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

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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



    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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    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
    Show More Show Less
    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
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    45 mins
  • How Office Gardens Are Boosting Employee Wellness, One Plant at a Time

    How Office Gardens Are Boosting Employee Wellness, One Plant at a Time
    Apr 8 2025
    With the push to get people back into offices, there’s a glaring question floating around the corporate world: how do we make the office a place people actually want to come back to? As someone who believes in the impact of plants not just on spaces but on people, this question has me wishing of a world where every office has its own green vegetable garden out back.Does it sound too good to be true? Well, it’s already happening. In this episode, I sat down with Josh and Troy, the founders of StartOrganic, a company that helps employers give that opportunity to their employees. They’ve created office gardens for companies like PayPal, eBay, Intuit, and Apple, and what they’re doing is so much more than planting tomatoes.In this episode, we learn:[03:35] How StartOrganic started[06:54] How did they end up designing gardens for PayPal?[10:31] Scaling up with corporate programs[12:05] What are the first steps in consulting with businesses on garden installation projects?[14:00] What's the most unique place they’ve installed a garden?[14:50] Make gardening fun with Espoma Organic’s all-natural products![16:26] What is the primary focus of StartOrganic?[19:44] How they tailor their corporate garden programs to client needs[22:11] PayPal’s evolving garden program[24:56] How does StartOrganic help employees care for their corporate garden?[26:54] Measuring the success of corporate gardens[29:17] Heartwarming employee stories[32:10] Can small offices start corporate gardens?[34:42] What are the popular crops and seasonal offerings[36:33] Where can you find StartOrganic?Mentioned in our conversation:Human Spaces Report on The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the WorkplaceStartOrganic Free Starter CourseHow have office gardens impacted employees' well-being?Check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor: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 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
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    40 mins
  • From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 Houseplant Trends, Plant Care Tips & Plant Fail Confessions From the Northwest Flower & Garden Show

    From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 Houseplant Trends, Plant Care Tips & Plant Fail Confessions From the Northwest Flower & Garden Show
    Apr 1 2025
    What plants are flying off the shelves this year? If you’ve been hanging out with me on Instagram or listening to the podcast lately, you know that part of my job is traveling the country to speak at plant shows. I love getting to see what’s new, what’s trending, and honestly… just being surrounded by thousands of plants and planty people. It fills my joy tank like nothing else.So I thought, why not bring the magic of one of these events to YOU? This episode is your virtual behind-the-scenes pass to the recent Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle. I spent three days running around with my little mic, interviewing vendors, influencers, and anyone who would talk plants with me. I came home with so much planty intel, sore feet, and a heart full of joy.In this episode, we learn:[00:26] What I did at Northwest Flower and Garden Show![04:06] Andy from Andy’s Orchids[05:30] Molly from Rancho Cacto Nursery[07:16] Cheyenne from Chey D Plant Lady[10:21] Gardenia Gardens and Design[12:43] Justin from Costa Farms[15:19] Wind River Chimes[17:01] Gabrielle from The Lily Pad Bulbs[18:50] Mark from Little Prince Plants[20:15] Anne from The Dahlia House[23:50] Cameron from Urban Jungle Plant Shop[27:47] The Plant Farm[29:09] Kevin from Epic Gardening[34:27] Kamili from Plantblerd[38:20] Jaques in the Garden[42:54] Davida from Condo Plant Mama[46:05] Krystal from Plants with Krystal[48:08] Derek from Chocolate Botanist[49:42] Tim from Greenlife TPG[51:07] Robbie from Visit Our GardenVendors: Andy’s OrchidsRancho Cacto NurseryChey D Plant LadyGardenia Gardens and DesignCosta FarmsThe Lily Pad BulbsLittle Prince PlantsThe Dahlia HouseUrban Jungle Plant Shop SeattleThe Plant FarmInfluencers: Kevin from Epic GardeningKamili from PlantblerdJaques in the GardenDavida from Condo Plant MamaKrystal from plantswithkrystalDerek from ChocolatebotanistTim from Greenlife TPGRobbie from Visit Our GardenPlants featured:Neofinetia-falcata Furan OrchidTylecodon schaeferianusCrassula deceptorAnthurium doc bloc x luxuriansConophytum “monkey’s face”The Purple TomatoRanunculus SfumatoOrchid cactus-epiphyllum beavertailMystery lipstick cactus from The Plant FarmThank 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
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    55 mins
  • Soil & Strategy: The Two Garden Planning Secrets for Bigger, Healthier Harvests

