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

Ferns are some of the most gorgeous houseplants you can grow... and one of the oldest plants on the planet. They're basically living dinosaurs. But if you've ever watched a maidenhair fern grow in a sidewalk crack, only to crumble the second you bring it indoors, you know exactly why ferns have a reputation for being impossible to keep alive.

Most people aren't failing at ferns. They're just growing the wrong fern for their home.

In this episode, I'm bringing back one of my favorite interviews from the archives with my friend Lisa from The Houseplant Guru. Lisa is a lifelong plant expert who has successfully grown ferns for years, even in a Midwest home that's about as far from a tropical rainforest as you can get.

We're talking about how to keep your ferns healthy, how to actually get them to grow, why you keep finding crispy fronds all over your floor, and how to choose the right fern for your lifestyle and your home conditions. Spoiler: it's almost never going to be the maidenhair fern... unless you're growing it under glass.

In this episode, we learn:

[02:03] Meet houseplant expert Lisa!

[03:27] Lisa’s 60-year-old heirloom Boston fern and why ferns get a bad rap

[06:05] Where do ferns grow naturally?

[08:53] Is there something about ferns' root systems that makes them more finicky?

[10:51] How to choose the right window and light placement for ferns

[12:28] How to fertilize ferns without burning their roots?

[14:40] How to water ferns correctly?

[20:53] How to safely treat pests and scale on sensitive leaves

[23:55] What are spores, stolons, and how do ferns actually reproduce?

[29:05] Maidenhair ferns

[29:56] What are the best ferns for your home?

[30:54] What does Lisa recommend with brown fronds?

[34:20] Unique collector ferns to add to your collection!

[38:20] How to care for staghorn ferns

[41:36] How to properly water a bird’s nest fern without rotting the center

[44:23] Tips for raising tree ferns and baby mother ferns using closed glass terrariums

[46:53] Where to find Lisa, her resources, and her books!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy Episode 84: African Violets 101 with Lisa from Houseplant Guru

Growing Joy Episode 261: The Best Low Light Plants for Dim Spaces

Grow in the Dark: How to Choose and Care for Low-Light Houseplants by Lisa

Creative Houseplant Projects (Former Houseplant Party) by Lisa

How to Care for An Heirloom Fern Over 40 Years Old (Blog)

The Austral Gem Fern is THE Fern for the Fern Challenged (Blog)

The Antlers on My Walls (Blog)

Do You Use Lemon Juice to Clean Your Plant Leaves? I Do! (Blog)

Systemic Houseplant Insect Control

Espoma Organic Indoor!

Jack's Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Water-Soluble Fertilizer

 

Which fern are you most excited to try in your home?

Check out the full show notes and blog for Lisa's easy-care fern guide!

 

Follow Lisa:

Website

Books

Instagram

Facebook

 

 

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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What if we don't design or control our gardens, but instead collaborate with them? I moved from the lush woods of Zone 5B to a front yard full of sand in Zone 10B Florida and felt like I had no control over my garden design. It was frustrating! So I sat down with Evan Meyer of Bloedel Reserve, a 140-acre garden and wild lands complex on Bainbridge Island just outside of Seattle, to help me feel more grounded in my new garden. Evan has spent his career working across the states studying restoration ecology, native plants, and conservation horticulture. We talked about co-designing with nature, as he believes we should move away from the "God complex" of traditional garden design and let Mother Nature be our co-designer. Listen in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[01:57] Meet Evan Meyer, Executive Director of Bloedel Reserve!

[05:15] What Evan learned about ecological horticulture across different climates

[10:15] Why individual home gardens have a larger ecological footprint than public parks

[12:19] How the plant supply chain keeps most landscapes generic

[15:43] Experience single-origin honey with 3x more antioxidants with Manukora!

[17:28] Prep your kitchen for garden harvest season with Caraway Cookware!

[18:53] Why are more gardeners actively seeking out native plants?

[21:45] How to co-design your home garden with nature

[22:06] If a tree falls, leave it!

[24:42] Why you should read your local ecology

[25:46] Let’s reframe garden "problems" as opportunities

[29:10] More examples from Bloedel that home gardeners can actually steal

[30:06] How does Bloedel's moss gardener curate rather than plant?

