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. I literally overnighted a flower essence to myself for a retreat I was going to. That’s how amazing this conversation was for me.

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

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Flower essences are basically the energetic imprint of a flower captured in water. No, it’s not an essential oil. No, not even a floral-scented perfume.

This is literally plant energy infused into water and preserved so that we can take in the healing properties of flowers in a way that supports our emotions, mindset, and even our physical well-being.

Science also backs this up! Plants emit vibrations, and our bodies can pick up on them. If you’ve ever walked into a forest and felt lighter, that’s not just because of the fresh air—it’s because the plants are literally interacting with your energy field. And flower essences allow us to bring that experience into our daily lives.

I first heard about Lotuswei when I was gifted one of their aura sprays in an influencer kit for my friend Jessica Zweig’s book launch.

But first I was like, okay, what makes this different from a normal essential oil? But then I started using it throughout my workday and I felt the difference.

So, naturally, I ordered more. And then more. And now I have a full Lotuswei shrine on my desk because these flower essences have truly become a non-negotiable in my daily routine.

Before meetings, a spritz of Fierce Compassion helps me show up as my best, most present self. Then at night, a few spritzes of Quiet Mind to help me actually relax before bed.

It’s not just about the scent. It’s about the shift in my energy. I feel more present. More clear-headed. More me.

A lot of times people say, “Well, what about the placebo?” But Katie shared that flower essences work on animals, babies, and even plants. There is no “belief system” required for them to be effective.

People report feeling shifts in their emotions, their stress levels, even their sleep after just a few days of use. I can tell you firsthand—I feel the difference. And at the end of the day, even if a little bit of this is placebo… does it really matter? My life is better, I feel better, and I’m more in tune with nature and myself. So honestly? I’ll take the magic.

Katie shared that thousands of people have been drawn to certain flower essences in the last few years—especially in our post-COVID world. Here are a few that are topping the list:

So now that you’re intrigued, how do you actually start using flower essences?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey as a plant parent, it’s that nature wants to support us. We just have to be open to it.

Flower essences have become such a huge part of my daily life, and I’m so excited to keep exploring them. If you’re curious, go take the Lotuswei quiz, pick up an elixir or mist, and see how you feel. Let’s make life more magical, plant friends!

Bring 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.

Plants don't just gift us a wonderful hobby, they also have extraordinary capabilities! Plants with Superpowers by David Dominey features 75 different plants that each have unique abilities like snowdrops that can produce their own antifreeze, venus flytraps that have a memory and can count, and the prehistoric ginkgo tree and how it can survive an atomic bomb. David is a popular gardener in the UK and he's been a great enthusiast for the positive power of plants for a while. After considerable research into myths, legends, and scientific papers, David illustrates how the natural world has truly gifted plants with superpowers—care tips included!

Pick up Plants with Superpowers at your local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, quarto.com, or amazon.com.

Follow Lotuswei:

Website

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

The post The Transformative Power of Flower Essences: What Are Flower Essences and How Can They Help Me? with Katie Hess of Lotuswei, Ep 277 appeared first on Growing Joy with Maria.

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.

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

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Plant care isn't intuitive anymore. Most of us are living in urban environments and are separated from nature. When I was just starting out, I lived in a 500-square-foot apartment, and I couldn't even tell you if there were trees on my block! No wonder I struggled with keeping plants alive.

As adults, we're not used to being students anymore. We feel like we should just know things, right? But plant care is this beautiful opportunity to embrace being a learner again. Besides, with all the information (and misinformation!) floating around on social media, it's easy to get overwhelmed or set unrealistic expectations for ourselves.

We need to prune the term “plant killer” from our vocabulary. I used to identify as one too, but I've never met a single plant expert who hasn't killed plants. If someone hasn't killed a plant, it's only because they've never brought one home!

Instead of “plant killer,” let's use terms like:

When I have a plant that's struggling now, I ask it, “What were you here to teach me?” Was it about watering? Light? Pest control?

As long as I've learned something, that plant has been a success story.

When I saw my fiddle-leaf fig, Figaro, drop two of his biggest leaves after a cold snap, my first reaction was, Oh no! I failed him! But then I stopped myself. No, this was actually an amazing opportunity. This was a sign that Figaro needed a new pot and a fresh start.

The same goes for pests. If you get spider mites, you get to learn how to treat them. If your plant gets yellow leaves, you get to investigate why. We’re in a lifelong relationship with our plants, and the best thing we can do is stay open and keep learning.

One of the biggest turning points for me was realizing that our plant parent personality can shift over time. I used to be a totally mindful plant parent, spending 30 minutes a day with my plants. 

Now, life's different, and after moving to a new home in Florida, I've shifted to being more of a low-maintenance plant parent. And that's okay!

The first step is choosing plants that match your current lifestyle and needs.

Here are my top tips to becoming a more confident plant parent:

You know what? I don't want perfect anymore. Perfect is boring! I have a dead plant in my office right now, but I also have 180 other happy houseplants growing. That's real plant parenthood—it's not about perfection; it's about growth and learning.

Remember, plant friends, this is a lifelong journey. We don't have to know everything right this very moment—just as our plants grow one leaf at a time. At times, we need to let go of the older leaves so that new growth can take place.

It is great just that you're here, trying. And I'm proud of you.

Bring 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 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

The post Houseplant Confidence: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything, Ep 276 appeared first on Growing Joy with Maria.

How can we conserve water while maintaining healthy, attractive gardens, no matter what climate you're in? Record-breaking heat waves, devastating droughts, wildfires scorching millions of acres, floods turning streets into rivers—we've seen it all this year. As climate extremes test our resilience, our gardens are feeling the impact too. How do we ensure our gardens not only survive but also grow in these unpredictable conditions?

In this episode, let’s talk about water-saving techniques and strategies to keep your garden lush and sustainable with  Noelle Johnson, aka the “Arizona plant lady.” She’s a horticulturist, landscape consultant, and the author of the new book, ‘The Water-Smart Garden.’

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

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Would you believe that 30% to 70% of your household water use goes to watering your plants outside? This statistic varies dramatically based on location—if you're in an area with plenty of rainfall, you might be on the lower end, but head west, and that percentage climbs significantly.

Noelle shares her story: “I moved to Arizona from California, and I was very excited to plant a garden… six months later, everything was dead. Even the beautiful rose bushes that my garden had come with, I managed to kill them while keeping them alive.”

Noelle explains that plants are made up of approximately 95% water. During the day, when the sun comes out, plants lose water through the surface of their leaves. So when it comes to selecting drought-tolerant plants, you have to be more selective.

Look for plants with:

Smaller leaves (less surface area for water loss)

A grayish cast (indicating tiny protective hairs that act like sunscreen)

Native or climate-adapted characteristics

Don't just go to a big box store because there are certain types of plants they put out there as eye candy, but some are not suitable for that particular climate.

Soil is our biggest bank, meaning it's the best place to store moisture. She shares a simple test to understand your soil type:

Now, the best way (and solution) to improve the texture and water-holding capabilities of your soil is compost. Mix one-third compost with two-thirds existing soil for optimal results. For sandy soil, it allows it to hold on, keeping the water there a little bit longer. And for clay soil, it's going to allow the water to drain and permeate more effectively.

One of the most intriguing techniques discussed is the use of ollas (pronounced “oya”). “This is an example of an ancient practice that still works to this day. These clay vessels are buried in the ground, filled with water, and slowly release moisture directly to plant roots.

“You can make your own,” Noelle shares. It's two terracotta pots. It's the simplest thing to use. Cost only around 2-3 bucks.

Xeriscaping, from the Greek word for “dry landscape,” isn't about creating a barren wasteland—it's about smart design that maximizes water efficiency while maintaining beauty.

The strategy involves strategic grouping of plants based on their water needs—a concept called hydrozoning. If you have some plants that need a lot of water, put them together so they can all share of that water. If you have plants that are more drought tolerant, put them in their own section.

A successful xeriscape also incorporates efficient irrigation practices, typically using drip systems for trees, shrubs, and ground covers. The approach also calls for seasonal adjustments to watering schedules—a detail many gardeners overlook. This comprehensive system, when properly implemented, can reduce outdoor water usage by 50-75% while still maintaining a lush, vibrant landscape.

Lawns consume the most water outdoors in the country, and instead of encouraging complete removal (though you can do that), Noelle offers smart management techniques.

Let your lawn grow to about three inches tall. That shades the roots of your lawn. So less water is lost.

She also emphasizes the importance of proper watering depth: “You want to water to a depth of six to eight inches each time. Most people water their lawn too frequently and not deeply enough.”

Noelle offers two simple starting points:

Allow your plants to grow to their natural size. Avoid pruning things too much. Every time you prune plants, that stimulates new growth and the plants are going to need more water.

If you don't have a drip irrigation system, you can get a soaker hose. You could wrap it around your plants or your trees that need some extra water and it slowly weeps out water.

As our climate continues to change, these water-smart techniques aren't just good practice—they're becoming important for garden survival. Creating a water-efficient garden doesn't mean sacrificing beauty, but is about working smarter, not harder, and understanding how to make the most of every drop.

Bring 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.

If you've been interested in learning how to plan, plant, and tend to low-maintenance perennial plantings, American Horticultural Society's Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening is the perfect way to get started! Whether you grow in full sun or a shady corner, in a small space or a large landscape, the insight and guidance offered by the experts at AHS ensure that you will have a thriving, bloom-filled garden. The book contains garden design strategies, advice on picking plants, and over 150 plant profiles with photos and care advice.

Grab a copy of Essential Guide to Perennial Gardening at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Quarto.com, or Amazon.com.

Follow Noelle:

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

The post Water Saving Techniques for Your Garden with Noelle Johnson, Ep 275 appeared first on Growing Joy with Maria.

If you’re a plant lover, you’ve probably come across Chantel, the brilliant mind behind @channygrayhome on Instagram. Over the past few years, she has built a community of over half a million plant enthusiasts. But there’s so much more to her than her incredible follower count.

In this episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my chat with Channy—where we talked about her plant history, her love for DIYs, her big move from the Arizona desert to lush Iowa, and how she juggles being a plant mom and a mom to three kids.

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

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

Two years ago, I met Channy in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a sweaty, last-minute meet-up at the Botanical Garden. I was in town for just 48 hours, juggling a conference and squeezing in a podcast recording. I frantically DMed Chantel, asking if she could join me—and she did! We had the most amazing time creating content and touring the gardens together.

What makes this moment even more special is that Chantel was actually a longtime listener to my podcast when it was still Bloom and Grow Radio, back when she was struggling with plant care. It gives me all the feels after knowing that my podcast helped her turn things around.

As a mom to three kids (ages 4, 6, and 8), Chantel sees beautiful parallels between raising plants and children.

“ I feel like they're both so parallel to each other. I feel like the way my kids grow and my plants grow is all a reflection of the care that I give them.”

Chantel's committed to making plant care convenient and enjoyable. As she puts it, “The moment plant care feels inconvenient is when it's no longer fun.”

Here are some of her top tips:

Chantel firmly believes in preventing pests rather than dealing with infestations. When she brings a new plant home, she goes to repot it immediately, treats it with her own plant soap, and adds systemic granules to the soil.

She basically treats every new plant as if it has pests, and this routine has saved her countless headaches.

Her plant soap, a product she created after struggling with mealybugs on her variegated Hoya compacta, has become a fan favorite because it’s like giving your plants a bubble bath by how it lifts pests off the leaves and prevents infestations.

Chantel loves DIY projects, and she’s very creative and full of restless energy. She’s known for turning spaces with earthy tones and plant-friendly designs inspired by the desert. Moving to Iowa is a fresh start, and she’s brimming with ideas for her new home.

One of the things she's most proud of is her aesthetic catch trays for hanging plants.

Exciting things are coming in 2025! Chantel's going to start selling plants on her website, with collections specifically curated for different spaces in the home (so that these plants can grow even in low light spaces). As a self-proclaimed “Hoya head,” she's particularly excited about offering collections of easy-blooming Hoyas.

So if you're new to this game or have an indoor jungle of your own, it's all about making plant care work for you. As she shows us, sometimes the simplest approaches are the most successful!

Bring 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.

Kitchen gardening isn’t just about growing food anymore—it’s a lifestyle. In Kitchen Garden Living, Bailey Van Tassel, founder of the Kitchen Garden Society, guides you step-by-step to create a kitchen garden of your own, no matter the size or location. Organized into chapters like  Plan, Grow, Tend, Make, Gather, Connect, and Inspire, this book helps you connect with your garden, involve your family, and promote seasonal living for a healthier, more intentional lifestyle.

Grab a copy of Kitchen Garden Living at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Quarto.com, or Amazon.com to get inspired and grow organically.

Follow Channy Gray Home:

Website

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

The post Easy Houseplant Care, Houseplant Pest Control, and Motherhood and Plants with Channy Gray Home, Ep 273 appeared first on Growing Joy with Maria.

I can't believe we're already in 2025, but I am SO excited to spill all the tea about my wild plant experiment from last year. In 2024, I totally went for it and added over 40 new plant species to my collection—and it was quite the adventure! Some of these plants thrived, some flopped, and yes, some didn’t make it. So in this episode, I’m sharing it all—from my favorites to my fails—and what I learned along the way.

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

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

After moving to Florida, I realized I needed plants that could live with less attention. I’m now a low maintenance plant parent. And you know what? That's totally okay! Maybe I’ll circle back to my mindful plant parenting days in the future.

Will I be adding 40 more plants in 2025? No. I think that 2024 was a really fun year but that was a lot of plants to add. I will definitely continue experimenting.

I'm going to be testing and touring houseplant growers and all that kind of stuff. But I also feel like I can just take a breath and I'm really happy with the collection that I have right now.

This year, I’m focusing on creating a lush lanai jungle and growing more food outdoors. I’m also curious to see how Florida’s unique climate affects my houseplants.

Bring 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.

In their first new book in over two decades, the American Horticultural Society offers indispensable insight into growing a modern edible garden at home, regardless of whether your home is in the desert Southwest, the Midwestern plains, or on the shores of New England. AHS Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening digs into everything you need to know to cultivate a successful and productive vegetable garden without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Learn how to build a resilient garden that can face weather extremes and even how to do an at-home soil assessment.

Grab a copy of the American Horticultural Society Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening at your favorite local bookstore, bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, quarto.com or amazon.com to get inspired and grow organically.

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

The post I Grew 40 New Plants in 2024: Ranked from Favorites to Flops, Ep 271 appeared first on Growing Joy with Maria.