What if you could grow 300+ indoor plants without hauling watering cans to the shower every weekend… and without even dealing with soil?

In this episode of the Best of Growing Joy series, we’re revisiting one of the most amazing approaches to plant care: passive hydroponics, often called semi-hydro. My friend Kay from @inrootedlove is back for what we’re calling Passive Hydro 2.0, and we’re diving into the real-life details of growing plants this way. We talk about LECA vs Pon, root pruning, reservoirs, fertilizer concerns, and what happens when life gets busy and you forget about your plants for a while.

If you’ve experimented with LECA, are curious about Pon, or want to better understand passive hydroponics for indoor plants, Kay is the perfect person to learn from. This conversation will help you troubleshoot common issues, understand the method more deeply, and grow your plants with greater confidence.

In this episode, we learn:

• What Kay's Plant Number is
• How Kay manages to keep 200+ plants in her home happy and healthy with NO grow lights
• The home characteristics Kay looked for when buying a home so her plants could thrive [9:00]
• What Maria secretly dreams of for the next home (it's not what you think) [10:00]
• What is Semi or Passive Hydro [10:55]
• Reasons for why you should try Semi or Passive Hydroponics [12:52]
• Kay's experience having small children and a large plant collection [12:37]
• Maria's main takeaways from a year of experimenting with semi-hydro: what she is doing great and where she still needs help [13:50]
• How do net pots work when roots start to grow out of the pot [15:43]
• How to handle orchid roots in LECA [17:0]
• How to handle aroid roots in LECA [17:20]
• Root pruning [17:50]
• The story behind Kay's gorgeous Albo Monstera [19:30]
• Is it bad for plants roots to touch the water in a Semi Hydro or Passive Hydro set up? [20:00]
• When to repot your plant in semi hydro [21:00]
• What happened when Maria forgot about her plants in LECA for 2 months [22:40]
• How can you avoid root rot when using semi hydroponics or passive hydroponics? [24:25]
• Nutrient troubleshooting deep dive [27:25]
• Kay elaborates on how she uses Azomax to manage pests in her large collection [31:19]
• What are the signs of a healthy plant in semi hydro [34:30]
• What does a healthy root look like in LECA
• How dry can you let your reservoir get before you kill your plant [37:16]
• How to gage water levels with opaque pots [37:50]
• What's an appropriate transition time for a plant to go through transplant shock? [41:26]
• Kays product she uses to help plants transition more efficiently [42:15]
• LECA VS PON: their differences, pros and cons [43:58]
• What PON lechuza is made up of [44:20]
• What plants Kay chooses to put PON in over LECA [45:00]
• Why Kay doesn't put all her plants in PON [45:01]
• What plants Kay plants in PON [45:20]
• Why Kay grows anthurium in PON [46:48]
• Does a PON set up look different than a LECA set up? [47:26]
• Why fertilizing with PON will look very different than fertilizing in LECA
• Are there any plant your shouldn't put in passive hydro? [49:10]
• How Kay uses PON completely different on her arid plants to help better replicate their natural environments [49:37]
• My Raphidophora tetrasperma propagation experiment

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Episode 77 Semi or Passive Hydro 101 with Kay! (Maria and Kay's first episode together)
• Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects, and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
• Heating Mats for plants (Kays Amazon Affiliate Links to the ones she uses) Large Option and Small Option
• Maria's youtube video on her first passive hydro set up
• Maria's youtube video on her 8 month passive hydro update
• Kay and Maria's youtube video potting up in LECA VS PON tutorial
• Kevins Green Pets (Kay's friend who intro'd her to Anthurium's in PON)

Have you experimented with LECA or Pon yet?

Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how passive hydroponics works and how to get started!

Follow Kay

Instagram

Facebook

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

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I'm getting certified as a forest therapy guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)! Every single time, though, people’s response is the same. "Oh my God, that sounds so cool. But what is that?" I get that the words "forest therapy" or "forest bathing" sound vague. Some think it’s like hiking or yoga in the woods, but many can be mistaken.

