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by Costa Farms
Grow and enjoy beautiful houseplants! In each episode of Plant Rx, the Costa Farms houseplants podcast, hosts Justin and Michelle answer common questions about plants and plant care, tackle common myths, and share their combined decades of experience with indoor plants. Michelle is an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Manger at Costa Farms in North Carolina, where she oversees pest control. She has a passion for natural options, particularly beneficial insects which she helps raise and deploy on Costa crops as a part of the farm's sustainability efforts. Justin is a Horticulturist at Costa Farms and is based out of his home in rural Oregon. A passionate plantsman, he has a degree in horticultural science and has experience growing indoor and outdoor plants across the country, including the Pacific Northwest, Miami, and the Midwest. Tune into each episode to hear the duo solve houseplant dilemmas.
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- 2 days ago18 min
Plant RX: How to Haunt Your House with Plants
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.
- 6 days ago15 min
Plant Rx: The New Complete Guide to Houseplants
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.
- 3 weeks ago20 min
Plant Rx: Podcast What's in a Name? The Pothos Problem
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.
- Sep 11, 202621 min
Plant RX: National Indoor Plant Week: Do Houseplants Really Do All That?
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.
- Aug 28, 202624 min
Plant RX: The Dorm Room Plant Survival Guide
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.
- Aug 14, 202626 min
Plant Rx: Summer Plant Care 101: Heat, Watering, Humidity, and Fertilizer
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.
- Dec 19, 202549 min
Holiday Plants 101: Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, Norfolk Island Pine, and Amaryllis
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? 🌿🎄
- Nov 19, 202513 min
Pothos Naming Debate, Spider Mites vs. Spiders, Fast-Growing Houseplants
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.
About PlantRx
Grow and enjoy beautiful houseplants! In each episode of Plant Rx, the Costa Farms houseplants podcast, hosts Justin and Michelle answer common questions about plants and plant care, tackle common myths, and share their combined decades of experience with indoor plants. Michelle is an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Manger at Costa Farms in North Carolina, where she oversees pest control. She has a passion for natural options, particularly beneficial insects which she helps raise and deploy on Costa crops as a part of the farm's sustainability efforts. Justin is a Horticulturist at Costa Farms and is based out of his home in rural Oregon. A passionate plantsman, he has a degree in horticultural science and has experience growing indoor and outdoor plants across the country, including the Pacific Northwest, Miami, and the Midwest. Tune into each episode to hear the duo solve houseplant dilemmas.
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