I'm so glad you're here. Let's find your Green Thumb

Rachel OKell waters one of her 70 indoor plants

We all kill plants, it's part of the process.

I know how hard it can be, you bring an indoor plant home... and watch it slowly die.

I've been there. I've killed the plants and I've learnt a lot along the way.

But why should you listen to me? Everyday I meet people just like you, who buy plants for their home, but don't know the first thing about keeping them alive.

If that's you, I've got you, let me help you learn about plants.

Join my mini course

ebook cover, an image of green houseplants in white pots with the title: A plant for any room, the beginners guide to bringing plants indoors by Rachel Okell Owner and Founder of Our Green Sanctuary. Featuring 5 ways you are torturing your houseplants and how to stop it in one day or less

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E-book:

A PLANT FOR ANY ROOM

The beginners guide to bringing plants indoors

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Hello! Let me introduce myself.

I'm Rachel. I'm a horticulturist, Teacher & Mum and I'm hugely passionate about sharing my knowledge of plants. I created Our Green Sanctuary as a way to educate people on the fundamentals of houseplant care, so they can enjoy their plant hobby without the stress of dealing with plant problems they don't know how to solve. I'm here to help you learn about plants.

Rachel Okell surrounded by her hanging plants, at home in the garden on the Central Coast NSW

Our Blog Posts

5 things you need to keep your houseplants happy

How to propagate houseplants with cuttings

3 Must Do’s When Repotting Your Houseplants

The 3 most common mistakes new plant parents make and how to avoid them.

ourgreensanctuary

Horticulturist / Teacher
Learning, growing and teaching about plants on the Central Coast NSW 🪴

THIS SATURDAY I'm chatting to @thegardeninggang Pe

THIS SATURDAY I'm chatting to @thegardeninggang Pete and Cheralyn about propagating houseplants with cuttings.

Listen in to @coastfm963 from 8am to learn what you'll need to take cuttings AND how to do it!

Propagating your houseplants from cuttings is the easiest way to get FREE PLANTS!

And now is a great time to get started.

Swipe ↔️ to see how I chopped my raphidophora tetrasperma today because it's outgrown it's pole again.

If you want to learn more about propagating your indoor plants I wrote a new blog post just for you - head over to the link in my bio to read my new post: How to propagate houseplants with cuttings 🪴

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@ourgreensanctuary

#radioguest #coastfm963 #centralcoastgardening #centralcoastradio #houseplantexpert #houseplanttips #propagate #propagation #plantcare #plantcontent #plantlovers #indoorplant #houseplants #plants #garden #gardener #gardening #centralcoast

THE BEST POTTING MIX FOR INDOOR PLANTS Why do I

THE BEST POTTING MIX FOR INDOOR PLANTS

Why do I love it?

It's simple - just two ingredients

It's easy - premium potting mix and perlite are easy to find at your local plant store or online (DM me for links)

It works - I've been using this recipe for years and the best thing is you can adjust the ratios depending on the plants needs; for more drainage add more perlite, OR for plants that require more water holding capacity use more potting mix.

I talk all about WHY I use this simple potting mix recipe in my Online Mini Course - you can learn more via my link in bio @ourgreensanctuary

What's in your indoor plant potting mix?

#potplants #premiumpottingmix #perlite #plants #indoorplants #houseplant #houseplanttips #houseplantlover #houseplantsofinstagram #houseplantcourse #onlinecourses #minicourse #houseplantexpert #indoorplantlover #houseplantreels #reels
@searlesgardening
@martinsfertiliser
@gardeningaustralia

The struggle is REAL 😂 Trying to fit more hang

The struggle is REAL 😂
Trying to fit more hanging plants when I've clearly run out of space here.
If I use the rest of the pergola roof then people (aka hubby) will hit their heads on plants and nobody wants that!
And that's why I always say a garden is never finished.
Your plants and your space are always going to evolve and grow with you, so buy the plant, rearrange the space and enjoy it!
Are you into hanging plants? Comment your favourite below!
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@ourgreensanctuary
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#plantcontent #plantteachers #plantlover #plants #patio #hangingplants #trailingplants #trailingplant #indoorplant #ferns #gardens #gardeningtimelapse #timelapsereels #plantlife #plantcare #plantexpert #houseplant #houseplanttips #horticulturist #ourgreensanctuary

I get asked this all the time... What tropical pl

I get asked this all the time...
What tropical plants are best for full sun?
So today, I wrapped up 5 of my favourites.
Watch to find out what they are 💚
Got a question?
Comment below or send me DM.
AND if you're a central coast local and you want someone to tell you what to plant, where? Let me know!
I offer consults too ☺️
Happy gardening!
Rachel x
@ourgreensanctuary

#gardening #gardenreels #gardeninginspiration #gardeningaustralia #plantcontent #tropicalplant #tropicalfoliage #tropicalgarden #tropicalplants #garden #plant #plants #reels #centralcoastgardening #centralcoastgarden #centralcoast

WATCH AND LISTEN How does this make you feel? I

WATCH AND LISTEN
How does this make you feel?

