In This Episode
Step into Lalese Stamps’ ceramics studio in Columbus, Ohio, and prepare to be blown away by her massive plant collection of nearly 100 plants. Most of her plants are huge and take up a ton of space. Lalese quips that she has “just as many plants as there are ceramics equipment.” And ceramics are a huge inspiration for some of those plants. “Since I make ceramics that have really interesting shapes and feel really funky, I think I tend to go for plants that also have really interesting shapes and are really strong. I honestly can’t stand a weak and delicate plant.”
Her Unique Plants and Some Favorites
One of her favorites is a variegated cupid peperomia, which is also in one of her favorite planters by Helen Levy. The green pops against the gorgeous blue of the planter. Her most unique plant is the Epiphyllum because of the way it grows really long and skinny. Moving along through her studio we come to Lalese’s most treasured plant, a variegated rubber tree that grows beautiful leaves with hints of pink. She’s brought this plant with her from space to space over the years, and it’s still thriving and looks big and strong. And big and strong plants are Lalese’s preference. She likes when they take up lots of space with their leaves.
Why She Loves Collecting Plants
Lalese’s favorite part about owning plants is caring for them. “I think seeing them grow and knowing that you gave them the things they need to grow feels really satisfying.”
Her Biggest Plant Struggles
Lalese mentions something that a lot of plant people struggle with—putting their plants in planters. Luckily, she’s a ceramicist and can make her own planters. But she says she has so many plants in the space that she hasn’t been able to keep up with making them for her growing collection. Like many collectors, Lalese has her a struggle plant; her Chinese Fan Palm is unfortunately not doing very well. Hers has a fungus, but she thinks if she keeps treating it she may be able to save it.
The Plant She Most Relates To
Ask any plant owner who has a ton of plants which one they can relate to and they’ll be able to pick instantly, Lalese says she relates to her Dracaena Palm. “This palm has so many leaves coming out from all of these different directions and I think that just really reminds me of myself as a small business owner. I’m always having my hands in all of these different parts of the business.”
The Absolute Craziest Thing She’s Done for a Plant
And as the tour continues we get to the good stuff. The craziest thing that Lalese has ever done for a plant was drive four hours round trip (in a two-door car) for a massive bird of paradise. “I went to go pick it up from this older gentleman and it was only about $50 and he was just ready to move on from it.” Go on and watch for even more great stories and to see Lalese’s impressive jungle studio for yourself.
