Plant Parenting

Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers

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Pub Date 11 Jun 2019 | Archive Date 25 Jun 2019

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Description

“Everything a plant parent needs to take their plant collection—and plant knowledge—to the next level.” —Maria Failla, founder, Bloom & Grow Radio podcast

Do you have a passion for houseplants? A desire to grow more tomatoes? Do you want a garden bursting with colorful flowers? No matter what kind of plant fan you are, it’s easy to make more of your favorite plants—and it can be done for free! Plant Parenting is a beginner-friendly introduction to plant propagation. Leslie F. Halleck details the basic tools necessary, demystifies seed starting and saving, and shares easy-to-follow instructions for the most practical techniques. She also provides additional information on controlling pests and diseases and transplanting seedlings and cuttings. Charming, richly illustrated, and accessible, Plant Parenting is for anyone looking to make more of their favorite plants.

“Everything a plant parent needs to take their plant collection—and plant knowledge—to the next level.” —Maria Failla, founder, Bloom & Grow Radio podcast

Do you have a passion for houseplants? A...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781604698725
PRICE $24.95 (USD)
PAGES 264

Average rating from 55 members


Featured Reviews

This fun guide goes beyond the basics to educate and equip plant owners who want to propagate their house plants. The author gives in depth yet straightforward instructions, aided by clear drawings and photographs. All process are outlined step by step. This definitely provides a ton more information than I expected to get when I selected the book, and will be a great reference book for plant owners to keep on hand.

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Various methods of propagation are discussed along with when each method would be preferred. Handy charts are included for determining which plants can be propagated in which ways, ideal temperatures for seed germination for various popular plants and common plant pests and diseases. I appreciated that the author includes not only products sold specifically for plants, but also includes many repurposed items that do the job just as well. Each propagation method is covered clearly along with illustrative photos. This would be an excellent resource for a gardener or houseplant enthusiast.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review will post to my blog on 6/10/2019 at www.simplystashless.com

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This is a fantastic resource for anyone who ever wanted to make more plants -- whether that's by taking cuttings of a friend's houseplant, growing flowers from seeds, dividing a crowded bunch of irises, rooting fallen leaves from succulents or more difficult processes.

As a gardener and houseplant lover, I am fairly educated on making new plants. I've transplanted elderberry runners into my back yard, rooted geranium cuttings from the post office to make a bunch of pretty summer plants for the garden, divided crowded perennials, rooted countless houseplant cuttings in water, rooted roses for swaps with other gardeners, and so on. There have always been a few plants that thwarted me, though, and I was happy to see such detailed instructions for all kinds of plants and all kinds of ways to propagate them.

The book is full of step-by-step instructions for every kind of plant propagation, helpful charts and full color photos. It also covers topics like grow lights, common pests and problems, humidity and the science of the whole business.

This is the kind of book that I'd refer to often for my home and garden, and would also be helpful for teaching kids about botany and plant propagation. Highly recommended.

I read a digital temporary ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

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This book was beyond informative. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pick up a shovel and a pile of dirt or go to the nearest home improvement store. The author has great ideas about how to get more plants when you have access to one. Weather it’s from collecting seeds after the growing season to cloning your favorite plant, this book has it all. The beginning reads more like a science book but the back third has informative pictures to help explain. I wish there were more pictures throughout the book like that. This book is definitely for someone who loves growing plants and has a background in gardening, possibly a little botany. It’s not exactly a beginners book. Plant parenting is written from a botanist’s point of reference, not the occasional gardener, but it is still informative enough that one could bridge the gap if they were so inclined. Just possibly with more trial and error. All in all, an entertaining, illuminating read.
Thank you, Net galley, for the opportunity to review this arc and post a review.

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First of all, let me say the title hooked me. Plants are my babies! Who doesn’t want more and more and more? Yes, I can look up dozens of sites for each individual plant to find out how to propagate them.. But to have so much information in one place with just the turn of a page, my heart melts. Definitely one for the gardener’s shelf!

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If you have ever wanted to grow anything or multiply the plants you already have, start with this book! The author is knowledgeable and passionate about horticulture. Her instructions are clear, easy to follow and accompanied by helpful photographs.

