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
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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

  1. 20H AGO

    Biophilic Design Explained: Boost Mental Health With Nature At Home

    Does this design decision bring me closer to nature? When I started renovating our new home a few months ago, I wasn’t going to make a single design choice without asking this question. This lens is called biophilic design, and I actually had an episode about it before! But to talk about it more, I’ve invited Oliver Heath, an architect, designer, and thought leader in biophilic design. Oliver is based in England, studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, runs his own biophilic design consultancy, and has spent decades translating this science from large-scale commercial buildings into something the rest of us can actually use. He also wrote a book called Design a Healthy Home. Let's dive in!   In this episode, we learn: [02:46] How did Oliver discover biophilic design? [05:30] Is biophilic design taught in architecture school? [07:34] How Oliver’s consulting firm applies nature to large commercial spaces [10:05] Why happy people are more productive [11:47] How biophilic design is trickling down to residential housing and communities [13:52] What is the true definition of biophilic design? [15:10] Espoma Organic [17:31] The "always on" urban environments [19:09] How nature affects property values, crime rates, and education [24:41] The three key elements of biophilic design [27:04] The true foundation of designing a space [29:41] How to approach indoor airflow, fresh air, and scent [31:32] Moving beyond technical checklists to the sensory quality of a building [32:31] How to make your home more biophilic [34:31] Tips for managing artificial light and circadian rhythms at home [40:00] Picking colors based on positive nature experiences? (Ecological Valence Theory) [44:02] Incorporating ‘haptic invitations’ and natural materials into your spaces [45:34] How an autistic school in London used biophilic niches to create a safe sensory environment [48:22] How to safely incorporate the sound and feel of water indoors [51:55] Check out Oliver’s book ‘Design a Healthy Home’ [53:45] Check out Oliver’s online course! [55:36] Oliver’s favorite biophilic features in his own home [57:08] Where to find Oliver, his book, and the Biophilic Design School!   Mentioned in our conversation: Design A Healthy Home by Oliver Heath Oliver Heath Design School The Hackney Garden School Project International WELL Building Institute Seattle Spheres Lumie® | Wake-Up Light Alarm Clocks for Better Sleep + Waking   Incorporate nature into your home with easy but key biophilic tips from Oliver, check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow Oliver:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn   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.

    1h 1m

  2. 5D AGO ·  BONUS

    The Wild Truth About Plant Intelligence and Human Connection: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    What if your houseplants are doing so much more than just looking pretty on your windowsill? What if they’re actually communicating, sensing their environment, and responding in ways we’re only beginning to understand? In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I sit down with Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence, co-authors of Planta Sapiens, to explore plant intelligence, plant behavior, and the big question: do plants have feelings and some form of plant consciousness? We talk about how plants sense their surroundings, how they “decide” where to grow, and what our human-plant connection can teach us about slowing down and reconnecting with nature. If you’ve ever wondered whether your plants notice you, or what’s really going on inside your favorite vining houseplants, this conversation will totally change how you see every plant in your home and garden!   In this episode, we learn: [06:32] Who is Professor Paco Palvo? [07:01] Why is MINT Lab in the philosophy department instead of the plant science department? [09:28] Who is Natalie Lawrence?  [10:00] The relationship between animals and plants: biophilia [13:34] What is anthropophilia? [16:26] What role do houseplants play in our relationship with nature? [18:04] How humans have shaped the phenotype, or characteristics, of plants through agriculture [20:09] What special message would you engrave on your wind chime? [22:40] The best way to sleep better and feel calmer naturally in no time! [25:58] Different types of intelligence displayed by plants [26:39] How do we see from a plant’s perspective? [27:27] Tip 1: Observe the plants’ behavior through time-lapse photography [27:45] Tip 2: Monitor the plants’ electrophysiological states [28:14] Tip 3: Observe the plant holistically through naked eyes (the most important!) [32:41] Melatonin synthesis in plants: what we can learn  [34:57] How vines (climbing plants) have evolved to locate host trees through senses like “sniffing” [36:59] Where to get the best quality and variety of seeds for ease of planting experience this year! [38:35] Sourcing a wide variety of high-quality soil, fertilizer, potty mix, and more! [40:24] What are some of the ways vines (climbing plants) can find their host trees? [42:04] Are plants smarter? (Hint: It’s not what you think!) [44:07] What are the limits of technology when it comes to understanding plant intelligence? [46:56] Do plants have feelings?  [50:24] Do plants understand music? [53:35] What is plant blindness?   Mentioned in our conversation: Planta Sapiens: The New Science of Plant Intelligence, book by Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence MINT Lab / Minimal Intelligence Lab How society makes monsters, TEDx talk by Natalie Lawrence BBC Wildlife – Natalie Lawrence  BBC Woman's Hour “The unicorn – a symbol of our times?” with Natalie Lawrence Natalie Lawrence on Aeon Magazine   Do you think your houseplants can actually sense what’s happening around them? Check out the full show notes and blog for a deeper look at plant intelligence and consciousness!   Follow Paco: MINT Lab Follow Natalie: Website X Linkedin     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.