I spent years focused almost entirely on houseplants. But the deeper I got into plant care, the more I started to see the bigger picture. Plants aren't just decoration, and nature isn't just a backdrop. There's something real happening when we slow down and actually be in it. So I invited Amos Clifford, the founder of ANFT, and the top forest therapy guide and trainer, Nadine Mazzola, to talk about what this practice really is!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:54] Why forest therapy feels so accessible and meaningful to me!
• [03:05] What is forest bathing?
• [06:32] How did Nadine become a forest therapy guide?
• [08:26] The story behind how ANFT was founded!
• [12:07] How forest therapy slowly gained traction
• [13:13] Why forest bathing is gaining cultural relevance
• [15:16] The Productive Garden
• [16:37] How everyone carries stories about nature
• [17:18] What actually happens during a forest therapy walk?
• [21:03] Why participants often experience anxiety at the beginning of forest therapy
• [22:01] How forest bathing helps regulate the nervous system
• [25:40] My first forest bathing experience and the challenge of slowing down
• [26:57] Why having a forest guide matters
• [32:00] What’s the science behind forest bathing?
• [32:42] Amos on the global boom in forest therapy research
• [35:19] Chronic stress and “salaryman” overwork in Japan
• [38:59] How forest therapy differs from other wellness practices
• [41:32] How forest bathing practices differ across the world
• [44:55] Why ANFT guiding focuses on sensory invitations
• [48:32] Inside the rigorous forest therapy guide training!
• [53:05] The relational philosophy of forest therapy
• [55:54] Why is all medicine relational?
• [59:05] How forest therapy addresses our disconnection from the world
• [1:03:16] Where to find Nadine’s work and her book Forest Bathing With Your Dog
• [1:04:18] What is Amos’s next chapter for ANFT and forest therapy?
• [01:10:02] Where to find Amos' work, the ANFT global guide map, and Forest Bathing Finder
• [01:12:50] How my upcoming digital forest therapy sessions will work!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness by Dr. Qing Li
• Forest Bathing with Your Dog by Nadine Mazzola
• Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature by Amos Clifford
• Guide Directory - Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)
• Forest Bathing Finder

For a deeper dive into the science of forest bathing,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Nadine:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Follow Amos:

Website
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
X

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Quarto: The Productive Garden by Stephanie Hafferty

Grab The Productive Garden at quarto.com and wherever books are sold.

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 Growing Joy with Maria 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

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Welcome back to part two of our Understanding Natural Light series. We’re bringing this conversation back as part of our Best of Growing Joy episodes because it’s one of the most helpful discussions we’ve ever had about indoor plant lighting.

This episode is a replay of my conversation with Leslie Halleck, a dear plant friend of mine and a horticulture and lighting expert. If you’re a plant parent trying to understand the light in your home, this conversation is a must-listen because the number one mistake I see plant lovers make is misunderstanding their light.

Most people think they have bright light for their plants when they actually don’t. Our eyes are not great at judging how much light indoor plants really receive, which is why so many plants struggle indoors.

So in this episode, we dive into how to measure light for indoor plants. We talk about window directions, the difference between brightness and light volume, and how to use simple tools like a light meter to understand what your plants are actually experiencing. We also break down why plants think about light in energy or calories, not just how bright a room feels to us.

And make sure you grab the free Understanding Natural Light download that goes with this series. It walks you step by step through how to measure light in your home so you can stop guessing and start choosing the right plants for your space.

In this episode, we learn:

• What the most important colors of light are for growing plants
• How to use a free app to get a better understanding of your indoor lighting environment
• What is the difference between LUX, Footcandles and PAR
• What micromoles are
• What DLI (Daily Light Intergral) is
• The results of my homework and how many “aha” moments I had about the ACTUAL light in my apartment
• How drastic the difference in light is within only a few feet from your window
• What area of your apartment is probably low light that you never knew about
• Whether or not you can put plants in a bathroom with no windows
• Whether or not you can put plants in an office with no windows
• Citrus under lights, pests

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Lux Light Meter
• PAR meter
• Soltech Solution Aspect Light (Use code bloom15 for 15% off!)
• Free Understanding Natural Light Download
• Leslie’s Book, Gardening Under Lights; The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

Do you actually know how much light your plants are getting?

Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how to measure light for your indoor plants!

Follow Leslie

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook

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

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This is my third year attending the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, and I come back with all the plant tea! Every year, this festival just keeps getting better. The only way I can describe what it feels like is that I walked into a convention center and forgot I was in one. In front of me, there were 20 full garden landscapes installed on the concrete floor. The lights are dimmed, and you can hear birdsongs and smell mulch and something floral. I gave a talk on my plant parent personalities and co-hosted the House of Plants pop-up with Costa Farms. But I always leave with more than I came for because every year, the garden installs and what vendors are selling tells me something real about where gardening and houseplants are headed. So here are my main takeaways from the 2026 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:05] What the Northwest Flower & Garden Show (Festival) is
• [05:15] How the display gardens work!
• [06:11] What are the biggest 2026 garden trends?
• [07:50] My 3 favorite whimsical garden installs!
• [14:09] Why you should do whimsy/storytelling in your own gardens!
• [14:32] What are the newest houseplant trends in 2026?
• [16:36] Why plant parents are craving low-maintenance plants
• [18:14] How Espoma Organic helped bring me to the NWFG!
• [20:41] Ripe Tomato Revolution by Frank Hyman
• [22:45] Krystal (Plantswithkrystal) on diverse plants, terrariums, and ponds
• [24:48] Justin (Costa Farms) on variegation trends and golden monstera
• [25:20] What’s the one thing plant parents still get wrong?
• [26:42] Zach (Soltech) on bold statement plants and grow lights
• [30:04] Kamili (Plantblerd) on evergreen favorites and the lure of “unicorn plants”
• [32:48] Farmer Nick on variegation overload and the limits of “rare plant” culture
• [37:18] Cassidy (Succulents and Sunshine) on why rigid watering schedules don’t work
• [41:52] Claudia (In the Garden with Claudia) on houseplant energy at a gardening show

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
• Costa Farms
• Relish Gardens’ The Jewel Box: A Moment Preserved
• West Seattle Nursery’s Where Stories Take Root
• Hello Garden Designs’ The Garden Maker’s Atelier
• Krystal @plantswithkrystal: Website | Instagram
• Justin from Costa Farms: Website | Instagram
• Zach from Soltech: Website | Instagram
• Kamili Bell Hill @plantblerd: Instagram
• Nick Cutsumpas @farmernick: Website | Instagram
• Cassidy @succulentsandsunshine: Website | Instagram
• Claudia @inthegardenwithclaudia: Instagram

For my favorite plant installs at the NWFGS 2026,

check out the full show notes and blog here! 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: Ripe Tomato Revolution by Frank Hyman

Grab Ripe Tomato Revolutionat quarto.com and wherever books are sold.

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

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

Natural light for indoor plants is one of the most misunderstood parts of plant care. Most plant parents think their homes are bright enough for houseplants… but the truth is, we often overestimate how much light our plants are actually getting.

So we all know that the concept of bright indirect light is kind of a disaster. It’s one of the most confusing things in indoor plant care, and most plant parents wildly overestimate how much light they have in their homes.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited to bring back this two-part series on natural light for indoor plants from the Best of Growing Joy collection.

In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend, horticulturist and lighting expert Leslie Halleck, author of Gardening Under Lights, one of the best resources for understanding grow lights and indoor plant lighting. But before we even talk about grow lights, we need to understand something even more fundamental: how light actually works for plants.

In this conversation, Leslie and I get into the nitty-gritty of what light really means for houseplants, why the phrase “bright indirect light” causes so much confusion for plant parents, and how to actually measure light for your plants at home.

There’s also a free download in the show notes that walks you through three days of measuring the natural light in your home, so you can finally understand what your plants are really getting.

In this episode, we learn:

• How Leslie came to be the lighting expert she is now
• Measuring and understanding NATURAL light 101
• The difference between the volume of light vs the brightness of light
• What PAR is and why it is important for understand our natural light in our apartments
• The most brilliant metaphor for light that will make even the science inept person understand light, photons and photosynthesis
• How the direction your window faces affects the amount of light in your apartment, and a good rule of thumb to live by
• What the heck “bright indirect light’ actually is!
• Practical steps to understanding “bright indirect light” for your specific surrounding
• How many feet away from your windowsill does “bright light” turn to “medium light” and then turn to “low light”
• Why we overwater our plants (spoiler alert… it’s often because of your lighting conditions)
• If sunbeams that move throughout your apartments make a different for your plants
• Why experimenting with plant placement and light is crucial

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Soltech (Use code bloom15 for 15% off!)
• Gardening Under Lights; The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers

Are you sure your plants are actually getting enough light?

