Inside a cosy condo that's packed with eclectic plants — and a grandfather clock that doubles as a terrarium

Houseplanted is a bi-weekly series where folks with extraordinary houseplant collections invite us inside their homes for a tour of their verdant spaces and to share tips and inspiration for keeping nature alive inside. 

Meet Jasmine, aka @goodseedoftheday, a self-described professional plant lady based in Toronto, Ont. Her cosy condo has been described as Lemony Snicket meets Strawberry Shortcake and is practically bursting at the seams with vines and leaves in every corner. 

In this episode of Houseplanted, Jasmine shows us her eclectic plant collection — complete with a grandfather clock that's been turned into a terrarium — and shares the stories behind some of the most sentimental plants in her collection, including a rescue ficus that she calls her Garbage Glitter Disco Plant. 

Check out the video, then scroll down to learn a bit more about Jasmine and her plant collection.

​​This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Tell us about your home.

I rent a condo in downtown Toronto. I've been told that my home could be described as Lemony Snicket meets Strawberry Shortcake. 

How many plants are in your collection and how long have you been at it?

I have roughly 60 plants in my home and have been collecting plants for about 10 years. 

Can you share your very first plant and your most recent addition?

One of my first plants was an Ikea cactus that I've had for about 10 years now. She's seen me through so many phases of my life — different apartments, relationships, careers. I can't imagine a home without her. 

My most recent addition is a sad little aloe vera plant I rescued from the shop [I used to work for]. A lot of my plants are rescues. I just can't, in good conscience, toss a healthy plant out. 

Explain your overall relationship to your plant collection.

My relationship with my plants got tense at one point; I won't lie. I think it was stressful when my collection was much larger. I found the weekly upkeep overwhelming and felt a lot of guilt when some of my plants struggled due to neglect. Downsizing to a more manageable amount has made a huge difference. 

Letting go of the guilt when a plant is struggling has also been helpful. I no longer take it personally when a plant isn't doing well. I have a lot more patience with my plants and with myself. This is supposed to be fun after all!

Describe the emotional connection you have with your plants. How do they make you feel?

Tending to my plants is usually a meditative act for me. Feeling the soil for moisture, looking over leaves for signs of trouble — these actions engage my senses, take me out of whatever is going on in my head and help me feel grounded in the present moment. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own houseplant collection?

1. Do your research. Find the right plants that work for your space and lifestyle. That pretty fiddle leaf fig might look good in the store, but might make you cry in six months if you don't have the necessary light. 

2. Get yourself some insecticidal soap and learn everything you can about common houseplant pests. Many beginners don't know the early signs of infestation and by the time they do, it's often too late. 

3. Don't buy a plant you can't afford to kill. If you're just starting on your green thumb journey, accept that you might kill some plants along the way; better they be inexpensive impulse-buy succulents than a $300+ seven-foot-tall fiddle leaf fig. (For the record, I'm not a fiddle-hater, I've just seen too many cases of fiddle regret in my years working at a plant shop.)

What's the most important rule or practice you follow when caring for your plants?

Lighting is key! Setting your plants up with good lighting makes their care a lot easier. 

Have you developed any unconventional methods or techniques for growing and nurturing your plants?

I don't repot my plants at the frequency most would recommend. I keep many of my plants root-bound with the intention of stagnating their growth, as I'd probably have to sell some furniture to make room if I allowed all of my plants to reach their full potential! 

Where do you see your plant collection heading in the future? Are there any specific goals or aspirations you have for it?

I don't have any goals in mind. I think I have most, if not all, of my wish-list plants, and I've reached a point where I'm just content with where things are.