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Not Another Jungle: Comprehensive Care for Extraordinary Houseplants
Obsessed with houseplants? You’ve come to the right place.
This isn’t any ordinary houseplant book. In fact, there is nothing ordinary about these extraordinary plants. From growing his own collection, Tony Le-Britton of Not Another Jungle, shows you how to grow and care for the world’s most sought after plants.
Detailed chapters on light, water, humidity, fertilizer, variegation, propagation, and pests and diseases have you covered so you can confidently care for all your houseplants. Understanding their natural habitats empowers you to create the optimum environment in your own home so your plants will thrive. Combining detailed care advice and stunning imagery on a wide range of plants, including Monstera and Anthurium, with a special focus on desirable and unusual varieties
If you’re intent on becoming a devoted plant parent this year, dive straight in to discover:
- Step-by-step advice on everything you need to know to grow and care for houseplants.
- Information on variegated plant varieties for which there is currently huge interest.
- Stunning inspirational and step-by-step photography.
- Illustrations explain scientific information on plant anatomy.
- Explains how to source plants sustainably
All the plants featured are available internationally and can be acquired by US readers (many plants have their origins in South America or Asia). Wonder at the natural world with Not Another Jungle and curate and care for your own incredible collection of happy, healthy houseplants.
This isn’t any ordinary houseplant book. In fact, there is nothing ordinary about these extraordinary plants. From growing his own collection, Tony Le-Britton of Not Another Jungle, shows you how to grow and care for the world’s most sought after plants.
Detailed chapters on light, water, humidity, fertilizer, variegation, propagation, and pests and diseases have you covered so you can confidently care for all your houseplants. Understanding their natural habitats empowers you to create the optimum environment in your own home so your plants will thrive. Combining detailed care advice and stunning imagery on a wide range of plants, including Monstera and Anthurium, with a special focus on desirable and unusual varieties
If you’re intent on becoming a devoted plant parent this year, dive straight in to discover:
- Step-by-step advice on everything you need to know to grow and care for houseplants.
- Information on variegated plant varieties for which there is currently huge interest.
- Stunning inspirational and step-by-step photography.
- Illustrations explain scientific information on plant anatomy.
- Explains how to source plants sustainably
All the plants featured are available internationally and can be acquired by US readers (many plants have their origins in South America or Asia). Wonder at the natural world with Not Another Jungle and curate and care for your own incredible collection of happy, healthy houseplants.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2023
30 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 21, 2023
This book is a good introduction to people who want to acquire and grow plants that aren’t usually found in local nursery stores and garden centres.
Be prepared for the plant journey.
Be prepared for the plant journey.
May 14, 2023
For anyone looking for a beginner-friendly but extensive guide on houseplant care, this is a fantastic book for getting started. I could feel that this wasn’t just a wikipedia extract but really the author’s years of experience caring for multiple types of plants (be it indoor, outdoor, common or rare) all summarized into one book with beautiful photos proving that he knows what he is talking about.
As for people who are already fairly experienced in these topics (I don’t know how many hours I spent watching Youtube videos on this already), I found a couple parts that I really haven’t heard about before, like the way to propagate Alocasia, I just never looked it up until now and it was super interesting to learn about it.
The last message was important too; it’s easy for a hobby like this to become an obsession, and not only are rare houseplants a drain to our wallets but the high demand can severely endanger their live environments. This is why I’m so happy that tissue culture exists (if not for all houseplant types), these houseplants can become insanely popular due to social media and we just cannot keep up with the demand. That’s also why the prices are changing rapidly in short amount of time windows too; I remember like two years ago how insanely expensive the Monstera Thai constellations were in Hungary (a small plant cost like a monthly salary), and although for me they are still expensive they have dropped to 15-20% of their previous price since then. Maybe I’ll get to buy one in 2025!
As for people who are already fairly experienced in these topics (I don’t know how many hours I spent watching Youtube videos on this already), I found a couple parts that I really haven’t heard about before, like the way to propagate Alocasia, I just never looked it up until now and it was super interesting to learn about it.
The last message was important too; it’s easy for a hobby like this to become an obsession, and not only are rare houseplants a drain to our wallets but the high demand can severely endanger their live environments. This is why I’m so happy that tissue culture exists (if not for all houseplant types), these houseplants can become insanely popular due to social media and we just cannot keep up with the demand. That’s also why the prices are changing rapidly in short amount of time windows too; I remember like two years ago how insanely expensive the Monstera Thai constellations were in Hungary (a small plant cost like a monthly salary), and although for me they are still expensive they have dropped to 15-20% of their previous price since then. Maybe I’ll get to buy one in 2025!
February 7, 2026
Book Review: Not Another Jungle
Sub-title: Comprehensive Care for Extraordinary Houseplants
Author: Tony Le-Britton
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting "pro-tips" on social media or discouraged by a houseplant that just wouldn't thrive, Not Another Jungle is the corrective lens you need. It moves past the fluffy, vague advice found in many free guides and offers a solid, science-based foundation for new plant parents.
What is this book about?
This is a comprehensive manual designed to take a beginner from "clueless" to "confident." It covers the essential mechanics of indoor gardening—like light, water, and soil—but does so by explaining the principles of plant health rather than just giving you a list of chores.
Key Concepts for Beginners
The book excels at breaking down complex botanical ideas into "ah-ha!" moments:
Myth-Busting: A standout feature is the author’s dedication to debunking common myths. If you’ve heard that you should put stones in the bottom of a pot for "drainage" or mist your plants to "increase humidity," this book explains why those hacks often fail and what to do instead.
Accessible Terminology: While the book introduces technical terms, it never leaves you hanging. For example, when discussing Substrate (the material your plant grows in, like soil, bark, or peat), the author explains exactly what it is and why the right mix matters for root health.
Environmental Awareness: It teaches you how to evaluate your home's unique environment—specifically how light and airflow affect your "indoor jungle."
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The Strengths:
Clear and Direct: The writing is "low on jargon," meaning it uses plain English to describe how plants function.
High Value: Unlike many introductory books that offer "useless" or repetitive advice, this guide provides depth. You’ll learn how to actually troubleshoot problems rather than just guessing.
Practical Examples: The book includes specific care instructions for various houseplants, giving you a concrete "how-to" for the plants sitting on your shelf right now.
The Weaknesses:
Because it targets "extraordinary" houseplants, some of the specific species mentioned might be slightly more expensive or harder to find than your standard grocery-store ivy.
Final Assessment
This is a top-tier recommendation for any beginner plant parent. It provides the across-the-board advice needed to build a sustainable indoor garden without the confusion of internet misinformation.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Sub-title: Comprehensive Care for Extraordinary Houseplants
Author: Tony Le-Britton
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting "pro-tips" on social media or discouraged by a houseplant that just wouldn't thrive, Not Another Jungle is the corrective lens you need. It moves past the fluffy, vague advice found in many free guides and offers a solid, science-based foundation for new plant parents.
What is this book about?
This is a comprehensive manual designed to take a beginner from "clueless" to "confident." It covers the essential mechanics of indoor gardening—like light, water, and soil—but does so by explaining the principles of plant health rather than just giving you a list of chores.
Key Concepts for Beginners
The book excels at breaking down complex botanical ideas into "ah-ha!" moments:
Myth-Busting: A standout feature is the author’s dedication to debunking common myths. If you’ve heard that you should put stones in the bottom of a pot for "drainage" or mist your plants to "increase humidity," this book explains why those hacks often fail and what to do instead.
Accessible Terminology: While the book introduces technical terms, it never leaves you hanging. For example, when discussing Substrate (the material your plant grows in, like soil, bark, or peat), the author explains exactly what it is and why the right mix matters for root health.
Environmental Awareness: It teaches you how to evaluate your home's unique environment—specifically how light and airflow affect your "indoor jungle."
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The Strengths:
Clear and Direct: The writing is "low on jargon," meaning it uses plain English to describe how plants function.
High Value: Unlike many introductory books that offer "useless" or repetitive advice, this guide provides depth. You’ll learn how to actually troubleshoot problems rather than just guessing.
Practical Examples: The book includes specific care instructions for various houseplants, giving you a concrete "how-to" for the plants sitting on your shelf right now.
The Weaknesses:
Because it targets "extraordinary" houseplants, some of the specific species mentioned might be slightly more expensive or harder to find than your standard grocery-store ivy.
Final Assessment
This is a top-tier recommendation for any beginner plant parent. It provides the across-the-board advice needed to build a sustainable indoor garden without the confusion of internet misinformation.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
February 7, 2024
There is a lot of helpful advice between these pages!
But we all have to start somewhere, and this is not necessarily the best place. A lot of the advice is great for intermediate plant growers, but not super helpful if you’re just starting out.
The photos were beautiful though, and there were a lot of thought provoking points on how houseplants impact the Earth.
I probably would not recommend to a friend though.
But we all have to start somewhere, and this is not necessarily the best place. A lot of the advice is great for intermediate plant growers, but not super helpful if you’re just starting out.
The photos were beautiful though, and there were a lot of thought provoking points on how houseplants impact the Earth.
I probably would not recommend to a friend though.
December 4, 2023
Una auténtica excursión sobre el coleccionismo de plantas de interior. Incluye algunas fichas técnicas (no demasiado especializadas) de varios especímenes y una guía pormenorizada de sus cuidados. Las imágenes que acompañan a este libro son simplemente bellísimas.
Imperdible para las y los amantes de las plantas.
Imperdible para las y los amantes de las plantas.
January 4, 2026
if i could give this no stars i would. the author is incredibly ableist and decided to attack disabled people who are unable to work online.
most disabled people are desperate to work and we mourn the careers we lost, you should educate yourself and understand anyone can become disabled at any time.
the only difference between you and the person you were so unkind to is health and luck
most disabled people are desperate to work and we mourn the careers we lost, you should educate yourself and understand anyone can become disabled at any time.
the only difference between you and the person you were so unkind to is health and luck
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews