On The Ledge

By Jane Perrone

What's On The Ledge about?

On The Ledge is a podcast all about indoor gardening - helping you to grow everything from Aloe vera to the ZZ plant. Presenter Jane Perrone has been nuts about houseplants since she was knee high to a Swiss cheese plant. She quizzes the experts, helps you find cool new stuff to grow and figures out how to fix your plant problems. For more information, email [email protected] or visit janeperrone.com.

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Episode 266: the Chelsea fl...

05.26.2023

I offer up my thoughts on the Chelsea flower show and answer a question about houseplant pests. Plus we hear from listener Ange in Australia. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/chelsea-flower-show-2023 Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter ...

On The Ledge episodes:

05.26.2023 Episode 266: the Chelsea flower show 2023 I offer up my thoughts on the Chelsea flower show and answer a question about houseplant pests. Plus we hear from listener Ange in Australia. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/chelsea-flower-show-2023 Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter ...
05.12.2023 Episode 265: gold veined oxalis (Oxalis debilis 'Aureoreticulata') I profile the beautiful gold veined oxalis (Oxalis debilis ‘Aureoreticulata’) and we hear from listener Alice in Meet the Listener. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/oxalis-aureoreticulata Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger ...
04.26.2023 Episode 264: a sowalong update - plus what's inside your seeds I update you on the seed-sowing exploits of both me and a bunch of listeners, plus I talk about the botanical terms of the different parts of a seed, and answer a question about a cactus with a fungal infection. ...
04.21.2023 Episode 263: Legends of the Leaf illustrator Helen Entwisle I chat to illustrator Helen Entwisle about our collaboration on book Legends of the Leaf, plus I answer a question about using ‘worm juice’ on houseplants. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/legends-of-the-leaf-illustrations Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email ...
04.14.2023 Episode 262: hear an extract of Legends of the Leaf Hear an extract from my new book Legends of the Leaf, plus I answer a question about pruning cane begonias. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/legends-of-the-leaf-extract Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger ...
03.31.2023 Episode 261: Not Another Jungle with Tony Le-Britton This week I travel to Northampton to meet Tony Le-Britton and talk about his new book, Not Another Jungle, out April 6. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/not-another-jungle-book
03.24.2023 Episode 260: repotting houseplants Get the lowdown on repotting your houseplants, from spotting the signs to the nitty gritty of how to repot. Plus botanist Dr Scott Zona answers a question about plant lifespans. For full show notes, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/repotting-houseplants Thanks to True Leaf ...
03.16.2023 Episode 259: Succulentomania - illustrations from an eighteenth century botanical treasury I talk to author Caroline Ball about her new book exploring a groundbreaking eighteenth century work whose illustrations of succulents are still much loved today. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/259-cacti-succulents Thanks to True Leaf Market for supporting this week’s ...
03.10.2023 Episode 258: Q&A special I answer a clutch of listener questions, covering everything from thrips to Homalomena, the shield plant. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/listener-questions-258 Thanks to True Leaf Market for supporting this week’s show. Get $10 off when yout spend $50 off ...
03.03.2023 Episode 257: introducing the sowalong 2023, plus the sensitive plant I introduce this year’s On The Ledge sowalong and talk to Joe Bagley about one of your favourite houseplants to grow from seed, the sensitive plant. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/sowalong-sensitive-plant Thanks to True Leaf Market for supporting this ...
02.08.2023 Episode 256: celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and their houseplants Listeners from the LGBTQ+ community talk about ‘what houseplants mean to me’, plus I answer a question about Streptocarpus. For full show notes visit: https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/lgbtq-houseplants
02.08.2023 Episode 255: A Deep Sea Dive into houseplants at RHS Wisley I visit the Houseplant Takeover exhibit at RHS garden Wisley in Surrey and answer a question about moth orchid flower stems. Plus we hear from listener Lynette. For full show notes visit: https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/wisley-houseplant-takeover-2023
02.03.2023 Episode 254: an update on peat-free houseplants I talk to the founders of Geb & Green, a new firm offering peat-free houseplants by mail order in the UK, and get an update on the campaign to end the use of peat in horticulture. For full show notes ...
01.27.2023 Epsiode 253: succulents and staghorn ferns I talk succulents with Andrea Galbreath of succulent gift and design company @justsuccit, and I’m joined by fern expert Peter Blake to answer a question about a staghorn fern. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/succulents-staghorn-fern Sign up for The Plant ...
01.20.2023 Episode 252: houseplant pot hacks Whether you’re coping with wrongly-sized cachepots or containers with no drainage, I have a solution for you! Plus I answer a question about a sad avocado plant. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplant-pot-hacks
01.13.2023 Episode 251: mycorrhizal fungi and houseplants I learn more about the incredible relationships between plants and mycorrhizal fungi with the help of plant community ecologist Dr Sarah Emery, and I answer a question about a frozen jade tree. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/251-mycorrhizal-fungi
01.06.2023 Episode 250: Hoyas with Betsy Begonia I dive deep into the world of Hoyas with Betsy Begonia of boutique online store HoyaMyGosh! and I tackle a Hoya-themed Q&A.; For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/hoyas-betsy-begonia
12.30.2022 Bonus episode: old houseplants (from the OTL archive) No new episode this week, but I revisit an episode from the On The Ledge archive, published back in 2017… I talk to people about their long-lived houseplants, from an Aspidistra to a cactus in a pickle jar. For full ...
12.22.2022 Episode 249: The Allotment Keeper's Handbook Hear a sample chapter from my audiobook version of The Allotment Keeper’s Handbook. I explain a little about the background to the book and introduce an extract about sowing and planting. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/allotment-book Get your copy ...
12.16.2022 Episode 248: 31 fascinating facts about houseplants I offer up a collation of random houseplant facts, one for each day of the month. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplant-facts
12.09.2022 Episode 247: choosing a greenhouse Planning your dream greenhouse? I get top tips and advice from houseplant expert Raffaelle Di Lallo and Emma O'Neill from Garden Organic. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/greenhouses
12.02.2022 Episode 246: Jade Murray talks about her new book, plus a wick watering Q&A I interview British houseplant enthusiast Jade Murray about her new book The Indoor Garden, I answer a question about wick watering and we meet listener Dorian. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/jade-murray-wick-watering
11.24.2022 Episode 245: houseplant botany with Dr Scott Zona Dr Scott Zona joins me to talk about his new book, a Gardener’s Guide to Botany, plus I get some feedback on Fluval Stratum. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplant-botany
11.18.2022 Episode 244: visiting the National Collection of Hoyas I travel to Newcastle in the UK to visit the National Collection of Hoyas, and chat with its holder, Felix Horne, and I answer a question about a languishing lime. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/hoya-national-collection Sign up for The ...
11.11.2022 Episode 243: root mealybugs I find out how to spot and treat root mealybugs with entomologist Professor Raymond Cloyd, plus I answer a question about braided houseplants. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/root-mealybugs
11.04.2022 Episode 242: a look at Pilea - beyond the Chinese money plant There is more to the genus Pilea than the Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides): I discuss some of my favourite species, including the artillery plant and the aluminium plant. For full show notes, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/pilea This week’s show is supported ...
10.21.2022 Episode 241: the paintbrush plant, Haemanthus albiflos If you have a mystery plant you can’t identify, there’s a reasonably good chance it is the paintbrush plant aka Haemanthus albiflos! In this episode I discuss this South African plant and how to grow it in your home. For ...
10.14.2022 Episode 240: slipper orchids, and why you need to join an orchid society I visit orchid grower Malcolm Moodie to find out about the slipper orchids of the genera Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium, find out why orchid societies need our support. Plus I answer a question about Fluval Stratum. For full show notes visit ...
10.07.2022 Episode 239: what to do with a dead houseplant This week I explain how do you tell when a houseplant really is dead, and what to do with its remains; plus I answer a question about a Monstera with a split personality. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/dead-houseplants-what-to-do
09.30.2022 Episode 238: Dendrobium orchids and more with Kevin Wigley I visit orchid grower Kevin Wigley to find out more about this fascinating family, including Dendrobiums, Coelogyne and Psychopsis. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/orchids-dendrobiums
09.23.2022 Episode 237: Aeoniums I find out about the genus of succulents known as Aeoniums with National Collection holder Mellie Lewis, and answer two Ficus questions. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/aeonium
09.16.2022 Episode 236: Three houseplants for cold rooms Turning your thermostat down this winter? Here are three plants that will thrive in unheated rooms. Plus I answer a question about root pruning. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplants-cold-rooms
09.09.2022 Episode 235: Mangave Dr Colin Walker joins me to talk about Mangave, an intergeneric hybrid that’s relatively new to the succulent scene. Plus I answer a question about spots on an areca palm. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/mangave Thanks to True Leaf ...
09.02.2022 Episode 234: Flowering houseplants I talk to Lisa Eldred Steinkopf aka The Houseplant Guru about flowering houseplants and celebrate her new book Bloom. Plus I answer a question about intergeneric hybrids. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/flowering-houseplants Thanks to True Leaf Market for sponsoring ...
07.29.2022 Episode 233: leaf botany part seven - photosynthesis explained We all know photosynthesis is vital for plants, but how does it work? Dr Polly Schiffman joins me to explain. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/photosynthesis
07.22.2022 Episode 232: talking cacti at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival I chat to cactus expert and business owner Gynelle Leon in a live recording at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, plus I answer a question about sticky stuff on Philodendron leaves. For full show notes visit www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/gynelle-leon-hampton-court
07.15.2022 Episode 231: Growing Marantas and Alocasias in California Listener German Rivera joins me to talk about his experiences growing Alocasias and Marantas in California, and I answer a question about making pots fuller. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/maranta-alocasia
07.07.2022 Episode 230: Big Cactus Rescue I visit Martin Ciderspiller’s epic cactus collection, Big Cactus Rescue, to find out why heavy metal music and spiny plants make such good company. For full show notes visit http://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/big-cactus-rescue
06.30.2022 Episode 229: are these houseplants extinct indoors? Not all houseplants stay the course: I take a look at three species that seem to have completely dropped out of the palette of plants we grow indoors. For full show notes visit www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/extinct-houseplants
06.24.2022 Episode 228: Houseplant books with Maria Failla Maria Failla of podcast Bloom & Grow Radio joins me to share tips from her new book Growing Joy, including dealing with plant overwhelm, and we discuss her love affair with planty books. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplant-books-maria-failla Sign ...
06.17.2022 Episode 227: houseplants and sustainability part four - Harriets Plants I visit the nursery of UK houseplant grower Harriet Thompson to find out more about the challenges of growing houseplants sustainably. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/harriets-plants-sustainability This episode is sponsored by Soltech Solutions. Check out their range of lights ...
06.10.2022 Episode 226: Q&A special I answer a new batch of listener questions covering everything from a bird of paradise with wrinkly leaves to a Thanksgiving cactus with bumpy bits. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/listener-questions This episode is sponsored by Soltech Solutions. Check out ...
06.03.2022 Episode 225: Sinningia I’m joined by plant geneticist and microbiologist David Zaitlin to talk about this fascinating genus, with a focus on florist gloxinia and Sinningia leucotricha. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/sinningia-leucotricha-speciosa This episode is sponsored by Soltech Solutions. Check out their ...
05.27.2022 Episode 224: the Chelsea flower show 2022 I visit the Chelsea flower show and chat to the makers of the six Houseplant Studios about their creations, and we hear from listener Bas in the Netherlands. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/chelsea-flower-show-2022
05.20.2022 Episode 223: Tradescantia with Avery Rowe I chat to Tradescantia expert Avery Rowe about all things inch plant, and I answer a question about baby Saxifrages. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/tradescantia This week's show sponsor is Soltech Solutions. Check out Soltech Solutions’ range of lights ...
05.13.2022 Episode 222: 'new' plant chat with Memo C I check out six ‘new’ houseplants to see if they are worth adding to your collection with the help of fellow plant geek Memo C. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/memo-new-houseplants
05.06.2022 Episode 221: cacti and succulents with BCSS chairman Greg Bulmer I talk to the new chairman of the British Cactus and Succulent Society his vision for the BCSS and his own passion for prickly plants, and we hear from listener Andrew. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/bcss-chairman This episode is ...
04.29.2022 Episode 220: Fittonia, the nerve plant I take a look at the colourful and intricate Fittonia, aka the nerve plant, and answer a question about notching Ficus plants. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/fittonia-nerve-plant This episode is sponsored by Soltech Solutions. Check out their range of ...
04.22.2022 Episode 219: raid the recycling and help your houseplants It’s Earth Day, so let’s take a look at what you can find and reuse for your houseplants. Rifle through the recycling bin, search your kitchen cupboards and you’ll find plenty of stuff you can press into service. Plus I ...
04.15.2022 Episode 218: painting houseplants, with Aaron Apsley I chat to Florida-based botanical artist Aaron Apsley about the joys and challenges of painting houseplants, and I answer a question about books on pests and diseases. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/aaron-apsley This episode is sponsored by Soltech Solutions. ...