Check out the full show notes and blog to learn how to measure the natural light in your home!

Follow Leslie

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook

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

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

Are you tired of the boom-and-bust cycle of traditional gardening? Imagine a world where your garden is a source of joy and sustenance all year round! Join me, in this enlightening episode of Growing Joy with Plants, where I chat with the incredibly knowledgeable gardening expert, Charlie Nardozzi. Together, we dive deep into the realm of low maintenance gardening and explore innovative techniques that not only simplify your gardening experience but also promote sustainable practices.

Charlie takes us on a journey through his childhood, sharing his cherished memories of gardening with his Italian grandparents. His passion for plants blossomed into a successful career as a horticulturist and author, and today, he’s here to help us shift our gardening mindset. Forget the traditional methods that often lead to plants dying or battling plant pests; it's time to embrace low maintenance gardening strategies that yield continuous harvests!

In this episode, we discuss the concept of a continuous vegetable garden that allows you to enjoy fresh produce throughout the growing season. Charlie introduces us to the wonders of perennial vegetables and self-sowing plants, which can transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem with minimal effort. We also touch on the ecological benefits of diverse planting, ensuring that your garden not only flourishes but also contributes positively to the environment.

Throughout our conversation, Charlie shares invaluable tips on mindful gardening, including how to effectively manage scale insects, rid of gnats, and tackle common plant diseases. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting your journey into home-based wellness, this episode is packed with practical advice on watering tips, humidity for plants, and propagation tips that will elevate your gardening game.

So, if you're ready to cultivate a joyful living space filled with abundant blooms and delicious harvests, tune in to this episode of Growing Joy with Plants! Let’s dig into the world of low maintenance gardening together!

In this episode, we learn:low

• [01:27] How Charlie Nardozzi became a continuous vegetable garden expert
• [04:56] What “continuous gardening” really solves
• [05:50] What are self-sowing vegetables?
• [07:51] How I used basil for succession planting!
• [08:28] Manually scattering seeds vs true self-sowing
• [09:40] What perennial edibles are most gardeners overlooking?
• [13:00] Growing wine cap mushrooms as a perennial!
• [14:08] What mulch and organic matter do wine caps need to fruit?
• [14:49] Manukora
• [16:32] Other ways to grow mushrooms at home!
• [17:02] How your hardiness zone changes what counts as a perennial
• [18:28] What are some of the best self-sowing edibles to start with?
• [19:34] When to let volunteer tomatoes grow and when to pull them
• [20:26] Where seed saving and self-sowing overlap
• [22:10] What Charlie’s garden actually looks like now
• [23:19] No-dig raised beds and mimicking nature for less work
• [24:08] What are Charlie’s favorite plant combinations for a bed?
• [26:14] Can you grow a mostly perennial food garden?
• [27:22] Why Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) are an underrated perennial staple
• [29:05] Making garlic and potatoes “perennial” through selective saving
• [30:36] Practical tips for saving seeds, curing garlic, and overwintering tubers
• [32:16] Why labeling matters and how to use mystery seeds
• [32:39] Creating a polyculture bed
• [33:43] Where to find Charlie, his book, and what he's got coming up!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Charlie’s gardening books mentioned:
  • The Continuous Vegetable Garden
  • The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening
•  

For Charlie's low-maintenance gardening guide,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Charlie:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
Other books
Webinars

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Manukora

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

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

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

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

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

Hands down, without a doubt, incorporating indoor plants into my office has been the single best thing I’ve done for my mental health during the workday. And at this point, plant friends, if you or someone you love is working without plants in the workplace, we need to talk.

Because this is not just about aesthetics.

