Houseplants are celebrated for their amazing foliage, but I think we overlook another amazing ability, a specific subcategory our favorite indoor plants have — the ability to bloom! Some people say we are intrinsically connected to flowers because, way back when, they signified fruit.

Personally, I just think they are joyful as hell with their bright colors, and let's be frank, we all need a little more joy and color in our lives. To give us a better grasp of this beautiful subcategory, I've invited back Lisa of The Houseplant Guru to talk about the must-knows of houseplants that bloom and how reconnecting with this group of plants can help us reconnect to generations we might never know.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [01:13] Maria’s garden updates
• [04:15] Introducing Lisa, a beloved Growing Joy guest
• [06:38] African violets and their underrated beauty
• [08:27] What are the differences in plant care between foliage houseplants and blooming houseplants?
• [13:25] How long should grow lights stay on for flowering houseplants?
• [14:13] How does photoperiod affect the bloom cycle of a plant?
• [15:42] Can you put orchids under grow lights?
• [16:59] Do blooming houseplants need fertilizer?
• [20:24] What to do when your orchids don’t bloom
• [25:10] How to get orchids to re-bloom
• [26:26] Maria and Lisa share their thoughts about collecting plants and moving homes
• [29:51] Best blooming houseplants for beginners
• [30:59] Why do you need to turn your holiday cactus all year round?
• [31:53] What is the trick for beautiful and healthy African violets?
• [33:36] Best blooming houseplants for beginners (continued)
• [36:17] Best blooming houseplants for intermediates
• [38:38] Are Gerbera daisies appropriate houseplants?
• [39:37] How to make blooms last longer
• [40:37] Should you fertilize your plant while it is in bloom?
• [41:04] Lisa’s favorite blooming houseplants
• [41:44] Where to get Lisa’s latest book!
• [43:27] Maria’s personal story on how blooming plants connected generations of their family
• [48:17] Closing remarks

Mentioned in our conversation:

• GJ Episode 133: How To Manage Deer, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Moles, Voles And Other Animals In Your Garden With Brie The Plant Lady
• GJ Episode 30: Orchid 101 With Chris
• GJ Episode 84 : African Violets 101 With Lisa
• Order Lisa’s book “Bloom: The secrets of growing flowering houseplants year-round”

Do you think blooming houseplants are too tricky?

Check out the full show notes and blog for easy-care options that bloom beautifully!

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Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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