Taming the Potted Beast: The Strange and Sensational History of the Not-So-Humble Houseplant

by Molly Williams

From the hanging gardens of Babylon to that fiddle-leaf fig in your living room, houseplants have been humanity’s companions for a millennia. Taming the Potted Beast explores the history of our air-purifying friends with an entertaining narrative of the peculiar, often dramatic story of the cultivation and domestication of the not-so-humble houseplant.

Including entertaining historical vignettes, DIY plant projects, and accessible tips and tricks for caring for your own historical houseplant collection, this book has any plant-curious listener covered. Listeners will come away with practical projects, expert advice, and an understanding of the historical significance of houseplants as well as an appreciation of the cultures from which they emerged.

Both fascinating and fun, Taming the Potted Beast will take listeners on an exhilarating botanical adventure through the ages.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Gardening, Plants, Adult, Nature

Audible Audio

Published June 27, 2023

Reviews

[A Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work explores a brief history of the houseplant and different plant trends and fads that have occurred throughout time. From the hanging gardens of Babylon to today’s Instagram influencers, potted plants have been an obsession that doesn’t seem to go away.

This read was quite informative, containing some interesting historical references to plants (from art to writing). I enjoyed that the author listed the plants that were most popular during certain times as well as the native habitats of those plants. I believe that the discussion on the Victorian Era’s plants, especially relating to the Wardian Case and orchid hunters, was my favorite portion of the work. I wanted more historical information and details included because I do love history; however, the author did include enough to make an interesting and informative read and recommended some books for further reading.

The author also included details about how to care for these plants if you purchase them today. Details ranging from soil types to watering to the best pots were included. This section made for a quick, accessible overview, but I didn’t necessarily find it more informative than a quick online search would have been.

I listened to the audiobook version and did enjoy the narrator’s voice. However, this book would be more enjoyable and useful as a physical copy rather than as an audiobook. With all the scientific names of plants and rapid-fire details about their care and upkeep, a lot of it went in one ear and out the other. Seeing it in writing and using it as a reference that way would be the most useful. Also, there are illustrations in the physical copy, which I imagine greatly enrich this read.

Overall, I do recommend this work, especially if you enjoy plants and want to know some history behind the potted beast in your home. My thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice primer on the history of houseplants, with brief instructions on how to care for various houseplants.

Has a solid pop culture feel, with more a focus on tid-bits of information than in-depth explanations (the tid bits get more bitty as the book goes on), with a focus that is decidedly western.

I'd say it's a good start to learning more on the history of various botanical adventures, and another start on the breadth and depth of plants that are often grown indoors.

I did like how Williams tackles the often ridiculous and unethical price-gouging of "rare" plants that we have seen in the past five years. Social media and planfluencers have done a number on plants—how they're acquired, how they're grown, and more, in a way that harms the fragile environments they originate in (if the plant is harvested on site and not cultivated) and the systems exploited in keeping of plants (using peat moss does irrevocable environmental damage, for example).

[Erika Sarutobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plant aficionados will delight in the entertaining history behind their favorite houseplants while learning some botanical tips along the way. From the Neolithic age to the tulip craze to social media, Molly Williams explores when plants first started living indoors as companions and shares how they have evolved (and disappeared) over the centuries. Greenhouses, terrariums, and fertilizers have all brought forth new waves of indoor garden enthusiasts. Through the centuries the gardening fads may have changed, but people seem to love greening up their indoor space in new and innovative ways. Narrated by the author herself, this audiobook is a delightful listen, though having the physical book may be handy for those who have trouble spelling the scientific name of the plants mentioned and for seeing the illustrations. The end of the book contains leafy legacy botanical activities for readers to do; from Bonsai trees to hanging plants and terracotta pots – all the gardening tips tie back in with the previously discussed houseplants. Part microhistory, part tips and tricks, this book is great for beginners and experts. A great read for all those who love their flora.

[andie z (amzreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say I've never really thought about the history of the house plant, but this was fascinating and so much fun to listen to! It's such a great concept and Molly Williams does a wonderful job of combining the history with information and tips on plant care. I wouldn't have minded even more on the history side (it's about half and half), but that's partly because I travel a lot and can't own many plants or they'd die. I have one cactus and I'm honestly amazed every time I come home after months away and it's still alive. I'll admit I zoned out a bit when she was going over care for all the different kinds of plants, but I do think this would make a great reference book. And I definitely made a note whenever she mentioned a plant that would be good for someone who travels or often forgets to water their plants!

Williams discusses everything from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to technological advancements that allowed transport of plants on ships to Europe from overseas in the 19th century to what plants were commonly used in shopping malls in the 1980s, and she does it all in an interesting and engaging way. I listened to the audiobook in one sitting on a roadtrip and never got bored, and then proceeded to bring it up multiple times with the people I was visiting. I also have a copy of the ebook and it's full of adorable illustrations throughout.

This book would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys house plants, history, or even just interesting facts. I already have several people in mind who I know would love it and I'm looking forward to getting a physical copy myself!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining history of how we came to have plants inside the house, in pots or vases and even bowls. As someone who has never been in a house where there aren't at least cacti inside and having several family members that are enthusiastic gardening aficionados, I couldn't resist the pull of curiosity leading me to pick up this book.

How exactly did we began the tradition of house plants, and why? I wanted to know, and wasn't disappointed. From the Neolithic age to our present day, this book tells you the entirety of the historical trends regarding house plants, their popularisation and the trends that have affected domestic vegetation at different periods in time. Some parts were more interesting to me than others, such as the "for prudes" chapter, the Victorian period chapter, and the females entering the workforce chapter; but overall I enjoyed this a lot.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Korey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the perfect audience for Taming the Potted Beast. This book is exactly as it describes itself, a brief history of the house plant with some extra care guides for different flora at the end. I had no previous knowledge of this particular history, so I loved how accessible the author made the content. She didn't dive too deep into topics, but rather provided resources for additional reading for areas that piqued your interest (and I will definitely check out some because my interest as been piqued!). Additionally, the author voiced the audiobook and I found it easy to listen to and follow along. The only downside to this particular selection is there are a lot of scientific names used for plants and I was writing down things phonetically to try and look up later. I was not very successful in getting it right or finding the specific plant she was talking about. I would love a physical copy of this book to reference in the future!

Thank you NetGalley for the free audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Paris Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reinforced my hyper fixation for plants and singlehandedly forced me to consider my relationship with consumerism and plant culture.
I highly recommend and I think this would be a great paired reading with Climate Justice by Mary Robinson and A life on our Planet by Sir David Attenborough

Arc review notes below:

AUDIOBOOK ARC
Audio is good quality it sounds good on all speeds and remains really consistent.

Interesting and fun narrative voice, I like that it proposes a social- philosophical consideration about ethics and history of not only house plants but the wider floral appreciating community. It was really passionate throughout the entire thing even when delivering instructions which was just really exciting.
The book made it really easy to imagine plant descriptions and suggestions for processes.

I loved the history aspects of the book and that we specifically had sections with extended readings recommended. Including Braiding Sweet grass and many other more specific topic recommendations.


Thankyou to Netgalley for access to this copy, I really enjoyed it.

[Trinia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little power pocket full of audio was a great little listen to learn about the history of houseplants, which plants are right for you, and how to care for plants. I was really excited to learn about the PDF included with this audiobook as there was no way to remember the actual plant names. So I'm happy to have a reference, however I still think the format of this book would be best as a hardcover.
The narrator was entertaining considering some of the information could get a bit dry (no pun intended), and she moved it along and kept my attention.


Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance audiobook version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Meredith Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4/5) This microhistory of the houseplant was so interesting! I thought the pace was good and it didn't spend too much or too little time on any specific topic. At the end of each chapter, there were different tips, tricks, and suggestions for your own houseplants that I appreciated. I think this book, while an overview, also did a good job of not just focusing on the Eurocentric history of houseplants. And if you're interested in any of the topics, or felt that you wanted to learn more, the author provides resources at the end of the book for further research.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Potted Beast is a fun romp through the history and popularity of the humble (and at times pricey) houseplant. The book turns a spotlight on the captivating world of houseplants and their evolution alongside humans in the Anthropocene. This book helps guide the reader through a rich tapestry of our relationship with these "botanical wonders." Take time to water and prune that beloved corner greenery, while listening to this verdant journey, narrated by the author. It's like taking a stroll with a good friend sharing their latest podcast of note. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing for the advanced audio copy via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I love these green children of mine and enjoyed learning more about their varied histories and growth in popularity over time.

[Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐•5/5

I went into this book knowing nothing about plants but the basics and learned a lot. I liked that it didn't read like a textbook, which I appreciated. I think it would be perfect for those who are just starting and those who have been at it for a while. I loved learning the history of the plants and how we began to collect them. I really can't wait to read more from Molly Williams,

Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for letting read and review this

[Hannah]

I did this as audio, and I will definitely be looking for a copy once it's out in print because the reference bits are useful and I'm sure the art is great. As an audiobook production it is only meh, but as a book the mix of history and reference is great.

[Joyce Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! This book explores the history of houseplants through different periods, as well as providing practical advice and ideas for plant projects. I truly learned so much was consistently excited for my bedtime read. I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in their own houseplant collection and learning about new plants!

[Rowan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up halfway through. If you're going to write a history book, you need to actually have a good understanding of the times and places of history that you're writing about. In this day and age, you also need to include global sources when attempting to write a comprehensive "history" of a concept like the houseplant, rather than focusing exclusively on that classic Babylon -> Egypt -> Greece/Rome -> Europe lineage of "civilization." Might be enjoyable for someone who just wants a light, jokey read about houseplants? But not recommended for anyone who wanted to read an actual work of history, even just pop history.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. This book is a history of house plants. While that could be a very dry topic, the author makes this interesting and fun to listen to. I really liked that there was also a section on ethics. It was interesting learning about how some plants are endangered.

4 stars

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance listen of this audiobook. An interesting history of how houseplants came to be popular home decor staples. It explains how plant trends match society’s trends and how we got to where we are today in the world of houseplants. The book also provides useful tips and tricks for the most common plants, inspiring those with - or without - a green thumb. This book will compel you to want to take your plant hobby to the next level. Definitely read even if you just have a general interest in house plants.

[Ashleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Potted Beast: The Strange and Sensational History of the Not-So-Humble Houseplant is a history and primer on house plants by Molly Williams. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at six hours and is narrated by the author.

The first section of the book focuses on a chronological history of the cultivation and domestication of houseplants, which includes tons of entertaining vignettes. There are also sections describing DIY plant projects you can create in your home, and tons of tips and tricks for caring for your collection.

There is a TON of information in this little book! The author does a deep dive on how to care for each type of plant described here. If you want to know what kind of soil to use for a particular plant, how much and how often you should water it, what *kind* of water you should use, how much light it needs to thrive, and how to make its pot look really cute--among other information--please check out this book!

The author's prose is very approachable and fun to listen to. She does a great job narrating the audio version!

I think I'm going to need to get my hands on a physical copy of this book! Firstly, because it's illustrated and I'm excited to check those out. Secondly, there's a bunch of info in here that would be super useful for me to have on hand.

The publisher provided an audio galley of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own. Taming the Potted Beast releases on Tuesday, September 12th, 2022.

If you want to see more from me, check out my blog and my bookstagram!

[Catherine Craig (Angelic Light) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really amazing book, which is all about houseplants which come from all parts of the world. The author, who is also the narrator of the audiobook, wonderfully described each plant in a pleasant voice, in perfect detail, and she explained how to care for each plant.

I loved both the audiobook and the ebook, as both were fantastic, and were full of so much interesting knowledge and information, which have really helped me on my gardening journey. The ebook is full of beautiful images, which are really stunning.

This book really opened up my eyes more to the beauty of plants, and how to care for them. Although I mainly use my intuition to care for plants, it is also useful for me to find out more scientific knowledge to help me to look after my plants. This book gave me that, and more. I am always eager to learn new things to help me on my quest to take great care of the plants of this world. I am so amazed by plants, and their stunningly mesmerising energy, beauty and light, and every day I am so thankful to learn more about them, and experience time with them, which is a true gift and a wonderful blessing.

I was really surprised at how awesome this book is, and I highly recommend it to beginners, or even to those of you with a green thumb who already have years of knowledge behind you. Everyone should read this book with a cup of herbal tea in their hands, and escape to the plant kingdom with pleasure and joy.

Many thanks to the author/narrator, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a funny book to read and enjoy as an audiobook, but surprisingly, it worked. The first half better suits the format with the author talking in depth (she is the narrator as well) about the history of indoor plants and the act of cultivation - not for consumption but for other reasons.

There is a lot of information to parse through, but as I mentioned, the first half is more like a story. The second half came upon me unexpectedly. I did not realise that this book will have an extensive list of houseplants in alphabetical order with their care instruction and short talking points.

It is a very thorough book, one that several houseplant lovers (who are also readers to some degree) would enjoy keeping around them to browse through.

I would not recommend this book to people who have no interest in the topic since the topic is explored in depth. The colonial beginnings of some of the 'fashions' and other smaller pieces of information were very interesting. I may not have retained everything about everything the author covered, but it was a book I am glad I picked up.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook was well done and narrated by Molly Williams the author. But I'm betting that the physical copy of Taming the Potted Beast would have been a better option (at least for me). I'm a gardener, but houseplant's aren't really "my thing". Plants really have a much higher likelihood of surviving if they are in the garden (outside).

As a gardener, I really liked the first part of the book that was an overview of the "history of houseplants". The last ~25% of the book was about the care of houseplants and what conditions and care specific houseplants need. (Having pictures here would have been a benefit to me.)

I liked the author's attitude and thought it was very fresh. You can tell in her voice how much she loves houseplants. I'm really debating between 4* and 5* and decided to round up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read (listen) copy of Taming the Potted Beast in exchange for an honest review. Also many thanks to Molly Williams (the author and narrator) and Andrews McMeel Audio and Publishing. (Also my few houseplants thank you. Finally they might be getting a little better care.) Publication date is Sept 13, 2022.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover and couldn't pass it up! I will definitely be getting a physical copy because the preview images show awesome illustrations. The audiobook was read by the author and was a fun and easy listen. I guess my only real complaint is that the book is clearly supposed to have visual elements so sometimes I wanted to be able to look at the page that lists all the pests or suggested plants instead of just hearing them all listed. But that is only a few parts and the vast majority of the book is very enjoyable to listen to.

As far as the content, it's full of great facts and history that will shine new light on the plants in your home. The information is well researched and presented in a fun manor. The back of the book is full of resources for further research, care and keeping instructions, tips on picking the best plant for your abilities, and lots more. I already have plans to gift this book to several people.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the cover and couldn't pass it up! I will definitely be getting a physical copy because the preview images show awesome illustrations. The audiobook was read by the author and was a fun and easy listen. I guess my only real complaint is that the book is clearly supposed to have visual elements so sometimes I wanted to be able to look at the page that lists all the pests or suggested plants instead of just hearing them all listed. But that is only a few parts and the vast majority of the book is very enjoyable to listen to. As far as the content, it's full of great facts and history that will shine new light on the plants in your home. The information is well researched and presented in a fun manor. The back of the book is full of resources for further research, care and keeping instructions, tips on picking the best plant for your abilities, and lots more. I already have plans to gift this book to several people. Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I learned a lot about the history of houseplants and the author includes care instructions as well for many common houseplants. The pest section fell short however. I felt she glossed over how difficult it is to rid your plant(s) of thrips. Showering your plant and following with an insecticide will not do it. Thrips lay their eggs inside the plant and can return months later when the environment is ideal again. A long acting systemic is the only thing that seems to work. I've personally seen the craziness of the past couple years as houseplant prices have risen to absurd levels. Thankfully, prices seem to be coming down to more reasonable ranges for most plants. A little patience will save the seeker loads of cash. Overall, this was a great book for a houseplant enthusiast.