This is about biophilic design and workplace wellness. It is about the science that proves how plants and productivity are connected. Study after study shows that having office plants can reduce stress, increase focus, support creativity, and help regulate mood. Bringing nature indoors is not a trend. It is a practical, research-backed way to support your well-being while you work.

We are more screen addicted than ever. Most of us spend the majority of our day indoors, in offices or at home, staring at computers. That constant directed attention leads to fatigue.

So I’m bringing back an episode from the archives of Growing Joy Best Of series, recorded during the pandemic when many of us were redesigning our work-from-home spaces. And it feels even more relevant now. Creating a workspace filled with indoor plants for office wellness is one of the simplest ways to practice home-based wellness and bring small moments of calm into your day.

Most of the world spends the majority of their life at work. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing the science behind biophilic design, the connection between plants and productivity, and simple strategies to help plant parents and plant lovers transform their workspace into something that feels energizing, restorative, and joy-filled.

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:07] Why Bloom and Grow Radio is doing an episode on #plantywfh spaces
• [04:39] Check out Maria’s Planty WFH space tour
• [05:03] What to expect from this episode on work from home setups and biophilic design
• [06:50] The AMAZING and unbelievable benefits of engaging with plants and biophilic design, according to 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design
• [07:27] What is biophilia, the idea behind it, and the important figures behind this wonderful hypothesis
• [09:24] The psychological role of plants in our creativity
• [10:09] How being around nature and scenery affects patient recovery, as studied by Dr. Ulrich in 1972 to 1981
• [11:13] A review of direct versus involuntary attention based on studies by Stephen R. Kellert and Rachel Kaplan
• [13:41] Biophilic Pattern #1: Visual Connection with Nature
• [13:54] Planty WFH Tip #1: Put your desk near a window
• [14:15] Planty WFH Tip #2: Put plants within the eyeline of your desk
• [14:33] Planty WFH Tip #3: Have a green wall in your office
• [14:56] Planty WFH Tip #4: If you can’t have real plants, pictures of plants will do!
• [15:09] Biophilic Pattern #2: Non-Visual Connection with Nature
• [15:26] Planty WFH Tip #5: Play nature sounds like the one-square inch forest silence in the Olympic National Park, bird songs, or waves
• [16:36] Planty WFH Tip #6: Have different plant scents nearby, or you can use a diffuser like Maria!)
• [16:53] Biophilic Pattern #3: Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
• [17:09] Planty WFH Tip #7: Set up bird feeders or pollinator-attracting plants, or take care of rare-blooming plants for a nice surprise
• [17:39] Biophilic Pattern #4: Thermal and Air Flow Variability
• [17:59] Biophilic Pattern #5: Presence of Water
• [18:07] Planty WFH Tip #8: It’s your humidifier’s time to shine! Maybe a tiny fancy plug-in fountain?
• [18:40] Biophilic Pattern #6: Dynamic and Diffuse Light
• [18:52] Planty WFH Tip #9: Install a grow light with a timer, and have a more sustainable work hours setup!
• [19:12] Planty WFH Tip #10: Reduce your blue light intake and light candles after a long day of work
• [19:33] Biophilic Pattern #7: Connection with Natural Systems
• [19:47] Biophilic Pattern #8: Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
• [19:56] Did you know there are interesting and precise angles in nature?
• [20:35] Biophilic Pattern #9: Material Connection with Nature
• [21:07] Planty WFH Tip #11: Add accents in your home office like wood grains, fossil textures, and bamboo rattans
• [21:30] Planty WFH Tip #12: Try a natural color palette of greens and browns
• [21:50] How Maria and Billy managed their storage during their move
• [24:52] Biophilic Pattern #10: Prospect
• [25:04] Why it’s important to change the focus of your eyes every once in a while
• [25:18] Biophilic Pattern #11: Refuge
• [25:19] Why Maria recommends a planty screen-free space
• [26:10] Biophilic Patterns #12: Mystery and #13: Risk and Peril
• [26:20] The biggest rule of thumb of biophilic designs for Maria
• [27:06] If you can’t have real plants, download the Bloom and Grow Radio’s free and gorgeous watercolor of prickly pear cactus in various states of bloom!
• [28:03] Planty WFH Tip #13: Envelop your space in plants (if you can!)
• [28:32] Maria’s planty WFH tips and ideas based on her own WFH setup
• [30:04] The best plants for low-light home offices
• [31:13] Are you blessed with a high-light office situation? Maria recommends these plants that love abundant light
• [31:36] Planty WFH Tip #14: Install grow lights to incorporate more plants
• [32:44] Planty WFH Tip #15: Tiny space? Go vertical!
• [34:21] Maria’s biggest takeaways from 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and her top advice on #plantyWFH setups
• [36:26] Finding joy and awe in your #plantyWFH as a small break from your work day

