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

• How to Use Plants to Heal From Grief

  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 Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out HelloFresh: https://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM* Check out Ollie: https://ollie.com/MARIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  50:34
• 5 Signs You're Overthinking Plant Care (And How to Relax)

  Have you ever found yourself overthinking over a yellow leaf and wondering, “Is this overwatering or underwatering? Does it need water? Is this normal?” You’re just like the rest of us, plant friend! It's something I've done many, many times, and I know it's something that people in our community do all the time. We all want to get it right, but overthinking plant care can suck the joy right out of it. But in 2025, we need as much joy and as little stress as possible. So here are 5 signs you might be overthinking your plant care and how to fix it!In this episode, we learn:[02:57] Common overthinking traps in plant care[03:54] Five tips to stop overthinking plant care[04:33] Sign #1: You Google every little thing[09:34] Sign #2: You’re watering on a rigid schedule (and believing plant care cards)[12:55] Alternative to a finger test[14:10] Sign #3: You panic over every yellow leaf[15:37] Grow healthier plants, indoors and out, with Espoma Organic’s premium products![18:06] Sign #4: You throw the ‘kitchen sink approach’ at small issues[19:40] Sign #5: You think you need to be a 'perfect' plant parent[23:34] How to relax & enjoy your plants moreMentioned in our conversation:  Growing Joy with Plants Masterclass - use code OVERTHINK to get it for $ 49Moisture MeterGrowing Joy Episode 276: Houseplant Confidence: The Mindset Shift That Changes EverythingWant to lessen your stress over plant care?Check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor:Espoma OrganicLessen you're overthinking, make sure you're using nontoxic products on your houseplants! 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 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 Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out HelloFresh: https://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM* Check out Ollie: https://ollie.com/MARIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  29:33
• Houseplants for Kids: Raising the Next Generation of Plant Parents

  “Start ‘em young.” That’s my motto. Well, it’s not really mine but I say it all the time when it comes to houseplants. And for this episode, I’m sure plant parents are gonna be happy to learn how to connect the younger generations to plants and nature at a young age. So I want to share this conversation with my plant friend Priscille Joseph, who is a Canadian author, illustrator, and plant lover. She wrote My First ABC Book of Houseplants and she’s all about helping kids connect with nature.In this episode, we learn:[03:07] How did Priscrille become a plant lady?[06:04] How ‘My First ABC Book of Houseplants’ was created[10:46] Launching workshops with sustainable brands[13:12] What are the ways to engage kids with houseplants?15:22] Nurture your plant babies safely from toxic chemicals with Espoma Organic’s premium gardening products![16:57] Let kids enjoy a sensory experience[17:27] Connect plants with stories[21:39] Involve kids in hands-on activities[22:34] Make it interactive[24:18] Get creative with plants[26:52] Bonus tip: give kids responsibility[28:46] Where can you get Priscille’s book?Mentioned in our conversation:Download Priscille’s books:My First ABC Book of Houseplants: Exclusive EditionMy First Abc Book Of House Plants | IndigoMy First ABC Book of Houseplants | AmazonFree Greenhouse Scavenger Hunt PrintableJournal of Education in Science, Environment and Health (JESEH)The Bug Girl: A True Story by Sophia SpencerWant to engage your kids more with easy plant tasks?Check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Priscille:WebsiteEventsFreebiesInstagramYouTubeThank 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 Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out HelloFresh: https://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM* Check out Ollie: https://ollie.com/MARIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  32:48
• The Transformative Power of Flower Essences: What Are Flower Essences and How Can They Help Me?

  Have you ever once thought about how flowers could do more than brighten your day? What if they could actually support your emotional well-being, reduce your stress, and even spark creativity? After 270+ episodes, this is my first time ordering a guest product right after the interview. Yes, I am on the flower essence bandwagon HARD after this interview.But who wouldn't be after talking with Katie Hess, founder and flower alchemist of Lotuswei, a company dedicated to harnessing the essence of flowers to help us live more joyful lives? She’s an amazing educator and I learned so much in this conversation.In this episode, we learn:[04:41] How Katie started getting into the energetics of flowers[06:10] The ripple effect of 3%[08:12] What is a flower essence?[09:46] Why are bees attracted to flowers?[10:18] The concept of botanical wi-fi/flower wi-fi[14:01] Our disconnection from nature[15:48] Wind River Chimes[17:30] Plants with Superpowers[18:31] What is the human-flower connection?[21:45] Validating flower essence information[23:48] How do you study flower essence?[27:31] How is a flower’s energetic code captured and distilled?[30:32] The dilution process and its similarity with homeopathy[33:02] Essential oil vs flower essence[37:32] Most popular remedies and flowers that match[41:25] How can you experiment with and experience flower essences?[43:36] Take the flower essence test![45:27] Synergistic flower essence blends[50:30] Flower essence that fits my lack of self-belief[51:29] Where can you order your flower essence?Mentioned in our conversation:Fierce Compassion CollectionQuiet Mind CollectionGain Insights with Our Flower Reading QuizDivine TruthDivine WithinWant to find out which flower essence you can get started with?Check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Lotuswei:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYoutubePinterestXThank you to our episode sponsors:Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Quarto: Plants with Superpowers by David DomoneyPick up Plants with Superpowers 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 Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out HelloFresh: https://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM* Check out Ollie: https://ollie.com/MARIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  56:22
• Houseplant Confidence: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

  Lately, I’ve been hearing so many people talk about Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory—this idea of letting go of control, shifting your mindset, and ultimately finding peace. And you know what? I realized that I went through a similar shift when it came to my plant care journey, and I want to share it with you in this episode. I'll talk about how we think about our plants, our plant care, and how that shift in mind can bring so much joy, not just to our plant parenthood but also to our lives.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Concept of 'Let Them Theory'[01:27] My most popular episode![02:54] I just launched my Growing Joy with Plants Masterclass![04:29] What’s the root cause of your doubt?[07:35] Overwhelm and misinformation[08:58] How to reframe your “plant killer” identity mindset[09:50] How does social media affect your plant care mindset?[12:28] How to celebrate plant care[15:30] Add moments of serenity throughout your day with Wind River Wind Chimes![18:12] Pick a positive thought about [19:01] Treat every plant misstep as a learning experience[20:18] Take on a growth mindset[22:21] Evolving plant parent personalities[25:00] How to be a confident plant parent[27:09] Develop a relationship with your plants[31:43] Celebrate plant wins!Mentioned in our conversation: Growing Joy with Plants MasterclassGrowing Joy Episode 43: Your Brain on PlantsGrowing Joy Episode 200: Common Houseplant Pest Identification and How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats, Spidermites, Scale, White Flies and MealybugsWhat's Your Plant Parent Personality?Understanding Natural LightTropical Plant International Expo (TPIE)For mindset shifts and practices to help build your houseplant confidence,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor:Wind River ChimesBring the gift of peace, serenity, and magic with chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for an amazing gift that can help you or your loved ones grow joy and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect option. Plus, you can engrave the wind sail on the wind chime with meaningful dates, names, or phrases!Visit 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 Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out Graza: https://graza.co/MARIA* Check out HelloFresh: https://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast* Check out Manukora: https://manukora.com/BLOOM* Check out Ollie: https://ollie.com/MARIAAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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  36:35

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