Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

I have always been a fan of ferns, but for some reason, I could never manage to keep them alive. But those days are over, and I have done a complete 180 on ferns! If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you've probably heard me say how I don't like ferns and how they're just not my recommended houseplant. However, for the past year or so, I've been successfully caring for ferns, and I'm obsessed. I've learned so much, and I can't wait to share my top tips with you!In this episode, we learn:[00:10] Ferns 101[04:03] How resilient are ferns?[05:00] What are the brown spots you see on ferns?[05:34] Are ferns a good choice for a home with limited natural light?[06:32] How should you water your ferns?[07:33] The right kind of pots to use[09:13] How sphagnum moss helps keep ferns healthy[09:51] How important is the humidity for ferns?[11:40] What are the benefits of grouping plants together?[12:09] How to fertilize your fern[12:39] How to prune ferns[14:04] Troubleshooting tips for ferns[16:43] Proven Winners Leafjoy Fern species[17:49] What ferns are not recommended for beginners?[19:27] Ferns to bring home: Bird's nest fern[20:35] Ferns to bring home: Rabbit's foot fern[21:43] Ferns to bring home: Boston fern/Lemon button fern[22:15] Ferns to bring home: Staghorn fernMentioned in our conversation:Self-watering plantersCeramic potSphagnum mossGlass clocheGrow lightsEspoma Organic Indoor! Plant FoodBird’s Nest Ferns: Living Lace® Victoria, Living Lace® HurricaneLiving Lace® Davana - Blue Star Fern/Rabbit's FootEmerald Vase - Boston FernLiving Lace® Cute as a Button™ - Button FernLiving Lace® Sword Dance™ - Staghorn FernFor all of my foolproof tips on fern care,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor:Proven WinnersIf you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can you feel that summer energy in the air? The summer solstice is upon us—the longest day of the year and the official start of the summer season. For us plant parents, this transition is everything. All our patient tending in the spring is paying off as our gardens burst into full bloom.The summer solstice is a powerful energetic pivot point that I always like to honor and celebrate. And I am so delighted to have my dear friend Rachael of Our Infinite Nature join us again in this episode! Rachael is our resident modern green witch—she has such a beautiful way of connecting plants, nature, and spirituality. In our conversation, we explored what the solstice means from an energetic and astrological perspective, and how we can align ourselves with these potent seasonal energies.In this episode, we learn:[05:00] What does summer mean to Rachael?[05:27] What is the energy of summer?[06:30] Why fire is vital for growth in plants and humans[10:24] What is the difference between spring's action-taking energy and summer's action-maintaining energy?[15:03] Make any summer gift unforgettable with a personalized Wind River Chime![16:38] Take the stress out of summer gardening with Crescent Garden TrueDrop Self Watering Planters![19:19] What's going on astrologically these days?[23:13] Is fire energy out of balance in our world, leading to burnout?[24:13] How can we use the elements (earth, water, fire, air) to address burnout, especially during the summer solstice? (and a little bit of meditation!)[29:57] Feed your plants with Espoma Organic for beautiful summer blooms and delicious harvests![31:42] What are some ways to work with the element of air?[32:27] Connecting with the elements: water, earth, air[38:03] How do you ritualize the summer solstice?[41:25] Where can you find Rachael on social media?[41:52] Summer solstice meditationMentioned in our conversation:DIY Spring Flower Crown | Easy Craft Tutorial!Growing Joy Ep 234: Eco Anxiety with RachaelGrowing Joy Ep 223: Cultivating Intuition with Nature with RachaelGrowing Joy Ep 223: Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with RachaelFor Rachael's recommendations on balancing the different elements this solstice,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Rachael:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Crescent GardenFor a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some of my happiest childhood memories are of my mom's garden bursting with homegrown flower bouquets. Whenever we had visitors, she'd snip whatever was in bloom, bundle it up with herbs from her kitchen garden, wrap it in a wet paper towel and tinfoil, and gift it to our guests. I just thought it was the simplest, kindest way to grow joy for herself and for her friends—and that's the beauty of growing cut flowers.Speaking of beauty, I couldn’t get enough of this episode’s guest and her amazing book! Lisa Ziegler is the founder of The Gardener's Workshop and the author of the book I just devoured, ‘The Cut Flower Handbook.’ We had a high-level overview of what you need to know if you want to delve into cut flower gardening!In this episode, we learn:[04:13] What sparked Lisa's desire to grow cut flowers?[07:32] How did Lisa's hobby bloom into a flower farm?[10:23] Are spacing guidelines for cutting gardens important?[13:07] What is the best place for a cutting garden, and why is it different from where you usually plant flowers?[17:00] Where to get hassle-free self-watering planters[18:42] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you[21:08] What is Lisa’s garden zone?[21:47] Which cut flowers are best for beginners?[27:10] What are the recommended filler flowers to grow with Zinnias?[28:13] What are the benefits of starting seeds indoors versus direct sowing in the garden?[31:46] Annuals vs perennials[34:10] What are magnet plants?[37:17] Tps for setting up a low-maintenance cutting garden for beginners[45:49] How and when should you pinch plants in a cutting garden?[50:38] Is there a rule of thumb for how many leaves to leave when pinching or cutting back annuals in a cutting garden?[51:25] What are the biggest mistakes people make during harvesting?[55:59] Why are Bells of Ireland a coveted flower (and what is the secret to growing them)?[57:11] How can zone six growers use large grow bags to create a cutting garden with transplants and direct-sown seeds?[01:02:57] Poppy vs cosmos: which is easier to grow?[01:04:22] Where can you find Lisa on the internet?Mentioned in our conversation:Lisa Ziegler’s books:The Cut Flower HandbookCool FlowersVegetables Love FlowersSunflower, ProCut Orange ExcelBenary’s Giant Zinnia Seed, Mixed ColorsBasil, Mrs. Burns' LemonFor Lisa's expert flower gardening tips,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Lisa:WebsiteCoursesBooksFacebookInstagramYouTubeThank you to our episode sponsors:Crescent GardenFor a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Moving is such a pain in the neck. Packing boxes, saying goodbye to familiar surroundings, and navigating new neighborhoods—it's enough to make anyone break a sweat. But you know what can be worse than that, plant friends? Moving with houseplants!If you know, you know, and if you haven't moved with your houseplant collection yet, consider yourself lucky. Our guest today just moved across countries and into a different garden zone. We've both moved multiple times in the last few years, dragging our plant collections of over a hundred plants each, far and wide. This conversation with Becca from Becca De La Plants was also very heartfelt, as we discussed not only moving with plants but also how it relates to our lives.In this episode, we learn:[03:32] What have the last couple of years looked like for Becca?[06:08] How does it feel to move into a completely different garden zone? (from zone 9 to 6)[09:06] Did Tucson spark Becca's gardening passion, or was it the Missouri land?[15:33] Make this summer unforgettable with personalized Wind River Chimes![17:04] Discover how tending to your houseplants can improve your well-being with "Happy Plants, Happy You" by Kamili Bell Hill[18:06] How Becca’s houseplant collection changed since she moved to Missouri[19:56] How does Becca divide her time between plants, work, and her baby?[22:00] How did Becca decide which plants to keep when moving?[26:36] Maria’s method of moving plants[31:03] New home, new garden? Discover new gardening essentials at Gardener's Supply Company[33:52] Moving is stressful, let’s admit that[34:31] What other things should you do on moving day?[37:19] What difficulties arise in Becca's first month of adjusting to her new home?[41:58] Maria’s evolving home setups for podcasting[46:21] How life phases (motherhood, new homes, and personal growth) influence changes in style and confidence?[52:07] Becca’s profound experience with a plant that shifted her perspective on life[58:07] Advice for people moving to a completely different place[01:01:37] Take advice from the old ladies at a garden center[01:02:53] Where can you find Becca on social media?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep 151: Beginner's Guide to GreenhousesInterview with Maria: Planty Chat & How to Plan a Plant EventFor Becca's moving experience and tips,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Becca:PodcastBookInstagramFacebookYouTubeTikTokThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.Quarto: Happy Plants, Happy You by Kamili Bell HillCheck out Happy Plants, Happy You at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, Barnes and Noble, or amazon.com.