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Check out the full blog post here!
• Get the free download with 9 Tips for Greening Up Your Work From Home Office Space
• Check out Maria's #plantywfh office tour on youtube!
• Growing Joy YouTube video Houseplant Tour: My Restorative Plant Corner // Why Plant Care Truly is Self Care
• Growing Joy Episode 108: How To Use Plants To Create Restorative Environments With Anne Meore From NYBG
• 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by William Browning, Catherine Ryan, and Joseph Clancy
• Hoh Rainforest Audio
• Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson
• Frederick Law Olmsted
• View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery by Roger Ulrich
• Stephen R. Kellert
• Attention Restoration Theory: Exploring the Role of Soft Fascination and Mental Bandwidth by Rachel Kaplan
• What Was That Like Podcast by Scott Johnson
• Maria's planty wfh set up on IG

If you could redesign your workspace using biophilic design, what would you add first?

Check out the full show notes and blog for simple, science-backed ways to bring nature into your office!

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

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I’ve been waiting a very long time to write these words. I’m pregnant!!! And we’re having a baby boy! His nickname is Polpettino (which means ‘little meatball’ in Italian) because my husband Billy is fourth-generation Irish, and this baby is going to come out the most Irish kid you've ever met, so he's getting to be Italian while he's still in there. And we love him so much already. But before we get to the joy, I need to take you through the full story. Because this pregnancy didn't just happen. It was fought for. It was grieved for. It’s pregnancy after loss, after two years of grief, fear, therapy, IVF, and learning how to hold joy and sorrow in the same body. Welcome to my pregnancy journey!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:39] OMG, Plant friends, I’m pregnant with a baby boy!
• [05:04] How I moved through seasons of grief, waiting, and hope
• [06:26] Fear, numbness, and how this episode serves as my exposure therapy
• [07:49] Sharing your personal stories of grief with me
• [09:01] Why I reject the polished version of pregnancy that social media portrays
• [10:08] My first pregnancy and a missed miscarriage before Christmas
• [15:23] Manukora
• [16:59] Espoma Organic
• [19:12] My second pregnancy and how that loss hit me differently
• [20:17] Why I think nature is brutal
• [21:10] How we decided to move forward with IVF!
• [21:36] How I found out I had endometritis
• [23:22] How do you treat endometritis? (Please share this with every woman in your circle!)
• [24:30] The patience and waiting for the IVF process itself
• [26:07] What my fears are while pregnant with my third child
• [28:47] My first trimester and what that meant for my work and identity
• [29:27] How I still ran Growing Joy while sick
• [31:11] Coming out of winter!! Spring is here! I'm finally ready to plan for our future <3
• [32:11] Growing Joy redefined and how I imagine motherhood inside this plant community
• [33:27] The micro and macro of seasons and how time reshapes everything
• [34:16] Four Christmases later…
• [36:15] What's coming next? Gender reveal, house renovation, and what Growing Joy means now!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria
• Submission form for your own "Winter"
• Growing Joy Episode 294: I Found 22 Ducklings on My Roof: A Nature-Curious Story of Trust and Transformation

For the full story of my pregnancy journey,

I share it in the show notes and blog.

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Manukora

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

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

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When I first started gardening, the second someone mentioned hardiness zones or frost dates, my eyes would immediately glaze over.

I had no idea what my USDA hardiness zone was. I didn’t know how to find my last frost date. I didn’t understand what “Zone 6B” or “Zone 10A” even meant for my plants. I had lived in the same place my entire life and somehow never once looked at a zone map. I didn’t think it mattered.

