When I got engaged, I figured choosing wedding flowers would be the easy part. I'm a plant person, right? Wrong. Wedding florals are an entire world of their own, and I was lucky to have a florist who walked me through all of it and built the floral landscape of my dreams.

That florist is Corina of The Botaniste, and in this Best of Growing Joy episode, she's sharing the wedding flower crash course I wish I'd had from day one.

We get into how to choose blooms that actually hold up and don't wilt (spoiler: several of my first picks were a hard no), why conditioning matters more than expensive stems, how to work with seasonal availability instead of fighting it, and how to lean on greenery to stretch your budget. Corina also covers the trends she's seeing, how to talk to a florist even if you don't know a single flower name, and how to repurpose arrangements so they outlast the ceremony.

And if a wedding isn't in your future, don't skip this one because it all applies to backyard bouquets and dinner party tables too!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:22] Introducing Corina
• [04:16] What to expect of the last episode of My Botanically Inspired Wedding Series
• [09:29] Corina shares her experiences planning wedding florals with couples
• [10:33] Why Pinterest is every bride’s best friend AND worst enemy
• [11:52] How Corina became a plant lady and how she started The Botaniste
• [17:29] Corina’s biggest influences in floral styling
• [18:18] What are current and upcoming trends for wedding flowers?
• [19:46] What elements are there in a tablescape?
• [22:28] Is there a difference between wedding flowers and event flowers?
• [26:14] Maria shares her decision-making process with her wedding florals
• [28:02] How flowers elevate any event
• [29:26] How to preserve your wedding flowers
• [31:00] What are the best and the worst flowers to have at your wedding?
• [34:01] Which flower is an alternative to peonies?
• [35:54] New rose varieties to try in your wedding flowers
• [39:27] How to condition cut flowers
• [41:23] How to keep cut hydrangeas from wilting
• [42:58] Where to get the best organic indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [44:12] Planning to grow from seeds this coming garden season?
• [48:15] How to work with florists and where to start with your wedding flower planning
• [52:33] Building a trusting relationship with your wedding florist
• [55:08] Corina’s advice for couples planning to DIY their wedding
• [58:51] Maria’s garland and greenery vision
• [01:00:40] How to style a wedding with greenery
• [01:03:38] Incorporating bud vases in your wedding
• [01:07:55] Adding statement greenery to your wedding venue and reception
• [01:12:49] What you should know about greenery
• [01:14:38] Corina’s ultimate tip for wedding planners and contractors
• [01:15:15] Corina’s current favorite flowers and combinations
• [01:17:00] What Maria loved about blushing bride protea
• [01:18:08] Where you can hire Corina as your florist
• [01:20:25] Maria’s Wedding Series reflections

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Check out Corina's video on how to arrange a big bridal bouquet!
• Lush Magnolia Flower Preservation artist
• DIY Wedding Copper Arbor blog
• BAGR Episode: 3 Plant Inspired DIY Wedding Ideas that Live on After the Big Day
• BAGR Episode: 26 Ways to Incorporate Plants Into Your Wedding
• BAGR Blog: 26 Ways to Incorporate Plants Into Your Wedding

What flower would you love to have in your wedding bouquet?

Check out the full show notes and blog for the blooms that actually hold up on your wedding day!

Follow Corina:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Yelp

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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Is it possible to tell time with your garden? Apparently, birds and plants can tell us what time of day it is! When we recorded this episode, I was in my third trimester, so sometimes I would be up at 2 AM whether I liked it or not. Which was how I found out that the birds in my Florida backyard start up around 4! For a while, I'd check my phone to see how close we were to sunrise. Now I learned to listen. That's the idea behind The Fullness of Time by Cathy Haynes. It's a book I read about how to tell time without a clock, instead using birdsong, blooms, shadows, and stars. It touched the gardener in my soul, and I knew I needed to have Cathy on the podcast to talk about all of the different ways our ancestors kept time in their gardens and in nature. Come learn with me!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:07] Meet Cathy Haynes!
• [03:12] What is The Fullness of Time book about?
• [04:05] The evening primrose in her London backyard that started all of this!
• [05:55] How does gardening change your sense of time?
• [07:17] How did ordinary people tell time before clocks?
• [09:26] Cock crow, midnight spirits, and what each part of the day means!
• [11:42] Reading a clock vs. actually sensing time
• [12:20] What is the ornithological clock (how to tell time through birds)?
• [15:24] Espoma Organic
• [17:00] Learning to pick out the individual singers in the dawn chorus
• [17:36] Merlin app to learn birdsong
• [18:38] What third-trimester insomnia taught me about the 4 AM birds
• [21:53] What is this Linnaeus’s flower clock?
• [23:55] Did the Bern Botanical Garden get a living flower clock to work?
• [26:30] Daisies, chicory, and the timekeeping plants hiding in pavement cracks
• [28:40] Which time-telling plants can you add to your own garden?
• [30:59] Why mature sunflowers stop following the sun and just face east
• [33:26] How did our ancestors use shadows to tell time?
• [35:21] Ancient scratch sundials on churches and Icelandic hills!
• [37:37] Light pollution and how to adapt to the sun in a city
• [39:32] Can you tell the time by the stars?
• [41:42] What are some simple ways to get started with your time garden?
• [44:52] Where to find Cathy and The Fullness of Time!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Fullness of Time: Marking the Day by Birdsong, Blooms, Shadows, and Stars by Cathy Haynes
• Merlin Bird ID
• Collins Bird Guide App
• A Botanical Timekeeper - The Flower Clock
• Growing Joy Episode 186: The History of Houseplants with Jane Perrone

Interested in tracking time with your local birds and flowers,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Cathy:

Website
Instagram

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

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

We're going back to basics today on how to propagate pothos, plant friends! It's one of the simplest things you can do as a plant parent. And pothos is probably the easiest plant to propagate, which is exactly why it's where you should start. I just want you to do it right the first time because one success is what turns this into a lifelong habit. So I brought propagation expert Lindsay Sisti back on the podcast to walk through pothos propagation from the very beginning. Join us as we talk beginner-friendly propagation tips, how to root pothos cuttings in water, light and watering, and why making that first cut actually helps your plant grow. Let's prop!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:51] Meet Lindsay Sisti and her challenge for you!
• [04:24] Why pothos is the best plant to learn propagation on
• [06:00] Why your pothos cutting speeds up your other props
• [07:02] Plant anatomy 101: What do you need to know before you cut?
• [09:11] Why you should leave the leaves on your cuttings
• [10:19] Internodes vs. nodes (aka plant knuckles)
• [13:31] Node cuttings vs. tip cuttings, and what "sterilized shears" really means
• [15:30] Manukora Honey
• [17:16] Espoma Organic
• [19:54] What is a petiole and why will a single pothos leaf never root?
• [21:22] Leaf removal and water setup!
• [23:12] Why cutting back a balding pothos makes it bushier (apical dominance explained)
• [26:57] Do pothos cuttings need to callus first?
• [27:55] What rooting hormone actually does, and the tradeoff of changing your water
• [30:36] The different methods of propagating different types of vining plants like pothos
• [31:44] Sphagnum, fluval stratum, and perlite (why water still wins for pothos)
• [35:02] Can you root bare nodes with no leaves? Plus prop box basics
• [37:40] Does cinnamon work as a rooting hormone?
• [38:56] Why the thrift store is the best place to find propagation vessels
• [40:15] Root length sweet spot!
• [41:25] Potting up: indoor mix, extra perlite, and starting small
• [47:03] Why light matters while rooting
• [48:19] Propagation walls and test tube shelves
• [51:30] Thrifted candelabras, champagne racks, and DIY propagation stations
• [53:27] Where to find Lindsay, her book, and all of her propagation resources!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy 129: How to Root Bare Nodes or "Wet Sticks"
• Growing Joy 350: Propagation Tips For Plant Parents That Actually Work: Prop Boxes, Ikea Grow Cabinets and How to Avoid Mold Damage
• Growing Joy 309: How to Propagate an Alocasia Corm
• Growing Joy 289: How to Propagate Plants in Fluval Stratum
• The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay Sisti
• Clonex Rooting Gel

For Lindsay's different propagation methods,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Lindsay:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok

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

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.

When it comes to killing plants, it's not a matter of if... it's a matter of when.

And killing a plant doesn't mean you're bad at plants. It just means you're a plant parent. But so many of us carry real shame around plant death. One loss, and we decide we're a plant killer and quit for good.

In this Best of Growing Joy series episode, I'm bringing back my conversation with Cassidy from Succulents and Sunshine about the guilt that comes with plant death, especially with succulents. They get sold as easy care plants. They're not.

We get into why even plant experts lose plants, how to know when to treat versus when to toss, and why your plant number shifts with the seasons of your life.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:00] Does being a plant parent mean you’re also a plant killer?
• [05:24] Who is Cassidy and how she became the plant parent she is today
• [06:00] What is Succulents and Sunshine about?
• [10:55] Cassidy's take on how plant parents handle plant death
• [12:45] Trying to keep an echeveria succulent alive
• [14:36] When to toss vs. treat your plants [it's simple!]
• [16:24] The importance of a plant care routine
• [18:34] Why it’s important to know your plant number
• [19:27] Emotional attachment to our plants [feat. Maria's lime tree story]
• [22:20] Maria's experience with generational plant gifts
• [25:45] What Cassidy learned from every plant failure
• [25:52] Tip #1 Be more attentive to your plants
• [26:18] Tip #2 Different plants require different care
• [27:41] Tip #3 Don't be too hard on yourself; plants die in the wild too
• [28:43] Where to get plant seeds that are guaranteed to last longer
• [30:40] Get quality grow lights that will last and look stunning next to your plants
• [32:31] Why most of the plants we have aren’t designed to live in our homes.
• [34:39] Why Haworthia is most suitable as your indoor succulent
• [36:37] Should you try to grow the same plant again or let it go completely?
• [41:20] What are some ways to reduce your plant collection?
• [44:13] Learning to let go of dying plants
• [48:32] The mental cost of holding onto something that no longer serves you
• [51:23] What are the two options when you kill a plant?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Snappy pots
• Smart Passive Income
• Hygrometer
• Lomi composter

Have you ever killed a plant that someone special gave you?

Check out the full show notes and blog for a gentler way to think about losing your heirloom plants!

Follow Cassidy:

Website

Instagram

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)

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.

We often talk about garden-to-table, but what about garden-to-glass? AKA how to grow plants for garden inspired cocktails, and all the ways to turn a harvest into something delicious, regardless if you drink alcohol or not. I spent a full year not drinking, first through fertility treatments and then through pregnancy. And I learned that the mocktail section of most menus is a trap. Everything is so sweet that you finish it in about 90 seconds. And then I met Belinda and Venise at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. They're sisters, they're plant ladies, and they run a garden-to-glass syrup company called Simple Goodness Sisters. They also wrote the book called Drink Your Garden. In this episode, they share different ways you can enjoy your garden harvest in easy yet delicious cocktail and mocktail recipes. Let's dive in!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:46] Meet Belinda and Venise of Simple Goodness Sisters!
• [03:26] How did their syrup business begin?
• [06:29] Venise's homesteading story
• [10:49] What the farm grows for the business vs. for their families
• [13:52] What counts as a cocktail garden?
• [15:29] Home Greenhouse Revival by Leslie Halleck
• [17:07] How to use edible flowers
• [18:18] Which edible flowers are easiest to grow?
• [21:33] What actually belongs in a cocktail garden
• [22:41] Why purple sage and mojito mint taste better in drinks
• [23:49] Rows vs. interplanting, reusable mulch
• [27:05] Building a bar cart from your garden
• [29:32] Why they wrote the book they couldn't find
• [30:34] What is a syrup and how do you make one?
• [32:06] Their favorite syrups
• [36:09] What is a shrub and how do you drink it?
• [38:57] Beet shrub showstopper
• [40:05] How to make a blue mocktail for a baby shower
• [40:48] Tinctures vs. bitters
• [42:42] How an infused spirit becomes a liqueur
• [44:59] Buzz button gin, cherry bourbon, and Midnight at the movies
• [49:03] Travel syrups hack!
• [52:06] Cordials, and balancing sweet, sour, bitter, and spirit
• [53:00] What to gift a gin-obsessed dad, and why you might just dislike tonic
• [55:00] How to make your own compound gin at home
• [56:38] Garnishing like a container garden (thriller, filler, spiller, and powdered rims)
• [58:30] Braided chives, pickled garnishes, and drinks you can snack on
• [1:00:10] Where to find Belinda, Venise, the book, and the Farm Club subscription box!
• [1:02:47] The herbal lemonade and blue spritz I served at my baby shower

