The desire to be surrounded by lush greenery is a passion that captivates many. For Hussein Ali, a plant cultivation expert, it was his father who instilled in him a love for horticulture and houseplants.
“I remember the first plant I ever grew with my father, a pumpkin. I still recall the day we harvested it. It was such a beautiful day, and it remains a cherished memory to this day,” he says.
Ali continued to nurture his love for plants by specialising in agricultural studies, eventually turning to content creation to raise awareness about the importance of home gardening and to educate people on its methods and secrets.
Along with his passion, Ali discovered practical benefits to cultivating plants, such as access to organically produced plants free of harmful pesticides and as a solution to the problem of a shortage of some fruit and vegetables in the market.
“I often plant tomatoes when the prices go up. I buy seeds of the variety I prefer, whether cherry tomatoes or otherwise, and then grow them myself. Just ten plants are enough to cover my household’s tomato needs for about four months,” he explains.
“Encouraging people to grow various types of plants in their homes can help reduce our vulnerability to the consequences of climate change, which may damage or diminish agricultural crops. We must also instill a love for gardening in children from a young age to help save our planet from pollution.”
“It’s enough for parents to let their child plant a single fava bean plant in a pot, water it, and watch it grow. The child will inevitably fall in love with gardening. Especially since legumes and grains with starchy content, like corn and fava beans, grow quickly and excite children with their rapid development.”
Through his studies, Ali learned to identify quality seeds and suitable soil for plant growth. He shared the outcomes of his academic and personal agricultural experiences online, where his first video reached 10,000 views. This was an achievement that encouraged him to continue producing specialised gardening content.
“Because of my love for plants, I had already been documenting their growth for years, so I had a considerable amount of previously captured photographs and videos to launch an online platform,” Ali says.
“I added new content after followers asked to see the mature plants or specific growing methods. They also complained about how quickly their own plants were dying, so I created videos on how to choose seeds and seedlings.”
“I started teaching viewers about the various types and qualities of seeds that are suitable for different flowers and plants. A good seed should appear clean, light-coloured, and free of dust. Additionally, when purchasing seedlings in pots, it’s important to check that the roots are not hanging from the bottom of the pot or ending in a broken stem, as this indicates root damage,” he said.
“Before purchasing a plant, it’s important to understand its sunlight, water, and air requirements. Place it in a location, whether on a balcony or indoors, that matches its original environment. If exposed to stronger or longer sunlight than it’s accustomed to, the plant will die. After bringing the plant home, it should stay in the same pot for around 15 days before being moved to a larger one, to help it adapt to its new environment and avoid transplant shock,” he added.
Ali also emphasises the importance of soil quality. “Many people, especially when visiting flower exhibitions, buy ready-made soil without verifying if it’s fertilised. Fertilised soil is enriched with nutrients essential for plant growth and fruiting. I advise beginners to confirm this before purchasing. Seeds should also be bought from reputable sources, as expired or low-quality seeds might not sprout or produce disappointing results.”
“Many people may also not realise that some flowers bloom for a single season and then die, leaving behind seeds to be planted anew, such as marigolds, which are linked to the Christmas season. Some flowers live for one or two years, while others, like jasmine, vinca, and oleander, can last for three years or more. Beginners often buy flowers without knowing that some have just finished their natural life cycle,” he added.
“That’s why I’ve made various flower seeds available on my website, clearly labelled with their names so viewers can research their properties before buying,” he explains.
C
ULTIVATION: Beginners often struggle with understanding plant characteristics and cultivation methods, which has led to the misconception that gardening is difficult or complex.
Giovanni Ihab, an online gardening content creator, aims to dispel this belief by producing videos that focus on simple gardening techniques. Each video begins with the phrase “gardening is easy, make it easy for yourself.”
“My first video was about growing sunflowers, and it was a big hit. Viewers were surprised to learn that this beautiful flower could grow from the same sunflower pulp they eat at home. That video reached a million views, even though I had only around 2,000 followers at the time,” Ihab said.
“People were fascinated and started asking how to turn the seeds they eat into beautiful plants. That was the breakthrough moment. Over time, the videos gained even more traction as my following reached half a million in the first year and 1.5 million within two and a half years.”
“I noticed huge engagement from viewers across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the US, France, and Italy. They started sending me photographs of their planting experiences. This encouraged me to launch an online store for gardening supplies and ready-to-use soil to help beginners start with ease,” Ihab adds.
According to Ihab, some followers shared the problems they faced in planting, and some mentioned the appearance of ants around the plants. To help them, he created a natural pesticide consisting of a spoonful of cinnamon, a spoonful of chili powder, half a spoonful of vinegar, and half a spoonful of liquid soap, all mixed with a litre of water.
It is sprayed lightly on the soil surface or on the leaves, but it should not be used to water the plant itself as that may kill it. This remedy does not only target ants but also helps repel other insects.
“I have observed a significant interest in plants such as mint, rosemary, thyme, aloe vera, and basil among our customers. To promote the practice of home gardening, I have also developed affordable plant bundles. For example, we offer a selection of ten plants for LE150, averaging LE15 per plant. Additionally, we provide home delivery services to ensure that our customers receive healthy and high-quality plants,” Ihab said.
“Throughout the year, we implement special promotions to further engage our customers. For instance, during the winter season, we offer ten winter flower plants for LE100, or five plants for the same price, depending on type and size. In summer, we present bundles that include six large plants for either LE120 or150,” he added.
“I have created videos about medicinal plants, such as the Mandela plant, which can help relieve toothache. I have also highlighted low-maintenance plants like succulents and cacti, which are easy to grow at home with minimal care. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that May and June are ideal months for planting watermelons and mangoes in balconies or small spaces. Mango trees can initially be grown on a balcony and later transplanted outdoors,” he added.
“I’ve collaborated with several universities and educational institutions, delivering workshops and awareness projects for students. These sessions introduce them to easy-to-grow plants like watermelons and encourage them to incorporate home gardening into their graduation projects,” Ihab says.
“I have also launched awareness initiatives like ‘if it’s expensive, grow it,’ aiming to encourage people to cultivate vegetables that spike in price during certain seasons.”
Ihab has taken his awareness campaigns to the streets, distributing plants and engaging with passersby in neighbourhoods such as Downtown Cairo, Zamalek, and Shubra. He asks them about their knowledge of gardening while raising awareness of its importance and simplicity.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 15 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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