Tell us about your latest book and why you wrote it. The Philosophy of Houseplants delves into the emotional and psychological connections we form with indoor plants and explores the deeper meaning behind our love of houseplants.
I wrote this book to move beyond practical care tips (although you’ll find those, too) and look at the philosophy, culture and joy of living with plants. It’s also about encouraging sustainable ways of buying and growing houseplants – less impulse, more intention.
You may also like to read:
- Why Plant Rescuer Sarah Gerrard-Jones’s rescued 200 unwanted houseplants
- How to repot houseplants
- Golden rules for watering houseplants
- How to style house plants
- 5 tips for saving your house plant
What did you learn from writing it? I was fascinated to discover how closely our indoor environments reflect the world outside, and how political, social and even economic factors have influenced interior plant trends.
Take middle-class Victorians, for instance. Incorporating plants into their homes wasn’t just a decorative choice but a statement of their newfound wealth thanks to the Industrial Revolution. In more recent times, we’ve seen the popularity of indoor gardening explode during periods of uncertainty, such as the Covid pandemic, when people craving comfort and connection turned to houseplants.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF HOUSEPLANTS: A POTTED OVERVIEW OF YOUR INDOOR FLORA
by Sarah Gerrard-Jones
British Library, £10.99
ISBN 978-0712355131
Is there one idea you’d like to share from the book? The power of plants to help heal us mentally and physically. I would love to see horticulture taught in schools and other institutions such as prisons, and indoor plants become commonplace in hospitals, hospices and care homes. You don’t need a garden to reap the rewards plants provide.
I’ll read anything about… Cacti and other succulents. Their adaptations to live in some of the harshest environments on Earth are remarkable. I eagerly await my monthly copy of the British Cactus & Succulent Journal.
The books on my nightstand right now I’ve just bought an 1884 copy of Cactaceous Plants: Their History and Culture by Lewis Castle. I love vintage books for the language, illustrations and photography. I am reading a beautifully illustrated edition of Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake – as well as cacti, I’m fascinated by fungi. They’re so important in the ecosystem.
I also have a copy of Forage by Liz Knight, which I dip into now and again before walking the dog. If you know what to look for, the fields and hedgerows are full of delicious, nutritious, free food.
What sparked your interest in houseplants? I had an outdoorsy upbringing and had many happy holidays with my grandparents, who had an incredible garden full of flowers and vegetables. When
I became a student, I missed having a garden and turned to indoor plants for my green fix. Since then, I’ve never been without houseplants. I must have over 200 now. My weakness is rescuing the sad, wilted ones.
Are you a gardener outdoors too? I’m overwhelmed by the idea of gardening outside, though I am starting to grow vegetables. It’s not going terribly well so far but I’m persevering with the help of Jamie Walton’s new book Nettles & Petals.
Can you share your biggest growing mistake or failure? My biggest failure was forgetting to bring my aeoniums inside when there was a frost. They turned to mush overnight. Lesson learned.
What’s your guilty growing secret? If a plant has a severe pest infestation, I’ll throw it away, particularly if the pests are mealy bugs. I can deal with a handful of them on a plant, but any more than that becomes a losing battle.
What’s your favourite garden or landscape to visit? The Barbican Conservatory for the juxtaposition of plants and Brutalist architecture; Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve for the native carnivorous plants; Powis Castle for the awe-inspiring 300-year-old yew hedges; and the Winter Gardens in Aberdeen’s Duthie Park for their incredible collection of cacti and succulents.
What else do you have in the pipeline? I hope to start writing another book soon. I love creating content and would also like to start a YouTube channel. Perhaps it will happen if I ever get the time.