Amanda
Roberts
Amanda Roberts , host of HGTV ’ s Plant Mama web series , is a full-time grad student who is currently working on a PhD in political science . Amanda ’ s love for plants began as a young girl when her grandmother gifted her an African Violet . After nearly killing the plant , she brought it back to her grandmother who helped bring it back to life . Amanda aspires to that level of green-thumb-ness to this day . With Plant Mama , Amanda ’ s goal is to keep plant care simple and approachable while still covering all the basics you need to get started . In the future , Amanda hopes to build on that foundation by exploring niche topics like caring for particular plants or dealing with pests .
CANADIAN HOME TRENDS Do you have a personal favorite plant story ?
AMANDA ROBERTS My favorite plant story is about my first winter with my fiddle leaf fig . First , I seriously underwatered it and it lost a bunch of leaves , then it got spider mites , then I overwatered it and it lost a bunch of leaves . I was sure it was going to die ! I ’ ve figured out a good routine with it now , but they ’ re such picky plants when it comes to their growing conditions . Mine has its own humidifier . I like telling this story to remind people
Photos by HGTV Canada
that plants can be tricky and that I make mistakes and struggle with them sometimes too . The houseplant hobby is basically 80 % persistence !
CHT What is one plant you haven ’ t had a chance to own / grow yet that you ’ d love to attempt ?
AR I think carnivorous plants are fascinating and beautiful ! They can be a bit high maintenance , so I haven ’ t given them a try just yet .
CHT What is your favorite room in your house ?
AR I love our living room . It has a big south-facing window , so it gets really good light . My cat Artemis has beds hanging on the window and she ’ s there often . The room is crammed with plants on every surface , including the floor . I actually buy more surfaces to put plants on . It ’ s a problem but I love it !
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