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Join the Cocktail Farm Club - Simple Goodness Sisters
• Drink Your Garden: Recipes, Stories and Tips from the Simple Goodness Cocktail Farm by Belinda Kelly and Venise Cunningham
• USDA Organic Blue Spirulina Powder
• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar | Bragg
• Herb Garden Syrup (Lemon Herb)

For Belinda and Venise's scrumptious cocktail recipes,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Simple Goodness Sisters:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Recipes

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Quarto: Home Greenhouse Revival by Leslie F. Halleck

Home Greenhouse Revival is available for pre-order now at quarto.com and launches in September. Pre-order your copy wherever books are sold or through your local bookstore.

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.

If you're looking for a large, tree-like plant, a pop of color, or a cool, structural statement piece for your home, might I suggest the rubber plant? Ficus elastica is one of the most underrated houseplants out there, and today we're giving it the hype it deserves!

In this Best of Growing Joy series, I pulled my conversation with Raffaele of Ohio Tropics, a fellow rubber plant lover, where we talk about everything you need to know about rubber plant care: how to help your rubber plant truly grow, how to stop it from dropping its leaves, and how to keep those glossy leaves from crisping up.

Because whether it's a simple green rubber tree or a stunning variegated variety like my beloved Ficus Belize on my green wall, those huge, glossy leaves make such a statement in your home. Listen in to learn simple rubber plant care tips, plus the most common mistakes plant parents make (and exactly how to avoid them), so you can grow your very own iconic indoor tree.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:43] Maria’s plant and personal updates
• [02:12] Introducing Raffaele from Ohio Tropics
• [03:14] Your invitation to a free 10-day virtual garden festival!
• [03:58] What to expect from this rubber plant episode
• [06:40] How Raffael became the plant parent he is today
• [10:06] What is a rubber plant?
• [11:26] Do rubber trees produce latex?
• [12:53] Where can you find rubber plants in nature?
• [14:33] What are the different types and varieties of rubber plants?
• [18:54] How to water rubber plants
• [21:27] Raffaele’s watering tip using a turkey baster
• [23:21] How much sunlight does a rubber plant need?
• [27:35] Are rubber plants low-light plants?
• [28:35] What kind of soil mix is good for rubber plants?
• [30:52] Where to get pre-grown plants and seeds for your spring garden
• [32:09] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products
• [34:49] How to fertilize rubber plants
• [37:11] Rubber Plant FAQ #1: Why is my rubber plant not growing?
• [39:03] Rubber Plant FAQ #2: How do I get my rubber plant to branch and be bushier instead of taller?
• [39:51] What is the air layering propagation method?
• [44:15] Rubber Plant FAQ #3: Why are my new leaves smaller than the older ones?
• [45:32] Rubber Plant FAQ #4: Why are my rubber plant leaves dropping?
• [48:20] Why overwatering can cause issues to your plant (in ways you might not expect)
• [49:12] Rubber Plant FAQ #5: My plant looks healthy, but the branches are all over the place; why is this happening?
• [50:26] Rubber Plant FAQ #6: What are the tiny white spots on my rubber plant?
• [51:26] Rubber Plant FAQ#7: Why are the edges of my variegated rubber plant browning?
• [54:09] Rubber Plant FAQ #8: My rubber plant has aerial roots, but do they grow better in slightly cooler conditions?
• [55:18] Raffaele’s recommendations of the best rubber plant varieties for beginners
• [57:35] What Raffaele’s book Houseplant Warrior is about!
• [59:41] Where to connect with Raffaele
• [01:01:52] Upgrade your plant education with these two events!

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Houseplant Warrior: 7 Keys to Unlocking the Mysteries of Houseplant Care, book by Raffaele Di Lallo
• The Great Grow Along Virtual Garden Festival

Which rubber plant variety are you most excited to try?

Check out the full show notes and blog to start growing your own statement rubber plant!

Follow Raffaele:

Blog

Instagram

YouTube

Book

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.

Propagation is your best friend as a plant parent. It's a free way to make more of the plants you already have, and watching new roots grow is so much fun! But there's more to it than sticking a pothos in a glass of water, not to mention that if you get the humidity wrong, you’ll get mold. So I invited over my go-to propagation nerd, Lindsay Sisti, to guide us through the different ways you can propagate successfully. She’s a propagation expert, plant breeder, and author of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation. She’s been in the podcast before, and we've both survived mold cleanup in our own homes. Listen in!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:22] Welcome back, Lindsay, my propagation nerd and friend of the pod!
• [04:28] What tropical houseplants are found in the rainforest?
• [06:00] Why your heating/AC sucks the humidity out of your home
• [10:00] Why growing houseplants indoors in Florida is hard!
• [10:56] When does humidity become a big aspect of plant keeping? (common plants vs. the divas)
• [14:51] Experience the richness of single-origin honey with 3x more antioxidants with Manukora!
• [16:36] Why filling your house with humidifiers isn't realistic
• [17:45] Lindsay's black mold nightmare in her 100-year-old home!
• [21:20] How humidity travels through your HVAC and grows mold where you'd never expect
• [23:29] Humidity hacks that fail (sorry!)
• [25:09] Why misting is mostly pointless and when it causes problems
• [28:31] IKEA grow cabinets 101: the MILSBO, Rust-Oleum, and building your glass box
• [33:40] Choosing grow lights: Barrina, Monios, and T8 vs. T5
• [35:53] Why you need fans and airflow (transpiration and guttation explained)
• [40:18] What prop boxes are and why they root plants better than a glass of water
• [43:21] Building a prop box (containers, sphagnum moss, and the "wrung-out sponge" rule)
• [46:30] Lindsay's layered setup!
• [49:44] Do you really need to "burp" your prop box?
• [52:31] How to rebuild Raffi the Rhaphidophora from node cuttings
• [58:16] Should you let cuttings callus first? Variegated vs. non-variegated
• [1:01:16] Mold vs. algae, and the diluted hydrogen peroxide fix
• [1:03:18] Final steps: lid on, into the window, and when to transplant
• [1:06:56] Can you crowd the nodes?
• [1:08:11] Why are prop boxes low stakes?
• [1:09:43] Where to find Lindsay and her propagation book!
• [1:11:21] Update: how Raffi's prop box actually turned out

Mentioned in our conversation:

• The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation by Lindsay Sisti
• IKEA MILSBO
• Barrina Grow Light
• Monios-L Grow Lights
• LECHUZA-PON

For Lindsay's different propagation methods,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Lindsay:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok

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!

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.

Have you ever thought about growing your own luffa? Someone sent me a packet of luffa seeds about four years ago. I think I won them in a giveaway, and they just... sat there. I never planted it because something about luffa felt kinda different. It's not your classic garden edible, and I couldn't picture how it worked. So I invited Janice Cox over to talk about growing luffa! Janice is a garden and natural beauty expert, and she's written a whole workbook on this plant. Now I can't stop thinking about growing luffa, harvesting it, and figuring out what to make with it. Turns out it's way simpler than I built it up to be in my head. Learn with me!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:47] Meet Janice Cox, the luffa queen!
• [02:34] What is luffa, and why does it have so many surprising uses?
• [04:10] How Janice backed into gardening through natural beauty writing
• [05:57] Why clean beauty pushed her toward aloe vera and label-reading in the US
• [10:12] How luffa went from ancient Egypt to WWII oil filters
• [12:18] Turning a luffa harvest into soap, crafts, and pet toys
• [15:29] Feed your midsummer garden with Espoma Organic!
• [17:47] What does luffa need to grow? (full sun, pollinators, and a trellis)
• [19:54] Male vs. female flowers and hand-pollinating your luffa
• [22:06] What the luffa growth stages look like and how to know when to harvest
• [25:24] Water and light requirements for luffa
• [26:44] How do you process your luffa? (peeling, saving seeds, and cleaning for gifts)
• [29:09] Direct sowing vs. starting luffa seeds indoors
• [30:58] How to slice, flatten, and sew with dried luffa
• [33:59] What are the different luffa varieties?
• [35:52] What are the most common mistakes first-time luffa growers make?
• [38:30] Why luffa makes a great gift and a full-circle, sustainable plant
• [40:15] Luffa seed tips: nicking, soaking, and testing for viability
• [42:06] Where to find Janice, her books, and her guides

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy 310: Digital Detox: What 3 Days in Nature Taught Me (and How You Can Recreate It at Home)
• Growing Joy 319: How to Preserve Food From Your Garden with Staci and Jeremy Hill
• Janice Cox’s books:
  • Natural Beauty At Home Handbook
  • Beautiful Luffa
  • Beautiful Roses
  • Beautiful Lavender
  • Beautiful Flowers

For foolproof luffa growing tips,

check out Janice's guide in the full show notes and blog!

Follow Janice:

Website
Instagram
Blog
Books

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

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Philodendron might just be the most underrated genus in the houseplant world, and plant friends, it's completely beginner-friendly! This isn't a plant you bring home from the garden center only to watch it shrivel, brown, and die within a week. It gives you trailing vines, climbing drama, bold pops of color, and incredible leaf shapes. It's one of my all-time favorites, and it's the star of today's episode of our Best of Growing Joy series.

We're breaking down everything you need to know about philodendron care, aka this iconic houseplant genus that's been beloved for decades and never goes out of style. Today's episode covers philodendron light requirements, philodendron watering tips, and the best philodendron varieties to add to your indoor plant collection.

You'll also learn how philodendron grow in the wild and discover which variety might just become your next plant obsession.

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

What's your go-to philodendron, and how long have you had it?

Check out the full show notes and blog for all my favorite philodendron varieties!

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.

What if your backyard could feed you for decades with way less work than a tomato patch? You can achieve this with fruit trees! I met arborist Allen Taylor at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show earlier this year. He's the founder of Conservation Tree Care, and he shares how to grow fruit trees in your own backyard with confidence and patience. I'm a homeowner now, and I am so excited to finally have fruit trees of my own!

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:52] Meet Allen Taylor, founder of Conservation Treecare!
• [02:17] What is forestry, and how did Allen get into it via a college course?
• [03:22] How arboriculture differs from forestry (individual trees vs. whole ecosystems)
• [04:45] The Overstory and tree climbers who work up in the canopy
• [09:37] How his passion for large trees relates to small fruit trees
• [10:51] Seattle's century-old orchard trees!
• [12:32] What are the two starting points for fruit trees? (assessing a bare site vs. inheriting mature trees already there)
• [14:07] Why you also have to think about harvest volume you can handle
• [15:02] Check out The Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening by the American Horticultural Society!
• [16:17] Set your fruit trees up right from planting with Espoma Organic!
• [18:21] Why it's okay to treat a fruit tree as a low-maintenance shade tree (that happens to fruit)
• [19:38] What makes something an "orchard" vs. just having a tree?
• [22:30] Why fruit exists (spreading seeds) and how domestication changed fruit itself
• [24:10] Fruit tree timeline! What age of wood trees fruit on?
• [26:55] Which fruit trees are most popular by region, and why local zone/climate matters so much?
• [29:19] Why local extension services and nurseries beat big box stores for picking trees
• [31:41] What does the yearly care for fruit trees look like (pruning, planting, harvest windows)?
• [34:17] Planting and transplant shock!
• [35:52] Fruit trees planting basics: hole size, soil, mulch, watering to establishment
• [39:03] Sun and site selection (full sun, flat ground, and thinking about ladder access)
• [42:38] Why you should prune fruit trees compared to other edibles
• [43:58] Why does dormant pruning work with the tree's stress response?
• [46:14] Should you remove blossoms in year one, or just leave the tree alone and wait?
• [47:33] Pruning vs. training explained
• [48:59] Pruning intensity tips
• [52:10] What are the top beginner mistakes you commit with trees?
• [57:10] The 3 types of pruning cuts (removal, reduction, heading) and how the tree responds to each
• [59:06] Why fruit trees are a great gateway into caring about trees generally
• [59:51] Allen's favorite fruit tree and the joy of sharing homegrown harvests with neighbors!
• [1:01:33] Where to find Allen, Conservation Treecare, and his work at the Amazon Spheres

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Robert Jan Van Pelt’s Books
• The Overstory by Richard Powers

For Allen's fruit tree tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Allen:

Website
Instagram

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Quarto

Grab the Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening at quarto.com and wherever books are sold.

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.

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:

• 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!
• BAGR YouTube video Houseplant Tour: My Restorative Plant Corner // Why Plant Care Truly is Self Care
• BAGR Episode 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

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

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