August Laska, founder of the Old Yew Plant Shop in Manhattan, has discovered that providing plant care education has become an unexpectedly central part of his business since opening in 2021. The shop owner and educator frequently fields questions from customers seeking advice on how to keep their houseplants healthy and thriving.
Laska often encounters customers who bring in plants purchased elsewhere, asking why they died shortly after purchase. While he did not sell those plants, he understands these inquiries reflect a desire for better guidance and a renewed commitment to plant care. His consultations typically focus on two main areas: design—selecting the right plant for a particular space—and diagnostics, addressing issues such as pests or unhealthy foliage.
Mealybugs are a common pest concern at the shop. Laska’s recommended treatment involves physically rinsing the plant thoroughly, ideally in a shower to simulate rain, followed by weekly applications of a neem-oil emulsion infused with peppermint oil to reduce the unpleasant odor. He emphasizes the efficacy of this natural approach, despite some skepticism favoring stronger chemical treatments.
Fungus gnats present another common challenge. These pests thrive in overwatered soil, and combating them requires reducing watering frequency to allow the soil to dry out, thereby targeting eggs in the soil. In parallel, yellow sticky traps help capture flying adults. The treatment may take several cycles for complete eradication.
When customers worry about routine care practices, Laska often advises caution against unnecessary interventions. For instance, repotting is best done only when the plant exhibits clear signs of need, such as yellowing leaves, water draining too quickly through the soil, or roots emerging from drainage holes. He suggests careful observation of leaf conditions—whether discoloration affects older leaves or new growth—as well as monitoring moisture and light conditions to accurately diagnose problems.
A significant part of Laska’s work involves matching plants to specific environments. He gathers detailed information about factors like temperature, humidity, natural light, and window orientation to recommend suitable species. For high-humidity spaces such as bathrooms, he prefers plants like ferns, Calatheas, or mosses that tolerate moisture well.
Popular social media trends drive much customer interest, especially in plants like the fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), known for its aesthetic appeal but also its sensitivity. Laska often suggests alternatives like the more resilient Ficus benjamina ‘Audrey’ for similar visual impact. He also stocks current trendy options like the black olive tree (Budica bubescas), advising customers to assess lighting and care requirements carefully.
For low-light rooms, Laska endorses LED grow lights that provide ambient-colored illumination, helping sustain plants in windowless spaces. On the subject of beginner plants, he cautions that choosing only the most “unfussy” species, such as snake plants or ZZ plants, may limit learning opportunities. Instead, he encourages plants like pothos, which visibly respond to care changes, offering tangible feedback that can teach novices how to nurture their plants successfully.
Laska now operates locations in the West Village and the Upper West Side, along with an outdoor landscape design service. He values the ongoing relationships formed with customers, who often return with updates years after their initial purchase. For Laska, this sustained engagement highlights the evolving nature of plant care and the educational role his business plays in the community.