• 35 minutes 23 seconds
    How Biophilic Design Can Boost Productivity In Your Home Office: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Did you know plants for your home office can do more than just look nice? Office or work from home, they can boost your focus, spark creativity, lift your mood, and cut your stress. It's been proven over and over.

    So today, for the Best of Growing Joy series, I'm digging into the archives and refreshing an old solo episode from the middle of the pandemic. Fair warning, you'll hear me talk about work from home a lot, since that's all we were doing back then. Our community got really creative with their setups too.

    This one's all about biophilic design, something I keep coming back to this year since I'm renovating my own home through that lens. We'll get into easy ways to turn your desk into a plant-filled workspace that actually helps your productivity and your mental health.

    Think about it, work is a huge chunk of our life. Nine to five, five days a week. So why not spend it surrounded by plants? That's what this episode is about: making your workday more joyful, more relaxing, and more productive. I hope it helps.

    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:

     

    Which biophilic design tip are you most excited to try in your workspace?

    Check out the full show notes and blog for my plant-filled home office setup!

     

     

     

    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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    9 July 2026, 6:00 am
  • 45 minutes 3 seconds
    Why Plant Parents Need Nighttime Garden Break for Mindful Gardening

    What if the most relaxing time for you in your garden isn't during the day, but after dark? In those cool summer nights when garden chores aren't practical because you can't see very well, we have a unique opportunity to ease burnout, support mental health, and deepen your connection to plants and nature. So I'm joined by a friend, Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago, a repeat guest and the author of Verdura, to talk about her new take on garden breaks after dark. And we discuss how to create simple, mindful rituals that help plant parents unwind, reset, and find joy in the garden in the evening, in even just 10 minutes. Let's get started!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [01:39] Catching up with Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago and the Northwest Flower and Garden Show!
    • [03:43] What Perla has been up to since publishing her book, Verdura
    • [05:13] How do garden breaks improve employee well-being?
    • [09:15] Perla’s personal wake-up call with burnout and
    • [10:22] Why we need to stop feeling guilty about taking breaks
    • [14:05] Why shifting your garden break to the evening is an overlooked opportunity
    • [14:58] Experience single-origin honey with 3x more antioxidants with Manukora!
    • [16:43] How experiencing complete darkness after Hurricane Maria inspired Perla’s night sky gardening
    • [18:36] How our artificial outdoor lighting negatively affects pollinators and migrating birds
    • [19:01] Why it’s actually easier to relax in your garden at night than during the day
    • [21:12] Simple ways to light your outdoor spaces without disturbing local wildlife
    • [25:14] How to safely plan your paths and prepare for your first garden break after dark
    • [28:48] What should you actually do during a 5 to 15-minute nighttime garden break?
    • [33:25] How to take a meaningful nature break when winter weather keeps you indoors
    • [36:43] How one client uses her garden's evening soundscape to decompress after a long workday
    • [41:21] Where to find Perla, AgroChic, and her resources online!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    For Perla's mindful gardening insights,

    check out the full show notes and blog here!

     

    Follow Perla:

    Website – Spanish
    Website – English
    Instagram
    Facebook
    Twitter/X

     

    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

    Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

    Support Growing Joy with Maria 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.

    7 July 2026, 6:00 am
  • 49 minutes 38 seconds
    Think Beyond Pots: Design A Landscape With Herbs

    What if herbs go beyond the small, contained, and kitchen-window plants we use them for? Herbs could do so, so much more! In this episode, I sit down with Sue Goetz, a garden designer, author, and herb obsessive, to explore the many different ways we can use our favorite herbs in our garden landscape. She has a five-foot rosemary hedge in her backyard and uses chamomile between her stepping stones. She also grows lavender, sage, and catmint as full-on landscape plants that feed her, scent her garden, attract pollinators, and keep deer out. So not only do herbs have flavor, fragrance, and medicinal properties, they’re also low-maintenance once established. Let's dive in!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [01:38] Meet garden designer and author Sue Goetz!
    • [02:09] How Sue developed a passion for plants
    • [05:07] Why herbs are the most "generous" plants
    • [06:28] Why scent is the most underutilized sense in our gardens
    • [08:57] How to start treating herbs as large landscape shrubs, trees, and hedges
    • [10:45] Which herbs are best for replacing large plants/hedges?
    • [12:23] How to get large creeping and upright rosemary hedges
    • [15:09] Invest in quality soil and compost to build your garden’s foundation with Espoma Organic!
    • [16:33] What are some deer-resistant herbs that we can use as protectors?
    • [19:02] Which smaller herbs work best for edging borders and invisible fences
    • [20:24] Is Alyssum an herb?
    • [20:48] Landscape herb sun needs and chamomile ground cover
    • [24:37] How chives double as a sturdy pollinator magnet and an easy DIY gift
    • [26:25] How can we use herbs as landscape plants to attract more pollinators?
    • [29:04] Why you might be killing your lavender and how it actually wants to be treated
    • [32:10] How to pair landscape herbs together (and which aggressive spreaders belong in pots)
    • [34:34] Why you should grow what you love and then try one "crazy" experiment
    • [38:55] How to use colored basil for landscape pop and cut flower arrangements
    • [41:21] Simple ratio for mixing your own herbal bath salts from the garden
    • [44:26] Where to find Sue, her blog, and her themed container herb gardening book!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    For Sue's recommended herbs for garden landscaping,

