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 281, part 6: the su...

12.04.2023

Begonia sizemoreae (correct name Begonia longicilata) doesn’t seem to have a common name but I am calling it the super hairy begonia. This rhizomatous begonia deserves a place in my top ten for its distinctive leaves. For full show notes ...

On The Ledge episodes:

12.04.2023 Episode 281, part 6: the super hairy begonia Begonia sizemoreae (correct name Begonia longicilata) doesn’t seem to have a common name but I am calling it the super hairy begonia. This rhizomatous begonia deserves a place in my top ten for its distinctive leaves. For full show notes ...
12.01.2023 Episode 281, part 5: the beefsteak begonia Introducing number five in my top ten: the beefsteak begonia, Begonia 'Erythrophylla'. For full show notes including the rest of the top ten, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/top-ten-begonias Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check ...
11.30.2023 Episode 281, part 4: Begonia 'Lucerna' I LOVE this beautiful cane begonia which is number four in my list of top ten begonias. It grows to a majestic 2m tall and is more tolerant than you'd think! For full show notes including the rest of the ...
11.29.2023 Episode 281, part 3: iron cross begonia Third on my list of top ten begonias for the average living room is the iron cross begonia, Begonia masoniana, a true showstopper of a species that has been an iconic houseplant since the 1950s when it first entered the ...
11.28.2023 Episode 281, part 2: polkadot begonia Find out everything you need to know about the second of my top ten begonias for the average room - the gorgeously spotty polkadot begonia, Begonia maculata 'Wightii'. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/top-ten-begonias Sign up for The Plant Ledger, ...
11.27.2023 Episode 281, part 1: My Top ten Begonias I introduce my top ten begonias, starting with the eyelash begonia, Begona bowerae - an absolutely brilliant and tough begonia species everyone can grow. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/top-ten-begonias Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about ...
11.24.2023 Episode 280: Citrus and other fruit to grow as houseplants Struggling to keep your potted citrus alive? I chat to Byron Martin of Logee’s Greenhouses to find out his top tips for keep lemons, limes and more alive in your home. Plus I answer a question about taming a Monstera. ...
11.10.2023 Episode 279: Staking moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) To stake, or not to stake? I look at the arguments for and against staking moth orchids (aka Phalaenopsis) plus I answer a question about houseplants in films, and we hear from Helen in Meet the Listener. For full show ...
11.03.2023 Episode 278: Gardening is Murder with Marta McDowell Halloween week surprise! I drop an extra episode in which I talk to author Marta McDowell about her new book Gardening Can Be Murder, which explores plants and gardens as the inspiration for writers of crime fiction. For full show ...
10.27.2023 Episode 277: growing in leca with The Leca Queen I am joined by The Leca Queen Nora Mutalima to discuss all things leca - find out how to grow houseplants in this soilless medium, from prep to feeding! For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/leca-clay-pebbles Sign up for The Plant ...
10.13.2023 Episode 276: The Rare Plant Scout I chat to Jazminn WIlliams aka The Rare Plant Scout about tracking down people’s precious wishlist plants, how to buy safely from overseas sellers, and how to make sure your plants arribe in great shape. Plus I answer a question ...
09.29.2023 Episode 275: tissue culture with Plants In Jars I find out more about the world of tissue culture with Laur of Plants In Jars, and I answer a question about sourcing an everfresh tree. Patreon subscribers at the Ledge End and Superfan levels can listen to more chat ...
09.15.2023 Episode 274: the black olive/shady lady/Bucida buceras tree I find out about the indoor tree that’s being marketed as ‘the next fiddle leaf fig’ with guest Joop Huner and find out what it needs to thrive. Plus I tackle a Peperomia question and we hear from listener Nicole. ...
09.01.2023 Episode 273: the hidden world of mosses I talk to bryologist Dr Neil Bell about the wonders of moss, and answer a question about TDS meters. For full show notes, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/moss Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check ...
08.18.2023 Episode 272: RHS plant trials and AGMs Ever heard of a plant AGM? In this episode I find out what the RHS Award of Garden Merit is all about, and I ask a question about VPD. Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the ...
07.28.2023 Episode 271: Farmer Nick I chat to plantrepreneur Nick Cutsumpas aka Farmer Nick about houseplants, garden makeovers and more. For full show notes and a transcript, visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/farmer-nick. Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check out ...
07.07.2023 Episode 270: carnivorous plants in the greenhouse I meet Megan Webb to talk Sarracenias, flytraps, sundews and more. Plus I answer a question about Monstera anatomy. For full show notes visit https://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/carnivorous-plants Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my email newsletter about the houseplant scene: https://www.janeperrone.com/ledger Check ...
07.03.2023 Episode 269: How plants can save your life Jane Perrone chats to Dr. Ross Cameron about the impact that plants have on our physical and mental health. For full show notes visit https://janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplants-health Chapters 0:02:53 Introduction to Dr. Ross Cameron and his new book 0:06:00 How plants can ...
06.19.2023 Episode 268: spiders and houseplants I talk to arachnologist and houseplant collector Tea Francis about the spiders that live on and around our houseplants, including how to overcome your spider fears. Plus I answer a question about a Begonia. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/houseplants-spiders ...
06.09.2023 Episode 267: container food growing I talk to container gardener Mark Ridsill Smith aka Vertical Veg about growing food in containers, both outside and in, plus I answer a question about growlights. For full show notes visit https://www.janeperrone.com/on-the-ledge/container-food-growing Sign up for The Plant Ledger, my ...
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

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 281, part 6: the super hairy begonia

Episode 281, part 5: the beefsteak begonia

Episode 281, part 4: Begonia 'Lucerna'

Episode 281, part 3: iron cross begonia

Episode 281, part 2: polkadot begonia

Episode 281, part 1: My Top ten Begonias

Episode 280: Citrus and other fruit to grow as houseplants

Episode 279: Staking moth orchids (Phalaenopsis)

Episode 278: Gardening is Murder with Marta McDowell

Episode 277: growing in leca with The Leca Queen

Episode 276: The Rare Plant Scout

Episode 275: tissue culture with Plants In Jars

Episode 274: the black olive/shady lady/Bucida buceras tree

Episode 273: the hidden world of mosses

Episode 272: RHS plant trials and AGMs

Episode 271: Farmer Nick

Episode 270: carnivorous plants in the greenhouse

Episode 269: How plants can save your life

Episode 268: spiders and houseplants

Episode 267: container food growing

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