Browning, Golden Crocodile Care
Plant Rx
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...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Monstera deliciosa, Fruit & Fenestrations, Easy-Care Plant Draft
Plant Rx
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...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Watering Xanthosoma, Pruning Monstera, and Growing Pothos Faster
Plant Rx
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...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Pruning Pothos, Spiders & Plants, Growing Aloe Vera, & Fertilizing
Plant Rx
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...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Propagating Pothos, Predatory Mites, & Houseplants in Heatwaves
Plant Rx
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)...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: English Ivy, Bacterial Leaf Spot & Pothos + Flowering Houseplants
Plant Rx
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....
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Watering & Repotting, Pest Scouting, and Bringing Plants Outside
Plant Rx
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,...
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PlantRx Podcast from Costa Farms: Plastic vs. Clay Pots, Thrips vs. Fungus Gnats & Growing Coffee
Plant Rx
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...
info_outlineWe'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!