Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness

Plants just help liven up any space, that’s a fact. And I don't know if you know this, but I suck at interior design. It does not come naturally to me. I often overlook details—and interior design in general is about the details. I came to houseplants for the aesthetic because plants seem to be the common thread of all the design magazines, articles, and inspirations that I was reading as I was curating my apartment in New York City.
And when you have a lot of houseplants, that can create a chaotic, cluttered interior. That's why I'm sitting down with interior design expert and my friend, Betsy Helmuth, the founder of Uploft Interior Design and the host of the Affordable Interior Design podcast to discuss some basic interior design principles that we can tailor specifically for houseplant lovers.

In this episode, we learn:[04:21] What exactly is the focus of Betsy's Uploft Interior Design?[06:45] How to find your interior style[10:26] What are the most popular interior design styles?[14:01] Nature-based aesthetics you should keep our eyes out for[15:25] Give the gift of peace and beauty this summer with a personalized Wind River Chime![17:00] Grow happier houseplants with Espoma Organic's high quality gardening products![20:37] How do you blend two different interior design styles using a 'two-word phrase' approach?[27:54] Why choosing an inspiration piece is important[29:02] How to choose the right color palettes[33:18] Styling with plants and pots[34:59] What is the 60-30-10 rule?[39:32] Other rules and guidelines for starting interior design projects[43:03] How plant placement affects interior design choices[46:19] What are the common mistakes people make with art/wall decor?[48:45] Tips for people who are scared to get art[50:54] Innovative planter solutions[53:06] What can you do in the bedroom to make it cozy?[58:43] Where can you find Betsy on social media?
Mentioned in our conversation:Affordable Interior Design: High-End Tips for Any Budget by Betsy HelmuthApartment TherapyHouzzWest ElmPottery BarnWorld MarketAptDecoJustina Blakeney (@justinablakeney)The New Bohemians by Justina BlakeneyEco Wall Planters by WallyGrow
For Betsy's expert tips on easy and affordable home decor,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Betsy:
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Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.
Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:
Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!
Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!
Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria
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Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria
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I have always been a fan of ferns, but for some reason, I could never manage to keep them alive. But those days are over, and I have done a complete 180 on ferns! If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you've probably heard me say how I don't like ferns and how they're just not my recommended houseplant. However, for the past year or so, I've been successfully caring for ferns, and I'm obsessed. I've learned so much, and I can't wait to share my top tips with you!

In this episode, we learn:[00:10] Ferns 101[04:03] How resilient are ferns?[05:00] What are the brown spots you see on ferns?[05:34] Are ferns a good choice for a home with limited natural light?[06:32] How should you water your ferns?[07:33] The right kind of pots to use[09:13] How sphagnum moss helps keep ferns healthy[09:51] How important is the humidity for ferns?[11:40] What are the benefits of grouping plants together?[12:09] How to fertilize your fern[12:39] How to prune ferns[14:04] Troubleshooting tips for ferns[16:43] Proven Winners Leafjoy Fern species[17:49] What ferns are not recommended for beginners?[19:27] Ferns to bring home: Bird's nest fern[20:35] Ferns to bring home: Rabbit's foot fern[21:43] Ferns to bring home: Boston fern/Lemon button fern[22:15] Ferns to bring home: Staghorn fern
Mentioned in our conversation:Self-watering plantersCeramic potSphagnum mossGlass clocheGrow lightsEspoma Organic Indoor! Plant FoodBird’s Nest Ferns: Living Lace® Victoria, Living Lace® HurricaneLiving Lace® Davana - Blue Star Fern/Rabbit's FootEmerald Vase - Boston FernLiving Lace® Cute as a Button™ - Button FernLiving Lace® Sword Dance™ - Staghorn Fern
For all of my foolproof tips on fern care,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsor:Proven WinnersIf you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!
Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!

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
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Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria
Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com
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Our Sponsors:
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Can you feel that summer energy in the air? The summer solstice is upon us—the longest day of the year and the official start of the summer season. For us plant parents, this transition is everything. All our patient tending in the spring is paying off as our gardens burst into full bloom.
The summer solstice is a powerful energetic pivot point that I always like to honor and celebrate. And I am so delighted to have my dear friend Rachael of Our Infinite Nature join us again in this episode! Rachael is our resident modern green witch—she has such a beautiful way of connecting plants, nature, and spirituality. In our conversation, we explored what the solstice means from an energetic and astrological perspective, and how we can align ourselves with these potent seasonal energies.