I listened to this audio and immediately fell in love. It's such a beautiful rhythm 💚

I added some clips of my shade spot here on the patio in my tiny tropical garden and watching it back I felt mesmerised.

I'm so proud and happy with how my garden looks right now. I know I'm so ready for any challenges and I'm just enjoying the space.

Do you want to create a garden like this?

You can make your space feel bigger by creating a garden.

Let's chat

@ourgreensanctuary

#tinytropicalgarden #tinygarden #smallspacegardening #courtyardgarden #shadegarden #beautifulgarden #garden #onlinecourses #plantcontent #plantcourse #ourgreensanctuary #minicourse #gardeningtips #gardencourtyards

Spending time in the garden is one of the best thi

Spending time in the garden is one of the best things I have done for my wellbeing in the last 10 years.
It's time for me to just be.
I can focus on my plants.
Get lost in caring for and maintaining my plants.
And I'm rewarded with a beautiful space to enjoy and a quiet mind for a moment.
Are you gardening in 2023?
What will you be working on?
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Follow @ourgreensanctuary for garden inspiration, tips and updates 💚

#gardens #gardenreels #gardening #gardeningaustralia #gardeninginspiration #gardeningreels #gardeninspo #tropicalplants #tropicalgarden #tinytropicalgarden #tinygarden #smallspacegardening #smallgarden

WHITE FLOWERS 💮 My summer garden has been sho

WHITE FLOWERS 💮

My summer garden has been showing off all these gorgeous blooms so of course I had to add some more 😍

#1 Mandevilla
#2 Gaura ~ butterfly bush
#3 Alpinia zerumbet ~ variegated shell ginger
#4 Miniature petunias

Have you got a favourite white flower?

Mine is definitely the Mandevilla ❤️

@ourgreensanctuary - Follow for more Inspo

#flowers #gardens #gardening #gardenflowers #flowersinpots #flowerinspiration #flowering #gardeningaustralia #flowersofinstagram #gardensofinstagram #tropicalgarden #tinytropicalgarden #mygarden

TODAYS JOB: replanting the fence hanging pots 💚

TODAYS JOB: replanting the fence hanging pots 💚

Do you plant with annuals?

I'd love to know what else you would plant here?

@ourgreensanctuary

#ourgreensanctuary #gardening #timelapsereels #gardeningtimelapse #annuals #petunias #miniaturepetunias #hangingplants #fencepots #gardeninginspiration #gardeningaustralia #gardeningreels #reels

Hey I'm Rachel 👋 Wife and Mumma Horticulturis

Hey I'm Rachel 👋

Wife and Mumma
Horticulturist
Nature lover
Teacher
Course creator
Lover of all things plants
And outdoors ⛱️

I'd love to get to know YOU!
Introduce yourself 👇

📸Had to share some cute pics from our recent holiday in Coffs 🥰 what do you think?

#introduction
#meetandgreet #reels #reelsofinstagram #ourgreensanctuary #selfie #centralcoastgarden #visitnsw #gardeningaustralia #hokidayphotodump

Prune after flowering ✂️ It's a simple gardeni

Prune after flowering ✂️
It's a simple gardening rule and one that's easy for me to follow because I grow hardly any flowers 😂
This salvia needed a cut back because I planted the big boss tomato too close and it was pushing it over 🌿
Lucky for me this salvia grows more beautiful after every chop so I'll keep shaping it to suit my small space garden.
The cuttings have made a beautiful centrepiece for my table 🥰

#smallspacegardening
#pruneafterflowering #gardenreels #gardeningaustralia #gardeningtips #houseplanttips #houseplants #gardening #gardens #plantexpert #plantcontent #reels #gardenersofinstagram

What does your garden mean to you? After being a

What does your garden mean to you?

After being away on holidays and returning home to my garden, I really noticed how this space makes me feel.

This garden has always been my sanctuary and my place where I can relax, unwind.

Taking care of this space is meditative, I find the maintenance to be therapeutic as I focus on the task at hand and all my senses, what can I hear, smell, see and touch?

On our first full day home we spent the entire day outside, moving plants, pruning, making changes, staking tomatoes and all sorts and it was wonderful.

After so long away I really felt the effects of being back in my own space, at peace in my sanctuary, feeling really free to relax and enjoy myself.

Isn't it funny what a holiday can teach you? As much as I enjoyed all our experiences and events while away I am so happy to be home. 💚

Have you felt like this too? I'd love to hear your story.

@ourgreensanctuary

#garden #plants #tinytropicalgarden #tropicalplants #tropicalgarden #gardensofinstagram #plantsinpots #home #homeiswhereigarden #smallspacegardening #smallgarden #courtyardgarden #plantsmakepeoplehappy #houseplants

This morning on @coastfm963 The Gardening Gang, Im

This morning on @coastfm963 The Gardening Gang, Im talking to Pete and @cheralyn about how to protect your houseplants if you're going away on holidays.

Houseplants are super resilient but as a person with A LOT of houseplants, I've tested a few strategies to keep them happy when I'm soaking up some sun on a beach holiday!

Depending on the season and length of time you'll be away, you might do all or none of this.

So here's what I do when taking a holiday in the summer.

💦Line the bath tub with a few towels and saturate them, then pop your most thirsty houseplants on top of the towels to wick up the water as needed.

💦Use sheer curtains or half closed blinds to diminish the light the plants will receive so they use less water while you're away.

💦Make sure all plants get a good drink before you go.

💦Use string from a bowl or bucket to water your plants while you're gone.
Star by putting a bowl or bucket up on the bench or table and run the string from the bucket to the plants that need water.

💦And lastly if you're going on an extended holiday, try to find someone who can help take care of your plants while you're gone.

Have you tried these tips for your houseplants when you're going on holidays?

What would you add to this list?

@ourgreensanctuary

#holiday
#houseplant
#plantcaretips #indoorplants #coastfm963 #centralcoastgardening #centralcoastgarden #thegardeninggang

I freaking LOVE this plant 💚 Alpinia zerumbet

I freaking LOVE this plant 💚

Alpinia zerumbet - variegated shell ginger

It's totally underrated in my opinion but I often recommend it to people planting tropical gardens because it's just so versatile.

This one sits under my frangipani in a 250mm pot, handles the full sun like a champion and doesn't require much else from me.

It's grown super fast in the time that I've had it, it's already over the height of the 1.8m fence.

It doesn't always stand upright but that doesn't bother me, and you could prune it if that bothered you.

AND it's just produced its first flower which I love!

I love experimenting with all different kinds of tropical plants in my #tinytropicalgarden - this plant is definitely going on the list for my future gardens!

Would you plant this in your garden?

#tropicalgarden #tropicalplant #garden #tropicalfoliage #smallspacegardening #foliage #foliagegarden #flower

Give a gift that will THRIVE - let me show you how

Give a gift that will THRIVE - let me show you how!

You will need:
1. Premium quality potting mix
2. Perlite (wet it down first and don't breathe in dust)
3. Indoor plant fertiliser ( I like @troforte_m )
4. Houseplants

In a bucket, mix together 60% premium potting mix with 40% perlite and a small amount of fertiliser.

Note: I always recommend to check the label instructions for quantities of fetiliser as all products are different and more is NOT better when it comes to using fertiliser.

Repot your plants into a pot one size larger with drainage holes. Water in once done and ensure you keep the tag with the plant.

Finish with a ribbon and gift tag for a beautiful living gift for your loved ones.

Tag someone who should be giving you a plant for Christmas 🎄🎁💚

Did you find this helpful? Like, save and follow for more tips!

@ourgreensanctuary

#indoorplant #plantygifts #christmasgiftguide #christmasgift #houseplants #indoorjungle #indoorplantlover #plant #plants #ourgreensanctuary #howtogetstartedwithhouseplants

Why you should shower your plants 💦 ✅ Clean

Why you should shower your plants 💦

✅ Cleans your plants leaves - which is great for removing dust and pest prevention

✅ Provides a deep water - which is great for flushing out excess salts and saturating the root ball

✅ Easy drainage and clean up - instead of water overflowing from trays all over your floor 🤣 (true story)

Do you shower your plants?

