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 Focus
• Foliage Pro
• Prop Drops | Market Botany
• Market Botany (@marketbotany) | TikTok
• Mossify
• 46th IAS Annual Show and Sale Information
• Cultivate'23
• Sol Soils
• Pocket Wall Planters | WallyGrow
• Growing Joy Ep 219: How to Care for Alocasias
• YouTube: Make Your Own Moss Pole for Indoor Climbing Plants

For Samantha's simplified plant care routine,

check out the full show notes and blog here! 

Follow Samantha:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Facebook

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 Simard
• The Overstory: A Novel, book by Richard Powers
• Growing Joy Ep 229: Why You Should Care About the Spring Equinox
• Self-care for Eco-Anxiety: 52 Weekly Practices for Positive, Personal Change Through the Power of Nature, book by Rachael Cohen
• Growing Joy Ep 223: Cultivating Intuition with Nature with Rachael of Our Infinite Nature
• Growing Joy Episode 209: Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with Rachael from Infinite Succulent

For a list of simple ways that you can give back to Mother Nature,

check out the full show notes and blogs here!

Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.

Quarto: Simple Country Living by Annette Thurmon

Grab 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 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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

You may have heard that compost is the key to a healthy garden, and feeding the soil is more important than feeding your plants. And if you don't garden, you've probably heard about composting as an eco-friendly way to live more sustainably and support the planet. That is why I dedicate an entire episode explaining what composting is and how it works.

My guest, Michelle Balz, is a true composting guru who has written, not one, but two incredible books solely focused on this amazing soil amendment. By the end of our conversation, you'll understand exactly what compost is made of, how it benefits your garden's soil, why it's so great for the environment, and best of all—how to successfully compost both indoors and out.

In this episode, we learn:

• [06:49] What has Michelle’s journey been in composting?
• [09:24] How many different composting systems does Michelle have in her home?
• [10:20] Compost vs soil vs potting mix
• [12:02] What makes compost so special?
• [13:53] How does composting benefit the environment, ourselves, and our gardens?
• [14:31] Carbon sequestration
• [15:40] Discover the secrets to attracting birds to your garden with 'Bird Friendly Gardening'!
• [17:44] Skip the hassle of making your own compost with this organic Compost Blend!
• [20:51] How does composting impact gardeners?
• [26:42] How does compost help support the mycorrhizae?
• [27:20] What can and cannot be composted?
• [29:52] Is the composting ratio important?
• [32:18] What do we need to know about anaerobic/aerobic composting?
• [34:17] Indoor composting
• [35:07] How does vermicomposting work?
• [36:55] How can compost be extracted without worms?
• [40:30] Bokashi composting
• [42:57] Terracotta pot composting
• [45:22] What are the best composting options for outdoor gardeners? (bin and in-garden systems)
• [49:27] How do you know when the compost is finished/ready?
• [50:13] What is the life cycle of composting, how long until the first batch, and how can you nurture it effectively?
• [01:01:23] What is Hügelkultur?
• [01:02:45] What is an African keyhole garden?
• [01:05:14] Where can you find Michelle's books and social media?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Lomi tabletop composter
• No-Waste Composting: Small-Space Waste Recycling, Indoors and Out. Plus, 10 projects to repurpose household items into compost-making machines (No-Waste Gardening), book by Michelle Balz
• Composting for a New Generation: Latest Techniques for the Bin and Beyond, book by Michelle Balz

For Michelle's recommended composting methods,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Michelle:

LinkedIn

Instagram

X

Amazon

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Quarto: Bird-Friendly Gardening by Jen McGuinness

Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

If you're a houseplant lover like me, chances are you already have a philodendron or two in your collection. These awesome tropical plants are some of the most popular and beloved houseplants for good reason—they come in tons of different shapes, colors and sizes, and they're relatively easy to care for too! In this episode, I'm going to give you the full rundown of everything you need to know about growing these amazing plants at home. We'll cover the basics of their natural habitat and key care requirements, and I'll introduce you to some of my current favorite philodendron varieties.