    check out the full show notes and blog here!

     

    Follow Sue:

    Website
    The Herb Lover's Garden
    Instagram
    Facebook

     

    Thank you to our episode sponsors:

    Espoma Organic

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

    ZenAI

    Visit zen.ai to start your first vibecast for free.

     

    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 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.

    30 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 51 minutes
    Fern Care Guide: Easy Care Ferns for Plant Parents: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Ferns are some of the most gorgeous houseplants you can grow... and one of the oldest plants on the planet. They're basically living dinosaurs. But if you've ever watched a maidenhair fern grow in a sidewalk crack, only to crumble the second you bring it indoors, you know exactly why ferns have a reputation for being impossible to keep alive.

    Most people aren't failing at ferns. They're just growing the wrong fern for their home.

    In this episode, I'm bringing back one of my favorite interviews from the archives with my friend Lisa from The Houseplant Guru. Lisa is a lifelong plant expert who has successfully grown ferns for years, even in a Midwest home that's about as far from a tropical rainforest as you can get.

    We're talking about how to keep your ferns healthy, how to actually get them to grow, why you keep finding crispy fronds all over your floor, and how to choose the right fern for your lifestyle and your home conditions. Spoiler: it's almost never going to be the maidenhair fern... unless you're growing it under glass.

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [02:03] Meet houseplant expert Lisa!
    • [03:27] Lisa’s 60-year-old heirloom Boston fern and why ferns get a bad rap
    • [06:05] Where do ferns grow naturally?
    • [08:53] Is there something about ferns' root systems that makes them more finicky?
    • [10:51] How to choose the right window and light placement for ferns
    • [12:28] How to fertilize ferns without burning their roots?
    • [14:40] How to water ferns correctly?
    • [20:53] How to safely treat pests and scale on sensitive leaves
    • [23:55] What are spores, stolons, and how do ferns actually reproduce?
    • [29:05] Maidenhair ferns
    • [29:56] What are the best ferns for your home?
    • [30:54] What does Lisa recommend with brown fronds?
    • [34:20] Unique collector ferns to add to your collection!
    • [38:20] How to care for staghorn ferns
    • [41:36] How to properly water a bird’s nest fern without rotting the center
    • [44:23] Tips for raising tree ferns and baby mother ferns using closed glass terrariums
    • [46:53] Where to find Lisa, her resources, and her books!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    Which fern are you most excited to try in your home?

    Check out the full show notes and blog for Lisa's easy-care fern guide!

     

    Follow Lisa:

    Website

    Books

    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


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

    25 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 47 minutes 12 seconds
    Let Nature Be Your Garden Designer

    What if we don't design or control our gardens, but instead collaborate with them? I moved from the lush woods of Zone 5B to a front yard full of sand in Zone 10B Florida and felt like I had no control over my garden design. It was frustrating! So I sat down with Evan Meyer of Bloedel Reserve, a 140-acre garden and wild lands complex on Bainbridge Island just outside of Seattle, to help me feel more grounded in my new garden. Evan has spent his career working across the states studying restoration ecology, native plants, and conservation horticulture. We talked about co-designing with nature, as he believes we should move away from the "God complex" of traditional garden design and let Mother Nature be our co-designer. Listen in!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [01:57] Meet Evan Meyer, Executive Director of Bloedel Reserve!
    • [05:15] What Evan learned about ecological horticulture across different climates
    • [10:15] Why individual home gardens have a larger ecological footprint than public parks
    • [12:19] How the plant supply chain keeps most landscapes generic
    • [15:43] Experience single-origin honey with 3x more antioxidants with Manukora!
    • [17:28] Prep your kitchen for garden harvest season with Caraway Cookware!
    • [18:53] Why are more gardeners actively seeking out native plants?
    • [21:45] How to co-design your home garden with nature
    • [22:06] If a tree falls, leave it!
    • [24:42] Why you should read your local ecology
    • [25:46] Let’s reframe garden "problems" as opportunities
    • [29:10] More examples from Bloedel that home gardeners can actually steal
    • [30:06] How does Bloedel's moss gardener curate rather than plant?
    • [31:44] Retrain your eyes to find dormant plants and deadwood beautiful!
    • [34:35] Practical steps for learning your local wild ecology
    • [37:58] How an ecologically minded front yard builds neighborhood community
    • [39:07] The rise of whimsy in garden design and why we're craving that feeling right now
    • [40:13] What to expect when you visit Bloedel Reserve!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    Interested in doing a collab with your garden?

    Check out the full show notes and blog here for Evan's advice!

     

    Follow Evan & Bloedel Reserve:
    Evan's LinkedIn
    Website
    Facebook
    Instagram

     

    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!

    Caraway

    Visit carawayhome.com and use promo code BLOOM at checkout for an additional 10% off your order.

     

    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 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.

    23 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 57 minutes 1 second
    Carnivorous Plants: Care Guide and Types of Carnivorous Plants for Indoor Growing - Best of Growing Joy Replay

    We’ve likely all had some run-in with a carnivorous plant. I brought one of those little Venus flytraps home from the hardware store, even though I had no idea how to care for it. Maybe you have marveled at the wide array of these plants at your local botanical garden. Or maybe you just know the man-eating Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors! However you found them, you have probably figured out that these plants are in a league of their own. Proper carnivorous plant care is incredibly specific. They are a whole subsect of plants, and they might just get you if you do not care for them correctly. So I invited Damon from California Carnivores to help. He is a carnivorous plant expert (learned from Peter D'Amato) and is going to teach us everything we need to know to grow them indoors! Let's jump in!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [02:35] Damon’s history with carnivorous plants
    • [07:28] What are carnivorous plants? What makes up a carnivorous plant?
    • [13:25] Where to find carnivorous plants in the wild
    • [16:33] Why conservation of carnivorous plants is a must
    • [19:01] How long have carnivorous plants been around?
    • [20:09] Damon shares what he thinks of Little Shop of Horrors musical
    • [22:07] General care rules for growing carnivorous plants indoors
    • [23:00] The right kind of water for carnivorous plants (and how to identify them in a store!)
    • [25:23] How the “tray method” replicates a bog environment at home
    • [27:39] The best carnivorous plants to grow indoors (Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, butterworts)
    • [31:06] What is the best growing media for carnivorous plants?
    • [33:43] Why you shouldn’t use terracotta pots for your carnivorous plants
    • [35:00] What’s the ideal sunlight for carnivorous plants (+ grow lights!)
    • [37:04] Should you fertilize carnivorous plants?
    • [39:31] How to feed your Venus flytrap and Cape sundews
    • [41:54] Fertilizing your pitcher plants!
    • [44:14 How much humidity do carnivorous plants need?
    • [45:22] How to make your Venus flytrap go dormant
    • [46:39] Can you fertilize your carnivorous plants even if they’re catching bugs?
    • [47:15] Can you overwater sundews and butterworts?
    • [48:11] Taking care of your Mexican butterworts
    • [49:36] Damon’s recommended beginner carnivorous plants
    • [51:03] Should you still buy Venus flytraps even when they’re not sustainably sourced?
    • [53:46] Where to find Damon, his book ‘The Savage Garden,’ and nursery resources!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    For Damon's detailed carnivorous plants care guide,

    check out the full show notes and blog here!

     

     

    Follow Damon:
    Website
    Instagram
    YouTube
    TikTok

     

    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 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.

    16 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 34 minutes 56 seconds
    How to Repot Plants: The Ultimate Repotting Tutorial: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    If you are just starting out as a plant parent, there comes a moment when you realize your plant has outgrown its pot and you need to figure out how to repot it. And in learning how to repot plants, you might feel like you are doing it wrong, or you end up being way too careful and precious about the whole thing.

    Repotting is actually a very simple process, and it can even become a really fun and meditative part of caring for your plants.

    Today, I am bringing back a solo episode from the archives as part of the Best of Growing Joy series. This is your go-to beginner's guide on how to repot houseplants the right way. I will walk you through the most common repotting mistakes I see beginner plant parents make so you can avoid them and feel confident going into your next repotting session.

    This episode is completely free, but if you want extra support with visuals, soil science tips, and a deeper dive into how to repot plants with confidence, I have a very affordable repotting course linked here. I hope this episode is helpful, quick, and gets you fully set up for success at your next repotting party!

