Welcome to Plant Whisperers, our new blog section where, each month, we interview true Pilea lovers and plant enthusiasts all around the world!
This month we had a chat with Traci Wright, a lovely plant lady.
She is the founder of the inspiring blog plantsdontwine.com, she runs the Instagram account @plants.dont.wine, and lately, she added four beautiful Pileas to her plant family!
Through her Instagram profile, she created a community of almost 5.000 followers.
Her blog is a cozy gathering where houseplants lovers can come together and share experiences, tips, stories, and adventures about their green friends.
Tracy defines herself as “obsessed with plants”, and oh, we know what she means! She likes to say that plants are her therapy, because they make her home "feel lived in and loved, and they create a soothing vibe in every space”.
Cheers to houseplants! The more, the merrier is her motto, and her mission is “to make the world a greener space, one small houseplant at a time”. That’s exactly the attitude we like!
Hi Tracy! We love your blog, and your Instagram feed is so well curated. When and how did your love for plants begin?
I think my love of plants began growing during my childhood. Both of my grandmothers had houseplants, so I was always looking at their green beauties. I will admit, however, that my complete obsession with houseplants only began about two years ago. I had two or three indoor plants because I spent most of my gardening effort outdoors.
But then I began hearing about all of the benefits of houseplants, and I decided that if NASA recommended them for clean air, I certainly needed to add a couple to our house. And then a couple more. And maybe a couple more. And that couple of houseplants turned in to more plants than I dare to count! You know, I might actually be that “crazy plant lady”!
The more, the merrier, right? What is your favourite plant?
Does it count if I say all of them? Because a mama never has a favourite! However, I will admit that I am totally in love with my Watermelon Peperomia, but please don’t tell the rest of my crowd.
Tell us your experience with growing your Pilea plants.
I got my first Pilea at the beginning of last summer. I looked and looked, and I finally ended up getting one via mail order; apparently, Pileas don’t exist in my area.
Then, my husband surprised me with another Pilea that he ordered online. When it arrived, I took it out of the shipping box, placed it on the table in all of its gorgeousness, and came back the next day to find black leaves that were falling off very quickly. I contacted the grower, who said that was most definitely heat damage, and he immediately sent me another Pilea as a replacement.
Which gave me three. Three goofy girls, I might add; my original, the replacement, and the heat damaged poor plant, and I insisted on nursing back to health. But my Pilea plants seemed to all grow tall and lanky instead of the usual shape I kept seeing pictures of.
That being said, they are very healthy and continuously putting out new leaves, and they are very easy to take care of. But I actually think that maybe I gave them too much light. They were several feet away from a south window, and I thought that would give them bright light without direct sun. Maybe it was more light than they wanted.
True confession time - I just heard of another grower and ordered myself another Pilea! I’m happy to say it arrived today. This one is going on a table near to a north facing window that gets bright light reflected from my neighbours’ house.
Do you ever talk, sing, or play some music to your plants?
Yes, I talk to them occasionally! And I also name them… Remember, I said crazy plant lady!
That’s so sweet.
Do you share your love for plants and Pilea with some friends or with family?
I certainly do! My daughter is quickly developing her own love of houseplants, which makes this mama’s heart happy. I have also promised my mother and my uncle a baby Pilea whenever mine decides to make babies!
And this houseplant passion has led me to so many new people. It’s funny how social media makes our giant world seem so small and connected. I’ve actually done several plant swaps with people I’ve met, which is an exciting way to share plants!
That’s so cool to hear! There’s nothing better than sharing the love for plants with other people.
What plant is on your wish list right now?
Oh goodness… I have many! A variegated Rubber Tree is definitely one of them. And a String Of Hearts. Those are quite lovely. My list goes on and on, but that’s the super condensed version!
Thank you, Traci!
We had such a good time in chatting with Traci. We find her passion for plants really inspiring. Don’t forget to take a look at her website and Instagram page: you will fall in love with her creativity. Let’s keep spreading the love and the fun!
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