Plant Dads Need Love Too: 5 Plant Dad Accounts to Follow

Image description: A man smiling and wearing a “Plant Dad” tee shirt, holding three potted plants.

Image description: A man smiling and wearing a “Plant Dad” tee shirt, holding three potted plants.

Plants are the new kids and it’s not just plant moms who deserve some recognition. In honor of Father’s Day, we’re featuring plant dads! Plant dads are taking Instagram by storm and we’re here for it. Check out our list of some must-follow plant dad accounts:

Podcasting Plants

Matthew and Stephen are plant dads located in Seattle, WA. Together they have built the @plantdaddypodcast where they teach, learn, and share about their passion for cultivating plants. 

We were able to chat with these plant daddies about their personal journeys with plants. Stephen has been collecting plants for about 5 years, while Matthew acquired this passion during his childhood. His grandmother actually gave him a cactus when he was 4 years old (and he still has this cactus today)!

Stephen and Matthew have an extensive number of plants in their collection. Stephen guessed that he has roughly 200 plants and Matthew counted his collection of almost 350 plants!

We asked what their current favorite plants are and they each had a unique response. Stephen’s favorite is a tiny and strange Bulbophyllum moniliforme orchid. Matthew is currently obsessed with his Philodendron gloriosum. He adds, 

“Its combination of beauty, vigor, and easy growing make it a standout in my apartment.”

With all of their combined experience, the founders of the Plant Daddy Podcast shared some great advice to any aspiring plant parent. Matthew gave some great tips on how to become familiar with your plants’ native “roots.”

“Research your plants. Learn about where they came from in the wild, how they grow, what their natural seasons look like, and you'll gain a lot more understanding of your plants’ needs. I also find it useful to research the taxonomy and evolutionary relation between plants - it’s a great way to discover new plants you wouldn’t otherwise encounter!”

While Stephen added, 

“Don’t be afraid to lose a plant or two! It’s how we all learned and keep learning!”

The next time you feel like you have no luck with plants, remember that even the greatest horticulturists have lost a fair share of plants!

CEO of Plant Memes

@planty_hoes is a Brooklyn based plant dad that posts creative (and quite hilarious) plant memes. If you’re into plant humor, you won’t regret this follow.

Plant Takeover

We think @plantdaddymcr said it best when talking about his plants, “First they take over your home, then it’s your Instagram.” His collection of plants is quite impressive! 

We were able to chat with @plantdaddymcr and ask him a few questions about his experiences with plants. He has been collecting plants for over 10 years! His fascination with plants started when he discovered his mom’s dying Monstera deliciosa. He rescued the plant from his mom’s bathroom and nurtured it back to health. He still has this plant ten years later!

@plantdaddymcr claims his collection is just short of 60 plants, but it’s been over a year since he’s counted! Once you hit a certain amount, you seem to just stop counting. 

We asked him a difficult question for any plant owner: “what is your favorite plant right now?” His response was one we can all empathize with:

“Ooooo tough one! My current (and this changes each month!) favorite has to be my Philodendron Congo Rojo or my Philodendron Jungle Boogie. I can’t pick. It’s like choosing your favorite child...or pet!”

We also asked him to share any advice he would give to a new plant parent. He did not disappoint and gave some great tips!

“DO NOT BE AFRAID TO FAIL! We all have our list of casualties! ALWAYS BUY A COVER POT. I wish someone told me this 10 years ago, but now I have too many plants and not enough cover pots!” 

@plantdaddymcr is also a zoo keeper with a vet nursing background. He believes it is very important to always research the houseplant you are buying and keep your pets in mind, so you do not bring a toxic plant home to your furry friends!

Crazy Plant Dad

If you’re an aroid lover, @crazy_plant_dad is a must follow. Arie Dennis shares how his house plants have served as a tropical escape in the desert of Nevada. 

Cactus Craze

@thatplantdaddy shares about his adventures throughout California, Arizona, and Mexico while finding giant cactus plants as well as his experiences propagating and nurturing his own prickly kids. 

We were lucky enough to chat with @thatplantdaddy and get some dirt on his journey with plants. His plant collecting started in 2007 with a fig tree (that he still has to this day). When we asked how many plants he had, his response was, 

“I haven’t counted, but I’d say close to 150 or more! I’m a serial propagator, so I’m constantly adding to my collection.”

While his collection is always growing and changing, his current favorite is a Cleistocactus winteri, a branching cactus that sprawls out and has vivid coral flowers when in bloom. 

With his years of experience, @thatplantdaddy had some great advice for new plant parents:

“Learn your house plants. You really have to understand your plant’s environment and try to mimic it as much as possible if you want happy plants”. 

Gifts for Plant Dads

Whether you are a plant dad treating yourself this Father’s Day or you are looking for the perfect present for your plant loving dad, gone are the days of the infamous “World’s Best Dad” coffee mug and tie. This year, give Dad something green. Here is our list of the best gifts for plant dads and plant dads alike:

The ZZ Plant

If you’re looking for the perfect starter plant, ZZ plants are known for their easy care and forgivable personalities. They enjoy bright, indirect light, but they also can live happily in low light. They thrive on very little water, similar to succulents and cactuses.  Once the soil has completely dried out, then it could stand another drink. 

The Snake Plant

Another easy care houseplant that is a must have for any plant collection is the Sansevieria (Snake Plant). These tall, striking plants with variegated leaves can survive in low light and bright indirect light conditions. This quality makes for a great addition to offices, man caves, dorms, and rooms without many windows. Similar to the ZZ plant, they do not need much water at all. Water lightly once the soil has completely dried out. 

The Pothos

Pothos plants are a classic choice for any plant lover. They, too, are known for their easy-going nature and bright green cascading foliage. Pothos varieties can live in about any level of light, but they will grow more fiercely in brighter light conditions. Pothos plants enjoy humidity and require soil that generally stays moist. Watering once a week should keep this green guy happy. 

Succulents

If your plant dad needs a little burst of green sitting on a windowsill or on their office desk, succulents are another great addition, on a smaller scale. They require very little water, as they only need about an inch of water every few weeks and they are happiest in bright, indirect light. Check out our blog on how to water succulents for stronger roots. 

Other Plant Dad Gifts

If gifting a plant isn’t something your favorite plant dad needs right now (who wouldn’t want another plant?), ditch the “world’s best dad” attire for something more playful, such as:

Here at Wild Interiors, we want to wish all of the plant dads and plant loving dads a happy Father’s Day! Are you giving your favorite plant dad something he will love this year?

Green Thumb, Real Life Plant ParentsWild Interiorsplant dad, green thumb, father's day, plant gifts, instagramComment