     

    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:

     

    Is your plant currently root bound and waiting to be repotted?

    Check out the full show notes and blog for everything you need to know about how to repot with confidence!

     

     

     

    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.

    11 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Feeling hopeless? Try growing flowers. Here's how.

    Aren't flowers just the perfect little pockets of joy? I have been following Claudia from In the Garden with Claudia on Instagram for over a year now, and I live for her cut flower garden stories! I’ve been feeling a little humbled by my own garden setbacks in South Florida recently. So when I finally got her on the podcast, I thought we were going to do a straight-up how-to on growing flowers. And we did, kind of. But this conversation turned into what flowers can actually do for you! Claudia has turned her space into a garden with thousands of blooms that make me excited for my next garden season. I hope this helps you find your own smile as big as the one Claudia put on my face! Let's jump in!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [03:40] Meet Claudia, the queen of backyard cut flower joy!
    • [04:56] How she turned her backyard into a cut flower garden
    • [07:31] She was a pre-dental student!? (a career pivot)
    • [09:49] What her first couple of seasons gardening looked like
    • [14:08] Why Claudia chose a production-style layout over traditional garden design
    • [15:29] Fuel your garden mornings with the caramel-tasting bioactives in Manukora Honey!
    • [17:15] Building her dream garden on a budget!
    • [19:53] Claudia’s experience from disliking to growing dahlias
    • [22:38] How to seed start indoors (Claudia grows 4000+ seeds!)
    • [26:09] My biggest pain point right now
    • [28:21] What is Claudia’s cut flower planting strategy for dahlias?
    • [31:03] How she spaces and organizes her dahlia beds
    • [32:08] Our favorite Espoma Organic products!
    • [34:27] How and when to fertilize dahlias throughout the growing season
    • [35:46] How to set up irrigation for cut flowers
    • [36:38] Daily maintenance routines for better airflow and pest defense
    • [38:28] Why you should deadhead your flowers for more blooms
    • [39:50] How to manage and share excess flowers?
    • [42:18] Selling her first massive bouquets at the office!
    • [44:41] How to structure a flower CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
    • [48:03] What are Claudia’s joyful practices in her garden?
    • [50:59] How the ‘In the Garden with Claudia’ YouTube channel started
    • [54:52] Claudia’s dream of scaling up to a Washington flower farm
    • [56:58] Where to find Claudia’s social media and upcoming resources!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    For Claudia's tried and tested methods of growing cut flowers,

    check out the full show notes and blog here!

     

    Follow Claudia:
    YouTube
    Instagram
    Facebook
    TikTok

     

    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

    Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

    Support Growing Joy with Maria by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

    Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

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    Subscribe to the Growing Joy YouTube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

    Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

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    9 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 55 minutes 11 seconds
    9 Garden Design Tips from an Interior Designer: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    If you're looking for your garden to be a little more curated, calm, and cohesive (put together in a way that just feels right) what if you've been looking for advice in the wrong places? What if you shouldn't be looking at a garden designer at all, but instead at an interior designer to give you garden design tips that help pull everything together?

    I'm bringing this one back as part of the Best of Growing Joy series a conversation I had a couple of years ago with Kelly Wilkniss, an interior designer, avid gardener, and co-host of the Decorating Tips and Tricks podcast. Kelly uses her interior design principles in the garden, and I still use the concepts we talked about in my own garden and houseplant collection today.

    We cover how these beginner-friendly garden design principles can completely change and improve your plants and your outdoor space, and you'll walk away with practical tips to create flow, balance, beauty, and calm in your garden.

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [04:50] How has Kelly’s gardening passion intersected with her interior design career?
    • [07:16] What inspired Kelly to do an all-white garden
    • [08:45] What is Kelly’s interior design style?
    • [10:30] Kelly’s opinion on modernizing antiques
    • [12:01] How did she transition from being a lawyer to an interior designer?
    • [14:08] Where can you find stylish lights for upgrading indoor plant environments?
    • [16:04] Where to find a personalized Mother's Day gift that includes handcrafted wind chimes
    • [20:31] Tip #1 Take a photo of interior and exterior spaces (it promotes a cohesive design flow!)
    • [21:56] Tip #2 Limit your color palette
    • [25:18] Tip #3 Create a flow
    • [33:49] A must-have book for outdoor living area design ideas with mix-and-match suggestions and before-and-after pictures
    • [35:10] Tip #4 Plant in odd numbers
    • [37:55] Tip #5 Layering!
    • [40:44] Tip #6 Balance and scale
    • [44:26] Tip #7 Visual noise
    • [48:48] Tip #8 The touch of black
    • [52:08] Tip #9 Not having an ugly storage
    • [01:00:13] Where can you find Kelly on social media?