[31:44] Retrain your eyes to find dormant plants and deadwood beautiful!

[34:35] Practical steps for learning your local wild ecology

[37:58] How an ecologically minded front yard builds neighborhood community

[39:07] The rise of whimsy in garden design and why we're craving that feeling right now

[40:13] What to expect when you visit Bloedel Reserve!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

iNaturalist

Understanding Natural Light

What's Your Plant Parent Personality?

 

Interested in doing a collab with your garden?

Check out the full show notes and blog here for Evan's advice!

 

Follow Evan & Bloedel Reserve:
Evan's LinkedIn
Website
Facebook
Instagram

 

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!

Caraway

Visit carawayhome.com and use promo code BLOOM at checkout for an additional 10% off your order.

 

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.

We’ve likely all had some run-in with a carnivorous plant. I brought one of those little Venus flytraps home from the hardware store, even though I had no idea how to care for it. Maybe you have marveled at the wide array of these plants at your local botanical garden. Or maybe you just know the man-eating Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors! However you found them, you have probably figured out that these plants are in a league of their own. Proper carnivorous plant care is incredibly specific. They are a whole subsect of plants, and they might just get you if you do not care for them correctly. So I invited Damon from California Carnivores to help. He is a carnivorous plant expert (learned from Peter D'Amato) and is going to teach us everything we need to know to grow them indoors! Let's jump in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[02:35] Damon’s history with carnivorous plants

[07:28] What are carnivorous plants? What makes up a carnivorous plant?

[13:25] Where to find carnivorous plants in the wild

[16:33] Why conservation of carnivorous plants is a must

[19:01] How long have carnivorous plants been around?

[20:09] Damon shares what he thinks of Little Shop of Horrors musical

[22:07] General care rules for growing carnivorous plants indoors

[23:00] The right kind of water for carnivorous plants (and how to identify them in a store!)

[25:23] How the “tray method” replicates a bog environment at home

[27:39] The best carnivorous plants to grow indoors (Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, butterworts)

[31:06] What is the best growing media for carnivorous plants?

[33:43] Why you shouldn’t use terracotta pots for your carnivorous plants

[35:00] What’s the ideal sunlight for carnivorous plants (+ grow lights!)

[37:04] Should you fertilize carnivorous plants?

[39:31] How to feed your Venus flytrap and Cape sundews

[41:54] Fertilizing your pitcher plants!

[44:14 How much humidity do carnivorous plants need?

[45:22] How to make your Venus flytrap go dormant

[46:39] Can you fertilize your carnivorous plants even if they’re catching bugs?

[47:15] Can you overwater sundews and butterworts?

[48:11] Taking care of your Mexican butterworts

[49:36] Damon’s recommended beginner carnivorous plants

[51:03] Should you still buy Venus flytraps even when they’re not sustainably sourced?

[53:46] Where to find Damon, his book ‘The Savage Garden,’ and nursery resources!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

The Savage Garden

Wetlands Reclamation Act

Osmocote

Maxsea All-Purpose Nutrient Fertilizer

California Carnivores YouTube video: Winter Dormancy for Temperate Plants in Cold Climates

 

For Damon's detailed carnivorous plants care guide,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

 

Follow Damon:
Website
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok

 

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.

If you are just starting out as a plant parent, there comes a moment when you realize your plant has outgrown its pot and you need to figure out how to repot it. And in learning how to repot plants, you might feel like you are doing it wrong, or you end up being way too careful and precious about the whole thing.

Repotting is actually a very simple process, and it can even become a really fun and meditative part of caring for your plants.

Today, I am bringing back a solo episode from the archives as part of the Best of Growing Joy series. This is your go-to beginner's guide on how to repot houseplants the right way. I will walk you through the most common repotting mistakes I see beginner plant parents make so you can avoid them and feel confident going into your next repotting session.

This episode is completely free, but if you want extra support with visuals, soil science tips, and a deeper dive into how to repot plants with confidence, I have a very affordable repotting course linked here. I hope this episode is helpful, quick, and gets you fully set up for success at your next repotting party!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[02:30] Things I learned about repotting in the last couple of years

[03:34] Some personal plant care routines

[04:59] Do some spring cleaning!

