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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  • Summary

  • 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
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Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
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Episodes
  • Plant Mythbusters: Debunking 5 Viral Plant Hacks with The Chocolate Botanist

    Plant Mythbusters: Debunking 5 Viral Plant Hacks with The Chocolate Botanist
    Apr 29 2025

    Have you ever seen one of those viral plant hack videos where someone sprinkles banana peels in their soil or ices their orchid? If you’re wondering if they work, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because the answer is no. Sorry, plant friends.

    In this episode, I will be separating fact from fiction with my dear friend, Derek Haynes aka The Chocolate Botanist. Derek is a plant biologist who’s not afraid to call out the myths, explain the real science behind plant care, and help us simplify things.

    Let’s bust 5 of the biggest houseplant myths floating around online.

    In this episode, we learn:
    • [01:03] Meet Derek, the Chocolate Botanist
    • [08:03] Fighting misinformation online
    • [10:37] Does banana water work?
    • [15:15] Simplify your plant care with Espoma Organic’s high quality products!
    • [18:05] Which fertilizer is perfect for you?
    • [20:53] Do coffee grounds work?
    • [25:09] Do eggshells work?
    • [28:36] Is it effective to water plants with ice cubes?


    Mentioned in our conversation:
    • Growing Joy Ep. 283: From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 Houseplant Trends, Plant Care Tips & Plant Fail Confessions From the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
    • Growing Joy Ep. 116: Houseplant Identification Basics from Derek from The Crazy Botanist


    Get all the myth-busting goodness in one place...

    Check out the full show notes and blog here!


    Follow Derek The Chocolate Botanist:

    Instagram

    YouTube

    Facebook

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    Thank you to our episode sponsor:Espoma Organic

    As we welcome the season of growing and gardening, make sure you're using nontoxic products in the garden! Espoma Organic is dedicated to making safe indoor and outdoor gardening products for people, pets, and the planet. They have an amazing variety of high-quality, organic potting mixes, garden soil, fertilizers, and pest control products that are organic and eco-friendly. To top it all off, they have a huge sustainability commitment with a 100% solar-powered plant, zero waste manufacturing, and eco-friendly packaging.

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


    Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

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


    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



    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    36 mins
  • Why Politicians Should Be Gardeners: An Invitation to Rethink Leadership Through the Wisdom of Nature

    Why Politicians Should Be Gardeners: An Invitation to Rethink Leadership Through the Wisdom of Nature
    Apr 22 2025

    Why should politicians become gardeners? No, this is not a political post. No, I didn’t lose it! We will not be talking about sides. This is about healing, connection, and what we can learn from our gardens and our plants in a time where it feels like everything is falling apart.

    Lately, I’ve been feeling this weight from watching the world spin in chaos and there’s disconnection, judgment, overwhelm, and division everywhere. We have a connection deficiency. And I’m starting to believe, with every fiber of my being, that if our leaders gardened, if all of use gardened, the world would be a kinder/greener place!

    In this episode, we learn:
    • [02:06] Gardening as a healing tool
    • [04:21] What does reciprocity teach us?
    • [05:08] What are some leadership lessons from gardening?
    • [06:11] #1 Listening on a deeper level
    • [08:01] #2 Patience and long-term thinking
    • [10:17] #3 Cycles, perspectives, and resilience
    • [11:05] #4 Nurturing vs. controlling
    • [12:18] #5 Companion planting and community
    • [14:23] Lessons from mycorrhizal networks and pollinators
    • [16:45] Compost, death, and growth from failure
    • [18:24] What if we all lived like gardeners?


    Want to rethink leadership through gardening?

    Check out the full show notes and blog here!


    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 Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

    Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

    Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

    Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

    Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

    Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria



    Our Sponsors:
    * Check out Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style
    * Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    22 mins
  • Growing Dahlias Made Easy: How to Grow Stunning Blooms from Tuber to Flower

    Growing Dahlias Made Easy: How to Grow Stunning Blooms from Tuber to Flower
    Apr 15 2025
    “To know a Dahlia is to love a Dahlia.” And once you grow one, it’s like all your other flowers just kind of fade into the background. There’s just something about them. One of my most favorite flowers I have ever grown is a Dahlia called Kogane Fubuki. It was this magical pink and yellow ombre bloom that literally stopped me in my tracks every time I stepped onto my patio.And I want you to have those magical Dahlia moments too! So I brought on Anne from The Dahlia House to walk us through every step of Dahlia care. Her story is as gorgeous as her blooms, and she generously spilled all her tips to help us get the most out of our Dahlias this year.In this episode, we learn:[02:36] Meet Anne from the Dahlia House[03:07] How did Anne become the Dahlia lady?[06:05] Anne’s current dahlia collection and other plants[08:44] Why are dahlias popular?[11:43] What are some tips for growing dahlias successfully?[15:05] Show your parents you care this Mother's Day or Father's Day with a soothing Wind River Chime![16:53] What are ways to start dahlias indoors?[20:16] How should dahlias be planted with regard to their "eyes"?[21:50] How can you get your dahlias to bloom a lot?[26:32] Tips for cutting off dahlias and extending vase life[28:23] What are the light and water requirements for dahlias?[30:26] Container growing and spacing[32:17] How to choose the right dahlia variety for you[36:02] What are some common mistakes that new Dahlia growers make?[36:55] How to fertilize your dahlia[38:32] Anne’s favorite Dahlia varieties and trends[39:57] Where can you find Anne and The Dahlia House?[40:56] Recommended flowers to grow in Jupiter, FloridaMentioned in our conversation:Monterey Sluggo® PlusKristine Albrecht - Dahlias (@santacruzdahlias)CalMag Pro Hydroponic and Soil Nutrient Fertilizer for Plants Calcium and Magnesium BoosterThe Dahlia House’s collectionsWhat part of the Dahlia growing process has you the most excited?Check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank 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 Armoire and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: https://www.armoire.style* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOMAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins

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