On this very special episode, we discuss the Strelitzia, specifically S. nicolai, the White Bird of Paradise. This plant was formative to Matthew's journey as a young plant parent, as we suspect it is for many others, too. After Stephen recovers from shocking past "care" stories, he comes around to "this isn't terrible at all!" Is pruning going to help keep these small? Can the orange-flowering S. reginae bloom indoors? And Matthew low-key promises a gift to Stephen - we should all hold him to that!

In this month's Chill 'n Chat, we kick back and muse about how we approach plant gifting and which plants we'd gift - even to brand new or yet-to-be plant parents. And If you're shopping for an advanced hobbyist, we at least take a stab for you (but good luck with that!) In other news, we hear about Stephen's forgotten Orchid and a Croton Matthew hates. Nice, right?

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We don't want to say this episode is dense... but it's certainly heavier than our preferred well-draining potting mixes! You can't say we didn't warn you! We set out to understand the semantic differences between dirt, soil, and "all-purpose potting mix," picking apart the various components like peat, perlite, coir, charcoal, and - screw it, we just call our friend Miles, who had a few surprises - even for us. Is this potting substrate so simple that it's actually the most complex of all?

Join us as we chat about some plants we don't really like but "sort of grow!" Don't worry - as always, we manage to find several species in Tradescantia and related genera that we want (and for which we think we have room?) Is Stephen's cruel, sparse aesthetic starting to rub off on Matthew? How is this is one of Stephen's roughly three ornamental plants? And which one of the Plant Daddies likes them "compact and densely hairy?" As a bonus, we including ideas for those living near nuclear facilities.

Ready for more good news out of Georgia? *wink* We sit down with Colah B Tawkin from Black in the Garden, another community-focused plant podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion about her inspirations, past and present, how she REALLY feels about her own plant parenthood, and what's next for her - including Season 3 teasers and a whole new podcast! She leaves us gushing over Cree Summer, Rebecca Sugar, and composting… And wait, how did she know we've been dumped before?

You're in for a treat this week - it's another plant we both love! And wow - tangent city, OK? We each try to recall the same fateful plant shopping trip from years ago, but will we agree on the particulars? Matthew claims this is Stephen's Plant Daddy origin story. Oh, right, we're talking about the Purple Pitcher Plant. Is this a good first Carnivorous Plant? Do they need a dormancy? Can I grow one indoors? Well, at least for the last one, it's better to ask if you should.

While we check in on our winterizing efforts and recommendations for movies and TV, we also talk about Stephania erecta, Stephania nova, Tylecodon, and [many] other plants. But don't worry - we still argue! Stephen claims that all succulents are "his thing," and then Matthew gives us a glimpse of the inner turmoil a Fiddle Leaf Fig, thoughts about a potential Dracaena, and a sliver of unoccupied window can cause him. Stephen offers a useful solution that will take nine years.

Does a Cardboard Velvet Plant sound appealing to you? Not to Stephen either... but we've all had Goal Plants, the extra-special ones that may be expensive, difficult to find, challenging to grow well, (or even keep alive,) but we continue striving to succeed with them! Anthurium clarinervium is that plant for Matthew, and Stephen can oddly relate. He then makes an awkward, good-faith stab at explaining why this Aroid is so popular. Matthew boldly declares that this is the most beautiful foliage plant.

Looking for a succulent that you may find interesting and probably can't kill? Mother of Thousands, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, might be just the choice! Want to listen to us go back and forth on whether we like it or not? We swear we don't loathe this plant (well, one of us doesn't), but we do ask if it's irresponsible to grow it, and provide a medical disclaimer... Stephen waxes, but Matthew doesn't take the bait. He is too "sick of picking up dropped babies."

Do you sit and laugh as friends struggle through Latin pronunciations? So does Stephen! But don't worry - we agree on a flower (for once) and all is forgotten. Jewel Orchids, including Ludisia and Macodes, are the foliage plants of the Orchid family, and we ramble on until we've covered Corybas, Lepanthes, and even Phalaenopsis with noteworthy leaves. We’re just glad Matthew didn’t title this episode “Notable Ornamental Species and Hybrids of Goodyerinae for Indoor Recreational Cultivation.”