Taming the Potted Beast

The Strange and Sensational History of the Not-So-Humble Houseplant

by Molly Williams

Narrated by Molly Williams

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

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Pub Date Sep 13 2022 | Archive Date Sep 13 2022

Andrews McMeel Audio | Andrews McMeel Publishing

Home & Garden

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Description

The colorful, peculiar history of the houseplant—from ancient Rome to Victorian England to Instagram—a botanical adventure full of histrionic highs, devastating lows, and sensational turning points along the way.

From the hanging gardens of Babylon to that fiddle-leaf fig in your living room, houseplants have been humanity's companions for a millennia. Taming the Potted Beastexplores the history of our air-purifying friends with an entertaining narrative of the peculiar, often dramatic story of the cultivation and domestication of the not-so-humble houseplant.

Including entertaining historical vignettes, DIY plant projects, and accessible tips and tricks for caring for your own historical houseplant collection, this book has any plant-curious reader covered. Readers will come away with practical projects, expert advice, and an understanding of the historical significance of houseplants as well as an appreciation of the cultures from which they emerged.

Both fascinating and fun, Taming the Potted Beast will take readers on exhilarating botanical adventure through the ages.

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format, Unabridged
ISBN	9781524877125
PRICE	$19.99 (USD)
DURATION	10 Hours

Additional Information

Average rating from 51 members

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Featured Reviews

Rachel S, Reviewer

If you like houseplants and history look no further than Molly Williams’ audiobook of Taming the Potted Beast.

It is a quick easy listen that I was able to binge while doing house work and, of course, watering my plants.

Williams’ writing and narration are amusing and factual with lots of quality tips on caring for house plants. I adored hearing about how house plant culture has evolved through time. I thought the section on the pandemic’s impact was particularly fascinating.

I am very tempted to buy the hard copy of this one because the art promises to be amazing.

Thank you Andrews McMeel Audio and NetGalley for a trial of this delightful audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review!

Publication Sep 12, 2022

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Nicole L, Reviewer

This was amazing. To be honest, I know nothing of plants and do not have a green thumb for it but this gave me so much information about them. I liked that the author takes the reader through the history of plants and gave a tremendous amount of detail about them as well. I didn't come across any slow spots and I finished it in one day because I could not stop listening to it. In my opinion, this is was an amazing read and I feel like all plant lovers would enjoy this.

Thank you Netgalley for the audiobook copy which I very much enjoyed.