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.

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.

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? 🌿🎄

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.

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 can be grown self-heading or climbing, and why it's a versatile addition for plant parents.

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 to left-field picks like orchids and ponytail palms. You'll walk away with inspiration and confidence to expand your collection.

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 Swiss Monstera (Monstera adansonii) so the vines don't get too long and scraggly. Good news: You can prune this plant any time without worry. Bonus: Michelle talks about how you can propagate the pieces of your Little Swiss Monstera you prune off!

3) Pushing as much growth from your Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'). The biggest thing for this plant is enough light. While Pothos tolerate low light, they grow best and fastest in bright conditions (and a warm environment). Also check to make sure it's not too rootbound...being rootbound can stunt growth.

Plus, they tackle the myth that you can use iron supplements to fix chlorotic (yellowing) houseplants.

Enjoy this episode? Then dig in to our others. We've covered topics like getting rid of fungus gnats, spider mites, and other pests, pruning and repotting tips, and more. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhoGaaEXGU0PrZS8_nd1ClCEsNMAfVu4D

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 or email us at Questions@CostaFarms.com.

And, if you enjoyed this video, press the like button and subscribe so you know when our next episode of Plant Rx is out.

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 cuttings to start new plants.

2) They go over spiders and houseplants, and whether your houseplant collection attracts spiders. Tip: Having plants won't specifically attract spiders, but may provide habitat for the spiders to reside.

3) Growing Aloe Vera. It has a reputation for being super-easy to grow because it has low water needs, but that doesn't mean it will be happy in low-light conditions. The biggest thing for success is to to make sure this plant gets lots and lots of light, and doesn't get too much water.

Fertilizing houseplants --- and whether you need specialized/boutique fertilizers. The truth is you don't --- just about any general-purpose fertilizer labeled for use on houseplants will do just fine. They also cover using organic vs. synthetic fertilizers.

Don't miss 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!