    48 min

  3. MAY 19

    Beneficial Insect Consult on My Greenwall with DMV Beneficials

    Do you have the guts to release beneficial insects in your home? I recently invited Jamie, the co-founder of DMV Beneficials, into my studio to do exactly that. We spent the afternoon performing a professional consultation on my green wall. We examined my alocasia, philodendron, hoya, and more under a microscope to see what was really going on. We found broad mites, spider mite eggs, and a possible infestation starting on my rabbit's foot fern. It was a little scary, but probably the best way to recreate nature right in our living rooms is to release these beneficial insects. You can watch the full video of our release on my YouTube channel if you want to see these bugs in action!   In this episode, we learn: [02:03] What to expect from this unique live-audio episode [07:04] Meet Jamie from DMV Beneficials and what her company offers! [08:46] What are beneficial insects? [09:53] How Jamie conducts a live pest diagnostic check [12:27] What kind of microscope should you use to look for pests? [14:05] Why we start diagnostics with plants like Alocasia and Philodendron [15:35] Manukora [17:20] How to identify eggs vs. dust [19:45] Is it normal to see pests on your plants? [22:12] Checking for thrips on a philodendron [24:24] Are beneficial bugs safe to use in a home with birds and pets? [24:49] Identifying broad mites and how they get inside your home [27:40] What to look for when checking Hoyas for flat mites [29:48] Checking my fern for pests [32:58] How to use keystone plants to assess your plant population health [33:26] How to release soil predators (Stratiolaelaps) to your pots [35:22] How to aesthetically place and hang beneficial insect sachets [39:02] Treating ferns and hoyas with the beneficial insects! [43:21] How to safely release lacewings to your plants [46:44] How to use a hex cell to treat 60 plants with one release [49:19] Where to find Jamie, DMV Beneficials, and local bug chapters!   Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy 272: Beneficial Insects For Effortless Houseplant Pest Management with Jamie of DMV Beneficials The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Pests DMV Beneficials Shop Neem Oil Lacewing Larvae in Hexcell (400 Count) Cryptolaemus Larvae in Bottle (250 Count) Stratiolaelaps Mites in Bottle (12500/25000/125000)   If you're curious to know which beneficials work for your houseplants, check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow DMV Beneficials: WebsiteInstagramFacebookXYouTube   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.

