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The Plant Rescuer: The Book Your Houseplants Want You to Read
A simple, stylish and complete guide for any houseplant owner
Whether you have just one or many houseplants, this is the book they need you to read. It is a clear and practical toolkit on all aspects of plant care from how to choose a plant to tips for everyday care. Changes in your plant's appearance are often a cry for help and this book will help you understand their needs. Learn how to help your plants not only survive but thrive.
Sarah, also known as @theplantrescuer, is a self-taught houseplant obsessive who firmly believes every plant deserves a happy life. Her determination to see beyond the 'perfect plant' and to rescue unloved plants makes her the go-to guide.
Whether you have just one or many houseplants, this is the book they need you to read. It is a clear and practical toolkit on all aspects of plant care from how to choose a plant to tips for everyday care. Changes in your plant's appearance are often a cry for help and this book will help you understand their needs. Learn how to help your plants not only survive but thrive.
Sarah, also known as @theplantrescuer, is a self-taught houseplant obsessive who firmly believes every plant deserves a happy life. Her determination to see beyond the 'perfect plant' and to rescue unloved plants makes her the go-to guide.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 31, 2022
46 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 9, 2024
I have a fairly good grasp on looking after houseplants, when I have an issue with my plants it's because of either laziness, lack of time and lack of areas in my house. So I have decided to only keep a small handful of plants (for now).
This was a great book about houseplants and caring for them. It was extremely easy to comprehend and started with the fundamental (light and water) and moved on to other ways to ensure your plants thrive, this made it not so overwhelming. It even gave me an extra boost to give more attention to the few (approx. 25) plants I have.
This was a great book about houseplants and caring for them. It was extremely easy to comprehend and started with the fundamental (light and water) and moved on to other ways to ensure your plants thrive, this made it not so overwhelming. It even gave me an extra boost to give more attention to the few (approx. 25) plants I have.
January 25, 2025
Can legitimately say this is the most helpful book I've got to help save houseplants out of all the ones I've got to try and help this is the most concise but also practical and least vague.
August 28, 2022
I first discovered The Plant Rescuer a few months ago, watching the lovely videos that she posts, and appreciating her mission. As someone who has a few houseplants, with occasional struggles, I thought her book would be useful.
The book is divided into three sections: nurture & grow, houseplants for your home, and rescue & propagate. For me, the most interesting parts were about the correct lighting for houseplants, propagation, and the Information pages about specific plants.
I have never seen information about the details of looking after plants presented in such an approachable way. I have already made use of the information in the book, and I will be sure to use this book as a reference tool in the future.
If you want clear and sound houseplant advice, this book is perfect for you.
The book is divided into three sections: nurture & grow, houseplants for your home, and rescue & propagate. For me, the most interesting parts were about the correct lighting for houseplants, propagation, and the Information pages about specific plants.
I have never seen information about the details of looking after plants presented in such an approachable way. I have already made use of the information in the book, and I will be sure to use this book as a reference tool in the future.
If you want clear and sound houseplant advice, this book is perfect for you.
May 16, 2022
The Plant Rescuer by Sarah Gerrard-Jones
Calling all house plant lovers! This is the book for you.
Alongside beautiful photos of some very unusual house plants, the book is filled with hints and tips on how to keep all your plant babies alive.
From troubleshooting problem plants to propagation and knowing how much light your plant needs, this book has it all.
It also highlights how the industry needs to look at how it can be more sustainable and how us, the consumers can encourage and help too.
Written in easy to follow language, it’s all fully explained and perfect for beginners.
Highly recommend🪴
Calling all house plant lovers! This is the book for you.
Alongside beautiful photos of some very unusual house plants, the book is filled with hints and tips on how to keep all your plant babies alive.
From troubleshooting problem plants to propagation and knowing how much light your plant needs, this book has it all.
It also highlights how the industry needs to look at how it can be more sustainable and how us, the consumers can encourage and help too.
Written in easy to follow language, it’s all fully explained and perfect for beginners.
Highly recommend🪴
April 21, 2023
Could not stand the preachy tone, especially in the earlier sections, but the majority of the book is filled with useful, detailed information.
April 28, 2022
As a clichéd lock down plant parent, I've been following Sarah for a while on Instagram.
I've been waiting for this book, some plants I've managed to keep alive for a few years now, others no matter what I do (looking at you calatheas) just don't want to live!
This book is full of tips that I can't want to put into practise.
I've been waiting for this book, some plants I've managed to keep alive for a few years now, others no matter what I do (looking at you calatheas) just don't want to live!
This book is full of tips that I can't want to put into practise.
February 20, 2023
Very educational, useful book that every plant person or person considering start a plant journey should read. You learn of what mistakes to avoid and what is possibly wrong with your care , the symptoms, the causes and the variety of solutions you can come up with in order to save your plant or a part of it at least. But before coming to this stage it learns you hoe to care the light and watering conditions you can apply to each plant to not only make it survive but thrive!!! It helps you learn to read the signs of the plant. Because they may not talk our language but they give us warnings of their condition, we just have to learn how to understand them and of course it all begins with love. Love your plant/-s in order to deeply feel them and help them thrive ♥️✨️
February 7, 2023
A great book for houseplant lovers. There is a lot of very useful information that I haven't come across elsewhere that really changed how I look after my plants.
