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

Hands down, without a doubt, incorporating indoor plants into my office has been the single best thing I’ve done for my mental health during the workday. And at this point, plant friends, if you or someone you love is working without plants in the workplace, we need to talk.
Because this is not just about aesthetics.
This is about biophilic design and workplace wellness. It is about the science that proves how plants and productivity are connected. Study after study shows that having office plants can reduce stress, increase focus, support creativity, and help regulate mood. Bringing nature indoors is not a trend. It is a practical, research-backed way to support your well-being while you work.
We are more screen addicted than ever. Most of us spend the majority of our day indoors, in offices or at home, staring at computers. That constant directed attention leads to fatigue.
So I’m bringing back an episode from the archives of Growing Joy Best Of series, recorded during the pandemic when many of us were redesigning our work-from-home spaces. And it feels even more relevant now. Creating a workspace filled with indoor plants for office wellness is one of the simplest ways to practice home-based wellness and bring small moments of calm into your day.
Most of the world spends the majority of their life at work. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing the science behind biophilic design, the connection between plants and productivity, and simple strategies to help plant parents and plant lovers transform their workspace into something that feels energizing, restorative, and joy-filled.
 
In this episode, we learn:
[02:07] Why Bloom and Grow Radio is doing an episode on #plantywfh spaces
[04:39] Check out Maria’s Planty WFH space tour
[05:03] What to expect from this episode on work from home setups and biophilic design
[06:50] The AMAZING and unbelievable benefits of engaging with plants and biophilic design, according to 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design
[07:27] What is biophilia, the idea behind it, and the important figures behind this wonderful hypothesis
[09:24] The psychological role of plants in our creativity
[10:09] How being around nature and scenery affects patient recovery, as studied by Dr. Ulrich in 1972 to 1981
[11:13] A review of direct versus involuntary attention based on studies by Stephen R. Kellert and Rachel Kaplan
[13:41] Biophilic Pattern #1: Visual Connection with Nature
[13:54] Planty WFH Tip #1: Put your desk near a window
[14:15] Planty WFH Tip #2: Put plants within the eyeline of your desk
[14:33] Planty WFH Tip #3: Have a green wall in your office
[14:56] Planty WFH Tip #4: If you can’t have real plants, pictures of plants will do!
[15:09] Biophilic Pattern #2: Non-Visual Connection with Nature
[15:26] Planty WFH Tip #5: Play nature sounds like the one-square inch forest silence in the Olympic National Park, bird songs, or waves
[16:36] Planty WFH Tip #6: Have different plant scents nearby, or you can use a diffuser like Maria!)
[16:53] Biophilic Pattern #3: Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli
[17:09] Planty WFH Tip #7: Set up bird feeders or pollinator-attracting plants, or take care of rare-blooming plants for a nice surprise
[17:39] Biophilic Pattern #4: Thermal and Air Flow Variability
[17:59] Biophilic Pattern #5: Presence of Water
[18:07] Planty WFH Tip #8: It’s your humidifier’s time to shine! Maybe a tiny fancy plug-in fountain?
[18:40] Biophilic Pattern #6: Dynamic and Diffuse Light
[18:52] Planty WFH Tip #9: Install a grow light with a timer, and have a more sustainable work hours setup!
[19:12] Planty WFH Tip #10: Reduce your blue light intake and light candles after a long day of work
[19:33] Biophilic Pattern #7: Connection with Natural Systems
[19:47] Biophilic Pattern #8: Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
[19:56] Did you know there are interesting and precise angles in nature?
[20:35] Biophilic Pattern #9: Material Connection with Nature
[21:07] Planty WFH Tip #11: Add accents in your home office like wood grains, fossil textures, and bamboo rattans
[21:30] Planty WFH Tip #12: Try a natural color palette of greens and browns
[21:50] How Maria and Billy managed their storage during their move
[24:52] Biophilic Pattern #10: Prospect
[25:04] Why it’s important to change the focus of your eyes every once in a while
[25:18] Biophilic Pattern #11: Refuge
[25:19] Why Maria recommends a planty screen-free space
[26:10] Biophilic Patterns #12: Mystery and #13: Risk and Peril
[26:20] The biggest rule of thumb of biophilic designs for Maria
[27:06] If you can’t have real plants, download the Bloom and Grow Radio’s free and gorgeous watercolor of prickly pear cactus in various states of bloom!
[28:03] Planty WFH Tip #13: Envelop your space in plants (if you can!)
[28:32] Maria’s planty WFH tips and ideas based on her own WFH setup
[30:04] The best plants for low-light home offices
[31:13] Are you blessed with a high-light office situation? Maria recommends these plants that love abundant light
[31:36] Planty WFH Tip #14: Install grow lights to incorporate more plants
[32:44] Planty WFH Tip #15: Tiny space? Go vertical!
[34:21] Maria’s biggest takeaways from 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design and her top advice on #plantyWFH setups
[36:26] Finding joy and awe in your #plantyWFH as a small break from your work day
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
Check out the full blog post here!
Get the free download with 9 Tips for Greening Up Your Work From Home Office Space
Check out Maria's #plantywfh office tour on youtube!
Growing Joy YouTube video Houseplant Tour: My Restorative Plant Corner // Why Plant Care Truly is Self Care
Growing Joy Episode 108: How To Use Plants To Create Restorative Environments With Anne Meore From NYBG
14 Patterns of Biophilic Design by William Browning, Catherine Ryan, and Joseph Clancy
Hoh Rainforest Audio
Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson
Frederick Law Olmsted
View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery by Roger Ulrich
Stephen R. Kellert
Attention Restoration Theory: Exploring the Role of Soft Fascination and Mental Bandwidth by Rachel Kaplan
What Was That Like Podcast by Scott Johnson
Maria's planty wfh set up on IG
 
If you could redesign your workspace using biophilic design, what would you add first?
Check out the full show notes and blog for simple, science-backed ways to bring nature into your office!
 
 
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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I’ve been waiting a very long time to write these words. I’m pregnant!!! And we’re having a baby boy! His nickname is Polpettino (which means ‘little meatball’ in Italian) because my husband Billy is fourth-generation Irish, and this baby is going to come out the most Irish kid you've ever met, so he's getting to be Italian while he's still in there. And we love him so much already. But before we get to the joy, I need to take you through the full story. Because this pregnancy didn't just happen. It was fought for. It was grieved for. It’s pregnancy after loss, after two years of grief, fear, therapy, IVF, and learning how to hold joy and sorrow in the same body. Welcome to my pregnancy journey!

 

In this episode, we learn:

[01:39] OMG, Plant friends, I’m pregnant with a baby boy!

[05:04] How I moved through seasons of grief, waiting, and hope

[06:26] Fear, numbness, and how this episode serves as my exposure therapy

[07:49] Sharing your personal stories of grief with me

[09:01] Why I reject the polished version of pregnancy that social media portrays

[10:08] My first pregnancy and a missed miscarriage before Christmas

[15:23] Manukora

[16:59] Espoma Organic

[19:12] My second pregnancy and how that loss hit me differently

[20:17] Why I think nature is brutal

[21:10] How we decided to move forward with IVF!

[21:36] How I found out I had endometritis

[23:22] How do you treat endometritis? (Please share this with every woman in your circle!)

[24:30] The patience and waiting for the IVF process itself

[26:07] What my fears are while pregnant with my third child

[28:47] My first trimester and what that meant for my work and identity

[29:27] How I still ran Growing Joy while sick

[31:11] Coming out of winter!! Spring is here! I'm finally ready to plan for our future [32:11] Growing Joy redefined and how I imagine motherhood inside this plant community

[33:27] The micro and macro of seasons and how time reshapes everything

[34:16] Four Christmases later…

[36:15] What's coming next? Gender reveal, house renovation, and what Growing Joy means now!

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Submission form for your own "Winter"

Growing Joy Episode 294: I Found 22 Ducklings on My Roof: A Nature-Curious Story of Trust and Transformation

 

For the full story of my pregnancy journey,

I share it in the show notes and blog.

 

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!

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

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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When I first started gardening, the second someone mentioned hardiness zones or frost dates, my eyes would immediately glaze over.
I had no idea what my USDA hardiness zone was. I didn’t know how to find my last frost date. I didn’t understand what “Zone 6B” or “Zone 10A” even meant for my plants. I had lived in the same place my entire life and somehow never once looked at a zone map. I didn’t think it mattered.
Now, after years of gardening (and now living in South Florida in zone 10B), my hardiness zone and frost dates are second nature to me. But whenever I talk to new gardeners and say, “Oh, I’m in zone 10B,” I see that same glazed-over look. And I get it. Words like USDA hardiness zone, frost dates, and microclimates sound technical and overwhelming. They’re not exactly things we learned in school.
But understanding your gardening climate is one of the most important things you can do as a plant parent.
Knowing your hardiness zone tells you what plants can survive your winters. Knowing your first and last frost dates helps you time your seed starting and planting correctly. And understanding microclimates can help you push your zone just enough to grow something you didn’t think was possible.
So in this Best of Growing Joy replay, I’m bringing back my conversation with Rochelle Greayer of Pith + Vigor. This episode was recorded when I had just moved to the Catskills and was planning my very first outdoor garden. We break down what hardiness zones actually mean, how to find your frost dates, what those little A and B letters stand for, and how to use all of it to confidently plan your first garden.
 
In this episode, we learn:
[04:46] What Maria has in store for fellow novice gardeners like her this summer!
[05:40] How Rochelle went from flying aircraft and satellites to a full-time garden designer
[08:34] What Rochelle loves about garden design—and Maria’s luxury spa biophilic experience
[10:00] The many careers you can get into if you want to pursue a plant profession
[11:26] Do plants really clean the air in your apartment? Maria discusses this hot topic circulating in the plant community
[13:10] The topics that Maria wants to understand about outdoor gardens
[13:49] What are hardiness zones? What are the pros and cons of the USDA Hardiness Zones?
[17:23] The difference between the USDA hardiness zones and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Heat Zones
[18:39] What does a plant’s hardiness mean?
[19:20] Once you know your hardiness zone, how do you apply that information to your outdoor garden?
[21:11] Does hardiness matter for annual plants?
[21:58] How do frost dates differ from hardiness zones? What are frost dates actually for?
[23:10] Why it is important to know frost dates—beware of last frost!
[25:54] What’s more important between hardiness zone and frost dates?
[29:48] How to plan your garden with your hardiness zone and frost dates information
[31:02] Frost date hack: you can extend your growing season inside!
[32:31] Understanding how a plant supports itself during growing season
[35:06] What are the Sunset climate zones?
[36:58] Listener question #1: How much does microclimate affect your predicted garden zones? What is a microclimate?
[39:31] How do you know if you have a microclimate in the garden?
[41:06] Listener question #2: What methods can be used to push gardening zones, if a plant is hardy just outside your gardening zone?
[41:43] Why it’s important to pay attention to the environments in your garden
[44:44] Listener question #3: Have the zones changed because of climate change?
[46:49] Rochelle’s favorite piece of advice for those who want to try out garden design
[48:57] Rochelle’s gardening course for homeowners looking into improving their gardens
[50:26] The cool history behind Pith + Vigor’s name
[53:23] Maria’s plans for this seed season and how she’s applied this conversation to her garden planning
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Frost Dates Calculator
The Old Farmer’s Almanac
 
What’s your USDA hardiness zone, and what are you planting this season?
Check out the full show notes and blog to find your zone and plan your garden with confidence!
 
Follow Rochelle
Website
Instagram
Classes
 
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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Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a passion for plants into a thriving business? Join me as I sit down with Erika, the incredible wife of Tanner the Planter, to explore their inspiring journey in the plant business. From their unexpected meeting during a lunch break to co-owning the flourishing plant shop, Famous in Oregon, which opened its doors during the pandemic, Erika shares the heartfelt story behind their love and entrepreneurial spirit. This episode is packed with insights on how to cultivate joy and wellness through plants, and you won't want to miss it!
Erika opens up about the challenges they faced transitioning from separate careers in education and party rentals to becoming plant business partners. With a focus on community and customer relationships, she emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and valuing their time as they navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Together, they balance their strengths—Erika shines in customer care while Tanner excels in operations—creating a harmonious dynamic that fuels their passion for plants.
Throughout our conversation, we also touch on practical topics that every plant parent can benefit from, including watering tips, how to get rid of gnats, and the best strategies for repotting plants. Plus, we dive into the world of plant pests, discussing how to deal with scale insects and other plant diseases that can threaten your beloved greens. Erica even shares some of their exciting future plans, including a new product line and Tanner's upcoming book, which promises to be a must-read for plant lovers everywhere.
This episode is a joyful exploration of love, partnership, and the healing power of nature. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting your journey into the world of gardening, there's something here for everyone. So, grab your favorite plant, settle in, and let's grow some joy together!
In this episode, we learn:
[04:30] Meet Erika from Tanner the Planter and Famous in Oregon!
[05:49] How did Erika and Tanner first meet and start dating?
[07:08] Erika’s background in education and administration
[11:21] Erika’s first experience with entrepreneurship
[13:36] How their plant business actually runs today (storefront, live sales, shipping center)
[15:15] The Wild & Free Garden
[17:14] Live selling plant shop
[21:02] Where did the name "Famous in Oregon" actually come from?
[23:50] How did they start and scale content to millions of followers?
[27:55] Turning customer data points into education, content, and book!
[29:22] How Erika and Tanner's strengths/weaknesses help the business
[31:27] The team that runs the day-to-day operations
[33:23] How did their plant shop look for the first two years?
[35:01] Brick-and-mortar slowing down (and why online live sales now carry the business)
[37:43] What do sourcing plants, freight logistics, and dealing with growers look like?
[42:50] Steve's Leaves as their first supplier!
[45:10] What are some of their struggles? (QuickBooks, payroll, HR, legal, taxes)
[47:16] What makes the plant shop business worth it?
[48:26] What is their vision for the future of the business?
[49:19] Why they're turning down reality TV opportunities
[50:03] What makes their partnership successful?
[52:30] Pilates, health, and evolving together beyond the business
[57:01] Erika’s advice for couples working together!
[58:56] As the author's wife, what was it like experiencing Tanner's book launch?
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
Sony NWZ-A17
Steve's Leaves
Tropical Plant International Expo
 
Ever wonder what makes a successful plant business?
Check out the full show notes and blog here for Erika's secret!
 
Follow Erika and Tanner:
Website
Facebook
TikTok
Instagram
YouTube
 
Thank you to our episode sponsor:
Quarto: The Wild & Free Garden by Stephanie Rose
Grab The Wild & Free Garden at quarto.com and wherever books are sold. 
 
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 ever been scrolling Instagram before and seen a picture where it looks like plants are planted in Cocoa Puffs, like little brown balls, or gravel? Maybe as you've been scrolling, you've seen the words semi-hydroponics, passive hydroponics, or LECA.
Well, today’s episode is a deep dive into the art of growing plants hydroponically, but specifically through semi-hydroponics, a popular soil-free growing method that uses an inorganic growing medium instead of traditional potting mix.
We'll dive into what that means in the episode. This is a way-back conversation with Kay from @inrootedlove as part of the best of Growing Joy series because more and more plant parents are becoming curious about hydroponic growing for their houseplants, and I thought this would be a really interesting discussion to revisit for anyone considering their own transition away from soil.
I’ll also share a little bit about my personal experience growing in LECA at the end of this episode. It’s been several years since I recorded this interview, and I’ve had a long semi-hydroponics journey since then, so I’ll give you an honest update before we wrap.
 
In this episode, we learn:
What is “semi-hydro” aka “passive hydroponics”?
How Kay became the LECA Plant Lady she is today
How Semi-Hydro works
What are LECA balls
What materials do you need to have a LECA setup?
How does a beginner make their first LECA setup
How expensive is this hobby?
How to fertilize
What products Kay uses in her home
Pest management for a semi-hydro setup
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
“Passive or Semi-Hydro” Amazon Store
YouTube: First Time "Semi" or "Passive" Hydroponic Set Up for Houseplants!
 
Are you curious if semi-hydro (aka passive hydroponics) could simplify your plant care routine?
Check out the full show notes and blog for a beginner-friendly breakdown of LECA, reservoirs, and more!
 
Follow Kay
Instagram
Facebook
Threads
Amazon
 
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.