Inside an Ontario home with a living room devoted to rare tropical plants

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 Christal of Ajax, Ont., a plant collector who's so dedicated, she devoted entire sections of her home solely to her houseplants. Her living room — which she said gets the best natural light in the whole house — is reserved for her personal collection, which includes a number of massive rare tropicals. She's also converted her garage into a greenhouse that harbours thousands of plants for her business, Centered by Plants.

In this episode of Houseplanted, Christal shows us her impressive array of rare aroids and hoyas and shares insider tips on how to grow big, lush plants indoors.

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

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

Tell us about your home.

I live in Ajax, Ont., a suburban community with lots of nature to offer, including trails, parks, a lake and conservation areas. 

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

I currently have approximately 60 plants in my personal collection and over 3,000 plants in my retail selection.

Can you share your very first plant, your most recent addition, and your all-time favourite?

The plant that kicked off my journey was a Monstera deliciosa that I received from my mom's friend in 2018. At that time it was one of the most hyped plants for hobbyists. 

My most recent addition is a Hoya Rime Splash, which I obtained through a trade at a plant show. 

My all-time favourite is my Philodendron Billietiae. It's been very rewarding to grow, and I love how much it's transitioned and matured since I acquired it. 

Explain your overall relationship to your plant collection.

My relationship with my plants is very relaxed. I've learnt that sometimes less is more when it comes to plant care and that it's not always necessary to helicopter-parent. Over time, I've developed a better understanding of their needs, so it no longer requires much effort to maintain them.

I've also developed a healthy attachment to them. I understand that they're living things and they may die at some point, so I must be willing to let them go without being too hard on myself.

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

I have a very strong emotional connection with my plants. My plants make me feel happy; they make me feel proud and accomplished. My plants remind me to be humble, patient and gentle with myself. My plants make me feel unique. 

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

Start small and have realistic expectations. There will be a few learning curves to navigate. Gain some knowledge on houseplant basics, such as watering methods, lighting needs and common pest identification. 

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

The most important rule I follow is to not aim for perfection. Perfect plants do not exist, even in nature. Leaves will tear while unfurling, or turn brown and crispy. Pests will sometimes cause severe damage. It's not always pretty, so I've accepted that perfection should not be the goal. 

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

I can't say that I have developed any particular growing techniques; however, I tend to bend the rules a bit when it comes to plant care. For example, traditional rules suggest that plants should only be propagated or repotted during the spring, when they are most actively growing. However, I propagate and repot my plants throughout the year as needed. Another thing I do that's a bit controversial is to allow water to flow from one plant to another when watering. Some people argue that this method can cause the transfer of pests from one plant to another. My pest management style combats this issue because I routinely treat all my plants and always assume bugs are present, even when I don't see any. 

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

In the future, I hope to acquire a commercial space where I can grow on a larger capacity and be able to supply other small businesses locally.