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Anxious Bibliophile Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I am at my core a history nerd, and diving into the deep history of something I care for really gets me going.

From the hanging gardens of Babylon to Cleopatra, Victorian Terrariums, and 70s macrame, I'm into it.

I've grown up with plants in the home, but I like many people during the pandemic started taking a more keen interest in my photosynthetic house makes.

I've successfully propagated my Philodendrons a few times and have gotten my rubber tree and island Fir to thrive indoors. I look forward to continuing adding to my collection, and I really loved the advise this book gave me.

I especially enjoyed the "Tips for Ethical Plant Buying" section. Its so important to be educated, and understand where and how things are sourced.

Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

🌿🪴🌿🪴🌿🪴

[Wendy Yarnling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Potted Beast by Molly Williams (EDITED)

5/5

· Fun & Fast-paced
· Informative & Entertaining
· Plant Mama Approved
· Narration by Author
· Historical Accounts with Modern Flair
· The Lineage of your Favorite Plant.
· Informative and humorous.


BIG thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing for an Audiobook ARC of Molly Williams Taming the Potted Beast. This is a quick listen clocking in at () This book had me enthralled. I love my houseplants and this book goes into their unique history while remaining fun and entertaining. Narrated by Molly Williams (our fun author) Molly pours her excitement about the subject into every word and will have you laughing in each chapter The History Channel needs to call Molly and give her a show because I want more!!! I promise you won’t look at your modern houseplant the same way again.

[Isabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this audiobook by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

I love microhistories. That's a pretty well established fact. I also love houseplants, and I own a lot of them. However, Taming the Potted Beast didn't quite do it for me. The chapters were very short and felt cursory. There's a chance that the fact that I listened to it on audiobook further hampered the experience, due to the fact that the audiobook skipped the supplemental information that the author kept saying would be at the end of each chapter, and left it all for the end of the book. It was painfully boring to listen to her list different types of houseplants and their care instruction with no reference pictures included for over 10 minutes. I'm writing this review a couple of weeks after finishing up the book, and I struggle to remember any fact that was presented.

A pretty forgettable book, 3 out of 5 stars.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's the perfect blend of history & fun facts. The book is organized beautifully: 10 chapters, starting with ancient times and working its way through history to the current pre/post-pandemic obsession with houseplants.

The author includes a reference section at the end of each chapter; this section focuses on houseplant care tips, suggestions for new houseplants, etc. These sections are themed according to the chapter that precedes it. This results in a really lovely flow to the book. It's very easy to read.

If you're a history lover, houseplant parent, or gardener you'll definitely find something to enjoy in this book! I highly recommend it.

If you'd like to see a more detailed breakdown of the book, you can check it out on Thegardeningbookworm.com

[Wendy Yarnling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Potted Beast

5/5

• Fun & Fast-paced
• Informative & Entertaining
• Plant Mama Approved
• Narration by Author
• Historical Accounts with Modern Flair
• The Lineage of your Favorite Plant.
• Informative and humorous.


BIG thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Audio, Andrews McMeel Publishing for an Audiobook ARC of Molly Williams Taming the Potted Beast. This is a quick listen clocking in at () This book had me enthralled. I love my houseplants and this book goes into their unique history while remaining fun and entertaining. Narrated by Molly Williams (our fun author) Molly pours her excitement about the subject into every word and will have you laughing in each chapter The History Channel needs to call Molly and give her a show because I want more!!! I promise you won’t look at your modern houseplant the same way again.

[Rachel Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like houseplants and history look no further than Molly Williams’ audiobook of Taming the Potted Beast.

It is a quick easy listen that I was able to binge while doing house work and, of course, watering my plants.

Williams’ writing and narration are amusing and factual with lots of quality tips on caring for house plants. I adored hearing about how house plant culture has evolved through time. I thought the section on the pandemic’s impact was particularly fascinating.

I am very tempted to buy the hard copy of this one because the art promises to be amazing.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Audio and NetGalley for a trial of this delightful audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review!

Publication Sep 12, 2022