Now, after years of gardening (and now living in South Florida in zone 10B), my hardiness zone and frost dates are second nature to me. But whenever I talk to new gardeners and say, “Oh, I’m in zone 10B,” I see that same glazed-over look. And I get it. Words like USDA hardiness zone, frost dates, and microclimates sound technical and overwhelming. They’re not exactly things we learned in school.

But understanding your gardening climate is one of the most important things you can do as a plant parent.

Knowing your hardiness zone tells you what plants can survive your winters. Knowing your first and last frost dates helps you time your seed starting and planting correctly. And understanding microclimates can help you push your zone just enough to grow something you didn’t think was possible.

So in this Best of Growing Joy replay, I’m bringing back my conversation with Rochelle Greayer of Pith + Vigor. This episode was recorded when I had just moved to the Catskills and was planning my very first outdoor garden. We break down what hardiness zones actually mean, how to find your frost dates, what those little A and B letters stand for, and how to use all of it to confidently plan your first garden.

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:46] What Maria has in store for fellow novice gardeners like her this summer!
• [05:40] How Rochelle went from flying aircraft and satellites to a full-time garden designer
• [08:34] What Rochelle loves about garden design—and Maria’s luxury spa biophilic experience
• [10:00] The many careers you can get into if you want to pursue a plant profession
• [11:26] Do plants really clean the air in your apartment? Maria discusses this hot topic circulating in the plant community
• [13:10] The topics that Maria wants to understand about outdoor gardens
• [13:49] What are hardiness zones? What are the pros and cons of the USDA Hardiness Zones?
• [17:23] The difference between the USDA hardiness zones and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat Zones
• [18:39] What does a plant’s hardiness mean?
• [19:20] Once you know your hardiness zone, how do you apply that information to your outdoor garden?
• [21:11] Does hardiness matter for annual plants?
• [21:58] How do frost dates differ from hardiness zones? What are frost dates actually for?
• [23:10] Why it is important to know frost dates—beware of last frost!
• [25:54] What’s more important between hardiness zone and frost dates?
• [29:48] How to plan your garden with your hardiness zone and frost dates information
• [31:02] Frost date hack: you can extend your growing season inside!
• [32:31] Understanding how a plant supports itself during growing season
• [35:06] What are the Sunset climate zones?
• [36:58] Listener question #1: How much does microclimate affect your predicted garden zones? What is a microclimate?
• [39:31] How do you know if you have a microclimate in the garden?
• [41:06] Listener question #2: What methods can be used to push gardening zones, if a plant is hardy just outside your gardening zone?
• [41:43] Why it’s important to pay attention to the environments in your garden
• [44:44] Listener question #3: Have the zones changed because of climate change?
• [46:49] Rochelle’s favorite piece of advice for those who want to try out garden design
• [48:57] Rochelle’s gardening course for homeowners looking into improving their gardens
• [50:26] The cool history behind Pith + Vigor’s name
• [53:23] Maria’s plans for this seed season and how she’s applied this conversation to her garden planning

Mentioned in our conversation:

• USDA Hardiness Zone Map
• Frost Dates Calculator
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac

What’s your USDA hardiness zone, and what are you planting this season?

Check out the full show notes and blog to find your zone and plan your garden with confidence!

Follow Rochelle

Website

Instagram

Classes

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

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion for plants into a thriving business? Join me as I sit down with Erika, the incredible wife of Tanner the Planter, to explore their inspiring journey in the plant business. From their unexpected meeting during a lunch break to co-owning the flourishing plant shop, Famous in Oregon, which opened its doors during the pandemic, Erika shares the heartfelt story behind their love and entrepreneurial spirit. This episode is packed with insights on how to cultivate joy and wellness through plants, and you won't want to miss it!

Erika opens up about the challenges they faced transitioning from separate careers in education and party rentals to becoming plant business partners. With a focus on community and customer relationships, she emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and valuing their time as they navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Together, they balance their strengths—Erika shines in customer care while Tanner excels in operations—creating a harmonious dynamic that fuels their passion for plants.