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:50] Philodendron high-level overview
• [09:38] Care #1: Light
• [13:43] Care #2: Water
• [15:38] Care #3: Soil
• [16:05] Care #4: Humidity
• [17:08] Care #5: Fertilizer 
• [17:39] Troubleshooting philodendron issues
• [19:10] Thank you Proven Winners leafjoy™ for sponsoring this episode!
• [21:01] Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
• [22:21] Philodendron 'Brasil'
• [22:37] Philodendron 'Lemon Lime' (as seen on my podcast art!)
• [24:13] Prismacolor™ Brandtianum
• [25:16] Philodendron atabapoense
• [26:05] Philodendron 'Silver Sword' (Philodendron hastatum)
• [27:11] Prismacolor™ Philodendron Fozzie™
• [28:38] Philodendron 'White Wizard' (Philodendron erubescens)
• [30:18] 'Prince of Orange' Philodendron
• [32:08] Prismacolor™ Sun Red Philodendron
• [32:33] Philodendron 'Pink Princess'

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Prismacolor™ Sun Red - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Atabapoense - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Brandtianum - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Florida Green - Climbing Philodendron
• Prismacolor™ Fozzie - Fuzzy Petiole Philodendron
• Prismacolor™ Gloriosum - Creeping Philodendron
• Prismacolor™ Hastatum - Silver Sword Philodendron
• Prismacolor™ Pink Princess - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Rojo Congo - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Sun Red - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ White Wizard - Philodendron hybrid
• Prismacolor™ Lemon Lime - Philodendron hybrid

For a list of my current Philodendron favorites,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If 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 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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

If you interact with the houseplant community online at all, you've definitely felt the impact of The Sill on our plant niche. I honestly can't believe that it took me a whopping 230 episodes to finally have Eliza Blank, founder of The Sill, grace the Growing Joy with Plants podcast! Her female founder story of recognizing a need for a houseplant brand and building it into a million-dollar company would make you feel empowered, as it did me.

In case you didn’t know, The Sill was one of the OG plant brands that helped start the houseplant craze before the pandemic. And when I first started my podcast, they were also the first to reach out and show their support! So I want to take this opportunity to show you the story behind the success of The Sill live on stage at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:30] The Sill and its impact on the houseplant community
• [05:23] How did Eliza get into houseplants?
• [07:28] How exciting/challenging is it to launch a houseplant brand early on?
• [11:20] How did The Sill come about?
• [13:13] How Eliza built a multimillion-dollar brand
• [14:25] Why “fake it till you make it” mindset works WONDERS!
• [15:47] Create the perfect Danish hygge atmosphere with Wind River Chimes
• [18:57] What was the struggle for The Sill during COVID? 
• [20:34] Navigating challenges in the plant industry
• [22:23] What’s the process of sourcing and acquiring plants?
• [24:14] What’s Eliza’s definition of success (and has it changed over the years?)
• [25:10] What it feels like being a woman in a male-dominated industry
• [26:56] Trends and customer preferences in 2024
• [29:01] What’s next for The Sill? 
• [30:01] Eliza’s personal life and hobbies beyond plants
• [32:30] Eliza’s favorite client story!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Northwest Flower and Garden Festival
• Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE)
• Growing Joy Ep 18: Prepping Your Houseplant For Spring and the Science Behind Fertilizer With Chris Satch from The Sill
• Growing Joy Ep 30 Orchid 101 with Chris from The Sill
• Growing Joy Ep 38: Transitioning Your Plants Back Indoors for Winter with Chris from The Sill

For a deeper dive into The Sill's story,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Wind River Chimes

Turn your home into a relaxation oasis with chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. They are launching a new collection of chimes called Eclipse, which are Corinthian bells uniquely tuned to the Lydian mode, a scale that creates an ethereal atmosphere of enchantment that matches the mystery and wonder of the solar eclipse and of outer space. Plus, these chimes make for amazing personal gifts to your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.

Follow Eliza:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

X

YouTube

LinkedIn

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Climate change is real, plant friends—and it’s impacting our world too fast! Because of that, it’s becoming extremely important for us plant parents/gardeners to adapt our practices to ensure our gardens can withstand the challenges that lie ahead. In fact, it’s already impacting our gardens in SO many ways—from unpredictable weather to increased pest infestations. So in this episode, I invited a new plant friend, Kim Stoddart, who is a passionate gardener, climate advocate, and author of "The Climate Change–Resilient Vegetable Garden," to discuss strategies for building a climate-resilient garden.

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:39] How Kim became a passionate climate activist and gardener
• [11:44] The Resilient Gardener vs. The Resilient Garden
• [15:06] Deepen your meditation practice with the Wind River Meditation Chime
• [16:49] Grow a thriving, climate-resistant vegetable garden with Espoma Organic!
• [19:03] What are the climate issues to consider when building a resilient garden? (doom & gloom)
• [20:44] What are the effects of soil erosion and flooding on gardens?
• [22:56] What does “no-till” gardening mean?
• [24:59] What helps the soil become more resilient?
• [33:52] What is rainwater harvesting and what are the strategies for building water resiliency?
• [38:45] What is the importance of seed sovereignty in creating a more secure and sustainable garden?
• [44:01] What specific steps can you take to strengthen your garden's pest resistance?
• [46:08] What is polyculture?
• [49:57] What is Kim’s current garden practice? (aka what her homestead looks like)
• [52:12] Where can you find Kim on social media?
• [52:55] Where can you get her book, Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Ep 227: Homesteading Basics with Kevin of Epic Gardening
• Growing Joy Ep 191: The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Mushrooms Indoors
• Growing Joy Ep 189: Companion Planting Basics with the Garden Managers of The Lodge at Woodloch, Ep 189
• Growing Joy Ep 183: The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Functional Mushrooms in Your Garden
• Growing Joy Ep 178: The Mushroom Miniseries: Mushrooms 101 Plus the Answer to "What is the Mushroom Growing in My Houseplant!"
• Growing Joy Ep 123: How to Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles and Other Animals in Your Garden with Brie The Plant Lady
• The Woodchip Handbook: A Complete Guide for Farmers, Gardeners and Landscapers, book by Ben Raskin
• The Climate Change Garden, UPDATED EDITION: Down to Earth Advice for Growing a Resilient Garden, book by Kim Stoddart
• The Climate Change–Resilient Vegetable Garden: How to Grow Food in a Changing Climate, book by Kim Stoddart

For a more detailed list of Kim's resilient gardening tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Turn your home into a relaxation oasis with chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. They are launching a new collection of chimes called Eclipse, which are Corinthian bells uniquely tuned to the Lydian mode, a scale that creates an ethereal atmosphere of enchantment that matches the mystery and wonder of the solar eclipse and of outer space. Plus, these chimes make for amazing personal gifts to your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all engraveable wind chimes.

Espoma Organic

If you want a garden that provides, set it up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! 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 Kim:

Website

Instagram

X

Kim Stoddart | The Guardian

The Climate Change Garden

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What are your plans this Spring Equinox? Spring equinox is like a special day when light and dark are balanced just right. As it draws closer, it comes with a reminder that nature has its own patterns that repeat over and over, and this particular event shows us that winter is ending and spring is starting… bringing new life and growth. Tuning into the Earth's frequencies during this season can help us grow and feel refreshed too. In this episode, I’m so happy to welcome back our residential green witch and my dear plant friend, Rachael of Our Infinite Nature! She’s here to celebrate the upcoming Spring Equinox, share her insights on what's happening in the earth, sky, and ourselves during spring, and offer practices for connecting deeply with the powerful changes that happen in spring.