In this episode, we learn:[05:00] What does summer mean to Rachael?[05:27] What is the energy of summer?[06:30] Why fire is vital for growth in plants and humans[10:24] What is the difference between spring's action-taking energy and summer's action-maintaining energy?[15:03] Make any summer gift unforgettable with a personalized Wind River Chime![16:38] Take the stress out of summer gardening with Crescent Garden TrueDrop Self Watering Planters![19:19] What's going on astrologically these days?[23:13] Is fire energy out of balance in our world, leading to burnout?[24:13] How can we use the elements (earth, water, fire, air) to address burnout, especially during the summer solstice? (and a little bit of meditation!)[29:57] Feed your plants with Espoma Organic for beautiful summer blooms and delicious harvests![31:42] What are some ways to work with the element of air?[32:27] Connecting with the elements: water, earth, air[38:03] How do you ritualize the summer solstice?[41:25] Where can you find Rachael on social media?[41:52] Summer solstice meditation
Mentioned in our conversation:DIY Spring Flower Crown | Easy Craft Tutorial!Growing Joy Ep 234: Eco Anxiety with RachaelGrowing Joy Ep 223: Cultivating Intuition with Nature with RachaelGrowing Joy Ep 223: Plant Magic: How to Be a Green Witch with Rachael
For Rachael's recommendations on balancing the different elements this solstice,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Rachael:
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Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.
Crescent GardenFor a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.
Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:
Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!
Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!
Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria
Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria
Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria
Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com
Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria


Our Sponsors:
* Check out Equilibria and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: www.myeq.com


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Some of my happiest childhood memories are of my mom's garden bursting with homegrown flower bouquets. Whenever we had visitors, she'd snip whatever was in bloom, bundle it up with herbs from her kitchen garden, wrap it in a wet paper towel and tinfoil, and gift it to our guests. I just thought it was the simplest, kindest way to grow joy for herself and for her friends—and that's the beauty of growing cut flowers.
Speaking of beauty, I couldn’t get enough of this episode’s guest and her amazing book! Lisa Ziegler is the founder of The Gardener's Workshop and the author of the book I just devoured, ‘The Cut Flower Handbook.’ We had a high-level overview of what you need to know if you want to delve into cut flower gardening!

In this episode, we learn:[04:13] What sparked Lisa's desire to grow cut flowers?[07:32] How did Lisa's hobby bloom into a flower farm?[10:23] Are spacing guidelines for cutting gardens important?[13:07] What is the best place for a cutting garden, and why is it different from where you usually plant flowers?[17:00] Where to get hassle-free self-watering planters[18:42] The best indoor and outdoor gardening products for you[21:08] What is Lisa’s garden zone?[21:47] Which cut flowers are best for beginners?[27:10] What are the recommended filler flowers to grow with Zinnias?[28:13] What are the benefits of starting seeds indoors versus direct sowing in the garden?[31:46] Annuals vs perennials[34:10] What are magnet plants?[37:17] Tps for setting up a low-maintenance cutting garden for beginners[45:49] How and when should you pinch plants in a cutting garden?[50:38] Is there a rule of thumb for how many leaves to leave when pinching or cutting back annuals in a cutting garden?[51:25] What are the biggest mistakes people make during harvesting?[55:59] Why are Bells of Ireland a coveted flower (and what is the secret to growing them)?[57:11] How can zone six growers use large grow bags to create a cutting garden with transplants and direct-sown seeds?[01:02:57] Poppy vs cosmos: which is easier to grow?[01:04:22] Where can you find Lisa on the internet?
Mentioned in our conversation:Lisa Ziegler’s books:The Cut Flower HandbookCool FlowersVegetables Love FlowersSunflower, ProCut Orange ExcelBenary’s Giant Zinnia Seed, Mixed ColorsBasil, Mrs. Burns' Lemon
For Lisa's expert flower gardening tips,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Lisa:
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Thank you to our episode sponsors:Crescent GardenFor a limited time only, head to growingjoywithmaria.com/crescentgarden and use code GROWJOY15 to curate your dream garden today.
Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:
Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!
Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!
Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria
Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria
Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria
Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com
Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria


Our Sponsors:
* Check out Equilibria and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: www.myeq.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Moving is such a pain in the neck. Packing boxes, saying goodbye to familiar surroundings, and navigating new neighborhoods—it's enough to make anyone break a sweat. But you know what can be worse than that, plant friends? Moving with houseplants!
If you know, you know, and if you haven't moved with your houseplant collection yet, consider yourself lucky. Our guest today just moved across countries and into a different garden zone. We've both moved multiple times in the last few years, dragging our plant collections of over a hundred plants each, far and wide. This conversation with Becca from Becca De La Plants was also very heartfelt, as we discussed not only moving with plants but also how it relates to our lives.

In this episode, we learn:[03:32] What have the last couple of years looked like for Becca?[06:08] How does it feel to move into a completely different garden zone? (from zone 9 to 6)[09:06] Did Tucson spark Becca's gardening passion, or was it the Missouri land?[15:33] Make this summer unforgettable with personalized Wind River Chimes![17:04] Discover how tending to your houseplants can improve your well-being with "Happy Plants, Happy You" by Kamili Bell Hill[18:06] How Becca’s houseplant collection changed since she moved to Missouri[19:56] How does Becca divide her time between plants, work, and her baby?[22:00] How did Becca decide which plants to keep when moving?[26:36] Maria’s method of moving plants[31:03] New home, new garden? Discover new gardening essentials at Gardener's Supply Company[33:52] Moving is stressful, let’s admit that[34:31] What other things should you do on moving day?[37:19] What difficulties arise in Becca's first month of adjusting to her new home?[41:58] Maria’s evolving home setups for podcasting[46:21] How life phases (motherhood, new homes, and personal growth) influence changes in style and confidence?[52:07] Becca’s profound experience with a plant that shifted her perspective on life[58:07] Advice for people moving to a completely different place[01:01:37] Take advice from the old ladies at a garden center[01:02:53] Where can you find Becca on social media?
Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep 151: Beginner's Guide to GreenhousesInterview with Maria: Planty Chat & How to Plan a Plant Event
For Becca's moving experience and tips,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Becca:
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Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.
Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.
Quarto: Happy Plants, Happy You by Kamili Bell HillCheck out Happy Plants, Happy You at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, Barnes and Noble, or amazon.com.

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


Our Sponsors:
* Check out Equilibria and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: www.myeq.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

While we are stewards of the land, we are also stewards of the native animals that call it home. And birds, with their declining population, need our help to keep them flying high in our shared environment. Our responsibility is to protect their home, provide them with food, and minimize the threats they face.
When I realized there was someone else who shares my deep passion for birds AND gardens, and that she wrote a whole book on making bird-friendly gardens, I knew I needed to meet and befriend her immediately. So in this episode, Jen McGuinness, aka Frau Zinnie, talks all about optimizing our gardens for our birds.
If you follow me on social media, you know that I'm a crazy bird lady. I think Frankie, my parakeet, knows that this episode is special because he’s especially loud behind the scenes.

In this episode, we learn:[05:29] How Jen became a plant/bird lady[08:08] What is Jen’s gateway bird?[09:31] What does bird-friendly gardening mean (beyond the bird feeder)?[13:17] How will a bird-friendly garden help you and your garden?[14:12] What is a native plant?[15:26] Bring the soothing sounds of summer to your loved ones with Wind River Chimes[17:01] From balconies to backyards, grow your best garden yet with Gardener's Supply Company[18:37] What do birds eat?[23:07] What are the 4 major flight paths used by migratory birds?[28:48] What can we put in our gardens to help birds build nests?[31:41] Should you add a nesting box to your garden?[33:28] Nourish your plants and attract birds with safe, organic Espoma products.[35:27] How should you set up your bird baths?[40:36] How should you create a bird-friendly feeder setup in your garden?[45:02] How to choose bird-friendly native plants for your growing zone[54:28] What are some easy DIY projects to attract birds to a small balcony/garden plot?[57:53] Where can you find Jen and her book?
Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep 220: How to Make a Tiny Meadow in Your Yard with Graham Laird GardnerBirdCastMerlin Bird IDBirdsyBird BuddyNational Audubon SocietyUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapThe Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, by Doug TallamyBird-Friendly Gardening, by Jen McGuinnessMicro Food Gardening, by Jen McGuinness
For Jen's tips on how to attract more birds to your garden,check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Jen:
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X

Thank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.
Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.
Espoma OrganicVisit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:
Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung
Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!
Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)
Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!
Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria
Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria
Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria
Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com
Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria


Our Sponsors:
* Check out Equilibria and use my code BLOOM for a great deal: www.myeq.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands