Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: The Plant Daddies: Using Plants in Interior Design
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (B), and special guest co-host (C)
Guests: Macy Luccarelli (E) and Dane Jordan (D) – The Plant Daddies

Overview

This engaging episode dives into the world of living plants as dynamic design elements in contemporary interiors. Jessica and Suzanne interview Macy Luccarelli and Dane Jordan—collectively known as “The Plant Daddies”—who are acclaimed for their sculptural, artful plant installations in homes, particularly their recent collaboration at the Summit Club project in Summerlin, Nevada. The conversation covers the Plant Daddies' origin story, their distinctive horticultural-meets-art approach, advice for integrating plants stylishly at home, and practical care tips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of the Plant Daddies

• Dane’s Story:
  • Early love for horticulture, sparked by working at a nursery after a teenage fight with his chef father ([04:07-06:26]).
  • Moved around the States, eventually studied architecture in LA, blending plant knowledge and spatial design.
  • Pandemic job loss led him to sell plants online, gradually evolving into a business ([06:26-07:17]).
• Macy’s Story:
  • Real estate background; gave large trees as client gifts to remain “top of mind” ([07:17-08:31]).
  • Lived above a nursery and noticed the popularity of plants during the pandemic.
  • Friends dubbed him “the Plant Daddy” because of his passion and quirky habit of planting passion fruit vines all over LA ([08:31-09:30]).
• Business Partnership:
  • Organic formation during pandemic workouts; merged their skills and created the Plant Daddies ([09:30-10:19]).
  • “We laughed, we shook hands, and boom, that's how the business started. ...just organic evolution.” —Macy ([09:29]).

2. The Art & Process of Plant Installation

• Client Intake & Design Process:
  • Most clients find them via Instagram—visual storytelling is crucial to their business’s appeal ([10:39-12:05]).
  • Client intake form and two options: walkthrough at their warehouse or a paid, on-site consultation with professional photos and Photoshopped design renderings ([13:04-14:55]).
• Philosophy:
  • Not just horticulturists, but plant “artists” who see every installation as living sculpture ([16:12-16:53]).
  • The style developed out of necessity—buying “reject” or unloved plants, then creatively reviving and sculpting them ([16:53-18:39]).
  • “The style, I think, found us.” —Dane ([18:33]).
• Techniques:
  • Frequent pruning, repotting, root and branch manipulation, and unique vessel pairing.
  • Influence from bonsai principles, but applied unconventionally and experimentally ([18:39-20:48]).
  • “We would try things people said couldn't be done...we literally experimented with everything.” —Macy ([19:49]).

3. Plants as “Living Art” in Every Style and Space

• Versatility Across Interiors:
  • Sculptural plants become focal points—can work in any style, from minimal and modern to traditional ([21:52-23:41]).
  • “They're almost like puzzle pieces that you can just fit anywhere, especially if you're kind of pairing with a vessel.” —Dane ([22:21]).
  • Bathroom plant installations, living art near chandeliers, and the use of “Ironwood” preserved branches for low-light zones ([27:09-29:01]).
• Challenging Clients’ Preconceptions:
  • Frequently place plants where clients least expect—“I would have never thought in a million years a tree would have gone here. I want it here.” —Macy ([27:09-27:55]).
• Impact:
  • Plants replace the need for substantial artwork and take interiors “to the next level” ([02:46-03:27]).

4. Favorite Plant Varieties & Insider Tips

• Don’t Be a Plant Snob:
  • They love all plants—even ficus and fiddle leaf figs—if carefully trimmed and sculpted ([29:47-30:33]).
  • “If you can buy it at Home Depot, we don’t use it.” —Macy ([30:03-30:07]); but they're still open to surprise finds at big box stores.
• Technique Over Species:
  • The artistry lies in unique trimming, root exposure, and pot pairing ([30:41-31:09]).
  • “A lot of the plants that we use are widely available...People are just like, what is that?" —Macy ([30:45-31:09]).
• Advice for Novices:
  • Start with forgiving species. Ficus varieties and dracaenas are recommended for newcomers ([39:58-41:18]).
  • Visit local, independent nurseries and bring photos and measurements ([37:35-39:49]).
  • Basic rule: “Just go for it, jump in and then, you know, learn it and pay attention to it.” —Macy ([41:18-41:58]).