[06:28] Repotting vs potting up vs potting up water-rooted cuttings

[09:04] Some rules to remember in potting up

[10:43] Do the two-inch “bump up” rule when potting up

[11:59] When should you pot up?

[13:08] What is repotting and why is it important?

[14:36] How do you repot a plant?

[15:03] Get stylish, minimalist grow lights your plants will love with Soltech!

[17:16] Give your plants the love they deserve with Espoma's organic, eco-friendly potting mixes!

[19:08] Common mistake people make when repotting/potting up

[19:30] How do you pot up water-rooted cuttings?

[21:02] General steps for repotting/potting up/potting up water-rooted cuttings

[27:31] The ​​best time to repot or pot up houseplants

[29:05] Why you should not pot your houseplants in dirt from outside

[32:00] Make sure that you saturate the soil!

[32:35] Pay attention to the type of container or pot you are using

[34:08] Use repotting as an opportunity for mindfulness

[37:16] A letter to my pepper plant going into transplant shock

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Repot With Confidence Course

How to Repot Plants // A Step By Step Guide

Growing Joy Ep 182: Spring Houseplant Care

Growing Joy Ep 192: How To Overcome Burnout Through The Healing Power Of Nature

Growing Joy Ep 200: Common Houseplant Pest Identification And How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats, Spidermites, Scale, White Flies And Mealybugs: Grow Better

Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic

Cactus Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic

African Violet Potting Soil Mix by Espoma Organic

Orchid Mix – Coarse Bark Mix by Espoma Organic

 

Is your plant currently root bound and waiting to be repotted?

Check out the full show notes and blog for everything you need to know about how to repot with confidence!

 

 

 

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.

Aren't flowers just the perfect little pockets of joy? I have been following Claudia from In the Garden with Claudia on Instagram for over a year now, and I live for her cut flower garden stories! I’ve been feeling a little humbled by my own garden setbacks in South Florida recently. So when I finally got her on the podcast, I thought we were going to do a straight-up how-to on growing flowers. And we did, kind of. But this conversation turned into what flowers can actually do for you! Claudia has turned her space into a garden with thousands of blooms that make me excited for my next garden season. I hope this helps you find your own smile as big as the one Claudia put on my face! Let's jump in!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[03:40] Meet Claudia, the queen of backyard cut flower joy!

[04:56] How she turned her backyard into a cut flower garden

[07:31] She was a pre-dental student!? (a career pivot)

[09:49] What her first couple of seasons gardening looked like

[14:08] Why Claudia chose a production-style layout over traditional garden design

[15:29] Fuel your garden mornings with the caramel-tasting bioactives in Manukora Honey!

[17:15] Building her dream garden on a budget!

[19:53] Claudia’s experience from disliking to growing dahlias

[22:38] How to seed start indoors (Claudia grows 4000+ seeds!)

[26:09] My biggest pain point right now

[28:21] What is Claudia’s cut flower planting strategy for dahlias?

[31:03] How she spaces and organizes her dahlia beds

[32:08] Our favorite Espoma Organic products!

[34:27] How and when to fertilize dahlias throughout the growing season

[35:46] How to set up irrigation for cut flowers

[36:38] Daily maintenance routines for better airflow and pest defense

[38:28] Why you should deadhead your flowers for more blooms

[39:50] How to manage and share excess flowers?

[42:18] Selling her first massive bouquets at the office!

[44:41] How to structure a flower CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

[48:03] What are Claudia’s joyful practices in her garden?

[50:59] How the ‘In the Garden with Claudia’ YouTube channel started

[54:52] Claudia’s dream of scaling up to a Washington flower farm

[56:58] Where to find Claudia’s social media and upcoming resources!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy 258: Budget Friendly Ways to Elevate Your Garden with Robbie of Visit Our Garden

Growing Joy 253: 5 Tips for Growing in Hot Climates with Janey of Dig Plant Water Repeat

Flower Farming Workshop

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus

Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost

Espoma Organic Mushroom Compost Blend

Espoma Organic Indoor!

Alaska Morbloom Fertilizer

Dan's Dahlias | Oakville WA

 

For Claudia's tried and tested methods of growing cut flowers,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

 

Follow Claudia:
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok

 

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.