Being a Bloomsbury book, it's a very good looking book, but the writing is clear and concise with a very good troubleshooting/flow chart section at the back to help with identifying problems with your plants.
There are a lot of books out there telling you about houseplants but this is probably the only one I've read that will help you keep them alive 👍
Being a Bloomsbury book, it's a very good looking book, but the writing is clear and concise with a very good troubleshooting/flow chart section at the back to help with identifying problems with your plants.
There are a lot of books out there telling you about houseplants but this is probably the only one I've read that will help you keep them alive 👍
February 23, 2023
Loved Gerard-Jones’ flowcharts for identifying the cause of plant issues and the appropriate rescue solution. The sections on low/medium/bright light plants will help plant parents select the right plant for the right location in the home, setting it up for success. I found the information on environmental impacts of common houseplant soil mix ingredients really eye opening. Had no idea about unethical harvesting methods of extracting peat and sphagnum moss or that some tropical plants are actually poached!
October 18, 2023
As far as plant books for beginner plant parents who have definitely almost killed a plant, this is the best I've read. The information is broken down, organized, and simplified so well - it's very accessible. You will probably know how to save your dying plant by the end. The sections made it so easy to say "oh no, what does this brown leaf thing mean" and immediately find answers. As far as the plant list, I wish it had included more plants (a lot of my common ones aren't in there), but it's by far the best straightforward and most helpful care guide.
October 5, 2025
This is definitely a book I want to purchase. I have followed the author on Instagram for years and learned a great deal. Her book is an excellent reference book to always have on hand. I liked the way she has things sectioned. It makes for easy reading and easy to find information quickly. I highly recommend this book for a plantoficiando.
July 4, 2025
Info is pretty basic if you know the basics about your plants and the potential problems that may arise. The author is preachy, which I felt added a level of difficulty to reading the book that shouldn't have been there.
July 8, 2022
Helpful guide to have around the house. I find it easy to use and would certainly recommend for other house plants enthusiasts, beginners or not!
September 24, 2022
One of the best plant care books I've read, with solid, simple watering guidance and acceptance that sometimes plants won't look perfect. Love her Instagram, too.
November 1, 2022
A beautiful and super informative book. A great companion to her Instagram videos, which are amazing!
December 27, 2022
Great book if you have indoor plants. It covers all the basics and it’s easy to understand.
November 28, 2023
One of the best books I have read on the care of houseplants. Concise and sensible, I’ll hopefully be a better houseplant Mum from now on 😉.
March 22, 2024
Feeling like a plant expert now!
So practical and useful detailed instructions. Love the flow charts!
So practical and useful detailed instructions. Love the flow charts!
September 29, 2024
Informative and practical. Exactly what I was looking for to level up my houseplant game. Love her Instagram as well!
November 14, 2024
Solides Buch, tolle Fotos, sinnvoller Struktur.
Motiviert, in der Zukunft keine Pflanzen mehr zu töten. Mal gucken, was die Thripse dazu sagen.
Motiviert, in der Zukunft keine Pflanzen mehr zu töten. Mal gucken, was die Thripse dazu sagen.
May 19, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Weird format but some good info.
Weird format but some good info.
December 5, 2025
Excellent book, easily accessible information, yet still a book you can easily relate to, warmly written.
June 11, 2022
This is a beautiful book, full of information and advice, looking at which plants work well in the different rooms in your house and how to manage their individual needs.
I love Sarah’s introduction about how she looks for the sad and neglected plants rather than the ones that look in peak health, determined to give them the help and nurturing that they deserve.
As you can see in the photo above, we have some succulents and two false shamrocks (oxalis triangularus) – I need to buy some plant food and keep the oxalis away from our chihuahua, I wasn’t aware that they were toxic to pets until I read this book.
I had hoped to be visiting our local garden centre today, but sadly a number of things meant that I’ve had to postpone my trip until next weekend. I’m looking forward to finding some new plants for my office and our cloakroom, and they won’t be plastic this time!
Happy to recommend this ‘bible’ for houseplant lovers. I also recommend following @theplantrescuer on Instagram for more inspiration.
I love Sarah’s introduction about how she looks for the sad and neglected plants rather than the ones that look in peak health, determined to give them the help and nurturing that they deserve.
As you can see in the photo above, we have some succulents and two false shamrocks (oxalis triangularus) – I need to buy some plant food and keep the oxalis away from our chihuahua, I wasn’t aware that they were toxic to pets until I read this book.
I had hoped to be visiting our local garden centre today, but sadly a number of things meant that I’ve had to postpone my trip until next weekend. I’m looking forward to finding some new plants for my office and our cloakroom, and they won’t be plastic this time!
Happy to recommend this ‘bible’ for houseplant lovers. I also recommend following @theplantrescuer on Instagram for more inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews