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

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check out the full show notes and blog here!

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7 Houseplants with Superpowers Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Did you know that your houseplants have superpowers? Some can actually seek out darkness to find the light, some can count, and some can actually bring wealth. To help me reveal all these amazing aspects of our houseplants is my new friend, David Domoney. He’s a celebrated British horticulturist, television presenter, and author with over 30 Royal Horticultural Society medals. And his book, Plants with Superpowers, is what actually inspired me to do this episode. This is the first of a two-part series on plants and their superpowers, and I have him on twice because he is such an enthusiastic person. I love his energy so much.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:50] Why is green considered a calming color
[04:40] How did David become the lore specialist of plants?
[08:33] What inspired David to write his book?
[11:20] What is the superpower of the Venus flytrap?
[13:43] Venus Flytrap evolution and feeding tips
[14:40] Garden in comfort and style with new Dovetail Workwear X John Deere overalls, designed specifically for women!
[17:57] How plants help our world become livable
[18:22] How important is the role of soil microorganisms in the process of nutrient uptake in plants?
[19:46] What is the superpower of Mimosa pudica?
[21:33] What is the superpower of Monstera?
[22:42] Different growth patterns of plants
[28:28] What is the superpower of the Prayer plant?
[30:56] Nature as the original artist
[33:11] What is the superpower of aloe vera?
[34:54] What is the superpower of the jade plant?
[39:59] Where can you find David online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

For David's amazing list of houseplants with superpowers,

Follow David:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

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

Check out the full show notes and blog here for my sun protection 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.

Sun Protection for Gardeners: Melanoma Awareness Month May 27, 2025

Show notes

It’s Melanoma Awareness Month! Two years ago, I walked into a dermatologist’s office thinking I had a simple skin issue… then I walked out with a melanoma diagnosis at 34. As a lifelong gardener, I never expected my love of plants would overlap with a serious health scare, but here we are. I’m not a beach person nor an outdoor enthusiast. I just tend to my garden every day, really. But that little dot on my face changed everything about my relationship with the sun. I learned to love sunscreens, especially UPF clothing. So if you’re a plant parent like me who spends hours outside with your hands in the soil, I hope this becomes your gentle nudge to protect your skin the same way you protect your plants.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:36] Special thanks to Coolibar’s UPF50 clothing
[04:49] Why should we care for our skin as we do our plants?
[08:54] Why short, daily garden sessions still add up to major sun exposure risk
[10:21] Should you use sunscreen?
[11:45] Chemical vs. mineral sunscreens
[13:40] My favorite sunscreen brands
[15:41] Why I love UPF Clothing (especially Coolibar’s sun clothing)
[16:08] Coolibar products
[16:46] What is UPF clothing and why it’s better than sunscreens
[19:40] Gardeners Supply Company
[22:36] Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses in the garden
[24:34] How to use the UV Index when gardening
[27:04] Hydration and skin health in the garden
[27:26] Espoma Organic
[29:43] Why skin care in the garden matters

Mentioned in our conversation:

Sun protection doesn't need to be complicated!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

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.

Smell Your Way to Joy: The Science Behind How Plants and Aromatherapy Enhance Memory and Emotion May 20, 2025

Show notes

Did you know the scent of plants can do more than just make your garden smell good? It can actually improve your mood, your memory, and your overall health. I’ve always thought of plant scents as just a lovely bonus in the garden, but I didn’t know there’s some wild science behind how smell connects to our emotions and even our brains. And to help me with that is Dr. Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and expert on the psychology of scent. She explains how the smells from our plants can shape how we feel, what we remember, and how we heal.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:06] How did Dr. Herz start her career in the science of scents?
[06:18] Why smell is tied to memories and emotions
[09:01] Aromatherapy and emotional associations
[10:28] Ingesting rosemary vs. smelling rosemary
[12:27] Why do people like or dislike different smells?
[14:30] How does the human olfactory system detect and process scents?
[15:32] Wind River Chimes
[17:20] Coolibar
[21:43] What’s the role of the olfactory bulbs?
[22:36] Why is the nose a significant entry point for substances entering the body?
[25:12] Why do people often think smell is the least important sense?
[27:25] Losing sight vs smell
[30:20] Gardeners Supply Company’s
[32:48] The perception of a smell as "good" or "bad"
[35:08] Can our sense of smell be cultivated?
[36:30] Where can you find Dr. Herz and her works online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Ready to explore the healing wonders of natural fragrances?

Follow Dr Rachel:

Website

Academic Work

Consulting

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.

Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

Gardener's Supply

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

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.

How to Propagate Plants in Fluval Stratum May 13, 2025

Show notes

You've tried water and soil, but have you ever rooted a cutting in a Fluval Stratum? Yes, it’s technically made for fish tanks. Yes, it looks like little black caviar. But it might just be the best thing to happen to your houseplant propagation! So in this episode, let’s break down everything I’ve learned from my conversation with my plant friend, Lindsay Sisti (@alltheplantbabies), who is a propagation extraordinaire and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation. Thanks to her, I now know exactly how and why this strange little volcanic material is revolutionizing plant propagation!

In this episode, we learn:

[00:00] Is there a mess-free plant propagation?
[02:28] How did Lindsay become a propagation expert?
[07:31] What is hybridization/pollination of plants?
[09:26] What is Fluval Stratum?
[10:00] What is a volcanic tephra?
[12:42] What makes Fluval Stratum popular for plant propagation?
[14:47] Protect yourself this Melanoma Awareness Month with Coolibar’s sun-protective clothing!
[19:07] LECA vs. Fluval Stratum
[20:25] Practical tips for propagating with Fluval Stratum
[25:10] Can you re-use Fluval Stratum?
[26:49] What are the best plants for Fluval Stratum
[27:53] Combining Fluval Stratum with perlite
[30:50] Can Fluval Stratum be used as a growing medium in semi-hydroponic setups?
[32:27] What are the best practices for propagating plant cuttings in Fluval Stratum?
[34:52] Transferring cuttings from Fluval to potting media
[36:50] Experiments with different growth mediums (Fluval Stratum, aroid mix, tree fern fiber, sphagnum moss, and peat moss)
[39:58] Where can you find Lindsay and her resources online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Get a copy of Lindsay’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation
Fluval Stratum
LECA
Lechuza Pon
Hoya propagation tutorial with @alltheplantbabies

For Lindsay's expert tips on how to use Fluval Stratum,

Follow Lindsay:

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

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.

What Is Naturalistic Gardening and Why It Might Change How You Garden Forever May 06, 2025

Show notes

How do you create a natural garden? Is that even possible? I want to bring you to the style of garden that’s not only sustainable but also more resilient, and honestly, more fun. In fact, it might even be the future of gardening. Natural or naturalistic garden is an approach that’s all about working with nature instead of trying to control it. To help explain this topic, I brought on my dear friend, Kelly D Norris, a renowned horticulturalist, award-winning plantsman, and the author of Your Natural Garden.

In this episode, we learn:

[02:40] How did Kelly get started with gardening?
[07:46] What is a natural garden?
[09:06] What are "native plants" in natural gardening?
[13:42] How does ecological landscape design look in different settings?
[15:43] Coolibar
[17:42] Wind River Chimes
[19:30] Ecological landscape designs
[22:41] How to measure direct sunlight
[29:04] Rewilding and selecting plants
[31:18] Dovetail Workwear
[33:08] Espoma Organic
[34:27] Regional plant palettes and resources
[39:12] How does ecological gardening vary across US regions?
[40:23] How to create ecosystems for wildlife
[44:20] Tips for achieving a natural garden
[47:37] "Aesthetics of ecology" and "ecology of aesthetics"
[52:01] Where can you find Kelly and his book online?

Mentioned in our conversation:

"Your Natural Garden", book by Kelly D Norris
"New Naturalism", book by Kelly D Norris
Growing Joy Ep 274: Plant Inspired Vacations with Leslie Halleck and Marcia Castro-Rosenberg
Sun Seeker for IOS and Android
SunCalc
iNaturalist app
National Wildlife Federation
AHS Garden Network - American Horticultural Society
Membership - American Horticultural Society
American Public Gardens Association
The Bane of Beauty

Interested in taking the first steps in creating a natural garden?

Follow Kelly:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Coolibar

Protect your skin with Coolibar and save 25% off your order at coolibar.com with code GROWINGJOY25.

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.

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

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

Plant Mythbusters: Debunking 5 Viral Plant Hacks with The Chocolate Botanist Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever seen one of those viral plant hack videos where someone sprinkles banana peels in their soil or ices their orchid? If you’re wondering if they work, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because the answer is no. Sorry, plant friends.

In this episode, I will be separating fact from fiction with my dear friend, Derek Haynes aka The Chocolate Botanist. Derek is a plant biologist who’s not afraid to call out the myths, explain the real science behind plant care, and help us simplify things.

Let’s bust 5 of the biggest houseplant myths floating around online.

In this episode, we learn:

[01:03] Meet Derek, the Chocolate Botanist
[08:03] Fighting misinformation online
[10:37] Does banana water work?
[15:15] Simplify your plant care with Espoma Organic’s high quality products!
[18:05] Which fertilizer is perfect for you?
[20:53] Do coffee grounds work?
[25:09] Do eggshells work?
[28:36] Is it effective to water plants with ice cubes?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy Ep. 283: From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 Houseplant Trends, Plant Care Tips & Plant Fail Confessions From the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Growing Joy Ep. 116: Houseplant Identification Basics from Derek from The Crazy Botanist

Get all the myth-busting goodness in one place...