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While we are stewards of the land, we are also stewards of the native animals that call it home. And birds, with their declining population, need our help to keep them flying high in our shared environment. Our responsibility is to protect their home, provide them with food, and minimize the threats they face.When I realized there was someone else who shares my deep passion for birds AND gardens, and that she wrote a whole book on making bird-friendly gardens, I knew I needed to meet and befriend her immediately. So in this episode, Jen McGuinness, aka Frau Zinnie, talks all about optimizing our gardens for our birds.If you follow me on social media, you know that I'm a crazy bird lady. I think Frankie, my parakeet, knows that this episode is special because he’s especially loud behind the scenes.In this episode, we learn:[05:29] How Jen became a plant/bird lady[08:08] What is Jen’s gateway bird?[09:31] What does bird-friendly gardening mean (beyond the bird feeder)?[13:17] How will a bird-friendly garden help you and your garden?[14:12] What is a native plant?[15:26] Bring the soothing sounds of summer to your loved ones with Wind River Chimes[17:01] From balconies to backyards, grow your best garden yet with Gardener's Supply Company[18:37] What do birds eat?[23:07] What are the 4 major flight paths used by migratory birds?[28:48] What can we put in our gardens to help birds build nests?[31:41] Should you add a nesting box to your garden?[33:28] Nourish your plants and attract birds with safe, organic Espoma products.[35:27] How should you set up your bird baths?[40:36] How should you create a bird-friendly feeder setup in your garden?[45:02] How to choose bird-friendly native plants for your growing zone[54:28] What are some easy DIY projects to attract birds to a small balcony/garden plot?[57:53] Where can you find Jen and her book?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep 220: How to Make a Tiny Meadow in Your Yard with Graham Laird GardnerBirdCastMerlin Bird IDBirdsyBird BuddyNational Audubon SocietyUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapThe Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, by Doug TallamyBird-Friendly Gardening, by Jen McGuinnessMicro Food Gardening, by Jen McGuinnessFor Jen's tips on how to attract more birds to your garden,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Jen:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeXThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hydrangeas are beautiful flowers, and they represent a wide range of emotions in different cultures. Yes, they can be tricky to grow, but they are relatively low-maintenance with the right care! In this episode, you will learn everything you need to know about hydrangeas from Ryan McEnaney aka @ryanplantsplants, your new best plant friend. I bumped into him in Seattle during the Northwestern Flower Show a few weeks back. We grabbed dinner and it was crazy how much we clicked!Ryan is a fifth-generation member of Bailey Nurseries, which is known for their Endless Summer hydrangeas, Easy Elegance Roses, and First Edition shrubs. His lifetime spent with hydrangeas has given him a strong grasp on their care, and he’s willing to share these tips with us!In this episode, we learn:[06:13] What has Ryan’s plant parent journey looked like?[09:54] What are the 4 main species of hydrangea?[13:42] Understanding bloom cycles for pruning[16:56] Say goodbye to balcony watering stress this summer with self-watering planters![17:23] Learn how to create the perfect cutting garden for bouquets with The Cut Flower Handbook[18:25] What is the blooming cycle of hydrangeas?[20:09] When should you prune hydrangeas?[22:40] How does soil affect the color of Hydrangea macrophylla blooms?[28:58] What should you know about planting hydrangeas in the ground?[30:12] What’s the general light guideline?[30:42] Common mistakes people make with planting hydrangea[31:23] Get everything you need, from containers to raised beds, with Gardener's Supply Company[32:40] Check your hydrangeas’ soil acidity with Espoma Organics[34:30] Why is it important to choose hydrangeas with flower buds?[42:42] How to extend the length of hydrangea blooms[48:26] Where can you find Ryan on social media?[48:43] Where can you get Ryan’s book ‘Field Guide to Outside Style’?Mentioned in our conversation:Northwest Flower and Garden ShowBailey NurseriesFirst EditionsYoutube: 210 How to Grow Citrus IndoorsPop Star® Reblooming HydrangeaEndless Summer HydrangeasEspoma Organic Soil AcidifierEspoma Organic Garden LimeEspoma Organic Holly-tone Organic FertilizerEspoma Organic Rose-tone Organic Fertilizer'Limelight' - Panicle Hydrangea - Hydrangea paniculataVanilla Strawberry™ Panicle HydrangeaFor Ryan's professional and proven hydrangea-growing tips,check out the full show notes here!Follow Ryan:WebsiteInstagramBookThank you to our episode sponsors:Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M ZieglerPick up The Cut Flower Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.Crescent GardenFor a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you know that watering is one of the most common causes of houseplant death? You saw a gorgeous new plant baby from a store, and then you brought it home full of excitement and good intentions. In fact, you wanted to do your best, so you read the watering instructions in the packet and tried to follow them as closely as possible… And then tragedy happens. The once vibrant leaves start to wilt, turn yellow, or fall off entirely.It’s a rookie mistake! But I’m here to share my hard-earned watering technique so you can keep your plants happy (and your plant parent pride intact). We’ve all been there, plant friends.In this episode, we learn:[02:27] Why, when, and how of watering houseplants[04:12] Why do our houseplants need water?[06:04] How do houseplants absorb water?[09:04] When should we water our houseplants?[10:54] Frequency errors in watering[15:00] How to determine soil moisture[16:00] What is top watering?[20:20] Grow your garden with the highest quality houseplants from Proven Winners leafjoy™[21:52] What is bottom watering?[24:08] What are self-watering pots?[25:29] Why you shouldn’t use freezing water[26:18] Knowing when your plant needs water by weight[29:45] Why is drainage important in houseplant care?Mentioned in our conversation:Soil Moisture MeterModern Sprout Watering CanPlant MisterPump SprayerSoil ProbeWallyGrow Loop Hanging Wall PlanterTERRAPOT TRCOT 10Growing Joy Ep 219: How to Care for AlocasiasGrowing Joy Ep 228: Everything You Need to Know About CalatheaGrowing Joy Ep 232: Everything You Need to Know About PhilodendronWhat's Your Plant Parent Personality?For my foolproof watering tips,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor:Proven WinnersIf you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaSave Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can you use plants to promote more mindful thinking? In this episode, I had the most amazing chat with my longtime plant friend Brittany Gowan (@brittanygowan). Brittany and I go way back to our NYC plant mom days when we used to have plant swaps and brunches together. It is pretty wild how plants can bring people together like that.Brittany is one of a kind—she blends her skills in psychology and coaching with her deep love of nature. On the show, we discussed how plants can reduce stress, foster compassion, and increase joy.In this episode, we learn:[03:06] Who is Brittany Gowan? (one of my OG plant friends!)[06:16] Finding peace in a stressful job[10:12] What are some ways that city people can connect with nature?[12:59] Importance of noticing and appreciating “little things” in urban areas[16:03] Celebrate special moments and create lasting memories with Wind River Chimes[17:51] Discover fun, plant-filled projects that add joy to your life with '¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life' by Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago[19:07] How has our ability to focus changed in a multitasking-driven society?[21:53] What are the metaphorical ways light/darkness can be interpreted?[28:20] How to develop compassion through plant care[30:09] Add a touch of spring to your home with Soltech's stylish grow lights[33:42] Finding joy in unexpected, small moments[39:32] How can plants and nature help with anxiety?[43:38] Returning to the wild and reconnecting with our roots[47:06] Meditation and mindfulnessMentioned in our conversation:Pause With Plants PodcastBrittany’s book: Turn to the Sun: Your Guide to Release Stress and Cultivate Better Health Through NatureSeattle SpheresFor Brittany's mindful tips on growing joy through nature,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Brittany:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn1-on-1 CoachingThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.Quarto: ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life by Perla Sofía Curbelo-SantiagoGrab ¡Verdura! at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble or amazon.com.Soltech SolutionsCheck them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15". 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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you have 250 plants in your home, what would you do? That seems like WAY too many plants to care for, right? But for Samantha Hermann, better known as @houseplusplant on Instagram, this is her second nature. She’s my newest plant friend, and I’m so excited to have a casual conversation with her on this episode (let me know if you want more episodes like this). Samantha has been successfully keeping that many plants alive and happy for years, and I’m sure it’s a lot of work. But she’s here to share her best tips for managing a large indoor plant collection without stressing out!In this episode, we learn:[04:46] Meet Samantha, the houseplant expert with over 250+ plant babies[05:37] What happened at the recent Tropical Plant International Expo?