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:58] Connecting with nature and the seasons
• [04:18] Cultivating intuition with plants
• [05:58] Why “awe” is a spiritual emotion
• [09:15] The importance of “seasonal living”
• [12:16] What is happening to the earth during Spring Equinox?
• [15:48] Brighten up your plants this spring with Soltech's grow lights!
• [18:01] Learn modern, low-maintenance approach to home food gardening with "The Layered Edible Garden" by Christina Chung
• [20:34] How external stimuli trigger personal growth/development
• [25:15] What are the astrological insights for the Spring Equinox?
• [29:33] In case you don’t know, I’m an Aries baby!
• [30:15] Why new moon in Aries = start of the new year (astrologically)
• [32:34] What are the positive aspects of the eclipse season?
• [35:09] Gardening tips for different moon phases
• [37:52] What are the best practices to nurture growth and vitality during spring?
• [45:51] Plants that embody spring energy
• [55:25] How to create your own seasonal bowl/altar
• [58:10] Spring awakening (a guided meditation)
• [01:08:10] Where can you find Rachael?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Ep 265 Everyday Plant Magic with Rachael of Infinite Succulent
• Growing Joy Ep 225 Indoor Plant Projects for Stress Relief with Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago
• Growing Joy Ep 223 Cultivating Intuition with Nature with Rachael of Our Infinite Nature
• Growing Joy Ep 219 How to Care for Alocasias
• Growing Joy Ep 209 Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with Rachael from Infinite Succulent
• Growing Joy Eo 182 Spring Houseplant Care, Ep 182
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, book by Robin Wall Kimmerer 
• ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life: 30 Projects to Nurture Your Passion for Plants and Find Your Bliss, book by Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago
• Pre-order Rachael’s new book Self-care for Eco-Anxiety: 52 Weekly Practices for Positive, Personal Change Through the Power of Nature by Rachael Cohen

For a deeper dive into Rachael's guided spring meditation,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

Ensure your plants are ready for the spring sun when you supply them with enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Quarto: The Layered Edible Garden by Christina Chung

Say goodbye to long, straight rows of vegetable plants lined up and prone to pests and diseases, and say hello to taking your cues from nature and creating a garden filled with layers of food-producing plants with the new book The Layered Edible Garden. Food gardening pro Christina Chung of @fluent.garden introduces a modern approach to home food gardening that follows nature’s lead by growing plants in mixed communities, instead of in agriculture-centric monocultures. Learn how to build a mini “food forest” of 8 different layers that will produce food for years to come and require less work and fewer resources.

Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, quarto.com, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Follow Rachael:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube

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)

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Calatheas have a bit of a reputation among plant parents for being dramatic "divas." And I'm not going to lie—they can be particular about their care. But don't let that scare you off! If you try to understand their preferences, you can totally grow lush, vibrant prayer plants at home. That’s what we’re going to talk about in this episode!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:44] Understanding calathea (now also called Goeppertia)
• [02:21] Why calathea isn’t for everyone (so set your expectations)
• [05:46] Why calatheas are the perfect statement plant!
• [06:17] Understanding the natural habitat of Calathea
• [06:51] Why calatheas are called “prayer plants”
• [07:41] High-level overview of Calathea
• [08:41] Calathea Care #1: Lighting
• [11:10] Calathea Care #2: Watering
• [14:42] Top tip: Calathea enjoy filtered water 
• [15:28] Enjoy superior quality and a variety of plants from Proven Winners Leaf Joy!
• [17:14] Mindful goal reflection through daily plant check-ins
• [18:13] Calathea Care #3: Humidity
• [21:04] How do you create a microclimate for your plants?
• [22:02] Why Calathea are resilient
• [23:42] Calathea Care #4: Fertilizing
• [24:08] Calathea Care #5: Troubleshooting
• [24:46] Tip: Trim the brown edges off your Calathea!
• [28:20] Different Calathea species
• [28:43] #1 Rattlesnake plant (Calathea lancifolia or Goeppertia insignis) = low maintenance
• [30:01] #2 Calathea majestica Diamond Dazzler White Star
• [31:30] #3 Calathea picturata = drama queen
• [32:38] #4 Calathea orbifolia = Instagram favorite

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 224: Everything You Need to Know About Ficus
• Growing Joy Episode 219: How to Care for Alocasias
• Understanding Natural Light Worksheet
• Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic
• Terracotta Pots
• Ceramic Pots
• Plastic Pots

For my personal ranking of popular calathea varieties,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If 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 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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
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Is homesteading your ultimate dream? Because mine too, plant friends! Like most gardeners, I've always dreamed of someday creating a homestead and being more self-sufficient. I very much enjoy growing my own fruits, veggies, and herbs, but starting homesteading seemed a little scary. That’s why I was so excited to speak with gardening influencer Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening, who has spent the last few years turning his suburban property into an enviable homestead. Kevin shared his advice for transitioning from gardener to homesteader, one step at a time.

