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.
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.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
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 July 2018 Review
My shipment from Horti came with an envelope with info cards inside.
This card provides a brief overview of Peperomia, which are from the pepper family:
"These plants have semi-succulent properties, which means they are able to store moisture in their fleshy stems or leaves to fall back on when needed. These are 'easy to care' for plants with an extensive variety."
The card also tells me that my new plant will enjoy bright indirect light and can also do well under fluorescent lights. It also says that over-watering is the main cause of problems for this plant and to avoid the leaves when watering. My new plant prefers normal to warm temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit and is safe for pets.
Next, there's a list of possible peperomia that Horti might send. I got a Red Ripple peperomia.
This month, Horti included an extra card that told me they're mixing things up this month by sending a plant cuttings display instead of a pot and soil. The card talks about propagating plants in water which is something I've seen on the internet but never tried myself.
One of the most amazing things about plants is that every cell has the ability to duplicate all parts and functions of the plant. By taking a cutting of a leaf or stem and creating the right water conditions, you can create an entirely new plant.
They say to clip a leaf from my new peperomia and/or a section from last month's pothos and placing the cuttings in the included tube filled with water. Keep reading to see how that went!
First, here's a look at how the plant was packaged for shipment. Horti has done a great job so far of making sure plants are securely packed and that they don't arrive with dirt scattered all through the shipping box.
Onto the plant!
Red Ripple Peperomia - Estimated Value $9.00
My new peperomia was wrapped in moistened tissue paper. The paper was wrapped up over the leaves to keep everything safe on the journey but I think that may have been too much moisture for this plant. As I learned from the info card, the red ripple peperomia doesn't like having wet leaves and I can see the effects of that in this plant. There were enough healthy leaves intact to make the plant viable but I was surprised at how many were dead or rotting. I removed the damaged leaves and let the plant dry out before watering again. I have noticed a few more leaves and stems wilting or falling off, but the healthy part of the plant has perked up and is doing well.
Plant Cuttings Display - Retail Value $15.00
Horti mixed things up this month and sent me a plant cuttings display for plant propagation rather than the usual plant + dirt + plant pot. I like a change now and then and I also like being encouraged to try something new so I'm in! The display is made up of two glass tubes (they were very carefully packed in bubble wrap but I opened them in a brute force frenzy and broke a tiny piece of the edge, totally my bad) and two wooden cylinders with a white dipped paint effect.
As suggested on the card, I took a clipping from my new peperomia plant and one from my pothos from my last shipment. It was super easy to do using the small snips that I got in a previous Horti shipment. It's too soon to tell if they will successfully turn into new plants but I'll update you on their condition in my next review.
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! This month's plant arrived a bit damaged from moisture during shipment, but enough of the plant was intact and healthy that I didn't consider it a loss. Given time, sunlight, and the right watering schedule, this plant is on the mend. I liked that Horti mixed things up by including a nice looking propagation display this shipment complete with instructions on how to use clippings to propagate plants in water. I think this subscription is doing a great job of providing house plants AND educating me on how to be a better plant parent. For me, this subscription is more about plant education and adding new plants to my collection than it is about value - if you have a good spot for finding house plants and know your way around plant care, this subscription may not be as good a fit for you.
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 $17.50 which is higher than the actual value of the items.
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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