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If you consider yourself a serious home gardener, then this book is what you truly need. It’s full of information on finding the right species to use, soil, light, and water to be successful at propagation. Mostly focusing on outdoor plants, flowers, and vegetables, this book explains the best ways to avoid disappointment and failures and waste your time and money. Consider this book fertilizer for the mind.

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Beautiful! The photography is gorgeous, the usage of a plain white page is genius, making the photography crisp and it just pops off the page. Additionally, the photographs are very instructional, showing what plants should look like, and what they shouldn't. The font could be a little bigger, especially for the photos, but now I'm just quibbling. Great addition, especially at this time of year.

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Leslie Halleck has an amazing gift for you in this book. Step-by-step advice, illustrations, and reasons for each method.
The most useful inclusion are charts with each plant and which methods of propagation are most effective. I will be copying and laminating them as a constant reference when I garden!
Thank you, Thank you, Leslie!

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I can't recommend this highly enough if you are like me and looking to experiment with the process of creating your ideal garden. I collect seeds everywhere, order from online and have little cups of water rooting spider plants all around my house. This has expanded my understanding of how certain plants will propagate and the right tools to do so. The pictures are instructive, and some of the homemade containers are really interesting. If a plant can reproduce in any way, I feel like this book covers it. It covers everything you need to know about starting from seed, or grafting, or even creating hybrids. Even better, more modern plants are covered like the now popular Pass It On Plant, which I have seen covered in only a few recent books. Reading this has greatly increased the likelihood that every inch of my living space is going to look like a plant nursery this spring.

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Plant Parenting is the perfect resource book for anyone who enjoys plants and to propagate them successfully.
The very first plant cutting I took was from my mother’s house. Twenty years after her death, her plant is still alive and heathy sitting on my windowsill. I was fortunate to have this living memory become a part of my household. I haven’t had much success with other plants I tried to propagate, such as succulents. But after reading this book, I realized my mistakes and look forward to future successes.

The author wrote a well researched book with detailed instructions and photographs. This is a great resource to have on hand whether you are interested in propagating garden plants and flowers… or simply just cutting a houseplant to procure a memory.

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This beautifully illustrated book covers some basic botany, as well as all aspects of propagation, including a table with preferred methods of propagation for a variety of different plants, descriptions of a variety of growing media and potting options, the use of rooting powder, humidity domes, heat mats, automatic propagators, and lighting and temperature requirements, Not limited to houseplants, instructions are also included on starting annuals, edibles, and perennials from seed and spores, including a table with ideal germination temperatures for a variety of seeds. .Also covered are feeding, rooting cuttings in water, layering, cane and leaf cuttings, bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and vegetative propagation, as well as recognizing and dealing with pests and diseases.

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I learned so much from Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables and Flowers. I used to propagate my plants using a stem cutting. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. I tried numerous times to propagate from a leaf but it never worked. Now I understand why and what I need to do to rectify all these situations.

Halleck begins with an in-depth discussion about how plants propagate and how to start with seeds or vegetative propagation. She then provides an extensive chart of roughly 100 different plants and specifies the common propagation techniques for each of them. This chart alone, in my opinion, is worth the price of the book!

Next is a comprehensive presentation about tools and containers. I must confess that while I have had plants for 20+ years, quite a few things were completely new to me, such as a dibbler, paper pot maker and soil blocker. Halleck introduces the reader to a wide range of toos/equipment, somtimes providing alternatives, but you don’t need all of it. Plant Parenting is like a buffet — you choose your appetizers and entrees from a wide variety. You will learn about humidity domes, rooting hormones, capillary and heat mats, automatic propagators, grow lighting for seedlings versus cuttings, and more.

Readers will learn everything they need to know about seeds, including preparation, germination, light and feeding, and how to collect as well as store your seeds. I had never heard of chitting and greensprouting until I read this book.

I was fascinated by all the different types of cuttings used in propagation — stem, whole leaf, leaf petriole, stem-leaf bud, non-petriole and split-vein, non-petriole and leaf section, cane, corms, rhizomes, root, and air layering cuttings. There is also a section devoted to pests and diseases, including how to identify them as well as the proper treatment to eliminate threm.