    55 min

  4. MAY 14 ·  BONUS

    The Hydrangea Care Secrets Behind Those Massive Summer Blooms: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    To me, a hedge of hydrangea is one of the most iconic things you can do for your garden. They're epic, gorgeous, and yes, they have a reputation for being a little high maintenance. But once you set them up for success, hydrangeas can be one of the easiest flowering shrubs to grow. In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I'm sitting down with Ryan McEnaney aka @ryanplantsplants a fifth-generation member of Bailey Nurseries and the face behind the best-selling Endless Summer Hydrangeas collection. Ryan breaks down everything from the 4 main hydrangea varieties and the number one pruning mistake killing your blooms, to soil pH secrets for changing your flower color, fertilizing tips, and how reblooming varieties can flower every month. If you already have a hydrangea in your garden, it's going to be so much happier this year. And if you don't have one yet? You just might be inspired to bring one home!   In this episode, we learn: [06:13] What has Ryan’s plant parent journey looked like? [09:54] What are the 4 main species of hydrangea? [13:42] Understanding bloom cycles for pruning [16:56] Say goodbye to balcony watering stress this summer with self-watering planters! [17:23] Learn how to create the perfect cutting garden for bouquets with The Cut Flower Handbook [18:25] What is the blooming cycle of hydrangeas? [20:09] When should you prune hydrangeas? [22:40] How does soil affect the color of Hydrangea macrophylla blooms? [28:58] What should you know about planting hydrangeas in the ground? [30:12] What’s the general light guideline? [30:42] Common mistakes people make with planting hydrangea [31:23] Get everything you need, from containers to raised beds, with Gardener's Supply Company [32:40] Check your hydrangeas’ soil acidity with Espoma Organics [34:30] Why is it important to choose hydrangeas with flower buds? [42:42] How to extend the length of hydrangea blooms [48:26] Where can you find Ryan on social media? [48:43] Where can you get Ryan’s book ‘Field Guide to Outside Style’?   Mentioned in our conversation: Northwest Flower and Garden Show Bailey Nurseries First Editions Youtube: 210 How to Grow Citrus Indoors Pop Star® Reblooming Hydrangea Endless Summer Hydrangeas Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier Espoma Organic Garden Lime Espoma Organic Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer Espoma Organic Rose-tone Organic Fertilizer ‘Limelight' – Panicle Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Strawberry™ Panicle Hydrangea   Have you been struggling to get your hydrangeas to bloom? Check out the full show notes and blog for everything you need to know about hydrangea care, pruning, and soil!   Follow Ryan Website Instagram 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.

    44 min

  5. MAY 12

    How to Grow Sweet Peas, The World's Most Nostalgic Flower

    Don't sweet peas have the most amazing floral scent? I remember them as a scent before I ever knew them as a flower, like the Bath & Body Works body spray that no other brands can seem to replicate. Then I realized I had never actually done an episode on these before, so there’s no better time than to invite my dear plant friend, Marryn Mathis, the Sweet Pea Queen, to share her story! Marryn quit a 21-year IT career, moved her family onto raw land in a 28-foot travel trailer, and built The Farmhouse Flower Farm from the ground up. She's now growing 40,000 sweet pea seedlings a season, breeding her own varieties, and just wrote a book on the subject! Let's get growing!   In this episode, we learn: [02:49] Meet Marryn Mathis, the Sweet Pea Queen! [06:51] Growing flowers at scale without formal training [08:12] Growing cut flowers for florists vs. harvesting seeds for sale [09:14] What’s her process of breeding and naming a new Sweet Pea variety? [10:52] Why Sweet Pea deserves more popularity! [13:38] What’s the history behind Sweet Pea? (Hint: It started in Sicily!) [15:37] Lisa Ziegler’s Cut Flower Handbook [16:55] Espoma Organic [18:47] How sweet peas migrated from garden fixtures into the cut flower industry [19:38] What is the sweet pea fragrance scale and how do you differentiate them? [21:31] Spencer sweet peas vs. other varieties [22:37] How to grow sweet peas in hot climates and warmer zones (like Florida and Texas) [24:31] Starting sweet peas from seed vs. buying garden center seedlings [24:45] How to start sweet peas from seed [26:25] The #1 mistake people make when growing sweet peas [27:06] The 55-degree germination temperature for sweet pea seeds [29:51] When to transplant indoor-started sweet peas [31:27] How sunlight and location impact the lifespan of your sweet peas [32:58] How to set up drip irrigation for sweet pea beds [36:17] How to create a magical "Sweet Pea Tunnel" with cattle panels [37:15] What are the biggest mistakes beginners make with sweet peas? [39:45] Some cutting tips for sweet peas [41:38] Is there a way to preserve sweet pea scent after cutting? [41:51] What are the best workhorse sweet pea varieties for beginners? [45:30] Where to find Marryn, her seeds, and her farm! [46:10] Check out their new storefront on their farm!   Mentioned in our conversation: Sweet Pea School Book by Marryn Mathis PRO-MIX Potting Mix Espoma Potting Soil Mix Growing Joy 246: What is Regenerative Gardening and Permaculture? with Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy   For Marryn's trusted advice on how to grow sweet peas, check out the full show notes and blog here!   Follow Marryn:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeShop   Thank you to our episode sponsors: Quarto: The Cut Flower Handbook by Lisa M Ziegler Pick up The Cut Flower Handbook at your favorite local bookstore, quarto.com, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble or amazon.com. 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.

