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

    How to Make Plant Care Less Stressful
    Mar 31 2026
    2026 is the year of ease, joy, and low-maintenance plant care! It’s time that plants make us feel good instead of dread every time we walk past them. Something’s off if plants are stressing you out. So I invited my friend Cassidy Tuttle from Succulents and Sunshine back on the podcast because if there’s anyone who embodies easy plant care, it’s her! We talked about what’s actually happening in our plant lives right now: having too many plants, letting some go, and redefining what our collections look like. Listen in! In this episode, we learn: [03:49] Meet my friend Cassidy from Succulents & Sunshine![04:50] Cassidy’s latest projects: the Cheerful Plants app and Snappy Pots[06:28] How her relationship with plants changed over the years[08:39] What other low-maintenance plants is she experimenting with?[09:45] Cuttings vs established plants[11:25] My unexpected reality of growing plants in Florida![13:30] Why we now concentrate plants in specific zones of the house[15:30] Get 3x the antioxidants of regular honey with Manukora![17:11] Post-pandemic shifts in plant culture[19:41] Why whimsical is the 2026 plant trend at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show[22:11] What does plant number mean to Cassidy?[25:43] Pros and cons of grouping succulents in arrangements[28:26] Reducing your plant collection[31:59] Choosing how you want your collection to grow (fewer big plants vs. many small ones)[33:59] How Cassidy reworks her watering systems and setups to save time and effort![37:03] What tools are worth upgrading for your plant care?[40:08] Why you should cull your plant accessories too![44:02] Where you keep your plants in your house matters[44:42] Why you should stop buying more plants when you don’t need them[45:55] Comparison & social media plant envy[48:15] What is the Cheerful Plants app all about?[51:11] Why AI plant care apps often fail[54:06] Breakdown of Cheerful Plants app features![56:59] Where to try the app and how the pricing works[58:18] Where to find Cassidy, her course, and future offerings! Mentioned in our conversation: Succulents and SunshineSucculents (Idiot's Guides) by Cassidy TuttleCheerful Plants appSnappy PotsBonsai Jack Succulent Gritty MixMaria's fave: Espoma Organic Cactus Potting Soil MixBlossom Effect talks about watering tips (including the backpack spray!)Using the 20/20 rule to make decluttering decisionsGrowing Joy episodes: 330: 2026 Garden and Houseplant Trends: My Main Takeaways from Northwest Flower and Garden Festival267: Create a Biophilic Office Space: Boost Your Workday Motivation by Adding These Plants to Your Office246: What is Regenerative Gardening and Permaculture? with Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy171: What To Do When A Plant Dies with Cassidy from Succulents and Sunshine For Cassidy's other low-maintenance plant care tips, check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Cassidy: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubePinterestBooksMembership 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.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • How to Grow Flowers and Create Your Own Cut Garden: Best of Growing Joy Replay

    How to Grow Flowers and Create Your Own Cut Garden: Best of Growing Joy Replay
    Mar 26 2026
    If you ask me, the secret to being everyone’s favorite neighbor or friend is always having a handful of blooms ready to share. And the best way to do that is to grow your own cut flower garden so you can step outside, snip a few stems, and instantly make someone’s day. In this Best of Growing Joy replay, I’m bringing back one of my favorite conversations with flower farmer and friend Brooklyn Sherri, a Denver-based urban flower farmer and founder of the Cool Choice Plant Studio for kids. We break down cut flower gardening for beginners and talk through the best flowers for a cut flower garden, including easy annuals, reliable perennials, and beginner-friendly blooms that bring beauty, pollinators, and joy into your space. We also cover the flower gardening basics that make all the difference, like annuals vs. perennials, pinching, deadheading, and how to confidently grow flowers with less fear and more fun. In this episode, we learn: [00:02:23] Maria’s garden update[00:05:40] Who is Brooklyn and how she became a flower farmer[00:08:31] Why everyone should have flowers in their garden[00:09:15] Brooklyn shares the personal connection she feels when growing flowers[00:12:08] Things to consider before growing flowers in your garden[00:14:06] The best flowers to grow for beginners: sunflowers, zinnias, strawflowers, and more[00:17:05] A quick recap on annuals vs perennials[00:18:32] The best perennial flowers to grow for blooms year after year[00:21:22] How to plan your flower garden so you have blooms all year long[00:25:48] Brooklyn’s favorite ‘cut and come again’ flowers[00:27:16] How to make the best soil mix for your flowers[00:29:30] When to use fertilizers on your flowers[00:31:04] Where to get the best potting mix, compost and fertilizer for your garden[00:32:41] Where to order your garlic for this season[00:35:03] Why you want to fertilize your flowers (and some signs that they need it!)[00:36:12] Determining how much light your flowers need[00:37:30] Maria shares her experience with her first garden and reading seed packets[00:41:17] How to transplant your flowers and harden them off[00:44:27] How to pinch flowers, what is it for, and when you should do it[00:48:04] What should you do with your flower’s first bud?[00:48:25] What is deadheading and how to do it properly[00:51:03] Brooklyn’s growing tips for peonies[00:52:43] How to grow flowers from corms and bulbs[00:57:33] Brooklyn’s top five favorite flowers (and greens) to grow[00:59:34] A little heartwarming story about Mama Failla and her garden gifts[01:03:22] Maria shares her newfound interest and joy in flower gardening Have you ever wanted to start your own cut flower garden? Check out the full show notes and blog to learn which flowers are easiest to grow for beginners! Follow Brooklyn: Instagram The Cool Choice Petal and Herb Farm Ya Grandma's Garden and Houseplants on Clubhouse 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.
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    55 mins
  • Tree History: Finnish Mythology and Tree Worship

    Tree History: Finnish Mythology and Tree Worship
    Mar 24 2026
    Have you ever wondered how the trees around you might hold stories of spirits and ancient traditions? Join me, on this enchanting journey into the heart of Finnish mythology, as I chat with the incredibly talented Nina, an illustrator and researcher from Finland. Nina's profound connection to nature, rooted in her upbringing in a forestry village, brings an enlightening perspective on tree worship and the animistic beliefs that celebrate trees as living entities with their own spirits or 'väki. In this episode, we dive deep into the rich tapestry of Finnish folklore, exploring how the relationship between humans and nature is woven into the very fabric of their mythology. Nina shares fascinating insights into the concept of spirit trees—those special trees that families adopt to symbolize their connection to the land. You’ll learn about the rituals surrounding offerings to these trees, which serve as a beautiful reminder of our bond with the environment. As plant lovers and plant parents, we often seek ways to connect with nature, and this episode offers practical tips on how to foster relationships with trees in our own communities. From hugging trees to making thoughtful offerings, Nina encourages us to embrace acts of reverence that deepen our connection with the natural world. Plus, we touch on the resurgence of interest in folklore amidst modern environmental concerns, highlighting how these ancient beliefs can guide us in our gardening practices and home-based wellness. Join us for this joyful living exploration of Finnish mythology and the healing power of nature. Whether you're looking for watering tips, battling plant pests, or simply seeking a mindful gardening experience, this episode is packed with insights to enhance your plant parenthood journey. Tune in to discover how you can cultivate a deeper relationship with the trees around you and bring more joy into your life through holistic plant care. In this episode, we learn: [02:26] Meet Niina and her life growing up in Finnish forests![03:39] How she went from “weird” folklore kid to researcher[04:50] Why Finnish mythology centers on “animism” and not on heroic gods[05:48] A bit of Finnish history![07:45] What is the concept of väki?[09:24] What does Finnish tree mythology represent in daily life?[11:36] Why spirit trees are seen as guides, healers, and places to seek advice[12:41] What is the story of "The Giving Tree”?[13:03] How are these beliefs practiced socially vs individually?[15:45] Experience rich and antioxidant-packed Manukora honey![17:28] Start your seed starting season with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products![19:58] How Finland’s month names followed seasons[21:54] What are some tree-centered traditions tied to birth, death, and life cycles?[23:40] Offerings and sacrificial trees![25:33] What “tree spirits” are and how they’re imagined in Finnish lore[27:41] Hunting rituals and making offerings to forest deities[28:31] Favorite stories about  Mielikki and Tapio[30:07] Is there a resurgence of interest in Finnish folklore and old names?[31:40] Tree hugging, forest bathing, and tourists seeking Finnish woods![32:33] What are some practices to start building your own relationship with trees?[34:28] Modern rituals: offering, gratitude, and everyday connection[35:01] What is Niina’s personal relationship with trees?[36:48] Where to find Niina online and how to get her illustrated tree folklore book! Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy Episode 322: From Plant Care to Nature Therapy: A Solo Heart to HeartGrowing Joy Episode 298: Tree Communication 101: Science, Spirit, and Synchronicity with Rachael of Our Infinite NatureLittle Book Of Finnish Tree Magic (Finnish Mythology With Fairychamber) by Niina Niskanen To learn more about the vast world of Finnish mythology, check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Niina: WebsiteInstagramAll her productsCourses 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 ...
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    40 mins
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I love this! I started listening this podcast also as a new plant mom, used to kill cactus like begginer. I've learned a lot and had fun listening to Maria. Also the plant community is amazing!! Grateful

Best plant podcast ever!!!!!

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