Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers

by Leslie F. Halleck

“Everything a plant parent needs to take their plant collection—and plant knowledge—to the next level.” —Maria Failla, founder, Bloom & Grow Radio podcast Do you have a passion for houseplants? A desire to grow more tomatoes? Do you want a garden bursting with colorful flowers? No matter what kind of plant fan you are, it’s easy to make more of your favorite plants—and it can be done for free! Plant Parenting is a beginner-friendly introduction to plant propagation. Leslie F. Halleck details the basic tools necessary, demystifies seed starting and saving, and shares easy-to-follow instructions for the most practical techniques. She also provides additional information on controlling pests and diseases and transplanting seedlings and cuttings. Charming, richly illustrated, and accessible, Plant Parenting is for anyone looking to make more of their favorite plants.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Plants, Nature, Reference, Adult, Environment

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2019

About the author

Leslie F. Halleck is a certified professional horticulturist (ASHS), and avid lifetime gardener, who has spent her 25+ year career hybridizing horticulture science with home gardening consumer needs. Halleck earned a B.S. in Biology/Botany from The University of North Texas and an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University. Halleck's professional experience is well-rounded, with time spent in field research, public gardens, landscaping, garden center retail, and horticulture consulting and communications. Halleck currently runs Halleck Horticultural, LLC, through which she provides horticultural consulting, business, and marketing strategy, product development and branding, and content creation for green industry companies.

Halleck is an author, award-winning writer for industry and consumer publications, and columnist for GIE Media. Her previous positions include General Manager for independent garden center North Haven Gardens in Dallas, TX and Director of Horticulture Research at The Dallas Arboretum.

Her new book "Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers" can be pre-ordered now on Amazon, IndieBound, Books-a-Million, and Barnes & Noble, with release/shipping June 2018. She's currently working on a new book "Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers" for spring of 2019.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book covers some basic botany, as well as all aspects of propagation, including a table with preferred methods of propagation for a variety of different plants, descriptions of a variety of growing media and potting options, the use of rooting powder, humidity domes, heat mats, automatic propagators, and lighting and temperature requirements, Not limited to houseplants, instructions are also included on starting annuals, edibles, and perennials from seed and spores, including a table with ideal germination temperatures for a variety of seeds. Also covered are feeding, rooting cuttings in water, layering, cane and leaf cuttings, bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and vegetative propagation, as well as recognizing and dealing with pests and diseases.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables and Flowers. I used to propagate my plants using a stem cutting. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. I tried numerous times to propagate from a leaf but it never worked. Now I understand why and what I need to do to rectify all these situations.

Halleck begins with an in-depth discussion about how plants propagate and how to start with seeds or vegetative propagation. She then provides an extensive chart of roughly 100 different plants and specifies the common propagation techniques for each of them. This chart alone, in my opinion, is worth the price of the book!

Next is a comprehensive presentation about tools and containers. I must confess that while I have had plants for 20+ years, quite a few things were completely new to me, such as a dibbler, paper pot maker and soil blocker. Halleck introduces the reader to a wide range of toos/equipment, somtimes providing alternatives, but you don’t need all of it. Plant Parenting is like a buffet — you choose your appetizers and entrees from a wide variety. You will learn about humidity domes, rooting hormones, capillary and heat mats, automatic propagators, grow lighting for seedlings versus cuttings, and more.

Readers will learn everything they need to know about seeds, including preparation, germination, light and feeding, and how to collect as well as store your seeds. I had never heard of chitting and greensprouting until I read this book.

I was fascinated by all the different types of cuttings used in propagation — stem, whole leaf, leaf petriole, stem-leaf bud, non-petriole and split-vein, non-petriole and leaf section, cane, corms, rhizomes, root, and air layering cuttings. There is also a section devoted to pests and diseases, including how to identify them as well as the proper treatment to eliminate threm.

The photography throughout the book is amazing and don’t worry, there are a ton of photos.
If you want to become a “Plant Parent” and propagate your plants, then this is the book for you and trust me, this is the only book you will ever need.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer for those of us who love plants and want to have more of them. Halleck explains various methods of plant propagation, including seeds and different kinds of cuttings. Various ways of caring for baby plants are also described. Basically it's everything you need to know in order to make more plants from the ones you already own (or the ones someone else owns, if they are willing to give you a cutting!).

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The charts are hard to read in the kindle version so I recommend the print version.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource for anyone who ever wanted to make more plants -- whether that's by taking cuttings of a friend's houseplant, growing flowers from seeds, dividing a crowded bunch of irises, rooting fallen leaves from succulents or more difficult processes.