Throughout our conversation, we also touch on practical topics that every plant parent can benefit from, including watering tips, how to get rid of gnats, and the best strategies for repotting plants. Plus, we dive into the world of plant pests, discussing how to deal with scale insects and other plant diseases that can threaten your beloved greens. Erica even shares some of their exciting future plans, including a new product line and Tanner's upcoming book, which promises to be a must-read for plant lovers everywhere.

This episode is a joyful exploration of love, partnership, and the healing power of nature. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting your journey into the world of gardening, there's something here for everyone. So, grab your favorite plant, settle in, and let's grow some joy together!

In this episode, we learn:

• [04:30] Meet Erika from Tanner the Planter and Famous in Oregon!
• [05:49] How did Erika and Tanner first meet and start dating?
• [07:08] Erika’s background in education and administration
• [11:21] Erika’s first experience with entrepreneurship
• [13:36] How their plant business actually runs today (storefront, live sales, shipping center)
• [15:15] The Wild & Free Garden
• [17:14] Live selling plant shop
• [21:02] Where did the name "Famous in Oregon" actually come from?
• [23:50] How did they start and scale content to millions of followers?
• [27:55] Turning customer data points into education, content, and book!
• [29:22] How Erika and Tanner's strengths/weaknesses help the business
• [31:27] The team that runs the day-to-day operations
• [33:23] How did their plant shop look for the first two years?
• [35:01] Brick-and-mortar slowing down (and why online live sales now carry the business)
• [37:43] What do sourcing plants, freight logistics, and dealing with growers look like?
• [42:50] Steve's Leaves as their first supplier!
• [45:10] What are some of their struggles? (QuickBooks, payroll, HR, legal, taxes)
• [47:16] What makes the plant shop business worth it?
• [48:26] What is their vision for the future of the business?
• [49:19] Why they're turning down reality TV opportunities
• [50:03] What makes their partnership successful?
• [52:30] Pilates, health, and evolving together beyond the business
• [57:01] Erika’s advice for couples working together!
• [58:56] As the author's wife, what was it like experiencing Tanner's book launch?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Sony NWZ-A17
• Steve's Leaves
• Tropical Plant International Expo

Ever wonder what makes a successful plant business?

Check out the full show notes and blog here for Erika's secret!

Follow Erika and Tanner:

Website
Facebook
TikTok
Instagram
YouTube

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Quarto: The Wild & Free Garden by Stephanie Rose

Grab The Wild & Free Garden at quarto.com and wherever books are sold. 

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

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

Have you ever been scrolling Instagram before and seen a picture where it looks like plants are planted in Cocoa Puffs, like little brown balls, or gravel? Maybe as you've been scrolling, you've seen the words semi-hydroponics, passive hydroponics, or LECA.

Well, today’s episode is a deep dive into the art of growing plants hydroponically, but specifically through semi-hydroponics, a popular soil-free growing method that uses an inorganic growing medium instead of traditional potting mix.

We'll dive into what that means in the episode. This is a way-back conversation with Kay from @inrootedlove as part of the best of Growing Joy series because more and more plant parents are becoming curious about hydroponic growing for their houseplants, and I thought this would be a really interesting discussion to revisit for anyone considering their own transition away from soil.

I’ll also share a little bit about my personal experience growing in LECA at the end of this episode. It’s been several years since I recorded this interview, and I’ve had a long semi-hydroponics journey since then, so I’ll give you an honest update before we wrap.

In this episode, we learn:

• What is “semi-hydro” aka “passive hydroponics”?
• How Kay became the LECA Plant Lady she is today
• How Semi-Hydro works
• What are LECA balls
• What materials do you need to have a LECA setup?
• How does a beginner make their first LECA setup
• How expensive is this hobby?
• How to fertilize
• What products Kay uses in her home
• Pest management for a semi-hydro setup

Mentioned in our conversation:

• “Passive or Semi-Hydro” Amazon Store
• YouTube: First Time "Semi" or "Passive" Hydroponic Set Up for Houseplants!

Are you curious if semi-hydro (aka passive hydroponics) could simplify your plant care routine?

Check out the full show notes and blog for a beginner-friendly breakdown of LECA, reservoirs, and more!

Follow Kay

Instagram

Facebook

Threads

Amazon

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

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