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One man’s trash is another man’s treasure—and that’s exactly what many plant people are saying when it comes to discarded plant clippings. “Proplifting” is the controversial hack that not only gets you free plants but also may be good for the planet. But many people are arguing that the hack crosses ethical—and even legal—boundaries. We’re telling you about both sides of the argument. Also in today’s news digest: tariffs are coming for your furniture; home purchases are getting canceled at a record rate; Ninja’s first firepit (just in time for fall); and the “dangerous” plant being sold across the country.
‘Proplifting’ Trend Doesn’t Just Divide Plants
Another day, another trend—and this one is dividing the plant community. ‘Proplifting’ is the act of taking discarded plant material, specifically from home improvement stores and nurseries, and using it to create new—and free—plants. Seems harmless enough, right? It’s a sustainable practice to create more greenery, which is good for the environment. But not so fast—the practice sits in an ethical grey area as many people consider it stealing. It can also have some legal complications in a variety of scenarios, such as if the plant is patented (it’s illegal to propagate a patented plant, even for one’s own enjoyment), or if new plants are being created at a high volume from the practice (especially with the intent of being sold). To make matters even more complicated, some gardeners are actively snipping off plant material instead of sourcing it from the trash—and no one wants strangers tearing off pieces of their plants.
As it turns out, proplifting may not be the best way to propagate: in short, if there’s plant material in the trash, it’s less likely to be able to produce a new plant.
More News This Week
Ninja just unveiled its first-ever firepit. The Ninja Fireside360 is a propane-powered smokeless firepit and a heater. You can use the dial to control both the flame and the heat output, which makes it a great year-round addition to your patio. It retails for $449, so it’s a bit more expensive than competitors like Solo Stove—but there’s no cleanup with this firepit, which makes it worth the extra investment. With the weather getting cooler by the day, it’s a great way to extend outdoor living into the next season. Get the Ninja Fireside360 at Ninja for $449.
Tariffs are coming for your furniture—potentially. President Trump announced on Truth Social, “I am pleased to announce that we are doing a major Tariff Investigation on Furniture coming into the United States. […] Furniture coming from other Countries into the United States will be Tariffed at a Rate yet to be determined.” Only time will tell whether or not the tariffs will be implemented, but the announcement itself was enough to make furniture company CEOs panic. For consumers, that would mean higher prices. Maybe it’s time to consider second-hand furniture—Facebook Marketplace is rife with great finds.
Home sales are being canceled at record rate, according to Redfin. The company estimates that around 58,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled this past July. That amounts to a whopping 15.3 percent of home sales. The greatest concentration of these cancellations was in Texas and Florida. If there was ever a sign that homeownership costs are rising beyond reach for many Americans, this is it.
One arborist is sounding the alarm. Low-maintenance English Ivy is commonly sold across the country, but Andrew the Arborist argues that we shouldn’t be planting or propagating it. Not only is it an invasive species, but it’s hard to control. It can destroy habitats and lead to the decline of biodiversity. Watch him make his argument.
Bonus: The Home Depot is selling the most adorable stocking stuffers. Yes, it’s early to start thinking about the holidays, but whether it’s a small gift for yourself or someone else now or later, you’ll want to buy these Ryobi keychains now, before they sell out. Buy yours at The Home Depot for $20.