[11:22] When did Samantha start collecting houseplants?[15:09] Grow healthy plants in any corner of your home with Soltech’s stylish grow lights[17:26] Make your houseplants happy with Espoma Organic's high-quality, premium potting mixes[21:39] Why you should try new methods/species to avoid boredom and burnout[25:30] How Samantha’s plant collection has evolved over the years[30:51] What does Samantha’s research process look like for a plant? [32:30] Why is trial and error in plant care important?[36:25] How does she take care of her plants every day?[39:24] What is her approach to controlling pests?[45:44] How does she care for her plants while she is away? (and smart home gadgets!)[51:25] Tips for maximizing your plant space through styling and organization[57:23] What are the challenges she faced having to take care of a large plant collection?[01:03:03] Why you shouldn’t let plant care become a source of stress (dark side of plant care)[01:03:59] Tips for moms on how to manage both children and plants[01:08:35] Starting her Instagram plant account[01:11:20] When did she realize that she wanted to be a full-time plant content creator?[01:14:37] Where can you find Samantha on social media?Mentioned in our conversation:Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE)Foliage FocusFoliage ProProp Drops | Market BotanyMarket Botany (@marketbotany) | TikTokMossify46th IAS Annual Show and Sale InformationCultivate'23Sol SoilsPocket Wall Planters | WallyGrowGrowing Joy Ep 219: How to Care for AlocasiasYouTube: Make Your Own Moss Pole for Indoor Climbing PlantsFor Samantha's simplified plant care routine,check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Samantha:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookThank you to our episode sponsors:Soltech SolutionsCheck them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever felt a sense of worry, fear, or anger when you think about climate change and the state of our planet? If so, you may be experiencing what's called "eco-anxiety." As plant lovers who are so connected to nature through our gardens and houseplants, it makes total sense that eco-anxiety could affect us. We care deeply about the Earth because we are part of it. So, let us spend some time with my dearest friend and resident green witch, Rachael Cohen, to better understand this concept.In this episode, we learn:[03:33] What is eco-anxiety?[07:14] Rachael’s personal story of identifying/managing eco-anxiety[09:45] Coping with eco-anxiety[11:21] How perspective affects happiness[12:16] What is the environmental impact of our actions, and how does it relate to our well-being?[15:21] Fill your homes with the most ethereal sounds with the new Wind River Eclipse Collection (use code GROWINGJOY)[17:26] Discover gardening tips, kitchen tricks, and family activities to reduce waste and save money with ‘Simple Country Living’ by Annette Thurmon[18:39] What is Rachael's book, Self-Care for Eco-Anxiety, all about?[20:01] Is corporate responsibility being misdirected, with consumers unfairly blamed?[22:30] How to shift from fight/flight to parasympathetic rest and digest mode[24:18] Somatic practices to release severe negative feelings associated with eco-anxiety[29:01] Finding neutrality and managing anxiety[30:10] What is the concept of “the mother tree” in Rachael’s book?[32:25] What is the mycelium network?[36:42] What are some ways we can give back to Mother Nature?[41:37] Rachael’s favorite strategy for bringing oneself back from an eco-anxiety spiral[43:23] How is the book constructed?[46:55] Where can you get the book?Mentioned in our conversation:Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest, book by Suzanne SimardThe Overstory: A Novel, book by Richard PowersGrowing Joy Ep 229: Why You Should Care About the Spring EquinoxSelf-care for Eco-Anxiety: 52 Weekly Practices for Positive, Personal Change Through the Power of Nature, book by Rachael CohenGrowing Joy Ep 223: Cultivating Intuition with Nature with Rachael of Our Infinite NatureGrowing Joy Episode 209: Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with Rachael from Infinite SucculentFor a list of simple ways that you can give back to Mother Nature,check out the full show notes and blogs here!Follow Rachael:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.Quarto: Simple Country Living by Annette ThurmonGrab Simple Country Living: Techniques, Recipes, and Wisdom for the Garden, Kitchen, and Beyond by Annette Thurmon at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.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 LeungJoin the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!Instagram: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmaria Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.