Follow for more plant care tips @ourgreensanctuary

#plants #indoorplants #houseplanttips #houseplants #indoorplant #indoorgarden #indoorplantlover #indoorplantsdecor #houseplant #plantcare #plantcontent #plantcourse #howtogetstartedwithhouseplants #ourgreensanctuary

HOUSEPLANTS AS GIFTS?
Try these easy varieties 💚

Parlour palm - Chaemadorea elegans
Grows to 1.2 m and is low light tolerant

Devils ivy - Epipremnum aureum
Climbing or trailing plant with yellow variegation

Chinese evergreen - Aglaonema
Beautiful colour without all the humidity headaches IYKYK

Arrowhead vine - Syngonium
Great for climbing with big heart shaped leaves

Veriegated ivy - Hedera helix
Cute & Christmassy and such a great hanging plant!

Peace lily - Spathiphyllum
The most unkillable houseplant that will teach you how to green thumb 👍

Are you gifting houseplants for Christmas?
Which variety will you choose?

@ourgreensanctuary

Like and save if this was helpful!

#giftideas
#giftguide #houseplant #houseplantsforchristmas #christmas #christmasgiftguide #plantcontent #plantreels #plants #indoorplant #babyplants #indoorplants #reels #plantsofinstagram #plantsinpots

Looking for a statement houseplant? A Parlour pal

Looking for a statement houseplant?

A Parlour palm - Chaemadorea elegans is perfect

Why?

Grows to 1.2m ~ versatile size for any space
Full and feathery foliage ~ exactly what you want to show off
Tolerant of low humidity ~ no need for a greenhouse
Suitable for bright to medium light ~ no massive window? No problem!
AND of course, they're just B E A U T I F U L

Would you choose this plant?

Like and save if you found this helpful 💚

#plants #indoorplants #plantreels #reels #houseplant #houseplants #parlourpalm #indoorpalm #statementplant #featureplant #plantcontent #indoorplantlover

3 REASONS TO LEAVE YOUR PLANTS ALONE! I bought t

3 REASONS TO LEAVE YOUR PLANTS ALONE!

I bought this string of coins about 6 months ago.

It was just a tiny baby plant, not yet trailing.

I popped it on my plant shelf and after a few weeks it began to explode with growth!

LOOK AT IT NOW!

Toddler for scale and cuteness, obviously 😍

I have not repotted it, changed its location or adjusted it in any way.

When your plants are happy, leave them alone!

If you're not sure, ask yourself these 3 questions.

1. Does your plant have new growth?

2. Is it happy with how often you're watering it?

3. Is it growing well in its current position?

If you've got a happy plant, keep doing what you're doing!

If you're still not sure, here is what I recommend:

~Don't put your plants outside for more sunlight, you might burn the leaves. I've seen this happen many times.

~Don't water your plants when you feel like it, check they are ready for more water. This is important!

~Don't rearrange your plants constantly, occasionally is fine, to ensure they get good light, but I don't recommend drastically changing their position often. It'll stress them out and some plants will not cope with being moved.

If you've found these tips helpful, like and save this post.

Tell me in the comments if you've done one of these. 👇

#plants #houseplants #peoplewithplants #plantladyintraining #plantcourse
#plantteachers
#planttips #plantcare #howtohouseplant #houseplant #houseplanttips #indoorplant #indoorplantlover #trailingplants

SUMMER IS HERE! This is how I'm caring for my ti

SUMMER IS HERE!

This is how I'm caring for my tiny tropical garden

WATERING MORE OFTEN

We haven't been getting much rain lately and all this beautiful sunshine means the plants are going to use much more water. I'm trying to water almost daily now, in the mornings. Realistically I don't get out here every morning to water so I'm planning to try my first attempt at automated irrigation so stay tuned for that! 💦

MAINTAINING MY NUTRIENTS

There's still lots of growth happening so to support this I'm maintaining the nutrients.
I use a combination of liquid fertilizer, seaweed solution and controlled release fertiliser so there should always be enough nutrients available to my plants.
Even if you're inconsistent with liquid fertilisers like I am, the controlled release fertiliser will still release nutrients in the warm soil.

MULCHING TO RETAIN MOISTURE

For a few of my plants, namely my hydrangea, I've opted to add a compost and mulch mix to top dress the pot so it can retain a bit more moisture. Mulch is an excellent way to keep the soil cool and moist, so if your plants are drying out too quickly, mulch is the way to go!

Did you find this post helpful?
Like and save to refer back to these tips!

@ourgreensanctuary

#plantcontent
#plantlover #horticulturist
#tinytropicalgarden
#smallspacegardening #smallgarden #gardenreels #gardening #gardeningaustralia #tropcialgarden #tropicalplants #plants #houseplants #potplants #howtogarden #gardeningtips

When your hero just stops into your work for some

When your hero just stops into your work for some plants 💚 thanks for the selfie and chat @costasworld you're a legend of a guy 😘

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