Follow Derek The Chocolate Botanist:

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Espoma Organic

As we welcome the season of growing and gardening, make sure you're using nontoxic products in the garden! 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

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.

Why Politicians Should Be Gardeners: An Invitation to Rethink Leadership Through the Wisdom of Nature Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Why should politicians become gardeners? No, this is not a political post. No, I didn’t lose it! We will not be talking about sides. This is about healing, connection, and what we can learn from our gardens and our plants in a time where it feels like everything is falling apart.

Lately, I’ve been feeling this weight from watching the world spin in chaos and there’s disconnection, judgment, overwhelm, and division everywhere. We have a connection deficiency. And I’m starting to believe, with every fiber of my being, that if our leaders gardened, if all of use gardened, the world would be a kinder/greener place!

In this episode, we learn:

[02:06] Gardening as a healing tool
[04:21] What does reciprocity teach us?
[05:08] What are some leadership lessons from gardening?
[06:11] #1 Listening on a deeper level
[08:01] #2 Patience and long-term thinking
[10:17] #3 Cycles, perspectives, and resilience
[11:05] #4 Nurturing vs. controlling
[12:18] #5 Companion planting and community
[14:23] Lessons from mycorrhizal networks and pollinators
[16:45] Compost, death, and growth from failure
[18:24] What if we all lived like gardeners?

Want to rethink leadership through gardening?

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

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.

Growing Dahlias Made Easy: How to Grow Stunning Blooms from Tuber to Flower Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

“To know a Dahlia is to love a Dahlia.” And once you grow one, it’s like all your other flowers just kind of fade into the background. There’s just something about them. One of my most favorite flowers I have ever grown is a Dahlia called Kogane Fubuki. It was this magical pink and yellow ombre bloom that literally stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped onto my patio.

And I want you to have those magical Dahlia moments too! So I brought on Anne from The Dahlia House to walk us through every step of Dahlia care. Her story is as gorgeous as her blooms, and she generously spilled all her tips to help us get the most out of our Dahlias this year.

In this episode, we learn:

[02:36] Meet Anne from the Dahlia House
[03:07] How did Anne become the Dahlia lady?
[06:05] Anne’s current dahlia collection and other plants
[08:44] Why are dahlias popular?
[11:43] What are some tips for growing dahlias successfully?
[15:05] Show your parents you care this Mother's Day or Father's Day with a soothing Wind River Chime!
[16:53] What are ways to start dahlias indoors?
[20:16] How should dahlias be planted with regard to their "eyes"?
[21:50] How can you get your dahlias to bloom a lot?
[26:32] Tips for cutting off dahlias and extending vase life
[28:23] What are the light and water requirements for dahlias?
[30:26] Container growing and spacing
[32:17] How to choose the right dahlia variety for you
[36:02] What are some common mistakes that new Dahlia growers make?
[36:55] How to fertilize your dahlia
[38:32] Anne’s favorite Dahlia varieties and trends
[39:57] Where can you find Anne and The Dahlia House?
[40:56] Recommended flowers to grow in Jupiter, Florida

Mentioned in our conversation:

What part of the Dahlia growing process has you the most excited?

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

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 Office Gardens Are Boosting Employee Wellness, One Plant at a Time Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

With the push to get people back into offices, there’s a glaring question floating around the corporate world: how do we make the office a place people actually want to come back to? As someone who believes in the impact of plants not just on spaces but on people, this question has me wishing of a world where every office has its own green vegetable garden out back.

Does it sound too good to be true? Well, it’s already happening. In this episode, I sat down with Josh and Troy, the founders of StartOrganic, a company that helps employers give that opportunity to their employees. They’ve created office gardens for companies like PayPal, eBay, Intuit, and Apple, and what they’re doing is so much more than planting tomatoes.

In this episode, we learn:

[03:35] How StartOrganic started
[06:54] How did they end up designing gardens for PayPal?
[10:31] Scaling up with corporate programs
[12:05] What are the first steps in consulting with businesses on garden installation projects?
[14:00] What's the most unique place they’ve installed a garden?
[14:50] Make gardening fun with Espoma Organic’s all-natural products!
[16:26] What is the primary focus of StartOrganic?
[19:44] How they tailor their corporate garden programs to client needs
[22:11] PayPal’s evolving garden program
[24:56] How does StartOrganic help employees care for their corporate garden?
[26:54] Measuring the success of corporate gardens
[29:17] Heartwarming employee stories
[32:10] Can small offices start corporate gardens?
[34:42] What are the popular crops and seasonal offerings
[36:33] Where can you find StartOrganic?

Mentioned in our conversation:

How have office gardens impacted employees' well-being?

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