As a gardener and houseplant lover, I am fairly educated on making new plants. I've transplanted elderberry runners into my back yard, rooted geranium cuttings from the post office to make a bunch of pretty summer plants for the garden, divided crowded perennials, rooted countless houseplant cuttings in water, rooted roses for swaps with other gardeners, and so on. There have always been a few plants that thwarted me, though, and I was happy to see such detailed instructions for all kinds of plants and all kinds of ways to propagate them.

The book is full of step-by-step instructions for every kind of plant propagation, helpful charts and full color photos. It also covers topics like grow lights, common pests and problems, humidity and the science of the whole business.

This is the kind of book that I'd refer to often for my home and garden, and would also be helpful for teaching kids about botany and plant propagation. Highly recommended.

I read a digital temporary ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes, what a great resource! I've spent a lot of time learning about plants and gardening over the past couple years, but I'll confess that starting plants from cuttings has felt very overwhelming for me! It's been hard to know where to start. I'm so grateful for a book like Plant Parenting, because it has given me step-by-step instructions for propagating plants.

The book is divided into seven main sections (with some smaller sections thrown in there, too). The sections cover the science behind how plants multiply, tools and materials you'll need, how to start seeds (including equipment recommendations), water rooting, growing from cuttings, pests to look out for, and how to finally transplant your plants.

This book is so gosh darn cool. I'll admit that it is a lot of information--and all the equipment can be overwhelming at times. But I decided to start small with leaf and stem cuttings, and it has been working for me! It helps, too, that there are a TON of clear and beautiful pictures that accompany the text, so it's easy to follow along with author Leslie Halleck as she goes through each step. Overall, a fantastic resource if you are interested in propagating your plants. Highly recommended!

Thank you to Net Galley and Timber Press for the ARC!

See more of my reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent advice on propagating new house and garden plants from old. I found this helpful with plants I am not completely familiar with, as well as some of the tips on planting seeds. Thank you!

I received a free electronic copy of this self-help book from Netgalley, Leslie F. Halleck, and Timber Press. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this book of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.

Netgalley Adobe Reader
pub date June 11, 2019
Timber Press
Review posted on Goodreads, Netgalley, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, and Kobo on June 11, 2019.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this highly enough if you are like me and looking to experiment with the process of creating your ideal garden. I collect seeds everywhere, order from online and have little cups of water rooting spider plants all around my house. This has expanded my understanding of how certain plants will propagate and the right tools to do so. The pictures are instructive, and some of the homemade containers are really interesting. If a plant can reproduce in any way, I feel like this book covers it. It covers everything you need to know about starting from seed, or grafting, or even creating hybrids. Even better, more modern plants are covered like the now popular Pass It On Plant, which I have seen covered in only a few recent books. Reading this has greatly increased the likelihood that every inch of my living space is going to look like a plant nursery this spring.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. IT IS BETTER. I was expecting learning about ways to create more plants, and yes, it was definitely about that and so much more. It feels like instead of Plants 101 I got the entire course! There is so much information in this book, so many techniques and tools and eco friendly container options and charts and I never expected it could entail this much! I mean I could’ve expected that because it has a whooping 264 pages crammed full with info, and it actually took me hours to absorb all the info and I have to admit: I just went into this wanting to know how to multiply my plants so I can give them away (everyone wants my pilea lol) l, but I came out as an amateur gardener who wants so much more now!

Also, I LOVED the amazing pictures and design of this book.

I received an e-arc from Netgalley but my opinions are my own!

[Katra · Rating 4 out of 5]

From, "Eggshells? Genius!" to, "So that's what I've been doing wrong . . .," I thoroughly enjoyed Halleck's clear and empowering instructions for being a plant mama. This well written "how-to" with its attractive and supportive illustrations have made me bold. The lilies, hostas, and iris around my house are about to spread!

Thanks to NetGalley for making a copy of this title available for an honest review.

[Rhonda Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, let me say the title hooked me. Plants are my babies! Who doesn’t want more and more and more? Yes, I can look up dozens of sites for each individual plant to find out how to propagate them.. But to have so much information in one place with just the turn of a page, my heart melts. Definitely one for the gardener’s shelf!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plant Parenting is the ultimate beginner’s book, even if you have a black thumb like mine.

While you can go anywhere in this book for advice, it begins by giving you a mini lesson on plant biology and what they need to live; which obviously I need, seeing as how I keep killing all of my plants. Then it goes not only into what tools you will need, but how to make some of your own tools and equipment.

The author takes the time to give us cheap, yet effective alternative to pots and glass seedling equipment. It was quite interesting to realize that I already have everything needed to make a plant grow. I even learned how to make a plant grow in only water (which, honestly, I already knew, but I forgot the next very important step, which was planting it after roots have sprouted. See? Told you I need this book!)

This book has beautiful pictures and solid explanations for caring for plants. Halleck takes the time to explain how to grow plants in a variety of conditions (inside, outdoors, in an apartment, in a small area, or in a large area, etc.). and she helps you decide which plants would work in the conditions that you are working in and even has charts to help you decide not only what plants to grow, but how to grow them.

This is definitely a great book for beginners and experts alike. I did not realize just how many ways a plant could grow. Spoiler alert, it all doesn’t have to be done with just seeds. Who knew? (Well besides her and the thousands of others who have already figured this out.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Plant Parenting" provides tips and step-by-step instructions on how to successfully grow plants from seeds, bulbs, cuttings, division, and more. The author started by explaining what tools are useful for plant propagation and how they're used. She then explained how to grow plants using many different methods: seeds (included seeds that are difficult to start), bulbs, tubers, water or soil rooting from cuttings (stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, etc.), using layering, through division, and more. The step-by-step directions included pictures that show what to do. She concluded with a brief section on how to avoid or treat pests and diseases and how and when to move your new plants into bigger pots or outside. I've grown plants from seeds and done some water rooting, and these instructions seemed very clear and do-able. I look forward to trying more of these techniques. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing plant propagation.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

User-friendly plant guide!
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Plant Parenting by Leslie F. Halleck!
Separating and propagating instructions to increase the amount of plants you have are the basis for this book. The first section explains how plants multiply and how plants differ in propagation. Next up is understanding plant names and their varieties. Materials, tools and instructions show different propagating systems, soil and lighting available. Then the sections are broken into the type of growing preferences, such as seeds, water rooting, propagation, and dividing plants. Photos are close up and detailed for making concepts easy to understand. I found this book so helpful that I’m now following the author on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 5 stars for a user-friendly guide to multiplying plants!

[Ms. Arca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This provided a lot of helpful background and went into arenas I didn’t even realize existed in the plant propagating world. As a total beginner, there were still parts that felt interesting to me, and other parts that felt totally over my head. I think that means this book is one that would be useful to many and that you could grow with as you tried out more and learned more. At the same time, all of the tools (there was some very fancy lighting set ups!) made me feel like maybe this wasn’t something I could actually do.. because I know my set up will not be that!!

There was a ton of photos with captions on what was going on for the plants which was helpful and informative. I will say I had hoped that there would be specific pages for popular plants with tips on what to do just for them. For example, I would’ve loved a ‘beginners’ section with plants that were relatively easy and maybe a highlighted brief on three of them and how to propagate them with decent success. The book was organized differently than that, which is totally fair, but maybe just didn’t suit my needs as much as I had wanted. I suppose there is the internet for that.

Anyways, I am glad I read and thanks for the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Krysti Kois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beyond informative. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pick up a shovel and a pile of dirt or go to the nearest home improvement store. The author has great ideas about how to get more plants when you have access to one. Weather it’s from collecting seeds after the growing season to cloning your favorite plant, this book has it all. The beginning reads more like a science book but the back third has informative pictures to help explain. I wish there were more pictures throughout the book like that. This book is definitely for someone who loves growing plants and has a background in gardening, possibly a little botany. It’s not exactly a beginners book. Plant parenting is written from a botanist’s point of reference, not the occasional gardener, but it is still informative enough that one could bridge the gap if they were so inclined. Just possibly with more trial and error. All in all, an entertaining, illuminating read.
Thank you, Net galley, for the opportunity to review this arc and post a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this isn't just a sit down and read sort of book. It is more like 1. an encyclopedia and 2. a reference book. 3. pictorial digest

1. Encyclopedia: So there is a great deal of knowledge to be found in an encyclopedia and it is typically organized in a way that helps you find just what you are looking for so that you can grab that knowledge and get started.
So a great example of that is seeds. If you want to learn more about starting seeds there is a chapter for that and you can sit down and read that section. Of course there are so many areas covered but you don't have to dig through the whole book to find JUST what you need.

2. Reference Book: Again a great deal of information loaded between the covers but if I want to look up the best method to propagate a specific plant I can do that as well. (page 24) The charts alone are worth the cost of the book!
Great example of that is African violets. There are several charts within the book that allow you to quickly find the best way to propagate an African violet, did you know there are 5, (!) well there are.

3. Pictorial Digest: The plant images are just stellar, absolute eye candy for the plant lover! I think what makes this book worth more than you will ever pay for it is that you can find beautiful plants that you love within the pages and for next to nothing you can propagate your own. If you are a plant shopper I don't have to tell you it can get expensive FAST! Find a plant you love and make new ones, by gathering seeds or taking cuttings of a friends plant. Plant people LOVE to share and I have more plants in my yard that were shared than I have bought.