    Soil & Strategy: The Two Garden Planning Secrets for Bigger, Healthier Harvests
    Mar 25 2025
    How do you plan your garden? Actually, do you plan your gardens at all? After many years of gardening and speaking with many garden experts, I learned that a successful organic vegetable garden doesn’t just happen when you plant it; it starts on the day you plan it.In this episode, I have the perfect recurring guest, Joe Lamp'l, to discuss planning your garden for the year ahead and making sure 2025 is your best gardening season yet. Joe is the founder of Joe Gardener and creator of many digital gardening courses I've taken, including Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!).In this episode, we learn:[01:14] What is strategic garden planning?[04:11] How can we make 2025 the greatest gardening season yet?[08:02] Timing for starting seeds/seedlings & plant selection[15:01] Whitney Johnson’s book “Go Forth and Forage"[16:09] What are the most important aspects of garden planning?[19:54] Why soil health is important[22:33] How to improve soil health[25:58] What are some useful garden planning tools?[17:17] How to choose the right plants[29:48] What is biodiverse gardening?[31:37] Helpful local botanical centers[34:48] What is companion planting?[41:32] Joe’s Organic Vegetable Gardening CourseMentioned in our conversation:Organic Vegetable Gardening Course (Discount applied at checkout through clicking the link!)Master Seed Starting CourseNorthwest Flower & Garden ShowXerces SocietyMissouri Botanical GardenLady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterGiverny GardensChattahoochee Nature CenterPlant Partners: Science-Based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden by Jessica WalliserGJ Episode 20: Talking Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier and My MOMFor Joe's proven and tested gardening strategies,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Joe:WebsiteInstagramFacebookPodcastTwitterPinterestThank you to our episode sponsor:Quarto: Go Forth and Forage by Whitney JohnsonGrab yourself a copy of Go Forth and Forage: A Guide to Foraging Over 50 of the Most Common Edible & Medicinal North American Mushrooms by Whitney Johnson at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, 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 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
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    51 mins
  • How to Live Seasonally and Celebrate the Spring Equinox

    How to Live Seasonally and Celebrate the Spring Equinox
    Mar 18 2025
    What if the secret to a happy life is to live seasonally? Living seasonally isn’t just about eating fresh produce (but, yes, that’s delicious). It’s about noticing nature’s rhythms, then adjusting depending on the season and celebrating those small shifts that define the passage of time.And with the Spring Equinox here, which is a time of renewal and balance, it’s the perfect moment to talk about how we can welcome the season with intention. I’m joined by a dear friend Bailey Van Tassel—a mom, gardener, author of Kitchen Garden Living, and someone who’s really committed to living a more seasonal lifestyle.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] What is the secret to living seasonally?[03:15] What is Bailey’s journey into seasonal living?[07:00] How Bailey reconnected with nature[09:08] What really matters in gardening[12:26] The science behind gardening[13:50] How does biophilia explain our connection to plants?[15:00] Find a moment of calm and soothe your spirit with Wind River Chimes![16:41] Nourish your plants and your soul this spring with Espoma Organic’s all-natural products![18:43] Why permaculture is useful in living seasonally[20:09] How did Bailey’s garden evolve?[25:55] Personal growth through gardening[27:50] How gardening helps with anxiety and depression[28:52] What does it mean to truly live seasonally?[31:06] Winter vs spring in terms of energy and rhythm[33:48] What practices can you do to honor the Spring Equinox?[36:59] Why is it important to involve children in gardening?[42:19] Where can you find Bailey and her book ‘Kitchen Garden Living’ on social media?Mentioned in our conversation:Brie the Plant LadyKitchen Garden Living by Bailey Van TasselFor Bailey's simple yet special recommendations on how to live seasonally,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Bailey:WebsitePodcastInstagramYouTubeThank 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 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
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    45 mins
  • How to Use Plants to Heal From Grief

    How to Use Plants to Heal From Grief
    Mar 11 2025
    Grief is so heavy that it can feel like an impossible weight to carry. But if you think about it, you can use plant care as a method to process grief and loss. Like plants, people can also grow and find resilience. They don’t rush and don’t demand. They just grow… little by little, day by day.In this episode, I want to share the story of my dear plant friend, Wade Lee, also known as Plants by Wade Lee. His story is so much more than houseplant care. It’s about loss, grief, healing, and finding joy again, one leaf, one root, one seed at a time.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] How plants can help you heal from grief[04:22] Wade’s story with grief and plants[10:10] Finding solace in plants[15:14] Find tranquility in every breeze this 2025 with Wind River Chimes![16:55] Learn how to grow more food with less space and effort with the 4th edition of ‘Square Foot Gardening’![18:08] Honoring Steven and new beginnings![22:32] How we connect with the spiritual realm[25:39] How Wade secured a gardener position[29:38] How to use plants as a therapeutic tool for grief[33:43] Finding grace in dead plants[36:28] At what point did Wade begin using social media?[39:53] What are some methods for using plants to heal from grief?[42:44] What is nature in different forms?[45:49] Where can you find Wade on social media?Mentioned in our conversation:Leonardi's NurseryThe Cummer MuseumSoutheast Plant ShowWade Lee’s Hair PortfolioFor Wade's recommendations on how to use plants as a therapeutic tool,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Wade:WebsitePodcastInstagramFacebookTikTokYouTubeTwitterThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Quarto: All New! Square Foot Gardening, 4th EditionGet your copy of All New! Square Foot Gardening, 4th Edition today at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, 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 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
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    51 mins