5. Plant Care & Maintenance Wisdom

• Watering:
  • Most people overwater; better to underwater. “You want to keep a plant alive? Neglect it.” —Macy ([34:01]).
  • No universal rules: water needs vary home-to-home and room-to-room ([35:44-36:00]).
• Learning Through (Com)Post:
  • “To know is to kill. …You’re probably going to have to kill [a plant] once or twice to understand it.” —Dane referencing a horticulture book ([31:29-32:49]).
  • Plants are resilient—“nature is very forgiving”—so keep experimenting and learning ([32:49-33:58]).

6. Tabletop Plant Faves & Creative Approaches

• Succulents:
  • Succulent varieties such as Madagascar elephant trees (Decaryia), ponytail palms, and Schiffera are preferred for table centerpieces ([42:40-44:50]).
  • “My favorite look is just like the smallest vessel with the biggest plant.” —Dane ([43:26-44:50]).
  • They use bonsai-inspired wiring and shaping to create “living jewelry” ([43:26-44:50]).
• Memorable Visual:
  • Brought a live example—succulent growing comically off the side of its pot—to illustrate their unconventional style ([45:18-45:52]).

7. The Joy of Creating & Building Community

• Business Growth:
  • Started in 2020—now have 18 employees and a thriving design-community ecosystem ([46:31-47:19]).
• Client Relationships:
  • Clients become friends; repeat projects and a positive, artistic atmosphere ([46:31-48:00]).
• The Plant Daddies Ethos:
  • “Everything that we wanted to happen since the second we shook hands has happened.” —Macy ([48:00]).
  • “It's just so awesome to be around that...it's just such a happy place to be.” —Macy ([48:50-48:57]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On their style:
  “The style, I think, found us.” —Dane ([18:33])

• On learning through mistakes:
  “To know is to kill...nature is very forgiving.” —Dane ([31:29-32:49])

• On watering:
  “You want to keep a plant alive? Neglect it.” —Macy ([34:01])

• On daily work delight:
  “My favorite part about nature and horticulture is that it’s so forgiving…all you need is that little spark and then boom, it just comes all the way back.” —Dane ([32:49])

• On their Instagram approach:
  “We are plant influencers by now. It’s our second job, or if not our first job...For any art, you have to share it.” —Dane ([10:39-12:05])

• On creative plant placement:
  “They would never put a big tree in the corner...Well that’s the perfect place for us.” —Macy ([25:51-27:09])

• On business growth:
  “We are where we’re at today from just organic evolution.” —Macy ([09:30])

• On favorite plants:
  “If you can buy it at Home Depot, we don't use it.” —Macy ([30:03]); “I'm so bipolar with what I like, it changes with the wind.” —Dane ([29:49])

• On sculpting plants:
  “We will pluck about 80% of the leaves and branches off of that tree to make it look unique.” —Macy ([30:45])

• On the business’s joy and challenge:
  “It’s our nightmare. Our little sweetie prison.” —Dane ([47:24])

[Memorable Moment – Succulent Demo]

• Macy shows a succulent in the studio, not even in its pot but wired for visual effect:
  “This has a root that comes all the way over to here…is it okay to hang a tree off the side? …it absolutely is.” —Macy ([45:23-45:52])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-04:07: Introduction, the Plant Daddies’ background
• 04:07-10:19: The Plant Daddies origin stories and business formation
• 10:20-14:55: How clients find them, intake and design process, Instagram
• 16:12-20:48: How they developed their unique sculptural style, learning by experimentation
• 21:52-29:01: Using plants as living sculpture in varying styles and unexpected places
• 31:29-35:00: Learning from plant “failures” and care advice—watering and plant resilience
• 37:35-41:18: Practical advice for newcomers and how to source/local shop for plants
• 42:39-45:52: Favorite tabletop plant ideas and creative wiring/sculpting demos
• 46:31-48:57: Reflections on business growth, community, and “plant joy”
• 49:59-50:33: Where to find The Plant Daddies online (@theplantdaddies) and how to reach out

Where to Find The Plant Daddies

• Instagram: @theplantdaddies
• Website: theplantdaddies.com
  “If you DM us, Dane and I are 95% of the time the ones that respond.” —Macy ([49:59])

Practical Takeaways

• Plants can transform a space more than many design accessories.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment and “sculpt” your plants; consider repotting, pruning, and unique vessel pairings.
• Lighting, vessel scale, and plant care habits all matter—a plant is part of the living ecosystem of your home.
• Start simple, see plants as living art, and don’t stress if things go wrong—most plants are more resilient than you think.
• Seek inspiration and advice from passionate pros—and don’t be afraid to slide into their DMs!

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to elevate their interiors with living, sculptural plant art—and for all who love to hear about creativity born from pandemic-era necessity.