At Home With Alanah’s Plants

We are so excited to share our interview with Alanah Slinker (@alanahsplants on Instagram)! She shares her plant expertise, some awesome advice for beginners, and why she sells propagations from her own plant collection with her community! Let’s get into it —

q: What first sparked your interest in plants?

A: I was gifted a small succulent arrangement for my 18th birthday. This was during the succulent craze a few years ago. They were so cute and vibrant and I was so excited to finally have some! Then they died. Ever since then, I was determined to care for succulents successfully. I devoted lots of research and care to it. Then I bought my first ever houseplant two years ago. It is a Golden Pothos and it is still thriving to this day!

q: Why did you begin your plant page? Why are you selling plants from your personal collection?

A: I first began my plant page with the intent of minimizing the amount of plants I own by selling them for a reasonable price. But I think I will always love plants and I think I will always have a lot more than I need! If anything, I’ve learned to steward my love for plants by caring for the ones I already have. I sell from my personal collection because I like the idea of sharing a part of myself with people. I spent a lot of time caring for these plants. But it’s become a needed rhythm for me personally to let go every once in a while. Sharing feels really good! And in a way that feels accessible to those who want a plant.

“I sell from my personal collection because i like the idea of sharing a part of myself with people.”

Q: Share more about your propagation journey. Why propagate?

A: I first started propagating in reaction to possibly save some unwanted parts of a plant. It first started with propagating succulent leaves. I was so amazing at how a tiny plant could emerge from an almost dead leaf. Then I learned that almost anything could be propagated! And so, I’m able to do that now with almost all of my houseplants.

Q: How do you think plants enhance your life and home?

A: Plants have reinstated slow and stillness into my everyday life. Caring for them day by day and tending to their needs, reminds me that best growth comes from the smallest moments of attention. They’ve made me recognize the little details and the significance of those details. I think everyone can agree with me in the fact that they add so much beauty to any home. That’s what they are doing for me anyway. There’s something about knowing that they are living, yet so still, that makes me feel at peace. I also love the fact that having an abundance of them actually helps us breathe better. Knowing that soothes my spirit.

Q: How many plants do you have? What's your favorite plant right now and why?

A: I only have 30 plants! I say only because for most plant lovers, 30 is significantly low. But I did just sell a handful through my plant page. I’ve kept the ones that I can’t let go of yet, see potential growth in, or just admire too much. My current favorite is my ruby rubber tree. She is a freakin cutie! And growing so well!

q: What are your top 5 plant caring tips?

Don’t rush. Whether it’s watering, propagating, doing a soil check, etc, it’s best to take your time for each plant caring process. Time could be a beautiful aid to the way we care for our plants, and if we go ahead of it, we might miss the beautiful union of time and growth.
Study your own plants. Most plants will match the typical seasonal rules for spring, fall, winter summer… But since our plants are indoors, they kind of develop their own needs and rates of growth. The rules that we find online won’t always match without personal plants.
You can root prune your plants! In the same way you would prune your plant’s foliage, you could do the same to the roots. This is great for when you want to keep your more established plants in the same pot. I’ve done it once with one of my own and it worked! I’d get more detailed tips from a professional though. It’s important that you don’t completely ruin the roots while still pruning.
I’ve learned that humidity is so key. A lot of the popular indoor plants are typically native to tropical areas. This means that they thrive best in humidity. Incorporating some kind of way to increase humidity for your plants could be very helpful to their growth! Whether it’s a spray bottle, an actual humidifier or showering with your plants often, it’s guaranteed that your plants will love it.
Wipe your plant’s foliage down every once in a while. Removing the dust or residual water stains will help keep up with its natural photosynthesis process. I use a neem oil mixture to dust the leaves and restore a bit of shine!

Q: What are your favorite nurseries and why?

Knots & Found (@knotsandfound) - a small little plant shop in downtown Martinez, CA. It’s family owned and operated! AND the prices are not crazy or through-the-roof expensive. Their plants are always well cared for before purchase.
Sweetness & Light Design (@sweetnessandlightflowers) - another small little shop in downtown Benicia, CA. They specialize in floral arrangements and designs, but they also have a lot of plants and planter pots. Not to mention, the other general goods they have--from candles, to blankets, as well as gardening tools. Wendy, the owner, is so personable and that makes buying goods from her shop so worth it.
Van Winden Garden Center (@vanwindens) - located in Napa, CA, this garden center is also family owned. They are home to many outdoor plants, fruit trees, shrubs, and so much more. They also have a large selection of indoor plants and they also seem to be well cared for before purchase.
Terrain inside of Anthropologie (@shopterrain) - If I’m honest, I am not a fan at how expensive the plants are here. I get it though. It’s Anthro. BUT I will say, I love Terrain for their pots! Any of their clay or “linen” named pots are decently priced. I’d like to think that I share Terrain's style.
This one isn’t a nursery, but I’ll share it anyway. One of my favorite ways to acquire new plants are through friends! I say this because almost half of the plants I own were once cuttings from other people that were willing to share in their bounty. I’m so grateful for those people!

Q: What advice would you give to a new plant owner?

A: Give yourself the grace and start with an easier plant so that you allow yourself to adjust to the idea of caring for a plant. However, I’m sure you’ll have no problem. It’s exciting to start something new :) I will say that, if you are receiving a plant for the first time, it’s best to let it adjust to its new environment with minimal care.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Enjoy the process! Taking care of plants is such a life giving opportunity to slow down, bring some of the earth into your home, and nourish your soul.