Older episodes

On The Ledge

What's On The Ledge about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

On The Ledge episodes:

Episode 266: the Chelsea flower show 2023

Episode 265: gold veined oxalis (Oxalis debilis 'Aureoreticulata')

Episode 264: a sowalong update - plus what's inside your seeds

Episode 263: Legends of the Leaf illustrator Helen Entwisle

Episode 262: hear an extract of Legends of the Leaf

Episode 261: Not Another Jungle with Tony Le-Britton

Episode 260: repotting houseplants

Episode 259: Succulentomania - illustrations from an eighteenth century botanical treasury

Episode 258: Q&A special

Episode 257: introducing the sowalong 2023, plus the sensitive plant

Episode 256: celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and their houseplants

Episode 255: A Deep Sea Dive into houseplants at RHS Wisley

Episode 254: an update on peat-free houseplants

Epsiode 253: succulents and staghorn ferns

Episode 252: houseplant pot hacks

Episode 251: mycorrhizal fungi and houseplants

Episode 250: Hoyas with Betsy Begonia

Bonus episode: old houseplants (from the OTL archive)

Episode 249: The Allotment Keeper's Handbook

Episode 248: 31 fascinating facts about houseplants

Episode 247: choosing a greenhouse

Episode 246: Jade Murray talks about her new book, plus a wick watering Q&A

Episode 245: houseplant botany with Dr Scott Zona

Episode 244: visiting the National Collection of Hoyas

Episode 243: root mealybugs

Episode 242: a look at Pilea - beyond the Chinese money plant

Episode 241: the paintbrush plant, Haemanthus albiflos

Episode 240: slipper orchids, and why you need to join an orchid society

Episode 239: what to do with a dead houseplant

Episode 238: Dendrobium orchids and more with Kevin Wigley

Episode 237: Aeoniums

Episode 236: Three houseplants for cold rooms

Episode 235: Mangave

Episode 234: Flowering houseplants

Episode 233: leaf botany part seven - photosynthesis explained

Episode 232: talking cacti at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

Episode 231: Growing Marantas and Alocasias in California

Episode 230: Big Cactus Rescue

Episode 229: are these houseplants extinct indoors?

Episode 228: Houseplant books with Maria Failla

Episode 227: houseplants and sustainability part four - Harriets Plants

Episode 226: Q&A special

Episode 225: Sinningia

Episode 224: the Chelsea flower show 2022

Episode 223: Tradescantia with Avery Rowe

Episode 222: 'new' plant chat with Memo C

Episode 221: cacti and succulents with BCSS chairman Greg Bulmer

Episode 220: Fittonia, the nerve plant

Episode 219: raid the recycling and help your houseplants

Episode 218: painting houseplants, with Aaron Apsley