I want to place a small pitch for the environmental impact that the book doesn't really address but I feel like it is very much present. The author gives you a list of tools that you can purchase however, she also gives you some supplies that you probably already have and/or can use to propagate with, (page 47 & 67). Examples: making pots from recycled newspaper, using egg shells and if you look closely you might even see some recycled containers, (page 80), being reused. I feel like plant people are more "environmentally in tuned" so I don't want you to get the idea that this is going to take a great deal of fancy supplies and equipment (though they do exist) in order for you to be successful. Possibly one of my favorite things was that I COULD raid my recycling bin and get growing without hitting the stores or amazon to make it happen.

If I had any criticism it would be the wish for timelines, which I understand is as challenging as writing a timeline for infants. Your plant may be ready to crawl, in a few months, (to a new pot) or based on environmental conditions it may take longer and therefore understand the absence of timelines. Waiting is the hardest part of plant parenting.

So trust me you won't be able to sit down and read this book, you will jump up and grab everything from seeds, to your houseplants and before then month is over this book will have paid for itself. Happy Sowing!

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are taught in biology class that most plants have everything necessary to propagate and multiply. In the real world where your home is not climate controlled for specific regions or you over or under water that very expensive plant that you had to have, we all need help to make the most out of the "green" parts of our lives. My husband is very fond of saying, "instead of buying the plan, just throw that $20 bill in the trash and save the middleman". Well, no more. I've already successfully started many plants and seedlings this season using the information from this book. Leslie Halleck must know many people like me who needed help!

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plant Parenting - Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers by Leslie F. Halleck could also be titled Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Plant Propagation. It is an intensive and extensive look at plant reproduction ranging from beginner to the more sophisticated methods. This is the second book I have read by Leslie F. Halleck. I thought the book would be thorough which it is. Plant Parenting answers all questions on plant reproduction that one could think to ask. Whether serious or novice gardener this book is bound to have information that you can use, such as understanding how plants are named and categorized to help you know how to conduct propagation.

There are lists, text, color photographs with step by step instructions. While some more expensive ways are shown the book actually has less, user friendly alternatives to try instead. I liked that part. I can’t really say this is a book to read cover to cover, though the first part f the book is interesting as it orients the reader to the different kinds of reproducing plants. I found it to be more of a reference book to keep handy.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I need my own copy of this.

[Hayley Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of illustrations and are so easy to learn. I bought my first grow lights after reading it.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this is a great book for a person who wants to start adding to their collection of plants. I recently began to start cuttings and this book is perfect. It really explained exactly how to do it. I highly recommend this book for the beginning and intermediate indoor or outdoor gardener. The book has lots of info also about starting vegetables for the outdoor garden. How to propagate seed and cuttings. It is an Excellent book!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the level of detail to various topics and the inclusion of up-to-date equipment. I have a shopping list! My friends can expect baby plants whenever I see them!

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of plant books, but this is one of the best in regards to plenty of information all in one book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you consider yourself a serious home gardener, then this book is what you truly need. It’s full of information on finding the right species to use, soil, light, and water to be successful at propagation. Mostly focusing on outdoor plants, flowers, and vegetables, this book explains the best ways to avoid disappointment and failures and waste your time and money. Consider this book fertilizer for the mind.

[Keri-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the information in this book but the colour palette makes it very hard to read and call out details.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Various methods of propagation are discussed along with when each method would be preferred. Handy charts are included for determining which plants can be propagated in which ways, ideal temperatures for seed germination for various popular plants and common plant pests and diseases. I appreciated that the author includes not only products sold specifically for plants, but also includes many repurposed items that do the job just as well. Each propagation method is covered clearly along with illustrative photos. This would be an excellent resource for a gardener or houseplant enthusiast.

Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ramona Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fun guide goes beyond the basics to educate and equip plant owners who want to propagate their house plants. The author gives in depth yet straightforward instructions, aided by clear drawings and photographs. All process are outlined step by step. This definitely provides a ton more information than I expected to get when I selected the book, and will be a great reference book for plant owners to keep on hand.

Many thanks to NetGalley for my digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Hoan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been obsessed with growing indoor plants for over 10 years and I just learned so much from this Plant Parenting book! Loved all the methods discussed for propagation and the simple illustrations in this book. The tips and steps were also straightforward and easy to follow. This has inspired me to propagate many more plants and in all sorts of ways! So excited to experiment.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of beautiful plant pictures, this book has everything you need to know if you're thinking about starting, multiplying, and keeping a garden as healthy as it can possibly be. The pictures in this book are not only crystal clear, but also vibrant and very green, making my plant look a little sad in comparison. If you're thinking about growing your plant collection/family, you need to pick up this book.

Check out my full review here!

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