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by Joseph Cialone (Foreword by), Patricia Hamilton (Editor), David L. Hamilton (Author)
Five stars ... Updated classic, the Bible of interior plant care! Early in my 45-year career in the interiorscape industry, I came across a copy of this book and absorbed its wisdom. At the time, there weren't very many sources available for the type and quality of information contained in this volume, other than one's own personal experiences in the industry. And that's the beauty of the book: it is a compilation of many years of real-world experience in choosing, installing, maintaining, and, yes, replacing plants in commercial situations.
Practical lessons were learned, analyzed, and cataloged by actual interiorscaping technicians and comprise the wealth of knowledge and guidance offered to yet another generation of plant care professionals. With the stated goal of reducing plant replacements to near zero and preserving and enhancing the beauty of the plantings with proper watering techniques, this volume is a veritable field guide to the successful maintenance of decorative live plants in commercial settings.
The book covers a lot of territory, from the history of the interior plant industry to the peculiar characteristics and behaviors of the major families of indoor plants (trees, palms, canes, vines, ferns, lilies, succulents, and cacti) and the many specialized niche uses for each. Lighting, fertilization, grooming, root-to-soil ratios, and most importantly when and how to water plants in specific conditions are given an in-depth treatment that is thorough and intensive, yet relieves the stress of managing each plant type and situation by giving pragmatic tips and practices that ensure longevity and attractiveness of the plants, whether they be simple individual plants in containers or elaborate atrium plantings.
By the final chapters, the reader has acquired a solid grounding in the necessary concepts for success with interior plantscapes and an understanding of how to best use each type of plant to make a decorative statement in the indoor environment.
As someone who has been a technician myself, as well as a manager and trainer of novice plant technicians, I can personally vouch for the validity of the concepts and techniques taught in the book.
If you are an interiorscape business owner, manager, supervisor, trainer, or technician, you should own a copy of this wonderful book. It will continue to be an invaluable reference throughout your career as you build upon its concepts and practices. "Hamilton's Commercial Indoor Plants" is a classic in the genre of interior plant care.
I've long valued Hamilton's plant care series. I'm thrilled these books-emphasizing precise watering-are being reissued and now benefit a new generation, extending plant life and minimizing replacements.
My passion for plants traces its roots to my formative years on a vegetable farm in 1950s New Jersey. This upbringing propelled me into the realm of horticulture, where I pursued studies at both Rutgers and Cornell University.
While familiar with the Hamilton series on indoor plants, it wasn't until recently that I had the pleasure of meeting Patricia Hamilton, the driving force behind these invaluable books.
David Hamilton's comprehensive guide leaves no stone unturned when it comes to caring for interior plants. Rooted in the objective of maximizing a plant's lifespan in an indoor setting, the book covers plant families, root system types, light and water requirements, design considerations, and more.
The fundamentals of good plant care, eloquently presented in straightforward language, remain timeless. In an age dominated by the internet, this book stands tall as a timeless wellspring of knowledge on interior plant care.
- Joseph Cialone, Boynton Beach, Florida, 2023