    54 min

  6. MAY 7 ·  BONUS

    Grow Your Own Salad: How to Grow Lettuce from Seed to Harvest: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    If you knew where most grocery store lettuce comes from and what it goes through before it lands in that plastic box, you’d never look at bagged salad the same way again. In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m sharing a practical, beginner-friendly guide on how to grow lettuce from seed so you can harvest fresh, crunchy salad greens right outside your door with my friend and garden coach, Nicole Burke of Gardener. We talk about simple ways to grow lettuce in raised beds, containers, grow bags, and even tiny balconies, so you can enjoy homegrown salads on repeat all season long! Nicole breaks down the different types of lettuce and salad greens, when to direct sow seeds versus starting them indoors, and the watering routine that actually keeps those shallow roots happy. We also chat about easy organic pest strategies, smart spacing, and how to harvest lettuce so it keeps growing back, giving you that dreamy cut-and-come-again salad garden. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel confident starting lettuce from seed and excited to swap those plastic boxes for vibrant, living greens just a few steps from your kitchen!   In this episode, we learn: [00:03] Maria shares indoor hydroponic lettuce growth and outdoor lettuce garden prep. [06:02] Why lettuce is ideal for first-time food-growing houseplant parents. [06:53] What is Gardenary all about? [08:23] How Nicole makes beautiful raised-bed gardens [14:19] Where are 98% of the United States lettuces grown? [17:01] What materials are needed for lettuce? [20:47] Where can you find a wide array of quality lettuce seeds and seed mixes? [23:27] Where to get a potting mix, soil, fertilizer, or compost for your garden beds/containers? [25:15] What lettuce does Nicole recommend for beginners? [24:34] Lettuce Category #1: Loose leaf [29:15] Lettuce Category #2: Head lettuce [31:09] Is Nicole indoor-starting or direct-sowing lettuce? [32:32] How do you calculate when it's time to start direct sowing? [35:55] What is the process of growing lettuce from seed? [36:14] Process #1: If you have limited space [40:40] Where to find a nutrition program for weight management, more energy, and clear skin? [42:55] Process #2: If you live in an apartment [46:01] What are Nicole’s tips for harvesting? [47:53] What mistakes do people commonly make in growing lettuce? [49:58] How to eat Swiss chard [52:23] Have you heard of Nicole’s newest book Kitchen Garden Revival? [57:45] Where can you follow Nicole?   Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy Episode 120 Designing and Planning My Garden // Coaching With Nicole of Gardenary Ivette Soler’s book The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden Hydroponic planter Nicole Burke’s book Kitchen Garden Revival Nicole’s Burke’s book Leaves, Roots & Fruit Rocky Top Mix Salad Blend Territorial Seed Company Spring Mixes Martha Stewart's book Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors: A Cookbook 10 Years, 4 Cities, 8 Gardens-Nicole Burke's Kitchen Garden Journey   Craving fresher, crunchier salads straight from your garden? Check out the full show notes and blog for my favorite beginner lettuce varieties, seed-starting tips, and easy harvest tricks!   Follow Nicole Website Twitter Facebook 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min

