A Year of Growth: My 2025 Round-Up as The Bearded Plantaholic
- Jonny Balchandani
- Oct 12
- 5 min read
If there’s one thing plants have taught me, it’s that growth doesn’t happen overnight — it takes patience, graft, and a lot of repotting. Looking back at this past year, I can honestly say it’s been one of the most exciting, challenging, and surreal chapters of my journey as The Bearded Plantaholic.
I’ve met extraordinary people, ticked off lifelong dreams, and pushed my little plant-filled world further than I ever imagined possible — from local workshops to international invitations, from muddy hands to magazine features. So here’s a look at what’s been sprouting behind the scenes this year.
My Book: From Idea to Reality
After years of pouring my heart, humour, and horticultural chaos onto paper, my debut book is finished and set to be published in February 2026. It’s designed to help readers level up their plant care skills through “levels,” mixing knowledge, science, and real-life jungle wisdom. Writing it has been the biggest creative challenge of my life — but also the most rewarding. Seeing it laid out for the first time genuinely made me tear up (and that’s saying something, because I once repotted a cactus with bare hands).
Workshops at St Peter’s Garden Centre
This year saw my monthly propagation workshops at St Peter’s Garden Centre become a true community favourite. Watching people light up when they see roots form for the first time — that never gets old. The Mongolian yurt setting adds a magical, earthy touch that somehow feels like the perfect home for plant people to gather, laugh, and learn.
My First Private Party Workshop
A big personal highlight — I ran my first private party workshop, bringing the jungle vibes straight to someone’s home. There was laughter, soil everywhere, and a table full of new propagations. It felt special to see how this hobby brings people together, not just as individuals, but as friends sharing a creative experience.
Invited to the USA — The Big Plant Expo, South Carolina
One of the biggest pinch-me moments was being invited to the Big Plant Expo in South Carolina to meet my fellow plant lovers across the pond. The fact that my passion for houseplants has reached people internationally blows my mind. The response was incredible — and I’m thrilled to say I’ll be heading back to Charleston in April 2026 to do it all over again. I can’t wait to bring some more British jungle energy to the States and reconnect with my American plant family. If you want to come book your tickets by clicking on the image below and use the code - bpa10 - to get 10% off!
A Plant Talk Invitation to Ireland
As if that wasn’t enough, I’ve also been invited to do a live plant talk at the beautiful Arboretum Home & Garden Heaven in Carlow, Ireland — a stunning destination for plant lovers and one of the country’s most inspiring garden centres. I can’t wait to connect with another incredible plant community there. Every time I’m asked to speak somewhere new, it reminds me that plants are truly universal — they bring people together, no matter where you are.
Talks for the RHS and Malvern
Being asked to speak for the Royal Horticultural Society and at Malvern this year was an absolute honour. Sharing knowledge, laughter, and stories with fellow enthusiasts under the RHS banner still feels surreal.
Filming with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
One of the more unexpected highlights was filming with design legend Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen — a surreal and hilarious day that somehow mixed flamboyance, foliage, and fabulousness into one unforgettable shoot.
My Own Eco Pot Collaboration with Ecotribo
In a dream collaboration, I teamed up with Ecotribo to create The Bearded Plantaholic Pot — a limited run of 300 unique plant pots made from recycled fishing nets collected from UK beaches. It’s one of the projects I’m most proud of — sustainable, stylish, and genuinely world-changing in its message.
Launching “The Plantaholic Prescription” Subscription
Because plant care never stands still, I created The Plantaholic Prescription, a new subscription service that delivers fresh, seasonal plant magic straight to people’s doors. It’s a fun, evolving way to keep the jungle vibes alive all year round — no appointment necessary.
New Seasonal Boxes and the Beloved Baby Boxes
Our Baby Boxes have continued to sell out, and we’ve now added new seasonal themed boxes like our Limited Edition Autumn Box. Every box is rooted, nurtured, and packed with love — it’s like sending a piece of the jungle in the post.
Transforming an Office Space into a Jungle
This year I also transformed an office space into a lush green retreat — turning sterile desks and dull corners into a living, breathing workspace full of calm and creativity. It’s amazing what plants can do for people’s energy and focus, and I’d love to do more projects like this in the future.
RHS Silver Medal and Gardener’s World Feature
Winning Silver Medal at the first ever RHS Indoor Show Gardens was a massive highlight — but to then be interviewed by Adam Frost on Gardener’s World right after? Unreal. To stand there surrounded by plants I designed, talking about the future of indoor gardening, was a true career-defining moment.
Plantstock 2025 — A Total Sell-Out
This year’s Plantstock event sold out completely, transforming from a humble plant sale into a full-blown festival of foliage. Seeing hundreds of like-minded people come together for plants, music, and good vibes still gives me goosebumps.
My Physical Plant Shop — Finally Open!
After four months of sanding, painting, and soil under my nails, I finally launched my very own physical plant shop. Walking through those doors for the first time after all the graft… indescribable. It’s more than just a shop — it’s a dream made real, a hub for plant lovers, and a living, breathing piece of everything I’ve worked for.
Launching My 2025 Merch Line
This year also saw the launch of my new 2025 merch collection — a line of bold, cheeky, and unapologetically plantaholic designs made for the true jungle addicts out there. Each piece is a little nod to the humour, chaos, and passion that defines our plant-loving community. From the statement favourites like “Certified Plant Wrangler” to “It’s Not a Collection, It’s a Lifestyle Disorder,” this range was designed to make fellow plant people smile, nod, and proudly wear their obsession on their sleeve — quite literally.
A Heartfelt Thank You
None of this would mean a thing without you — the plant lovers, customers, followers, and friends who support what I do. Every comment, every visit, every “one love, tiny phone people” moment means more than you know.
If there’s one thing this year has taught me, it’s that we’re all just growing — in our own pots, at our own pace. And I’m endlessly grateful to be growing alongside you.
One love, tiny phone people.
— Jonny 🌿
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