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    Which of the 9 interior design tips are you most excited to try in your garden?

    Check out the full show notes and blog for Kelly's beginner-friendly garden design principles!

     

    Follow Kelly:

    Website

    Podcast

    Book

    Instagram

    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)

    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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    4 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 48 minutes 32 seconds
    What is Hügelkultur and How to Install a Hügelkultur Garden Bed

    Have you ever heard of the hügelkultur gardening method? I first heard the word ‘hügelkultur’ a couple of years ago while visiting The Lodge at Woodloch's organic farm. They had this beautiful setup where they grew the food that the spa guests would eat. And in the middle of it all was this raised bed that looked like it was mid-construction. It was a hügelkultur bed. Since then, I kept hearing that word, especially among organic growers! So for this episode, I sat down with Sarah Wagstaff of SUOT Farm (Small Units of Time). Sarah is a full-time flower farmer, and her entire farm is built on hügelkultur! Come learn with me!

     

    In this episode, we learn:

    • [03:09] Meet flower farmer Sarah Wagstaff from SUOT Farm!
    • [03:45] How Sarah's childhood and family inspired her love for growing plants
    • [05:55] Why Sarah decided to build her entire flower farm using hügelkultur
    • [07:27] What is hügelkultur and where did it originate?
    • [09:30] How long does it take for woody debris to break down before you can plant?
    • [12:49] Can you plant into a new hügelkultur mound immediately?
    • [14:53] Build a healthy soil foundation for your garden with Espoma Organic!
    • [17:00] How to properly layer greens and browns to create compost in place
    • [19:23] How to use the 180-degree topography of a mound to maximize growing space
    • [21:43] How tall should you actually build a hügelkultur bed?
    • [24:20] Till vs. no-till: Which protects soil decomposers for long-term soil fertility?
    • [27:35] How spent mushroom blocks can add extra nutrients and mycorrhizae
    • [28:53] Scaling hügelkultur down for small containers and porch gardening
    • [29:41] Common mistakes when building your first hügelkultur bed
    • [32:49] Adapting hügelkultur to your specific climate
    • [33:43] Why Sarah doesn't use additional fertilizers on her hügelkultur beds
    • [35:28] Why hügelkultur is a perfect solution for gardeners stuck with sandy/poor soil
    • [37:31] How Sarah grows flowers year-round in Zone 7B
    • [39:24] How to continually add scraps/compost while your hügelkultur beds are growing
    • [41:41] How SUOT Farm has evolved over the last 10 years
    • [44:10] Where to find Sarah, her CSA, and her hügelkultur PDF!

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    For Sarah's guide on hügelkultur for small gardens,

    check out the full show notes and blog here!

     

    Follow Sarah:
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook
    Shop
    Bouquet Subscription

     

    Thank you to our episode sponsor:

    Espoma Organic

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

     

    Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

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

    Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

    Support Growing Joy with Maria 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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    2 June 2026, 6:00 am
  • 42 minutes 21 seconds
    How to Keep Calatheas Alive Without Losing Your Mind: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Calathea is one of the most gorgeous and often most disappointing houseplants a new plant parent can bring home. If you've ever taken a beginner plant shopping, you already know: they walk straight to the calatheas. Can you blame them? These plants look like they were literally hand-painted by Mother Nature.

    But calathea care is pretty tricky. The leaves curl. The edges go crispy and brown. The humidity demands feel impossible. Suddenly, your most beautiful plant becomes your most dramatic one.

    That's why I brought Mark Hachadourian, Director of Glasshouse Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, to cover how to care for calatheas and prayer plants, troubleshoot the most common problems, and actually keep them alive.

    In this episode, we learn:

    • What Marc does for the NYBG
    • What plants fall under the Marantaceae Family
    • Prayer Plant, Calathea and Stromanthe- their differences and similarities
    • Why do the leaves fold up and down as in “prayer”
    • Why the bottoms of many Marantaceae are purple
    • Why the tips brown and how we help avoid this
    • Why humidity is so important for the Marantaceae family
    • Marc answers a collection of listener questions

     

    Mentioned in our conversation:

     

    What do you think is the #1 reason calatheas are so hard to keep alive?

    Check out the full show notes and blog for Mark's expert Calathea troubleshooting guide!

     

    Follow Marc & NYBG:

    Website

    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


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

    29 May 2026, 6:00 pm
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