Growing Joy with Plants &#8211; Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

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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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Check out the full show notes and blog for easy-care options that bloom beautifully!

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21 Indoor Plants that Bloom: Best of Growing Joy Replay Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Indoor Plants are celebrated for their amazing foliage, but I think we overlook another amazing ability, a specific subcategory our favorite indoor plants have — the ability to bloom! Some people say we are intrinsically connected to flowers because, way back when, they signified fruit.

Personally, I just think they are joyful as hell with their bright colors, and let's be frank, we all need a little more joy and color in our lives. To give us a better grasp of this beautiful subcategory, I've invited back Lisa of The Houseplant Guru to talk about the must-knows of houseplants that bloom and how reconnecting with this group of plants can help us reconnect to generations we might never know.

In this episode, we learn:

[01:13] Maria’s garden updates
[04:15] Introducing Lisa, a beloved Growing Joy guest
[06:38] African violets and their underrated beauty
[08:27] What are the differences in plant care between foliage houseplants and blooming houseplants?
[13:25] How long should grow lights stay on for flowering houseplants?
[14:13] How does photoperiod affect the bloom cycle of a plant?
[15:42] Can you put orchids under grow lights?
[16:59] Do blooming houseplants need fertilizer?
[20:24] What to do when your orchids don’t bloom
[25:10] How to get orchids to re-bloom
[26:26] Maria and Lisa share their thoughts about collecting plants and moving homes
[29:51] Best blooming houseplants for beginners
[30:59] Why do you need to turn your holiday cactus all year round?
[31:53] What is the trick for beautiful and healthy African violets?
[33:36] Best blooming houseplants for beginners (continued)
[36:17] Best blooming houseplants for intermediates
[38:38] Are Gerbera daisies appropriate houseplants?
[39:37] How to make blooms last longer
[40:37] Should you fertilize your plant while it is in bloom?
[41:04] Lisa’s favorite blooming houseplants
[41:44] Where to get Lisa’s latest book!
[43:27] Maria’s personal story on how blooming plants connected generations of their family
[48:17] Closing remarks

Mentioned in our conversation:

GJ Episode 133: How To Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles And Other Animals In Your Garden With Brie The Plant Lady
GJ Episode 30: Orchid 101 With Chris
GJ Episode 84 : African Violets 101 With Lisa
Order Lisa’s book “Bloom: The secrets of growing flowering houseplants year-round”

Do you think blooming houseplants are too tricky?

Follow Lisa:

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

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Houseplant Trends, Tips & Hot Takes: Live from the Southeast Plant Show Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

This year, I had the joy of hosting a live Growing Joy popup at the Southeast Plant Show. I’ve been fortunate to attend a few plant events lately, but this one felt special in a way that’s hard to describe. The energy was electric! The people were overflowing with joy, and the plants were everything.

If you love to connect with plant people, discover trending varieties, and just soak up good vibes, the Southeast Plant Show is a must. It’s a plant parent’s dream, with over 120 vendors representing everything from tropical houseplants to handmade pots (even snakes). Here’s a compilation of my conversations with different plant vendors, influencers, and company owners! They share trending houseplants, expert tips, and juicy hot takes about your favorite plants.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:16] Erica Parker, founder & creator of Southeast Plant Show! Southeast Plant Show | @southeastplantshow
[05:49] Wade Richards - Plants by Wade Lee | @plantsbywadelee
[09:18] Jeannie Tejeda - @urbnflockr | Urbnflockr | TikTok
[13:17] Ben - Trapped Nursery | @trappednursery
[16:43] Ara - Propagation Diaries | @propagationdiaries
[20:03] Adam Golan - @pourednh | @pouredllc | YouTube
[23:49] Jenni - @gazinggreen
[26:35] Jocelyn Ho - Rare Plant Fairy | @rareplantfairy
[29:41] Leslie Patton - @_lottap | Not Your Average Sansevieria
[32:42] Carlos Nieto - @carlosalocasias_leafandreef | Leaf and Reef Facebook
[35:35] Colah B Tawkin - @blackinthegarden | Black in the Garden - Podcast
[39:36] Cass Marion - @plantaddicted_cass
[43:20] Davida Freeman (CPMG Studio Press) - @condoplantmama
[45:38] Lakeisha Jones - @pinkpothosatl | @pinkpothosatl | TikTok
[48:27] Jess Gaston - @live.glow.grow | liveglowgrow | TikTok
[52:00] Joshua Hite - Plant Zaddy | @infinite_hite
[53:54] Lauren (Lauren's Fairy Garden) - @stufflaurendoes_ | @stufflaurendoes_ | TikTok
[58:33] Carley Crutchfield - @theproblemplant | @theproblemplant | TikTok
[59:49] Derek Haynes - @thechocolatebotanist | The Chocolate Botanist
[01:02:37] Angelina - Palmstreet | @palmstreetapp

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy 147: How to Care For Carnivorous Plants Indoors

Special Thanks to:

Ara (@propagationdiaries) and Scott (@top_cut_plants) for coordination of the podcast

Josh (@plantzaddyclub) and Marcus (@plantdecoatl) for the production and design of the podcast lounge)

For your favorite influencers' hottest plant takes,

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Espoma Organic

Visit 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 Leung

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Check out the full show notes and blog for the best beginner tips!

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

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Build Your Dream DIY Greenhouse: Best of Growing Joy Replay Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

I feel like there comes a time in every plant parent's life when we start to get really curious and excited about having a dedicated space for all of our plants. If you are an outdoor gardener, the promise of a greenhouse for seed starts and overwintering plants is even more promising! I’ve had several different moments in life where I’ve Googled greenhouse kits but never crossed the finish line due to the overwhelming and somewhat intimidating aspect of installing them properly (and the price tag). Hopefully, this episode will set you up for success if you feel like you’re ready to take the leap of installing a greenhouse!

In this episode, we learn:

[11:35] Things to consider before planning a greenhouse
[12:28] Why do you need a license for your personal greenhouse?
[15:00] What direction should a greenhouse face?
[16:44] Pros and cons of different greenhouse materials
[20:29] DIY greenhouse vs greenhouse kit
[25:07] What to consider for your greenhouse flooring
[30:52] Different types of greenhouses and ventilation settings
[33:08] How to calculate greenhouse heating and ventilation requirements
[34:31] Different types of fans and vents for greenhouse ventilation
[39:16] How much does a good beginner greenhouse cost?
[43:37] How greenhouses help in pest control and management
[45:45] Troubleshooting greenhouse ventilation and humidity issues
[46:40] What is the ideal temperature for a greenhouse?
[50:12] Greenhouse #1: Amy’s apartment-deck greenhouse in cold Massachusetts
[53:27] Greenhouse #2: Tiffany’s indoor greenhouse for 200+ plants
[59:28] Greenhouse #3: Kristin’s fully-customized permanent greenhouse from a kit
[01:05:48] Greenhouse #4: Eric’s Instagrammable East Nash Greenhouse with recycled windows

Mentioned in our conversation:

Patrick's other blogs: Sublime Succulents & Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
Domino Magazine article: How a Stylist DIY-ed Her Dream Greenhouse From a Prefab Kit

Interested to learn more about greenhouses?

Follow this episode's guests:

Patrick / greenhouseinfo.com:Greenhouse Info | Email

Andi and Eric / East Nashville Greenhouse:Instagram

Kristin / Tending West:Instagram | Newsletter | Website

Tiffany / plantmahmah:Instagram | Email

Amy Lefavour:Instagram

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tree Communication: The Science and Spirit of How Trees Talk Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt drawn to a specific tree—and wondered why? You might already be receiving messages without realizing it.

In this episode of Growing Joy, I sat down with intuitive nature expert and green witch Rachael Cohen of Our Infinite Nature to explore one of the most fascinating and overlooked topics in the natural world: tree communication. From the underground mycelial networks to intuitive connections and bioelectrical signals, this conversation will change the way you see the trees around you.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:03] Launching the Intuitive Moon Community
[04:23] Upcoming Reiki mentorship program
[05:36] How do nature and trees support mental health?
[07:51] Why we feel more “rooted” around trees than houseplants
[09:47] Can trees actually touch us back? The TikTok tree trend
[11:27] The science of tree communication: phytochemicals and warning signals
[13:21] How trees share resources underground via the mycelial network
[14:52] Wind River Chimes
[16:39] AI, bioelectricity & PlantWave technology
[19:44] How can we deepen our connection with trees?
[22:52] How different people experience tree messages (clairvoyant, clairsentient, claircognizant)
[26:22] Different ways to build a connection with a tree
[31:32] Looking up tree symbolism after following intuition
[33:51] How nature speaks before you even know what it means
[36:15] Rachael’s breathwork experience and grounding through a tree
[37:50] Where did the term “tree hugger” come from?
[39:16] A simple challenge for you
[42:36] Where can you find Rachael’s socials and her upcoming offers?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Join Rachael’s Intuitive Moon Community
Amazing Tree Touching Experience - Join the Challenge! | TikTok
Book: The Overstory by Richard Powers
Book: Self-Care for Eco-Anxiety by Rachael Cohen
Book: Everyday Plant Magic by Rachael Cohen
PlantWave
Project gives 200-year-old Dublin tree 'a voice'
Growing Joy Episode 277: What Are Flower Essences and How Can They Help Me? with Katie Hess of Lotuswei
Growing Joy Episode 294: I Found 22 Ducklings on My Roof: A Nature-Curious Story of Trust and Transformation

To discover the magical world of communicating with trees,

Follow Rachael:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Check out the full show notes and blog for the best beginner tips!

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Small Scale Homesteading for Beginners: Best of Growing Joy Replay Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a homesteader? A growing number of people are turning to self-sufficiency and sustainability in their way of living. However, homesteading can seem intimidating, especially when social media portrays it as an exclusive lifestyle requiring acres of land and living off the grid. The good news is that it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle! In this episode, learn how Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn, co-authors of the book Small Scale Homesteading and absolute BFFs, are making homesteading accessible to everyone—no matter how much land you have. They share their experiences with gardening, chicken keeping, maple sugaring, and more, all while living on less than an acre in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

In this episode, we learn:

[06:43] Stephanie & Michelle’s homesteading journey
[13:08] The challenges of gardening in different regions (know your last frost date)
[16:24] How Stephanie & Michelle’s friendship and shared interests led to their book “Small-Scale Homesteading”
[17:51] What is the role of community in their homesteading journeys?
[24:32] What is the difference between gardening and homesteading?
[26:40] What inspired Michelle and Stephanie’s move from gardening to homesteading
[30:50] Tips for transitioning from gardening to homesteading
[40:21] Michelle on seed starting
[43:36] What are the easiest seeds to save?
[44:59] How can you preserve your homegrown food?
[46:45] Fermentation vs pickling
[48:36] What is water bath canning?
[51:21] Things you should know about raising chickens!
[01:01:13] Further homesteading stories and experiences from Michelle & Stephanie

Mentioned in our conversation:

Book by Stephanie Thurow & Michelle Bruhn Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and More
Can It & Ferment It: More Than 75 Satisfying Small-Batch Canning and Fermentation Recipes for the Whole Year
WECK Home Preserving: Made-from-Scratch Recipes for Water-Bath Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and More
WECK Small-Batch Preserving: Year-Round Recipes for Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and MoreFood Preservation Cookbooks by Stephanie Thurow:
Chicken Pens at Tractor Supply Co.

Ready to start your homesteading journey?

Follow Stephanie:

Follow Michelle:

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Check out the full show notes and blog here for David's list!

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mindblowing Facts About Plants Outside Your Door: 11 Garden Plants with Superpowers Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Did you know that some common outdoor plants have superpowers? Some can survive atomic bombing, clean up radiation, and even outsmart insects. This is Part 2 of my conversation with David Domoney, author of Plants with Superpowers, about the superpowers of outdoor plants. These plants can completely change how you walk down the street and look at nature.

Listen to Part 1 of our conversation about indoor plant superpowers here.

In this episode, we learn:

[02:19] Welcome to part 2 with David Domoney
[03:29] How did ginkgo trees survive Hiroshima?
[06:08] How do sunflowers purify radioactive and toxic soil?
[08:24] How magnolias trap beetles for pollination
[09:31] Calming lavender vs. stimulating lavender
[11:02] David’s lavender gin and tonic recipe!
[13:32] Raspberries with a surprise twist
[13:54] Bee orchid's mimicry superpower
[14:51] Espoma Organic's
[16:14] How do walnuts help our brain?
[17:23] Hedgehog Holly's shape-shifting defense mechanism
[19:24] Can blueberries help with belly fat?
[20:53] What makes rosemary so powerful for memory and wellness?
[24:03] Did Roman gladiators really chew parsley for strength?
[25:13] Curly vs. flat leaf parsley differences
[27:43] Where can you find David's socials and book?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Plants with Superpowers: 75 Remarkable Plants for your Garden and Home
Growing Joy Episode 296: How to Grow Lavender with Rebecca of Lavender Connection
Growing Joy Episode 292: 7 Houseplants with Superpowers with David Domoney

Curious to know which outdoor plant in your area has superpowers?

Follow David:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Espoma Organic

Make sure your garden plants are maintaining their superpowers by using organic gardening products! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

Visit 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 Leung

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Check out the full show notes and blog for Rebecca's expert growing tips!

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How to Grow Lavender Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Did you know that lavender comes in dozens of varieties, each with a different smell, and many with different growing habits? I did learn that from Rebecca at Lavender Connection, who owns a family-run lavender farm in Sequim, Washington, which also happens to be the lavender capital of the United States! After meeting her at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, where her beautiful lavender scents were wafting over to my booth all day, I knew I had to have her on the podcast to share her incredible expertise.

In this episode, we learn:

[02:40] How Rebecca became a lavender expert
[06:25] Where does lavender grow natively?
[07:17] How many species does lavender have?
[09:06] English vs French vs Spanish lavender
[11:19] How to avoid killing your lavender (top growing tips!)
[12:55] Why you need well-draining soil for lavender
[15:13] Make someone’s special day unforgettable by gifting them Wind River Chimes!
[17:27] Common mistakes new lavender gardeners make
[20:12] Life as a lavender farmer: agritourism, DIY, and more
[22:17] The lavender essential oil bar experience
[24:03] How Starbucks drinks was inspired by her Lavender Connection!
[25:29] Favorite lavender varieties (including the mysterious Row 19)
[27:15] What you can actually do with harvested lavender
[29:30] What’s the easiest thing you can do with a lavender?
[30:28] Where can you find Lavender Connections?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Planning to grow your own lavender?

Follow Lavender Connection:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Wind River Chimes

Bring the gift of peace, serenity, and magic this wedding season with chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for an amazing gift that can help you or your loved ones grow joy and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect option. Plus, you can engrave the wind sail on the wind chime with meaningful dates, names, or phrases!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Check out the full show notes and blog here!

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stop Killing Succulents and Listen to This Episode Instead Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever killed a succulent and then felt like you were completely doomed as a plant parent? That was totally me about eight years ago. I brought succulents home because everyone said they were the easiest, most foolproof plant. Yet I still managed to kill them. Naturally, I spent a lot of time thinking I was just a plant killer. However, I eventually learned that succulents aren’t fool proof. And if you’ve had your heart broken by one (or five), it might not have totally been your fault. Maybe it just wasn’t the right plant for you! Or you just needed a few key things to learn about how to keep succulents alive.

So I invited my plant friend and the succulent queen of Indiana, Abby Perry of Abby’s Garden Parties, to talk about the real reason so many people kill succulents, what they actually need, and how to figure out if they’re even the right plant for you.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:16] How Abby became a succulent expert
[07:14] The #1 mistake: overwatering
[08:47] What makes a plant a “succulent”?
[09:56] Cacti vs. succulents
[12:26] How to water succulents
[14:59] Grow lights and why succulents need strong lighting
[15:25] Wind River Chimes
[17:12] Espoma Organic Cactus Mix
[20:51] Low, medium, and high light succulent suggestions
[22:05] Does your room have enough light?
[25:19] Care tips for Strings of Things
[26:26] Color and succulents
[27:37] Etiolation: what stretching means in succulents
[30:52] Fertilizing your succulents
[32:42] How to water succulents in terrariums with no drainage
[34:01] The most common mistakes in succulent care
[35:36] Best succulents for each plant parent type
[42:15] Where can you find Abby online

Mentioned in our conversation:

Want to know the best succulents for your lifestyle and lighting situation?

Follow Abby:

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Go to windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

Visit 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 Leung

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I Found 22 Ducklings on My Roof: A Nature-Curious Story of Trust and Transformation Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

A few weeks ago, I found 22 baby ducklings on my roof. Not one. Not ten. But 22 fluffy, peeping, impossibly cute ducklings on the eaves of my Florida home. The videos I made became viral on Instagram and Tiktok, and so many people DM-ed me asking for updates! To be honest, it was one of the happiest and most bizarre times of my life because it made me realize how much my relationship with nature and plants had evolved to another level. Becoming nature-curious opened my eyes to the beauty of not just plant care, but also how much it lit up the world around me.

In this episode, we learn:

[01:34] How 22 ducks changed my perspective on nature and plants
[03:57] What "nature curious" lifestyle means to me
[06:27] I used to be “plant blind”
[07:45] How I changed after moving from 500 sq ft to 5 acres
[11:26] Becoming sensitive to nature’s subtle sounds & shifts
[12:42] How I met Mama Duck (and how she learned to trust me)
[14:36] Feeding the ducklings and fostering a bond with them!
[15:14] Stop wishing for that magic stress-erasing wand and grab the next best thing: Wind River Chimes!
[17:02] Join the movement of confident female gardeners with Dovetail x John Deere Workwear!
[20:24] How I discovered the next set of ducklings… on my roof!
[22:56] The poetry of seeing ducklings fledge from my roof!
[27:53] What we can learn from nature about adaptability and change

Mentioned in our conversation:

For more duckling updates, make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok!

For the full tale of this mind-opening duckling encounter,

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Dovetail Workwear

Grab a pair today and get 10% off at dovetailworkwear.com/growingjoy. The discount is applied at checkout and promo is limited to one per person.

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

Join 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: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria