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

What role do you think nature plays in your life? For me, it has always been a deeper way to improve my mental, physical, and emotional health. In fact, it’s not just me who thinks this way. The minute I hopped into the digital recording studio, I knew that my guest was someone very similar to me! I’ve been following Marcus Bridgewater, better known as Garden Marcus, for years, and I’m so happy to say that he surpassed my dreams of what this conversation on plants and wellness could have been.In this episode, we learn:[02:12] Who is Marcus from Garden Marcus?[04:49] Something we have in common![09:03] How did Garden Marcus get started?[12:50] How did Marcus first start gardening?[17:01] Our crazy plant parent stories[18:56] Community and isolation[20:37] Why we need more green spaces[27:41] How to be a more “grounding” person[30:08] How disconnected is the world from nature?[33:08] Exploring plant life parallels[36:37] How to understand “feelings”[39:35] How to awaken to nature’s presence[43:27] How Marcus’s book came to be[46:11] Mind, body, and spirit[47:32] What it means to be “community loyal”[48:23] Garden Marcus vs. Marcus Bridgewater[51:04] Check out Seasons of Growth: The New Journal[53:30] Where to follow/find Garden MarcusMentioned in this conversation:How to Grow: Nurture Your Garden, Nurture Yourself by Marcus BridgewaterSeasons of Growth: A Journal for Well-Being Inspired by Marcus BridgewaterChoice ForwardRedwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service)For more plant-life parallels,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 LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Plant friends, did you know your houseplants can double as pest control? Carnivorous plants don’t just survive—they hunt. Venus flytraps can snap down on unsuspecting flies, while pitcher plants lure bugs into their slippery traps. These carnivorous plants themselves are nature’s own pest management system.So I’ve brought on a guest who knows everything there is to know about them: Kenny Coogan, the head of education at the International Carnivorous Plant Society.Kenny has been growing carnivorous plants for about 20 years, and about five years ago, he joined the ICPS as the education director. He quit his day job and turned his passion into his profession, running a carnivorous plant nursery in Florida. As he puts it, "Carnivorous plants are my life."In this episode, we learn:[01:47] What’s not to love about carnivorous plants?[04:52] Who is Kenny?[08:01] Some facts about Venus flytraps[09:57] What is a carnivorous plant?[12:54] Where do we find carnivorous plants outdoors?[15:36] Don’t let your houseplants wither this winter with Soltech Growlights![16:57] Nourish your houseplants with Espoma Organic’s gentle and premium fertilizers![18:57] What triggers carnivorous plants’ dormancy?[19:57] What carnivorous plants do to their prey[24:17] Specific care for temperate carnivorous plants[27:31] Specific care for tropical carnivorous plants[32:43] Can you feed carnivorous plants hamburger? (how to hand-feed them)[36:41] Trigger mechanism of Venus flytraps[38:48] How much light do Venus flytraps love?[42:58] What are the best houseplant-friendly carnivorous plants?[48:26] Watering and potting tips for carnivorous plants[50:30] Common mistakes and troubleshooting Mentioned in our conversation:International Carnivorous Plant SocietyICPS Classroom GrantsVerdant LyfeVenus Fly Traps & More Carnivorous PlantsFlorida's Carnivorous Plants: Understanding, Identifying, and Cultivating the State's Native Species by Kenny CooganLittle Shop of Horrors (1986) - IMDbCarnivorous Plants Animated Series by ICPSCarnivorex 3D printer model programs | ICPSFor carnivorous plants' care basics and feeding tips,check out the full show notes and blog here! Thank you to our episode sponsors:Soltech SolutionsCheck them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".Espoma OrganicVisit 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 LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

As the winter solstice–or the longest night of the year–approaches, how does it reflect and represent you? This is the season of dormancy, a time when plants, the earth, and even we are drawn to rest, recharge, and prepare for growth. In this final installment of our 2024 seasonal sessions, on the pod once again is my dear friend and our resident green witch, Rachael of Our Infinite Nature. She shared with me how the winter solstice can help us honor cycles of rest and renewal. It was a lovely way to end a year of seasonal explorations, covering everything from the practical ways we can live in harmony with the season to what the quiet time of winter can teach us.In this episode, we learn:[03:55] What is the cyclical nature of life?[05:38] How to rebrand winter inside ourselves[10:38] How does the earth respond to winter?[13:48] How to prepare your winter garden[15:25] Give your plants the sunlight, even on the coldest days, with Soltech Grow Lights![16:47] Find peace in the chaos with personalized Wind River Chimes![19:26] Why focus on your inner growth[23:06] Astrological guide to winter solstice (Capricorn season)[29:39] Shop exclusive garden gifts and essentials at Gardener's Supply Company![30:45] How to honor the winter solstice[37:08] What is the role of our nervous system?[39:19] Rest and digest[42:02] Winter solstice visualization/meditation[55:53] Where can you follow Rachael?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Episode 229: Why You Should Care About the Spring EquinoxGrowing Joy Episode 242: Why You Should Care About the Summer SolsticeGrowing Joy Episode 256: What You Need to Know About the Autumnal EquinoxGet Rachael’s book, Self-Care for Eco-AnxietyJoin the 2025 Intuitive Magic Group CoachingFor Rachael's insightful recommendations on navigating the new season,check out the full show notes and blog here!Follow Rachael:WebsiteInstagramTikTokFacebookYouTubeThank you to our episode sponsors:Soltech SolutionsCheck them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15".Wind River ChimesVisit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.Gardener's SupplyDiscover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.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 LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

According to a Human Spaces report, “workers in office environments with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight, are 6% more productive at work and 15% more creative.” Personally, they’ve been my number one most useful tool for increasing joy throughout my workday, and they help me reduce eye strain from staring at my computer all day. So in this episode of Growing Joy with leafjoy® miniseries, we’ll be talking about biophilia, common problems of office plant care, and some practical tips to make your workplace more “green.”In this episode, we learn:[04:03] Why plants are helpful in office spaces[04:16] What is biophilia?[05:37] What is biophilic design?[06:51] How does biophilic design affect productivity?[08:58] What’s our relationship with sounds?[10:11] Impact of natural materials (eg. wooden contact paper)[11:19] What’s the right type of plant for your office?[12:50] Lowest entry: Proven Winners leafjoy® H2O Line[14:46] How to arrange plants in your office (to reduce eye strain)[17:06] Vertical plant solutions[18:57] What are some office plant care tips?[20:18] What to do when your office doesn’t allow plantsMentioned in this conversation:Human Spaces: The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplaceleafjoy H2O® Collection | Proven WinnersGrowing Joy Episode 261: The Best Low Light Plants for Dim SpacesMy $10 Biophilic ArtFor my complete suggestions on how to add nature to your office,check out the full show notes and blog here!Thank you to our episode sponsor:Proven WinnersIf you want to have success with houseplants, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as carefree houseplants in cute containers that you only have to refill once the water level is low!Find plant joy in leafjoy®. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy® dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!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 LeungJoin 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: @growingjoywithmariaTiktok: @growingjoywithmariaSubscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmariaWebsite: www.growingjoywithmaria.comPinterest: @growingjoywithmariaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands