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

Have you ever stopped to consider the stories that trees could tell if they could speak? In this episode of Growing Joy with Plants, I’m thrilled to welcome the incredible Beronda Montgomery, a renowned botanist and author, as we dive deep into her groundbreaking new book, When Trees Testify. Together, we explore the profound connection between humans and plants, particularly how trees bear witness to history, including the often-overlooked narratives of black American history. This conversation is not just about botany; it’s about understanding the emotional and historical significance that trees hold in our lives.
Beronda shares her enlightening journey from studying the intricate world of botany to uncovering the rich tapestry of stories that trees represent, especially in relation to African American history. We discuss the themes of land trauma, the importance of storytelling in understanding plant life, and how trees serve as living witnesses to the past. You’ll hear about Baronda’s transformative visit to a plantation that ignited her passion for exploring the historical significance of trees, and how these majestic beings can guide us toward healing and wellness rooted in nature.
As plant lovers and plant parents, we often seek ways to cultivate a deeper relationship with our green companions. This episode emphasizes the need for holistic plant care, mindful gardening, and the joy of nurturing plants as a form of home-based wellness. Beronda’s insights on the intersection of botany, personal history, and cultural heritage will inspire you to reflect on your own experiences with plants and how they contribute to your mental health and joyful living.
Join us as we unpack these vital themes and learn how to better care for our plants, whether it’s dealing with pesky plant pests, understanding humidity for plants, or mastering watering tips to keep our green friends thriving. Let’s dig into the stories that our plants hold and recognize the rich narratives they embody.
 
In this episode, we learn:
[02:01] Do you want to join my 2026 Growing Joy class experience?
[02:53] Meet my plant friend Beronda Montgomery!
[05:23] Why Beronda’s work extends beyond botany into history and activism
[09:23] Why When Trees Testify matters and what sparked its creation
[11:29] What is land trauma?
[14:27] What happened during their visit to the McLeod Plantation?
[15:25] The Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening
[16:51] Espoma Organic
[22:03] What is plant communication/tree communication?
[23:02] What are “witness trees” and their part in the collective history?
[25:06] How an enslaved botanist shaped the pecan industry
[28:23] How reclaiming wisdom can help heal land trauma
[32:29] Why is the Willow Tree chapter the most personal to write for Beronda?
[33:46] Uncovering the Elaine, Arkansas massacre through plants
[35:57] How trees help identify forgotten sacred spaces
[36:17] Why trees matter globally as historical indicators
[37:17] What does "Sankofa" mean?
[39:03] Why Apple trees have such a great impact on history
[42:58] Life at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute and what’s next for Beronda
[45:27] Where to find Beronda’s work, events, and future talks
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
Book: When Trees Testify by Beronda Montgomery
Book: Lessons from Plants by Beronda Montgomery
Book: An Apple for Harriet Tubman by Glennette Tilley Turner & Susan Keeter
Book: All That She Carried by Tuya Miles
Book: How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith
Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Article: Red Summer 1919: Tree memorializing black Americans killed in Elaine, Arkansas, cut down
 
To learn more about how Beronda explores Black American history through botany,
check out the full show notes and blog here!
 
Follow Beronda:
Website
Instagram
Books
Bsky
 
Thank you to our episode sponsors:
Quarto: Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening by The American Horticultural Society
Grab the Essential Guide to Ecological Gardeningat quarto.com and wherever books are sold.
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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African violets often get a bad reputation as fussy, old-fashioned houseplants, but what if they’ve just been misunderstood? In this African violet care guide, we’re bringing back a favorite episode from the Best of Growing Joy series to change the way you think about caring for African violets.
Lisa from Houseplant Guru joins us to bust common African violet myths and explain why these so-called “grandma plants” are actually some of the most rewarding indoor flowering plants you can grow. African violets bloom indoors with far less effort than many houseplants, including hoyas.
We cover everything you need to know about African violet care, from light and watering to repotting and reblooming, so you’ll feel confident growing African violets again even if you’ve struggled with them before.
 
In this episode, we learn:
Where did African violets originate?
How do African violets grow outdoors?
What is a gesneriad?
How to care for African violets (watering, light, soil)
Best watering practices for African Violets
When to repot African violets
How to Fertilize African violets
Bloom Cycles: How to have your African violet stay in bloom
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
African Violet Society
The Violet Barn
Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses
 
What African violet myth are you ready to let go of after this episode?
Check out the full show notes and blog for the complete African violet care guide!
 
Follow Lisa
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
Books
Blogs
 
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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Are you ready to transform your relationship with nature and unlock the secrets to true wellness? Join me in the first episode of Season 11 of "Growing Joy with Plants," where I take you on a reflective journey through the past year of my life as a plant care educator, podcaster, and fellow plant lover. This episode is packed with insights on how nature therapy can elevate your mental health, helping you reconnect with the natural world while nurturing your beloved plants.
As I share my heartfelt gratitude for each of you amazing listeners, I dive into the exciting transitions I experienced in 2025. From doubling the number of podcast episodes to launching my very own digital course, this year has been a whirlwind of growth and learning. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing; I’ve faced challenges that tested my resilience, and through it all, I’ve discovered the profound connection between caring for our plants and our personal well-being.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m thrilled to announce a fresh focus on self-care and the healing power of nature. We’ll explore how nature therapy can enhance your home-based wellness journey, moving beyond just plant care to encompass a holistic approach to joyful living. I’m also excited to share that I’m pursuing certification as a forest therapy guide! This endeavor will allow us to delve into the significance of forest therapy and its incredible benefits for mental health.
Join me in upcoming classes designed to help you reflect on the past year and realign your intentions for the new one. Together, we’ll cultivate joy through nature and deepen our connection with the world around us. So grab your favorite houseplant, find a cozy spot, and let’s embark on this journey of growth and healing!
Join us in the Growing Joy in 2026 2 class experience! https://growingjoywithmaria.com/2026
In this episode, we learn:
[00:00] A big intention shift for 2026 and a new chapter for Growing Joy!
[02:30] A trip down memory lane for 2025! (doubling content, launching courses, etc.)
[03:25] What went into making the Growing Joy with Plants Masterclass
[06:57] How I may relaunch the  Growing Joy Garden Society
[07:37] Personal transitions, health challenges, and putting down roots in Florida
[08:43] Why I feel like I’m outgrowing the constant “how to water plants” content
[09:20] Why I want to focus on “self care through plant care” content in 2026
[10:20] How to water ourselves via caring for houseplants
[11:01] Why connecting with nature matters more than how you do it
[12:41] What’s staying the same and what’s expanding in the podcast
[13:20] Why plants have been my anchor through hard years
[16:34] Becoming a sound bath practitioner and using it to create healing experiences
[17:08] The big announcement: training as a forest therapy guide!
[17:41] What is forest therapy? (aka forest bathing)
[19:12] How forest therapy awakens the senses and calms the nervous system
[21:14] Remembering we are part of nature (not visitors to it)
[22:11] Creating a podcast mini-series about forest therapy with the help of ANFT
[23:33] Why deeper connection with nature supports planetary health
[25:00] Introducing “Growing Joy in 2026,” a Lunar New Year class series!
[26:08] Reflecting, releasing, and composting lessons from 2025
 
Mentioned in our conversation:
Growing Joy in 2026 Class Series
Forest Therapy Guide Certification | Forest Bathing Training
What's Your Plant Parent Personality?
Understanding Natural Light
The Foolproof Plant Picking Formula
Houseplant SOS
Repot with Confidence
 
Interested in learning more about forest therapy?
Check out the full show notes and blog here!
 
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 on an eight-year campaign to bring more attention and love to the plant we’re doing a deep dive on today, as you’ll find out. Because this plant, the snake plant (otherwise known as the san), is often touted as a low-light plant. But it wants to soak up the sun, plant friends. It deserves so much more than it gets.
So today, we’re revisiting a favorite episode of mine with guest Chris Satch, which is a deep dive on snake plants, finally giving them a full episode to learn more about them: from their African roots to why they wrinkle, flop, or sometimes even bloom. Get ready for a joyful, myth-busting deep dive into the care structure and secret strengths of one of my favorite plants.
Alright, plant friends. If today’s episode convinces you to let your snake plant finally bask in some well-deserved sunshine, just wait until you see how much happier (and how much chubbier) those leaves become when you put them in the light where they deserve to be.
 
In this episode, we learn:
[00:39] Why Maria LOVES snake plants
[04:55] Why snake plants are the most giftable plants
[06:06] Are snake plants Dracaena or Sansevieria?
[09:32] Where do you find snake plants in nature?
[10:06] Are snake plants low-light plants?
[11:08] The structure of a snake plant
[13:43] How snake plants photosynthesize
[18:02] How much light do snake plants need? Can you burn them?
[19:16] How often should you water snake plants?
[21:22] What your snake plant looks like when it needs watering
[23:24] How do you get a snake plant to flower?
[24:13] Do snake plants need fertilizer?
[26:23] Where to get sustainable hanging planters
[29:12] The best giftable planty products this season
[32:14] Chris’ confession about the best potting media for snake plants
[34:49] Maria’s confession about her first snake plants
[35:57] How to divide and repot snake plant pups
[38:00] How tall should a pup be before you separate them?
[41:23] Why do snake plants droop? How do you strengthen their leaves?
[43:33] Troubleshooting floppy snake plant leaves
[46:06] How do you get snake plants to be fuller?
[47:33] Chris’ favorite snake plant species
[52:28] Why you should wipe the dust off your snake plant leaves
[54:05] What life lessons can we learn from snake plants?
 
Will you finally move your snake plant into brighter light?
Check out the full show notes and blog for the full snake plant care guide!
 
Follow Chris
Website
Instagram
Classes
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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I’m so excited to bring you today’s child-friendly episode with a dear friend of mine, Joe Dombrowski. You might know him as @mrDtimes3. He’s the classroom teacher who went viral several years ago and was featured on Ellen for doing a joke spelling bee with his kids. But Joe is actually a massive plant parent, and we became friends a couple of years ago because he listened to the podcast.
When I learned that he was a teacher, I thought it would be so fun to do an episode together on child-friendly holistic plant care activities you can do with kids, whether they’re crafts or science-based activities, like teaching science, or just keeping your kids engaged and hands-on in the classroom or at home.
I figured it would be a fun time to re-release this episode as part of the Best of Growing Joy series in December, when you probably have some kiddos home for vacation and are looking for a few things to do with them. Maybe one of these really creative plant projects that Joe talks about will help you out during your time off.
 
In this episode, we learn:
Joe and Maria remember their trip to the Amazon Spheres together
Joe's opinion on kids going back to school
[12:25] Project 1: Seed Germination in a Bag
[19:50] Project 2: Sweet Potato Experiment and understanding the scientific process
Project 3: Pothos Propagation 3 Ways
Project 4: Fairy Gardens and Terrariums
Project 5: List of Interactive Plants for Kids
Joe's list of his personal favorite plants in his collection
Joe's most recent plant parent win
 
Which plant project are you excited to try first with the kids?
Check out the full show notes and blog for all the kid-friendly plant activities and tips to get growing together!
 
Follow Joe
Website
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
X
YouTube
 
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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