Bushfires to Houseplants: My Chat With Jordan on The Shed Organics Podcast
It’s always a real privilege to be invited onto someone else’s platform to chat about the things you’re passionate about — and this week, I had the pleasure of joining Jordan Alexander on The Shed Organics Podcast. What unfolded was a deeply thoughtful and far-ranging discussion that touched on everything from native Australian gardening and biodiversity to houseplants, soil health, and our broader relationship with the land.
Jordan is an incredibly generous and curious host, and the space he created for this chat made it one of my favourite podcast conversations to date.
We kicked things off by exploring my connection with Australian natives — why I chose to focus on them, the magic in their adaptability, and the unique ecological role they play in different regions across the country. I spoke about growing up in Far North Queensland, surrounded by tropical rainforests and rich biodiversity, and how that deeply shaped my relationship with the natural world.
One of the things I’ve come to appreciate most about native plants is just how tough and resourceful they are. Whether in the eroded, depleted soils of the Blue Mountains or in more tropical climates, they find a way to thrive — often in places they really shouldn’t be able to. But what’s equally fascinating is how under-documented they still are online. Part of my work is about trying to bridge that knowledge gap — both for the love of learning and to help others grow more confidently with natives in their own gardens.
Jordan and I also spoke about something I am super interested in: cultural burning practices and the critical role they play in healthy bushland management. We touched on how many Australian natives actually require fire to reproduce — their seeds responding to the smoke and heat as signals to germinate. Without these cool, Indigenous-led burns, many ecosystems fall out of balance, and unfortunately, we’re seeing the consequences of that today.
The second half of our conversation ventured indoors — into the world of houseplants. I shared my own approach, which is all about keeping it low-stress and selecting varieties that thrive with what I can realistically give them. No fussing over high-maintenance tropicals or chasing plant trends — just a lot of greenery, grouped smartly near windows, and fed sparingly with organic matter.
If you’re into gardening (or even just curious about where to start), there’s something in this episode for you — from practical advice on building a wildlife-friendly garden, to deeper reflections on how we can reconnect with nature in small but meaningful ways.