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Horti Houseplant Subscription Review – May 2018

Emily Cosnotti
ByEmily CosnottiJun 2, 2018 | 5 comments

Horti Shipping Box

Horti
4.3 overall rating
3 Ratings | 1 Reviews

Horti is a new houseplant subscription box for urban dwellers that not only sends plants but educates you on how easy it can be to take care of them. Pick how often you'd like to receive a new plant--monthly or bi-monthly--and a plant, plant pot, and dehydrated soil will be shipped right to your door. NYC based subscribers can also choose a bi-monthly plan that includes a plant and additional planting accessories.

Horti Live Plants Inside Sticker

This is a review of the Newbie US, $35 every other month, box. According to the Horti site:

Every two months, you will receive a 6” plant (or two or three smaller plants) with a beautiful hand-painted pot or planting accessory, along with the key information to sustain it.

Horti open box

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Horti Subscription Box Review

About Horti Houseplant Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: Horti

The Cost: $35.00 + free ground shipping

The Products: Each box will include a 6" robust houseplant with a hand-painted pot or planting accessory, soil, and care instructions.

Ships to: US

Horti May 2018 Review

info card envelope

My shipment from Horti came with an envelope with info cards inside, sealed with a branded Horti sticker.

info cards

This card provides a brief overview of Pothos, also known as "the devil's ivy" since it's almost impossible to kill:

"It is popular in temperate regions and is a great choice for a houseplant. It can handle low-light conditions and is known to be an excellent air-purifier. All of its varieties have long-growing, leafy vines, some that can readh 40 feet or mroe in tropical jungles"

The card also tells me that my new plant will enjoy moderate to bright indirect light but can handle low light situations. It also says that the leaves will droop when it needs more water and that it prefers normal to warm temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant is not safe for pets.

Card with plant options

Next, there's a list of possible pothos that Horti might send. I got a Satin pothos whose botanical name is Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus'.

information on grooming plants

This month, Horti included an extra card that gives tips on plant grooming - something I have to admit I've never done! Horti says that houseplants like pothos grow best with regular pruning.

Everyone wants a big, bushy, healthy-looking houseplant, and it would seem counter-intuative that pruning would be a way to accomplish that goal. However, everything from pruning out old leaves and stems to occassionally clipping away old roots while repotting can stimulate vigorous, healthy new growth.

They recommend pruning out no more than 3/4 of the foliage at one pruning and to cut at a 45-degree angle with a sharp blade.

information on plant pinching

Another new thing I learned about from this card is plant pinching.

Using your thumb and forefinger to remove a tip of a stem is known as pinching a plant. Once your young plant has formed a few pairs of leaves on a stem, it is ready to be pinched. When a young stem tip is pinched off, the plant will branch out and become bushier and fuller.

It's also important to keep plant leaves clean and dust free by wiping them down with a damp cloth or sponge.

Horti Shipping Packaging Detail

Here's how everything looked straight out of the box. The plant is well-packed in a foam envelope and the plant pot is wrapped in bubble wrap.

I started my subscription over the cold winter months and Horti always shipped my plant with a heat pack to keep it safe. Now that summer is here, there is no need for a heat pack.

Onto the plant!

securely packaged plant

My new pothos was shipped carefully with the pot wrapped at the top to prevent the soil from falling all through the box.

ivy plant in plastic pot

alternate view of ivy plant in plastic pot overhead view of ivy plant in pot

Satin Pothos - Estimated Value $15.00

Meet my new plant! He is a satin pothos, which is a type of ivy. The plant arrived healthy and intact in its travel pot. The leaves have a light velvet on them with speckles of light green on a darker green. Such a pretty plant. This plant is not safe for pets but is ok for our home because our corgi, Penelope, is not interested in plants and is also too short to reach this one! If you have cats that like to nibble on your houseplants, this would not be a good plant for you. From the info cards, this plant sounds like it'll be pretty hard for me to kill, and I'm pretty excited about that.

horti white dipped terracotta plant pot

detail of terracotta plant pot

overhead shot showing drainage hole in terracott pot

Dipped Terracotta Plant Pot - Estimated Value $10.00

Like with my first month of Horti, this month's plant came with a painted terracotta plant pot and matching drainage tray. The pot has a hole at the bottom so extra water can flow out easily and not linger in the soil. I like that this subscription sends a plant pot that's the right size for my new plant so I don't have to worry about finding one!

plant snips in envelope  overhead view of plant snips

Eagle Brand Snips - Estimated Value $1.00

This little pair of snips has a plastic handle piece and super sharp metal blades. I like having a small pair of scissors like this around to cut loose thread ends and never thought to use them on plants. I like that Horti included a plant care accessory in this box along with instructions on plant grooming.

dehydrated soil puck with rehydration instructions detail of soil puck

Wonder Soil Expanding Soil 3″ Wafer – Buy a pack of 24 for $42.99

I got a soil puck like this in my first Horti box and it's so cool. I love this tidy way of shipping soil and the convenience of not having to go buy soil to plant my new plant in its pot. All you have to do is add 1/2 cup of water to the dehydrated dirt and it expands, providing plenty of soil for the new pot.

soil puck before adding water

Here is the soil wafer before adding water.

rehydrated soil puck

And here it is after! Lots of fresh dirt!

potted plant

alternate view of potted plant

Here's a look at my new satin pothos all planted up in its new pot!

The Verdict: If you're trying to grow your houseplant collection and have trouble finding good local sources for plants - this subscription might be for you! I'm happy to have received another happy, healthy potted plant this month rather than the large air plant I received in my previous shipment. I learned some new tips about plant care and plant grooming thanks to the info cards from Horti - I think this subscription is doing a great job at providing house plants AND educating me on how to be a better plant parent. I am actively trying to become a plant hoarder and really look forward to my Horti shipments ever other month!

To Wrap Up: 

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? I can't say that you'll get the same plant and vessel combo as me if you sign up today, but they will get a plant shipped out to you quickly after you subscribe!

Value Breakdown: At $35.00 (includes free shipping) the average cost of each item is $11.67.

Check out all of our Horti reviews and the Eco-Friendly Subscription Box List!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Would you sign up for a houseplant subscription?

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So you are eager to build your indoor jungle? This is the perfect subscription plan for you. Whether you are a planting newbie with low confidence or a planting enthusiast with an unsatiated hunger for more plants, this plan will help you reach your greenery goals! Every month, you will receive a... read more.

Emily Cosnotti
Emily Cosnotti
Emily is a design enthusiast who loves beautiful objects. She's really into vegan snacks, corgis, home goods, and minimalist makeup. She is currently fostering a healthy subscription addiction.

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5 comments

wolfrun.cb2

I love this subscription! I’m getting plants I would never have known about. The current one which is Lake Ball is the coolest thing. Can you find this stuff cheaper elsewhere? Maybe but that would take all the fun out of the discovery of new and different plants.

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Michelle

This is about $3 at Home Depot or Lowes.

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cynm

This is super cute but I just bought one like it in the pot at Kroger for $7.

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Cassandra

I have a few pothos but this one is so pretty!

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Mamo

I love this sub. My first plant is still radiant 3 months later. The most recent one I got is a lake ball moss algae thing and it is so freaking cool! So the value is totally there for me

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