Ricky Bentley is a garden guru. Owner of the fast growing business ‘Second Chance Jungle‘, Ricky’s passion lays firmly in the foliage. From a patch of lawn to a full blown jungle, Ricky has got the vibes and I find out all about it.

When did you find your passion for indoor plants?

This passion hit me hard when my partner and I moved into our home in Hillcrest in 2016. This house had a completely blank canvas backyard, just grass and a completely empty garden bed. The first plant I purchased was a Golden Cane palm and I was given a whole lot of cuttings from my mom, among this gifting was a Monstera Deliciosa and a Philodendron Tuxtla that have both grown so big. Over time my backyard started to fill up with more and more plants, my partner would say “it looks like a jungle out here” (the green thumb bug hasn’t hit him as hard as it did me). I slowly started to transfer my smaller, more delicate plants inside. Firstly onto the tv cabinet, then I purchased a lamp with a shelf specifically made for plants, then talked my partner into allowing me to put some hooks into the ceiling. In 2023 I built a small greenhouse down the side of the house with the idea to start propagating and growing my own plants, at first this was going to be just a small hobby, but I’ve found nothing is small when it comes to plants. This is also where my love for rescuing sick plants came from, and how I came up with my social media page Second Chance Jungle, where I adopt injured, sick and neglected plants bringing them back to life. You will often find me in the discount plant section looking for some neglected beauty’s.

What was the first indoor plant you purchased?

My first indoor plant purchase was a Philodendron Florida, this plant is definitely what started my obsession with Philos and Aroids. I found I have a love for plants with unique shaped leaves, colours and different sizes. Since this Florida, Ive purchased almost every new philodendron I’ve come past at the local nurseries and online shops, I’d hate to think what they all add up to.

How many do you own?

A lot, I wouldn’t even be able to count them all between my backyard, indoors, the greenhouse and the propagations I have growing. I was actually just saying to my partner the other day, my dream would be my own my own nursery.

Which one is your current favourite?

My current and long time favourites are still the Philo Florida, but now I have a Florida ghost and Beauty that I’m obsessed with. Something about the shape and size of their leaves, the coloured stems and how full and bushy they look as they mature. It’s really hard to just list one, I’d have to say I’ve got a lot more favourites and almost all plants I come across or rescue become my favourites.

Which Indoor Plant is on your ‘Wish List’?

I did have a wish list plant and like most enthusiasts it was the Monstera Thai Constellation, I was lucky enough to be given one as a gift on my birthday and this beauty is still growing strong. I do have a couple of others like the Philodendron Variegated Golden Dragon, I have the non variegated version and this one its own is a stunning plant.

A good Indoor Plant ‘Care Too’?

On my social pages the advice I’m always mentioning is: Keep your indoor plants in a nursery pot, then place the nursery pot inside your decorative pot. I always recommend the clear nursery pots for indoor plants, moisture meters can read wrong depending on your soil, but your eyes can see how wet your soil is through a clear pot. Most plants actually do better when they’re allowed to become pot bound, don’t be so eager to repot your plant, I’d say wait until the pot looks or feels completely full before transplanting. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to pots, when repotting try to go an inch or two bigger than the root ball rather than upsizing to a huge pot. Finally, do some research about how your plant would naturally grow, this will help you with when and how to water it so you don’t over/under water your little plant baby. –

A plant that you’ve tried but didn’t succeed in keeping alive?

I do have a couple of plants in this category, my arch nemesis would be the Philodendron Tortum and Red Bristle. Both plants I’ve purchased over and over and they always seem to die. I’ve recently repurchased them again and this time I have them inside, under grow lights and I’m making sure to give them the exact environment they require. I’m determined to finally have them survive and so far so good.

Ricky, you’re a Plant Rockstar. I wish you all the best for a flourishing career in plants. Cheers, Markus 🙂

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