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:43] Managing multiple projects and Kevin’s homestead building
• [04:51] What got Kevin interested in homesteading?
• [07:59] Homesteading vs gardening
• [09:14] What are the aspects/elements of homesteading?
• [11:15] What is “greywater” and its potential for water recycling?
• [14:17] Different uses of rainwater (and why you should start collecting them!)
• [15:22] Experience cozy mindfulness with Wind River Chimes!
• [16:53] Learn actionable steps to build resilience in your garden with ‘The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden’ by Kim Stoddart
• [18:40] Kevin’s rainwater harvesting system (which gauges the amount of rainfall one can capture over a year)
• [21:59] How solar energy works and how the net metering system operates
• [26:47] What is the role of a pond in homesteading?
• [28:53] Creating an aquaponic system
• [31:30] Switch to Espoma Organic's soil, compost, and plant food for a healthier homestead garden.
• [33:24] How has Kevin's experience raising chickens been?
• [36:51] Chicken care tips!
• [39:12] Can you do homesteading indoors?
• [40:53] What was the inspiration for Kevin's orchard?
• [42:30] What are the various fruits grown by Kevin?
• [43:47] What is the food forest approach to growing food?
• [45:47] What is Kevin’s favorite way of preserving food?
• [46:55] What’s next for Kevin?
• [48:08] Check out Kevin’s book, Epic Homesteading

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Book by Kevin Espiritu, Epic Homesteading
• Dr. Bronner's Soap
• BAR SOAP – Oasis
• Aquascape
• Carolina Coops
• ChickenGuard
• Growing Joy Episode 210: How to Grow Citrus Indoors With Danny of via Citrus
• Growing Joy Episode 206: The History of Italian Gardens and Italian Citrus With Helena Attlee

For a list of homestead components that you can start with,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home 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 a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition to your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Quarto: The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden by Kim Stoddart

Our gardens can face a lot of concerns with this changing climate, from water-usage restrictions, extended heat waves, disastrous flooding, “super weeds,” or prolonged pest life cycles, there’s daunting challenges ahead for food growers around the world. Author Kim Stoddart outlines a clear path toward building resilience in your vegetable plants, your soil, and yourself with their new book The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden. With actionable tasks that reduce resource use, stabilize the garden’s ecosystem, and offer regenerative solutions to the most challenging issues faced by gardeners, this book provides advice to help you weather these storms with ease. 

Grab the book at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com.

Espoma Organic

If you want a garden that provides, set it up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! 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 Kevin:

Personal Website

Epic Gardening

Shop

Facebook

YouTube

Podcast

Instagram

TikTok

Twitter

Discord

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Do you know that repotting and potting up mean different things? As our houseplants grow happily under our care, eventually they will outgrow their current pots. Determining whether your plant needs to simply have its soil refreshed (repotting) or be shifted to a larger container (potting up) can be challenging for new plant parents. In this episode, I will walk you through when to pot up versus repot, proper techniques for both, tips to avoid issues, and how to turn repotting into an uplifting self-care ritual by really tuning into your plants' needs and creating an environment that allows them to thrive.

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:30] Things I learned about repotting in the last couple of years
• [03:34] Some personal plant care routines
• [04:59] Do some spring cleaning!
• [06:28] Repotting vs potting up vs potting up water-rooted cuttings
• [09:04] Some rules to remember in potting up
• [10:43] Do the two-inch “bump up” rule when potting up
• [11:59] When should you pot up?
• [13:08] What is repotting and why is it important?
• [14:36] How do you repot a plant?
• [15:03] Get stylish, minimalist grow lights your plants will love with Soltech!
• [17:16] Give your plants the love they deserve with Espoma's organic, eco-friendly potting mixes!
• [19:08] Common mistake people make when repotting/potting up
• [19:30] How do you pot up water-rooted cuttings?
• [21:02] General steps for repotting/potting up/potting up water-rooted cuttings
• [27:31] The best time to repot or pot up houseplants
• [29:05] Why you should not pot your houseplants in dirt from outside
• [32:00] Make sure that you saturate the soil!
• [32:35] Pay attention to the type of container or pot you are using
• [34:08] Use repotting as an opportunity for mindfulness
• [37:16] A letter to my pepper plant going into transplant shock

Mentioned in our conversation:

• How to Repot Plants // A Step By Step Guide
• Growing Joy Ep 182: Spring Houseplant Care
• Growing Joy Ep 192: How To Overcome Burnout Through The Healing Power Of Nature
• Growing Joy Ep 200: Common Houseplant Pest Identification And How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats, Spidermites, Scale, White Flies And Mealybugs: Grow Better
• Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic
• Cactus Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic
• African Violet Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic
• Orchid Mix - Coarse Bark Mix by Espoma Organic

For repotting dos and don'ts,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

With shorter days and colder days upon us, ensure your plants are getting enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".

Espoma Organic

If you want plants that thrive, set them up for success with high-quality soil, fertilizer, potting mix and more! 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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Do you feel a little sad or bored being stuck inside this winter (at least those in the northern hemisphere)? I hope the winter months haven’t got you down too much because I know we’re all feeling a bit cooped up lately. That’s why I brought on a new plant friend, Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago, a gardening expert and horticultural therapist, to share some of her favorite simple DIY indoor plant projects to spark joy during these months. Note that these are all featured in her new book ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life, which celebrates little plant-inspired passion projects to nurture our creativity!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:53] Rebranding of my YouTube Channel
• [02:43] Introducing Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago aka Agrochic!
• [04:24] How did Perla develop her passion for gardening and plants?
• [07:05] How did Agrochic start?
• [09:38] How did Perla balance Spanish and English content?
• [11:32] What does her plant collection and garden look like?
• [15:08] Make meditation more relaxing and meaningful with Wind River’s Meditation Chimes!
• [16:51] Learn how to grow cut flowers with The Cut Flower Handbook’s beautiful illustrations!
• [18:41] Why are people drawn to nature and plants right now? 
• [21:08] Seeking simplicity to escape social media overstimulation
• [22:08] Perla’s interesting success stories about bringing plants into clients' lives
• [29:17] What is nature’s role in mood and healing?
• [30:42] Concept of gardening as a means to reconnect with one's inner child
• [34:18] Rediscover a sense of "awe" and childlike wonder
• [38:21] What is Perla’s barefoot garden project all about?
• [45:02] How do you create a miniature garden for yourself?
• [50:34] Get Perla’s book and follow her on social media!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Book by Perla ¡Verdura! – Living a Garden Life: 30 Projects to Nurture Your Passion for Plants and Find Your Bliss
• Book by Florence Williams The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
• GardenComm
• My Garden Break
• KidsGardening

For step-by-step tutorials on these indoor plant projects,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home 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 a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition to your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes.

Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M Ziegler

One of the most joyful things you can do in the garden is to grow flowers! If you are interested in upping your cut flower game, make sure to grab The Cut Flower Handbook by professional flower farmer Lisa M Ziegler. It is the bouquet-building bible gardeners have been waiting for! Included in The Cut Flower Handbook are 50 extensive flower profiles, planting tips, instructions, and images on how to pinch plants, how to make your cuts, how to dig a planting bed, and more. Plus, there are over 200 photos of the best cut flowers for home gardeners to grow and advice on caring for a cutting garden.

Pre-order now online or in-store, and if you're checking out this episode after February 27th, pick it up at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes &Noble or amazon.com.

Follow Perla:

Website - Spanish

Website - English

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter/X

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

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria

Our Sponsors:
* Check out undefined and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: undefined
* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefined


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands