How to Make Plant Care Less Stressful

2026 is the year of ease, joy, and low-maintenance plant care! It’s time that plants make us feel good instead of dread every time we walk past them. Something’s off if plants are stressing you out. So I invited my friend Cassidy Tuttle from Succulents and Sunshine back on the podcast because if there’s anyone who embodies easy plant care, it’s her! We talked about what’s actually happening in our plant lives right now: having too many plants, letting some go, and redefining what our collections look like. Listen in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:49] Meet my friend Cassidy from Succulents & Sunshine!
• [04:50] Cassidy’s latest projects: the Cheerful Plants app and Snappy Pots
• [06:28] How her relationship with plants changed over the years
• [08:39] What other low-maintenance plants is she experimenting with?
• [09:45] Cuttings vs established plants
• [11:25] My unexpected reality of growing plants in Florida!
• [13:30] Why we now concentrate plants in specific zones of the house
• [15:30] Get 3x the antioxidants of regular honey with Manukora!
• [17:11] Post-pandemic shifts in plant culture
• [19:41] Why whimsical is the 2026 plant trend at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
• [22:11] What does plant number mean to Cassidy?
• [25:43] Pros and cons of grouping succulents in arrangements
• [28:26] Reducing your plant collection
• [31:59] Choosing how you want your collection to grow (fewer big plants vs. many small ones)
• [33:59] How Cassidy reworks her watering systems and setups to save time and effort!
• [37:03] What tools are worth upgrading for your plant care?
• [40:08] Why you should cull your plant accessories too!
• [44:02] Where you keep your plants in your house matters
• [44:42] Why you should stop buying more plants when you don’t need them
• [45:55] Comparison & social media plant envy
• [48:15] What is the Cheerful Plants app all about?
• [51:11] Why AI plant care apps often fail
• [54:06] Breakdown of Cheerful Plants app features!
• [56:59] Where to try the app and how the pricing works
• [58:18] Where to find Cassidy, her course, and future offerings!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Succulents and Sunshine
• Succulents (Idiot's Guides) by Cassidy Tuttle
• Cheerful Plants app
• Snappy Pots
• Bonsai Jack Succulent Gritty Mix
• Maria's fave: Espoma Organic Cactus Potting Soil Mix
• Blossom Effect talks about watering tips (including the backpack spray!)
• Using the 20/20 rule to make decluttering decisions
• Growing Joy episodes:
  • 330: 2026 Garden and Houseplant Trends: My Main Takeaways from Northwest Flower and Garden Festival
  • 267: Create a Biophilic Office Space: Boost Your Workday Motivation by Adding These Plants to Your Office
  • 246: What is Regenerative Gardening and Permaculture? with Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy
  • 171: What To Do When A Plant Dies with Cassidy from Succulents and Sunshine

 

For Cassidy's other low-maintenance plant care tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow Cassidy:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Pinterest
Books
Membership

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Manukora

Go to manukora.com/bloom to get up to 31% off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook, PLUS $25 worth of free gifts! 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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