Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care cover art

Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

By: Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness
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Looking for free, natural ways to decrease stress and increase joy and calm in your life? The answer might be simpler than you think: houseplants, gardening and nature.

On Growing Joy with Plants, learn alongside Happy Plant Lady, Maria Failla to care for plants, engage with nature, and use them to manage your overwhelm, anxiety and experience happiness and calm you thought was only available on vacation.

Plant care is self care. Come grow some joy with us. Follow along on socials @growingjoywithmaria

© 2017 Bloom and Grow, LLC Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Tree Communication: The Science and Spirit of How Trees Talk

    Tree Communication: The Science and Spirit of How Trees Talk
    Jul 15 2025
    Have you ever felt drawn to a particular tree or maybe felt curious about how you might be able to communicate with them? Let’s talk about the science and the spirit of tree communication with none other than our resident green witch, Rachael from Our Infinite Nature. We talked about mycelial networks, intuitive energy exchanges, and everything in between. After listening to this episode, this might change how you see the trees lining your street and inspire you to grow deeper with them.In this episode, we learn:[03:03] Launching the Intuitive Moon Community[04:23] Upcoming Reiki mentorship program[05:36] How do nature and trees support mental health?[07:51] Why we feel more “rooted” around trees than houseplants[09:47] Can trees actually touch us back? The TikTok tree trend[11:27] The science of tree communication: phytochemicals and warning signals[13:21] How trees share resources underground via the mycelial network[14:52] Wind River Chimes[16:39] AI, bioelectricity & PlantWave technology[19:44] How can we deepen our connection with trees?[22:52] How different people experience tree messages (clairvoyant, clairsentient, claircognizant)[26:22] Different ways to build a connection with a tree[31:32] Looking up tree symbolism after following intuition[33:51] How nature speaks before you even know what it means[36:15] Rachael’s breathwork experience and grounding through a tree[37:50] Where did the term “tree hugger” come from?[39:16] A simple challenge for you[42:36] Where can you find Rachael’s socials and her upcoming offers?Mentioned in our conversation:Join Rachael’s Intuitive Moon CommunityAmazing Tree Touching Experience - Join the Challenge! | TikTokBook: The Overstory by Richard PowersBook: Self-Care for Eco-Anxiety by Rachael CohenBook: Everyday Plant Magic by Rachael CohenPlantWaveProject gives 200-year-old Dublin tree 'a voice'Growing Joy Episode 277: What Are Flower Essences and How Can They Help Me? with Katie Hess of LotusweiGrowing Joy Episode 294: I Found 22 Ducklings on My Roof: A Nature-Curious Story of Trust and TransformationTo discover the magical world of communicating with trees,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Rachael:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeThank you to our episode sponsor:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes. Follow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Small Scale Homesteading for Beginners: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Small Scale Homesteading for Beginners: Best of Growing Joy Replay
    Jul 10 2025
    Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a homesteader? A growing number of people are turning to self-sufficiency and sustainability in their way of living. However, homesteading can seem intimidating, especially when social media portrays it as an exclusive lifestyle requiring acres of land and living off the grid. The good news is that it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle! In this episode, learn how Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn, co-authors of the book Small Scale Homesteading and absolute BFFs, are making homesteading accessible to everyone—no matter how much land you have. They share their experiences with gardening, chicken keeping, maple sugaring, and more, all while living on less than an acre in the suburbs of Minneapolis. In this episode, we learn:[06:43] Stephanie & Michelle’s homesteading journey[13:08] The challenges of gardening in different regions (know your last frost date)[16:24] How Stephanie & Michelle’s friendship and shared interests led to their book “Small-Scale Homesteading”[17:51] What is the role of community in their homesteading journeys?[24:32] What is the difference between gardening and homesteading?[26:40] What inspired Michelle and Stephanie’s move from gardening to homesteading[30:50] Tips for transitioning from gardening to homesteading[40:21] Michelle on seed starting[43:36] What are the easiest seeds to save?[44:59] How can you preserve your homegrown food?[46:45] Fermentation vs pickling[48:36] What is water bath canning?[51:21] Things you should know about raising chickens![01:01:13] Further homesteading stories and experiences from Michelle & StephanieMentioned in our conversation:Book by Stephanie Thurow & Michelle Bruhn Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and MoreCan It & Ferment It: More Than 75 Satisfying Small-Batch Canning and Fermentation Recipes for the Whole YearWECK Home Preserving: Made-from-Scratch Recipes for Water-Bath Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and MoreWECK Small-Batch Preserving: Year-Round Recipes for Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and MoreFood Preservation Cookbooks by Stephanie Thurow: Chicken Pens at Tractor Supply Co.Ready to start your homesteading journey?Check out the full show notes and blog for the best beginner tips!Follow Stephanie:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeFollow Michelle:WebsiteFacebookInstagramFollow 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 LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Mindblowing Facts About Plants Outside Your Door: 11 Garden Plants with Superpowers

    Mindblowing Facts About Plants Outside Your Door: 11 Garden Plants with Superpowers
    Jul 8 2025
    Did you know that some common outdoor plants have superpowers? Some can survive atomic bombing, clean up radiation, and even outsmart insects. This is Part 2 of my conversation with David Domoney, author of Plants with Superpowers, about the superpowers of outdoor plants. These plants can completely change how you walk down the street and look at nature.Listen to Part 1 of our conversation about indoor plant superpowers here.In this episode, we learn:[02:19] Welcome to part 2 with David Domoney[03:29] How did ginkgo trees survive Hiroshima?[06:08] How do sunflowers purify radioactive and toxic soil?[08:24] How magnolias trap beetles for pollination[09:31] Calming lavender vs. stimulating lavender[11:02] David’s lavender gin and tonic recipe![13:32] Raspberries with a surprise twist[13:54] Bee orchid's mimicry superpower[14:51] Espoma Organic's[16:14] How do walnuts help our brain?[17:23] Hedgehog Holly's shape-shifting defense mechanism[19:24] Can blueberries help with belly fat?[20:53] What makes rosemary so powerful for memory and wellness?[24:03] Did Roman gladiators really chew parsley for strength?[25:13] Curly vs. flat leaf parsley differences[27:43] Where can you find David's socials and book?Mentioned in our conversation:Plants with Superpowers: 75 Remarkable Plants for your Garden and HomeGrowing Joy Episode 296: How to Grow Lavender with Rebecca of Lavender ConnectionGrowing Joy Episode 292: 7 Houseplants with Superpowers with David DomoneyCurious to know which outdoor plant in your area has superpowers?Check out the full show notes and blog here for David's list!Follow David:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeTikTokPinterestXThank you to our episode sponsor:Espoma OrganicMake sure your garden plants are maintaining their superpowers by using organic gardening products! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront. Follow Maria and Growing Joy:Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaOur Sponsors:* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins

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