The photography throughout the book is amazing and don’t worry, there are a ton of photos.
If you want to become a “Plant Parent” and propagate your plants, then this is the book for you and trust me, this is the only book you will ever need.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

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A good primer for those of us who love plants and want to have more of them. Halleck explains various methods of plant propagation, including seeds and different kinds of cuttings. Various ways of caring for baby plants are also described. Basically it's everything you need to know in order to make more plants from the ones you already own (or the ones someone else owns, if they are willing to give you a cutting!).

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How I wish I had had this book when I had my garden in England! I loved propagating plants, using various methods depending on the plant. Now I live in Minnesota in a town house and have no garden, but that will not stop me from recommending this book! I already have it down as a Christmas present for my niece and two friends. The book is clearly written, with great explanations of the different propagation methods.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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We are taught in biology class that most plants have everything necessary to propagate and multiply. In the real world where your home is not climate controlled for specific regions or you over or under water that very expensive plant that you had to have, we all need help to make the most out of the "green" parts of our lives. My husband is very fond of saying, "instead of buying the plan, just throw that $20 bill in the trash and save the middleman". Well, no more. I've already successfully started many plants and seedlings this season using the information from this book. Leslie Halleck must know many people like me who needed help!

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This would be great for a landscaping/horticulture class at the high school level. I also think it would be good for a school library to be used as a reference if any student is interested in gardening. There is great information and it is easy to understand.

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Plant Parenting, by Leslie F. Halleck, is a prize to be sought in the ever abundant Gardening/Landscaping genre. Halleck provides vital, step by step information, on starting and maintaining flourishing plants. Rather than focusing solely on indoor or outdoor methods, Halleck provides tips for both methods throughout the book. With colored pictures that provide a visual aid to the informative text, this simple to understand book is perfect for the novice and expert gardener alike!

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This book was not what I expected. IT IS BETTER. I was expecting learning about ways to create more plants, and yes, it was definitely about that and so much more. It feels like instead of Plants 101 I got the entire course! There is so much information in this book, so many techniques and tools and eco friendly container options and charts and I never expected it could entail this much! I mean I could’ve expected that because it has a whooping 264 pages crammed full with info, and it actually took me hours to absorb all the info and I have to admit: I just went into this wanting to know how to multiply my plants so I can give them away (everyone wants my pilea lol) l, but I came out as an amateur gardener who wants so much more now!

I received an e-arc from Netgalley but my opinions are my own!

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"Plant Parenting" provides tips and step-by-step instructions on how to successfully grow plants from seeds, bulbs, cuttings, division, and more. The author started by explaining what tools are useful for plant propagation and how they're used. She then explained how to grow plants using many different methods: seeds (included seeds that are difficult to start), bulbs, tubers, water or soil rooting from cuttings (stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, etc.), using layering, through division, and more. The step-by-step directions included pictures that show what to do. She concluded with a brief section on how to avoid or treat pests and diseases and how and when to move your new plants into bigger pots or outside. I've grown plants from seeds and done some water rooting, and these instructions seemed very clear and do-able. I look forward to trying more of these techniques. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing plant propagation.

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Plant Parenting is the ultimate beginner’s book, even if you have a black thumb like mine.

While you can go anywhere in this book for advice, it begins by giving you a mini lesson on plant biology and what they need to live; which obviously I need, seeing as how I keep killing all of my plants. Then it goes not only into what tools you will need, but how to make some of your own tools and equipment.

The author takes the time to give us cheap, yet effective alternative to pots and glass seedling equipment. It was quite interesting to realize that I already have everything needed to make a plant grow. I even learned how to make a plant grow in only water (which, honestly, I already knew, but I forgot the next very important step, which was planting it after roots have sprouted. See? Told you I need this book!)

This book has beautiful pictures and solid explanations for caring for plants. Halleck takes the time to explain how to grow plants in a variety of conditions (inside, outdoors, in an apartment, in a small area, or in a large area, etc.). and she helps you decide which plants would work in the conditions that you are working in and even has charts to help you decide not only what plants to grow, but how to grow them.

This is definitely a great book for beginners and experts alike. I did not realize just how many ways a plant could grow. Spoiler alert, it all doesn’t have to be done with just seeds. Who knew? (Well besides her and the thousands of others who have already figured this out.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

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Beautiful book with great visuals. The layout is very pleasing to the eye. It has great tips and tricks for those starting out with plants or for more experienced plant parents.

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This book had great tips on how to get the most out of your garden. I particularly enjoyed the information on what plants are best reproduced by different methods.

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So many good tips and lessons in this book. Instructions are well-written and the photographs do a great job of illustrating steps.

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What a great resource for plant lovers! I love all the helpful charts! The pictures are beautiful, steps very informative and easy to understand for new plant owners!

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I always have strong aspirations when it comes to gardening and plants, yet most things I have tried to grow have died. I even made an Aloe Vera plant literally explode (and they are apparently really hard to kill). This book is a little more advanced than I thought it was going to be, going in depth about how to propagate and transplant plants and take care of them from pests and other issues.

I really loved all of the photos included in this book, they are very high quality and show you very easily how to do the tasks described in the book. The descriptions are also very clear and even me, a plant killing machine, could follow many of them if I tried. This is a great book that will look awesome on any plant lover's (or aspiring) coffee table.

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Excellent advice on propagating new house and garden plants from old. I found this helpful with plants I am not completely familiar with, as well as some of the tips on planting seeds. Thank you!

I received a free electronic copy of this self-help book from Netgalley, Leslie F. Halleck, and Timber Press. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this book of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

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Plant Parenting - Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers by Leslie F. Halleck could also be titled Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Plant Propagation. It is an intensive and extensive look at plant reproduction ranging from beginner to the more sophisticated methods. This is the second book I have read by Leslie F. Halleck. I thought the book would be thorough which it is. Plant Parenting answers all questions on plant reproduction that one could think to ask. Whether serious or novice gardener this book is bound to have information that you can use, such as understanding how plants are named and categorized to help you know how to conduct propagation.

There are lists, text, color photographs with step by step instructions. While some more expensive ways are shown the book actually has less, user friendly alternatives to try instead. I liked that part. I can’t really say this is a book to read cover to cover, though the first part f the book is interesting as it orients the reader to the different kinds of reproducing plants. I found it to be more of a reference book to keep handy.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

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I love this book. It's a cute and quirky incarnation of proper plant care, something anyone can enjoy.

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Holy smokes, what a great resource! I've spent a lot of time learning about plants and gardening over the past couple years, but I'll confess that starting plants from cuttings has felt very overwhelming for me! It's been hard to know where to start. I'm so grateful for a book like Plant Parenting, because it has given me step-by-step instructions for propagating plants.

The book is divided into seven main sections (with some smaller sections thrown in there, too). The sections cover the science behind how plants multiply, tools and materials you'll need, how to start seeds (including equipment recommendations), water rooting, growing from cuttings, pests to look out for, and how to finally transplant your plants.

This book is so gosh darn cool. I'll admit that it is a lot of information--and all the equipment can be overwhelming at times. But I decided to start small with leaf and stem cuttings, and it has been working for me! It helps, too, that there are a TON of clear and beautiful pictures that accompany the text, so it's easy to follow along with author Leslie Halleck as she goes through each step. Overall, a fantastic resource if you are interested in propagating your plants. Highly recommended!

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Leslie Halleck imparts her knowledge of plant care and passes it on to us with easy instructions and delightful design in this book. She tells us the "whys" and "hows" of plant care, propagation, tools to use, and, most importantly, encourages creativity while being honest about what to expect.

Any houseplant enthusiast would do well to have this title on their shelves!

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Full of beautiful plant pictures, this book has everything you need to know if you're thinking about starting, multiplying, and keeping a garden as healthy as it can possibly be. The pictures in this book are not only crystal clear, but also vibrant and very green, making my plant look a little sad in comparison. If you're thinking about growing your plant collection/family, you need to pick up this book.

Obviously if you love having plants, you're going to love this book. It's all about the different ways to multiply your plants, keep them disease free, and the different tools and materials you can use to create your seedling garden inside and out. The author talks about plants in a very personal way, and tells the story about the exact age when they decided to get into growing plants, which was seven years old. I think that this book is good for newbies and long time growers alike, with everyone learning something interesting from this book. It also helps you plan out your plants whether you have a balcony garden, or an entire backyard.

I learned a lot from this book, including the fact that typically plants multiply in two different ways; seeds and clones. Clones are created by taking a cutting and growing it into a separate plant, and you can even grow plants with tissue extractions in Petri dishes. This book also includes lists of the plants you can grow, and how they can reproduce, also how much light they need. It has everything! I'll definitely need to pick up a paper copy for myself, and if this is something you're interested in, so will you.

Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)

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Free plants! What every gardener wants, no matter how their garden, greenhouse or windowsill might be bulging at the seams.
This is an accessible guide to the different ways you can make more plants from the ones you have, and when to choose each approach. What vegetables are best grown from seed? Are some plants better to take cuttings from instead? How can I tell, and what do I do when it works and I have tons of baby plants to protect?
This is a well thought out guide which doesn't dumb down the biology of what's going on when you stick that cutting in a jam-jar of water. I liked the science behind what's going on and the table of common propogation methods for popular plants.
A really practical, interesting read for the serious, curious and enthusiastic gardeners. A great gift for the plant nerd in your life - or the person with a plant collection you admire & hope they'll share with you!

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This book would be helpful to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of propagation. It entails leaf cutting, water propagation, seed saving,, and many more techniques. I will definitely find it useful for my houseplants and home garden.

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User-friendly plant guide!
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck!
Separating and propagating instructions to increase the amount of plants you have are the basis for this book. The first section explains how plants multiply and how plants differ in propagation. Next up is understanding plant names and their varieties. Materials, tools and instructions show different propagating systems, soil and lighting available. Then the sections are broken into the type of growing preferences, such as seeds, water rooting, propagation, and dividing plants. Photos are close up and detailed for making concepts easy to understand. I found this book so helpful that I’m now following the author on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 5 stars for a user-friendly guide to multiplying plants!

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I’m not very adept at propagating plants but I really felt way more comfortable giving it a try after reading this book. The pictures and language are clear, making it an enjoyable treat growing my house plants.

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I learned so much from this book. It's easily one I would keep and refer to over time. I've read a number of indoor gardening books this year - Plant Parenting is now my #1.

The pictures are beautiful and the book is detailed, covering propagation methods, humidity domes and basic indoor grow lighting. It isn't only focused on houseplants - but does include the ever popular fiddle leaf fig, monstera and snake plant - there's sections related to starting plants from spores and vegetables from cuttings and seeds.

Something I have yet to see in other indoor gardening texts is a chart on ideal temperatures for propagation, along with some tips for difficult to germinate seeds. Finally, there's an in-depth section on pests that I'll be sure to refer to in future. Highly recommend this one!

*ARC provided by netgalley*

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An informative and enjoyable title to help beginners and more experienced houseplant owners find and care for the right plant or plants. Photos are part of the appeal and show ways to decorate your home with plants.

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Have you ever wanted to deep dive in the world of plant propagation, but were too scared to? This is the book for you. Easy to read and understand the whys and hows of being a plant parent. Perfect for anyone who's been living in the plant tags on Instagram, wondering how to grow their small collection without shelling out their whole paycheck on plants.
I will say, this is not for complete novices with their first plant. This is a guide to what to do when you've got established plants and you'd like to grow more. I received this book a little too early on my plant journey, when I was still trying to figure out what plants would survive in my house. Now that I'm past that, this is a great guide to how to grow my plant collection, with plants I know will succeed.

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THIS WAS SO HELPFUL ! I think I'll actually be able to not kill my new house plants within a week now. Highly recommend for beginner plant moms and dads !

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From, "Eggshells? Genius!" to, "So that's what I've been doing wrong . . .," I thoroughly enjoyed Halleck's clear and empowering instructions for being a plant mama. This well written "how-to" with its attractive and supportive illustrations have made me bold. The lilies, hostas, and iris around my house are about to spread!

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This is the book you need to level up as a plant mom/dad! I really enjoyed learning more about how to use the existing plants I have to make more plants--every plant parent's dream.

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A great instructional book on home plants. Easy to follow and great illustrations make this a wonderful addition to anyone's collection.

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