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

The first time I visited Arizona, I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe that, as someone who spent my life growing up in the Northeast, an arid desert like Arizona exists!
The southwestern climate is so wild because I don't understand how a desert garden could look and feel lush and magical, just like a tropical oasis, but it can. It's all about desert landscaping with low-water plants and native desert plants that are built to grow on less. So I visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona a couple of years ago, and I got to interview Tina Wilson, their Director of Horticulture, who gave us this crash course on how to landscape in the desert.
So for this episode of the Best of Growing Joy series, I wanted to bring back this conversation for any of our listeners living in arid desert areas in the Southwest. Because plant friends, there are gorgeous drought-tolerant plants and smart drip irrigation systems that will bring pollinators and gorgeous beings to your southwest garden, so it grows well instead of just looking fried!
In this episode, we learn:
[04:58] How Tina Wilson became Director of Horticulture at Desert Botanical Garden
[06:13] Tina's duties as Director of Horticulture
[08:04] Unique vegetation in Arizona
[10:02] What is desert landscaping? (and its 3 characteristics!)
[13:08] Gardening zones in the Southwest
[14:06] Key factors to consider when landscaping in the desert
[14:42] Right plant at the right location!
[15:51] What are the plants recommended for desert landscapes?
[16:46] The impact of the southwestern sun on plants
[18:17] Protecting plants from sunburn with shade cloth
[19:16] What is a plant palette?
[21:08] Where to find the best bamboo bedding for health and comfort?
[23:36] Want to grow fresh berries in your own garden?
[25:09] The importance of water conservation and irrigation in the desert
[26:22] Why reduce grass/turf in desert landscapes?
[29:24] The process of renovating a yard: soil profiling and testing
[31:07] Why are native desert plants so well-suited to desert conditions?
[33:34] An overview of desert plants' root systems
[34:17] How a Saguaro cactus stays upright despite its shallow root system
[35:53] Exploring water harvesting techniques
[37:02] What are some of the drought-tolerant plants?
[40:20] Tina's favorite pollinator-attracting plants
[42:04] Maria's experience at the New York Botanical Garden
[42:39] Join Desert Landscape School now for an exceptional learning experience.
[45:26] Is there a season for growing food in the desert?

Mentioned in our conversation:
Channy Gray Home
Elevated Gardening
New York Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Marriott Hotel Phoenix
Desert Landscaping School of Desert Botanical Garden

Have you ever killed a plant by loving it too much?
Check out the full show notes and blog for why overwatering is the #1 desert landscaping mistake!

Follow Desert Botanical Garden:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Tiktok
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

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So, plant friends… all my plants are dead. Well, not all of them. But MANY of them. I had a baby in June, and my houseplants did not survive my postpartum era. What’s interesting is that I've heard from listeners who went through this exact thing. I never judged them once and coached them through it. But I still thought it would never be me, because I have a whole podcast about houseplants. But here we are. Let's talk about it!

In this episode, we learn:
[00:00] My plants are dead!!!
[01:55] 12 weeks postpartum in Florida with a baby… and a lot of sad plants :(
[03:06] My pregnancy, buying/renovating a house, and a very difficult birth
[05:09] How 'mom brain' affected me
[06:54] How I’m redefining plant parenthood
[07:46] The syngonium I found on my honeymoon
[08:37] What are the life transitions that quietly change how I care for plants?
[10:02] 8 years of shifting my interests (houseplants, growing food, cut flowers, propagation, tropicals)
[12:50] What I actually want now in this new season of life
[14:17] Low maintenance, high impact (stroller walks, snipped bouquets, and birdsongs)
[15:35] Experience the richness of single-origin honey with 3x more antioxidants with Manukora Honey!
[17:21] What connecting with nature indoors looks like
[18:51] Caring for Polpettino and feeling more like a mammal than ever!
[19:47] Why this episode is "All My Plants Are Dead," not "I Killed All My Plants"
[20:09] Not giving up on plants and what I'm committing to in Zone 10B!
[21:24] What does your growing joy look like right now, and what do you want it to look like in 2027?

Mentioned in our conversation:
Growing Joy Episode 357: Motherhood, Seasons of Life and Changing Plant Passions with Becca De La Plants
Clarkson's Farm (TV Series 2021– )

What's next for my plants?
Check out the full show notes and blog here!

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.

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

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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.