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

Did you know that Becca from Becca De La Plants and I delivered our babies 24 hours and 3 minutes apart?! We didn't plan that. We've been friends for almost 10 years now, and the first time we hung out, she was planning her wedding. Since then, we've gotten married, moved, built businesses, and now she's had her second baby, and I've had my first! For some reason, we keep landing in the same season of life at the same time. So I asked her to come talk with me about it. About two hard pregnancies, about the identity shift nobody warns you about properly, and about what plants have been quietly teaching us the whole time. Come join our conversation! In this episode, we learn: [02:14] Meet Becca De La Plants [06:53] The TikTok comment that flagged her cholestasis! [08:22] Where social media saves you, and where it wrecks you [10:22] Running my business from bed through a sick first trimester [11:43] What prenatal depression took from Becca’s toddler's first years [13:41] The beliefs we absorb about how pregnancy is supposed to feel [14:51] Joey Santore’s Concrete Botany [15:55] Espoma Organic [17:57] Why I wouldn't let myself attach to this pregnancy after two losses [20:42] How one Five Guys order sent me to the ER with gallstones [24:22] How a hard pregnancy made the newborn phase feel blissful! [25:53] Becca's HG lifting the day she delivered and finally being able to eat [28:47] Why snap-back culture makes no sense when you barely gained weight [29:49] The identity shift of becoming a mom! [35:46] How thinking in seasons gives you permission to be fully present [37:37] Is "don't lose yourself" actually good advice? [38:21] My HOT take: why you should have your kids later [42:01] What slow-germinating seeds taught me about timing [42:59] What it's like being last to have a kid when you've always gone first [46:19] Second-baby calm vs. logging every single diaper in the app [47:53] Sibling age gaps, and watching your own sister dynamic play out in your kids [49:49] Childcare, pumping, and holding the next year with an open hand [51:50] Why first-time moms should be allowed to be weird (the mammal side of postpartum) [54:18] Do I let Growing Joy expand beyond plants? [57:22] Why evolving your content is the only way to keep it honest [58:50] A six-month check-in with Becca! Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy 240: How to Move with Houseplants with Becca De La Plants, Ep 240 Huckleberry App: Baby Tracker & Sleep Experts Understanding Natural Light Green Up Your Workspace For all of my and Becca's motherhood hot takes, check out the full show notes and blog! Follow Becca: Podcast Book Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Thank you to our episode sponsors: Quarto: Concrete Botany by Joey Santore Grab your copy of Concrete Botany at quarto.com, wherever books are sold or through your local bookstore. 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.

Have you ever wandered through the citrus section of a nursery, inhaling the sweet scent of Meyer lemons and key limes, and thought “Oh my, I want one”? As someone who impulse purchased a struggling lime tree years ago—which I named Limey, by the way—growing citrus indoors is possible with the right care and conditions. Citrus plants can be great houseplants if you set them up for success, and they present a unique opportunity to engage all five senses! In this episode, I invited my long-lost dear friend Danny Trejo from Via Citrus to share with you everything you need to know to cultivate your own indoor citrus plant, from choosing the right variety to proper care for growth and fruiting. In this episode, we learn: [00:00] What citrus varieties has Maria grown over the years? [11:59] What is Danny's background with citrus? [19:39] What citrus varieties does Danny recommend for beginners? [21:20] Other citrus varieties Via Citrus are growing [24:13] What conditions do citrus plants need to thrive indoors? [28:01] Grow light specifications for citrus (a crash course) [31:28] Why you should have a proper watering schedule [34:09] Soil care and drainage hole for your citrus [35:52] How often should you fertilize citrus? [37:11] How to prepare your citrus in the winter [38:37] When is the best time to prune your citrus plants? [41:40] How to increase humidity for citrus in the winter [42:53] What are some common citrus troubleshooting tips? [44:08] Can you grow citrus from seeds? [45:28] What is grafting? [49:53] How to ensure that your plant's buds develop into fruit [51:52] What exciting new sustainable pot line is Danny creating? [55:06] Where can you find Danny on social media? (use code ‘GROWINGJOY' for 10% discount!) Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy Ep 206 The History Of Italian Gardens And Italian Citrus With Helena Attlee Growing Joy Ep 203 How To Bring Your Plants Indoors For The Winter YouTube video Limey’s Grand Adventure // Flying My Lime Tree To Florida Helena Attlee’s book, The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy and Its Citrus Fruit We The Wild Soltech Aspect Lights Collection Espoma Organic Citrus Tone Espoma Organic Citrus Food Set your indoor citrus plant up for success with Danny's expert tips! Check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Danny: Website Instagram Repots Facebook Email 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.

Have you fallen down the greenhouse rabbit hole yet, plant friends? If you've had plants for more than a year, you're probably like me, who's started Googling "how to put a greenhouse in my backyard" already. And I learned that a greenhouse isn't a big plant shelf but a structure, and it's probably the largest single purchase you'll make as a plant parent. I'm in Zone 10b in Florida and I still haven't built mine. So I asked Leslie Halleck, a favorite podcast guest, a long-time friend, and someone who has a master's in greenhouse production and a new book called Home Greenhouse Revival, what to figure out first. And I think she also holds the guest record for most appearances on the show! Let's dive in! In this episode, we learn: [02:06] Meet Leslie Halleck [02:33] Moving her whole life and business from Texas to Oregon [03:29] Why the Pacific Northwest is a ‘horticultural mecca’ for gardeners [04:42] Lelie’s new 6-acre property (what she calls folia forest farm) [06:49] What does her "pocket farming" look like? [09:03] Why are greenhouses trending? [12:51] What is the biggest greenhouse mistake? [14:13] Why cooling a greenhouse is so much harder than heating one [15:29] Manukora Honey [17:47] Hoop house vs. glass house [18:47] What are the elements that make up a greenhouse? [21:21] Greenhouse framing materials and glazing! [22:43] Is there a beginner-friendly greenhouse? [25:04] What Leslie thinks about thrifted/DIY vintage window greenhouses [27:41] How to pick the right greenhouse size? [29:48] Greenhouses as the expensive part of a cheap hobby [30:33] Using multiple greenhouses to zone temperature and humidity [32:47] What about a half-empty greenhouse? [33:26] What is AOI (angle of incidence)? How roof pitch and sun angle affect how much light gets in [35:49] Inside the plant profiles (PPFD, DLI, photoperiod, fertilizer PPM, and VPD) [39:21] How does pest management in a greenhouse work? [43:33] Leslie's dream greenhouse for her new property (and why she's leaning Venlo) [48:23] How greenhouse pricing and options have changed and where to find good manufacturers [50:26] Why you want someone local who knows your climate and orientation [51:29] Starting small without setting yourself up to fail (and reviving a greenhouse that already flopped) [54:10] Where to find Leslie, the book, her gardener's round tables, and her UCLA courses! Mentioned in our conversation: By Leslie Halleck:Home Greenhouse Revival Plant Parenting Gardening Under Lights The Gardener's Roundtable Episodes:331: What is Forest Bathing: Exploring Forest Therapy with ANFT 250: The Business of Horticulture with Leslie Halleck 222: Humidity and Houseplants with Leslie Halleck 208: DIY Houseplant First Aid Kit with Leslie Halleck 204: How to Identify Houseplant Disease with Leslie Halleck 173: Seed Starting Basics with Joe Lamp'l Prime Video: Clarkson's Farm For Leslie's expert greenhouse advice, check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Leslie: Website Shop Facebook X Pinterest YouTube Instagram 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.

How can we use flowers to further connect with nature and with the world? My mom once photocopied an entire flower dictionary for me from the thick pages of The Language of Flowers. I loved that she did it, but then I never really used it because it was too dense and there were a lot of meanings nobody says out loud anymore. But then I’ve thought deeply about it. I've grown dahlias my whole life. I have four hibiscus in my front lawn now. What if those choices were saying something? So I sat down with Mary Kelava, a former florist and author of A Bouquet of Words, to finally learn the language of flowers as a gardener. Come learn with me! In this episode, we learn: [01:27] Meet Mary Kelava! [02:12] How she became a florist and a flower language expert [03:41] Two types of flower books you’re bound to read! [06:08] My mom’s photocopied dictionary part of ‘The Language of Flowers’ [07:41] Where does the language of flowers come from? [10:21] How did the Victorian era understand the language of flowers? [11:38] What the flowers you're drawn to might be telling you [12:46] Why color, personal memory, and fragrance matter as much as the meaning [15:03] Espoma Organic [16:54] Leslie Halleck's new book, Home Greenhouse Revival [18:30] Kate Middleton's wedding bouquet, Queen Elizabeth's funeral flowers, and a Lego hibiscus [20:16] Do flower colors carry meanings of their own, or is it just color psychology? [21:46] What zinnias mean, and how to handle flowers bred in every color [22:58] What the research for her book ‘A Bouquet of Words’ looked like [23:57] Do flower meanings hold up across cultures? [25:35] How to start learning the language of flowers easily [27:02] How to build a themed garden with meaning using easy-to-grow flowers [28:29] Planning a flower memorial garden for a pet [31:01] How to write notes that go with the bouquet [32:29] Bringing this to the florist (or to the $6.99 Trader Joe's flowers) [34:46] Bouquet recipes for housewarmings, Christmas, and new babies [36:26] What are some birth month and zodiac flowers? [37:02] Get well flowers, and giving hydrangea to someone who's persevered [37:50] Why Mary assigns a signature flower to her closest friends [38:34] What flowers to give someone in grief? [40:49] Where to find Mary and A Bouquet of Words! Mentioned in our conversation: A Bouquet of Words by Mary Kelava Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh Episode 339: How to Grow Sweet Peas, The World's Most Nostalgic Flower with Marryn Mathis To grow flowers that have meaning to you, check out the full show notes and blog for Mary's recommendations! Follow Mary: Website Instagram Blogs Thank you to our episode sponsors: Espoma Organic Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront. Quarto: Home Greenhouse Revival by Leslie F. Halleck Home Greenhouse Revival is available for pre-order now at quarto.com and launches in September. Pre-order your copy wherever books are sold or through your local bookstore. 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.

What if the fewer the plants, the bigger the impact? Right now my house is a construction zone, and my plants are on their own. I have an eight-week-old baby, a '70s house we gutted mid-pregnancy, and a carpeted garage. So yes, a few plants have died. But something else is happening too! My taste is changing. I'm letting go of a lot of little plants, and I want one big beautiful plant for my bathroom instead. In fact, my friend Samantha Hermann of @houseplusplant and I are both in a transitional season of life. She’s moving into a house she designed around her plants... and cutting her collection from 300 to about 100. Here's what she taught me. Let's dive in! In this episode, we learn: [01:42] Grab a mini course for whatever your plants need right now with the Growing Joy Academy! [02:57] Welcome back, Samantha of @houseplusplant [04:05] How much did her plants influence her home design aesthetic? [06:07] Instagram vs. reality: where do plant people actually keep their plants? [07:36] Cutting her collection from 300 plants down to 100 (intentional vs. collector) [10:11] Why she's only keeping big statement plants now [12:03] The guilt of letting a plant go [15:23] Manukora Honey [19:22] What is she most excited about in the new house? [22:20] Renovating a 1970s house while I’m pregnant! [24:33] Collecting pieces with a story instead of getting them off Amazon [25:29] What are some plant styling rules for a calm home? [28:21] Treating a statement plant as art! [30:19] What makes a plant grouping actually work? [32:33] Does the rule of threes work for plants? [33:54] Why there's always a hoya in her groupings [36:49] Blooming houseplants that don't get enough credit! [37:49] The custom window shelves she's sad to take down [40:00] How to build grow lights into your house (outlets, dimmers, timers, and hiding cords) [42:16] Why spreading plants throughout your home makes you enjoy them more [45:20] What makes her book House + Plant different and QR codes to her DIYs [47:28] Pre-orders, the October 6th release, and where to find Samantha! Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy Academy House Plus Plant Equals Home by Samantha Hermann Beautiful Views Shelves Soltech Highland™ LED Track Light System (Use Bloom15 for 15% off) SANSI LED Grow Lights Collection for Indoor Plants Episode 235: How to Care for a Lot of Plants (AKA Have a Large Plant Collection) with Samantha of @houseplusplant For Samantha's amazing tips on how to do more with fewer plants, check out the full show notes and blog here! Follow Samantha: Website Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook 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.