  7. MAY 5

    Monarch Butterflies, Growing Milkweed, And The Power Of Plant People

    Why are monarch butterflies so special? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know my answer. The monarch butterfly has completely taken over my heart. I literally dressed up as one for Halloween this year, and I have zero regrets! Ever since my husband and I moved to Florida, I started planting milkweed just to watch them hatch in my own yard. And wow. Seeing their life cycle happen right in front of me made me think deeply about gardening. It also made me realize I had a lot to learn. So I called up my favorite wildlife nerd, David Mizejewski, and we spent a whole podcast episode just geeking out about monarch butterflies together! Let's dive in!   In this episode, we learn: [03:57] Meet David Mizejewski, a naturalist, NWF, and a fellow monarch nerd! [04:36] Why monarch butterflies hold a special emotional place for me [06:06] What are the benefits of monarchs? [08:49] Are monarchs really disappearing? [10:53] Why the endangered/threatened designation is so confusing [12:52] What would a "threatened" listing actually do for monarchs? [15:28] Manukora [17:13] How microplastics affect the environment [18:25] Why are monarchs disappearing? [19:20] The monarch lifecycle [22:19] Why monarchs are specialists [29:48] How gardeners can actually help monarch butterflies [31:33] Native milkweed varieties worth knowing [35:12] How to source pesticide-free native plants [36:45] What are neonicotinoids? [37:37] Which milkweed to avoid (aka the tropical milkweed problem) [42:39] How to visually identify tropical milkweed [45:05] Why you shouldn’t hand-rear monarchs! [48:25] How the monarch migration actually works [52:03] What to do instead of hand-rearing! [53:43] Why parasitic wasps killing caterpillars is natural [57:46] Where to find native plants by zip code [59:46] How to certify your monarch garden with NWF [01:01:19] My plans for my new home, my HOA, and my neighborhood kids! [01:02:35] NWF's "cues of care" strategy [01:04:37] Where to find David and all NWF resources   Mentioned in our conversation: National Wildlife Federation Native Plants Finder Garden for Wildlife Native Plant Finder by Zip Code Certified Wildlife Habitat   If you want to help the monarch population, check out the full show notes and blog for David's expert advice!   Follow David: WebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookTikTokLinkedIn   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.

    1h 8m

  8. APR 30 ·  BONUS

    Herbalism 101: Grow, Harvest, and Use Medicinal Herbs: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    Did you know your “regular” herb garden can double as a medicinal herb garden, and that the mint you grab for mojitos can actually calm your nerves and your digestion? I used to think herbalism meant mysterious tincture bottles and complicated formulas… until I started turning the basil, mint, and lemon balm I grow into simple herbal teas I actually drink every night. In this Best of Growing Joy episode, I’m revisiting a conversation with Juliet from the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, botanist, herbalist, and author of The Healing Garden. If you’re a gardener, tea lover, or herbalism beginner who wants to learn how to grow and use medicinal herbs you already have, this episode is for you! You’ll learn which common herbs (like mint, basil, rosemary, lemon balm, and calendula) are most powerful to start with, how to harvest and dry them for tea, and why plant energetics (matching herbs to your unique body) matters more than any trendy supplement. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make your own herbal tea from garden herbs instead of reaching for another tea bag.   In this episode, we learn: [04:58] What led Juliet Blankenspoor to become interested in herbalism [08:52] What makes plants medicinal, and have they been proven by doctors? [11:51] Energetics of plants and how to complement their energies with people's [15:49] How do you determine your own energy constitution? [16:45] Who is Wim Hoff and what are the possible benefits of cold showers? [19:16] What's the best way to get started with this completely new field of medicinal benefits? [22:22] Where to get the best seeds for your spring garden [23:38] The right choice for safe indoor and outdoor gardening products [27:03] What are the properties of Mint? [28:30] Some of the commonly used herbs that we might not be aware of [30:01] What tonic means in the context of herbal medicine [32:36] What are the medicinal properties of chives? [33:58] How we can prepare tea from fresh and dried herbs [38:16] Is there any medicinal value to the mint stem? [39:43] What other herbs can you grow to make your own tea? [44:13] Your next favorite kitchen appliance! [47:19] What are some of the most versatile medicinal plants Juliet recommends exploring that aren't found in a traditional culinary garden? [48:19] What plants should you add to your culinary garden for medical benefits? [52:38] Juliet Blankespoor’s favorite herbs that you can add to your cooking recipes [57:39] What can you learn from the book ‘The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies'?   Mentioned in our conversation: The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies, book by Juliet Blankespoor Tea strainers Wim Hof Method FREE 2-week trial to the Garden Party!   Curious what else your herb garden might be hiding? Check out the full show notes and blog for beginner-friendly herbalism tips and recipes!   Follow Juliet Website Instagram Facebook Healing Garden Gateway, Juliet's personal website     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.

    57 min
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4.8
out of 5
879 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    413
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017 Bloom and Grow, LLC

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