Plant Coach: The Beginner's Guide to Caring for Plants and the Planet

by Nick Cutsumpas

Overview

Urban gardener, plantrepreneur, and star of Netflix’s Instant Dream Home “Farmer Nick” Nick Cutsumpas combines sustainability, science, and philosophy to coach new plant owners on how to find the right houseplants for their space and help them thrive.

Despite the abundance of resources on caring for houseplants, many people continue to struggle with their plant care or don’t even know where to begin on the journey to plant parenthood. An increasing number of young urbanites are filling their apartments with plants, only to realize that they don’t know what it takes to care for them long term. That’s because knowledge isn’t enough, and most people need a shift in plant perspective before they can start changing their behavior—houseplants are nature, not just furniture. This is why most people need a coach, someone to encourage them, give them the right game plan, and help them achieve their houseplant potential. Enter Nick Cutsumpas—plant coach, urban gardener, and Netflix personality—whose mission is to give people the knowledge and confidence they need to create their own green spaces.

Plant Coach is his comprehensive guide for the everyday plant owner who wants to alleviate the stress of plant ownership while doing the best for their plants and the planet. Cutsumpas reframes what it means to be a plant parent by viewing the home as an ecosystem, introducing unconventional and sustainable plant tactics that go beyond the basic requirements of water and sunlight. Just as he does for his clients, Cutsumpas shares project ideas and coaches new plant owners on how to select and care for plants that are right for their space and lifestyle with deep insight and lighthearted fun. At the same time, he inspires readers to care for the planet, using houseplants as a stepping stone toward sustainability and environmental action.

Includes Color Photographs

This book is printed in an environmentally friendly manner, using FSC-certified materials

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419758638
Publisher:	Abrams Image
Publication date:	10/18/2022
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,031,291
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Nick Cutsumpas is a full-time plant coach, urban farmer, and landscaper with clients in New York and Los Angeles. He has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Business Insider, Washington Post, Food Network, Goop, and the New York Post. He also appeared on the Netflix Original series The Big Flower Fight and Instant Dream Home. He lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Setting Green Expectations 6

Germination Story 12

Why We Need Plants Now More than Ever 20

Nature, Not Furniture: Your Home is an Ecosystem 28

Observing the Ecosystem: Assessing Your Space 36

Welcome to My Bedroom 48

Creating Your Greenprint: Thrive, Survive, Revive 54

Plant Shopping Dos and Don'ts 62

The Plant Parent Greatest Hits: What You Need to Do Now That You Have a Plant Family 80

Practicing Mindful Neglect 110

Unconventional (and Sustainable) Plant Tips 114

Learning Your Plant Love Language 124

Preaching the Green Gospel: Plants Are Stepping Stones 140

Five Plant Projects Everyone Should Try 145

Conclusion 182

Acknowledgments 187

Bibliography 189

Notes 191

Editorial Reviews

★ 10/01/2022

Cutsumpas, an urban farmer, social media influencer, and regular on Netflix's Instant Dream Home, has turned his love of plants into a thriving business that coaches those wanting to add a bit of green to their life. Cutsumpas takes readers on a delightful journey through the steps for being a successful plant parent. The author maps out spaces in a home so that readers can learn about patterns of sunlight and their home ecosystem. Readers will also gain knowledge about how to pick out the right plants at the store and what questions to ask plant vendors. A bonus is a set of clever plant projects that will brighten any home decor for readers who are DIY dreamers. VERDICT This book is filled with interesting and useful tips that will produce results. There are also handy checklists, questionnaires, and how-tos sprinkled throughout.—Elizabeth Majka

Library Journal