Last week we asked our Instagram to ask us anything!

Our care team got together this week to answer all of your burning questions and we thought we’d share some of our top tips from the day. We also wanted to give you a glimpse into life at the Plant Shop, as well as the opportunity to get to know our team a little more with our answers.

Why is my Fiddle Leaf Fig dropping leaves?

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is notorious for its good looks but ‘fiddly’ attitude, however, it’s a fantastic plant to have when you find the right environment. You may see leaf loss if your plant isn’t getting enough light as they like lots of indirect light and a few hours of direct sun in the day.

They can go dormant in winter, and you may see leaf loss if it’s in a drafty or cold spot in your home. You could try moving your plant to a brighter spot, away from any radiators, and make sure the soil is fully dry before watering.

What's your favourite plant?

Phoebe here! Our favourite plant amongst the team has to be the Philodendron family. We’re always impressed at how many different kinds there are when they arrive at the shop, from trailing, climbing, and even pink! They’re super easy to care for in indirect/low light and often only need watering every few weeks.

My personal favourite is the Philodendron Scandens - my one at home has grown so much in the last year and I love its adorable heart-shaped leaves.

My monstera is leaning and I think it needs repotting - where do I start?

Monstera Deliciosa (nicknamed the Cheese Plant) can be super fast growers and love to climb as they grow. In the wild, they naturally grow along walls or trees, so all Monstera benefit from some support as they mature. You can add a stick or moss pole and attach the stems with string or pins. Monstera have aerial roots that love to secure themselves to the moss! When you repot your plant, choose a pot only a few inches bigger and use Houseplant or Jungle Mix as extra soil to fill in the gaps.

Can I repot my plants this time of year?

As we move into the colder months, we generally don’t recommend repotting your plants unless you need to. Many plants go dormant in the winter and won’t grow much until Spring. Repotting can be stressful for plants when they're not growing as it's harder for plants to establish new roots and bounce back.

Wait if you can wait, but if you fear your plant is in an unhealthy soil mix or has pests, then repotting might be the best option to save your plant!

I water my plants only once a week, but the leaves are turning yellow. Please help!!

Yellowing leaves could indicate underwatering, overwatering, or sunburn (annoying, we know...)

Although some plants love regular waterings, it’s always best to check the soil has dried before watering. As it gets colder, some plants take much longer for their soil to dry. Plants need well-draining soil and pots to avoid overwatering. If the soil is often dry, make sure you give them a deep drink every time you water! Lots of plants like evenly damp soil and indirect light to avoid burning leaves.

What's the hardest plant to kill?

Unfortunately, no plant is ‘unkillable’, but we think Sansevieria are as close as you can get! Nicknamed Snake Plant because of their striped upright leaves, this tough plant is perfect for a busy or forgetful plant parent. Snake Plants are so great and versatile because they do well in both bright light and low light. Like other succulents, this plant is extremely drought tolerant and typically only needs watering once every 3-4 weeks!

Do you sell plant food?

We do! We have plant food available in-store and online. In our Plant Care sections, we also sell plant mist, moss-poles and potting mixes - everything to help your plants grow and keep them healthy!

We recommend feeding your plants every other time you water them, especially when they are growing. In the colder months, you can reduce feeding until they begin to grow more in the Spring.

Why is it so hard to keep String of Hearts alive??

The adorable String of Hearts has a bit of a reputation for being a bit tricky. Most cases they tend to struggle because of overwatering. ‘String of’ plants LOVE to dry out and they can be prone to overwatering because of their small, delicate roots.

Wait until all the soil has fully dried before watering and make sure it‘s getting enough light. They even let you know when they’re thirsty - their leaves will begin to wrinkle and feel soft, but will bounce back after a deep drink!

How do I get rid of the tiny flies around my plants?

Houseplant pests can be really annoying and sometimes harmful for your plant’s health. It sounds like you might have Fungus Gnats. Luckily, in most cases, they can be quite harmless.

They love damp soil, so the best treatment is to use a bug killing spray or Neem oil to kill the eggs in the soil. If that doesn’t work, try switching out the soil and use sticky traps to kill the adult flies. To prevent future pests, let your plants dry out a little between waterings to prevent a soggy breeding ground.

Are your plants Peat free?

All our houseplants are grown & transported from Holland, Europe. This is currently the most accessible way that houseplants are sourced to businesses in the UK. Unfortunately, to the best of our knowledge, we believe their plants might not be grown Peat free.

The potting mixes that we sell in our shop, however, are always Peat free. We are always seeking ways to be more sustainable at Plant Shop & we will continue to opt for eco options when/where we can.

Any tips on starting a business?

Emma here! I started Plant Shop after a trip to Melbourne, Australia in 2016 where I was really inspired by their range of nurseries around the city. I wanted to bring my love of plants to Manchester and started small by selling at different markets to find out our target audience. My top tips would be to start small and choose something that you’re passionate about. We’ve been in our Stockport shop for 6 years now and we’re still excited every time we get new plants in!

Missed the Q&A?
Our team are always happy to help with any questions in-store. Whether you need recommendations for a new plant, or need tips for one at home, our care team are here to help. Cant make it to the shop? Give us a quick ring or email if you need any help with a struggling plant. Find out how to contact us here.

Words by Phoebe Ingram