Bloom And Grow Radio

We are joined by Chris today for another installment of our Plant Science Series featuring The Sill! Orchid 101 is near and dear to my heart because I STRUGGLE with orchids, and Chris has been my go-to resource for personal orchid care. So I knew he would be the perfect guest to have come on the show and answer your orchid questions!If you don’t know already, The Sill is a plant brand with two brick-and-mortar shops in NYC and an online shop that delivers nationwide. Their quality of plants and the way they ship plants is unparalleled. Their pots are some of my most treasured pots that I own and are locally sourced. They have a huge focus on education with awesome online classes and in-person classes in their stores, and they just started the Plant Parent Club! The PPC is their monthly plant subscription service. When you join their club, you get a monthly surprise plant delivery, and included in the membership is also access to all of their online workshops and free shipping on any other plants. So if you ar

Are you looking at your basket filled with zucchini (and cucumbers) that you’ve harvested this summer? You might also be wondering what you can do with them because there’s only so much roasted zucchini and pickled cucumber one person can take. You’re in the perfect place, because in this episode, I invited one of my favorite plant people, Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide. Kaleb’s a modern homesteader, gardener, storyteller, and now a New York Times bestselling cookbook author!He joined us to chat about all the ways to actually enjoy your zucchini harvests aside from your typical zoodles! These four recipes are from Kaleb’s book There’s Always Room at the Table, and they’re flavorful, comforting, and super doable. Time to cook!In this episode, we learn:[03:50] Meet Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide[05:44] What type of gardener is Kaleb?[06:18] Zone 5B growing conditions[09:02] How can you find boundaries in your gardening practice?[10:16] Kaleb's #1 advice for new gardeners[12:21] My Floridian challenges![15:21] Revive your

Today’s episode is about exactly what the title says: our brains… on plants, and what happens in our brains when we become plant people. When I was starting to move from plant killer to crazy plant lady, I noticed there were a few months at the beginning of my plant collection where I felt like the love for plants kind of took over my life. I was constantly buying new plants, going to plant shops, and researching plants on the internet. I was having so much fun with this new hobby, but for a moment, it felt like I couldn’t stop. Billy had to have a little intervention with me to slow me down and make sure we had the space and knowledge of the plants we already had. With his help (or maybe insistence), I put myself on a plant pause, which helped snap me out of that obsessive moment. But I’ve always thought about that particular phase in my life when I couldn’t stop.Enter Dr. Caitlin Vander Weele, the answer to my “plant-iest” and “expert-iest” of dreams. Caitlin is not only an awesome listener of Growing Joy b

Your plant parent story might have started with some humble pothos. It’s forgiving, fast-growing, and honestly, it’s probably the most underrated plant in most of our collections. But there is so much more to the pothos that you might be missing out on. So in this episode, we’re going to talk about pothos way beyond the basics with the help of my plant friend Justin Hancock of Costa Farms.Justin started in horticultural publishing before joining Costa Farms to assist with their marketing. His role at Costa Farms now involves testing how new plant varieties hold up with different light/watering/environment conditions, and making sure the average person can be successful with them. Let’s dive in!In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Why Pothos might be the most underrated plant in your collection[02:14] Meet Justin Hancock from Costa Farms![03:09] Justin’s lifelong plant passion and career path[04:37] What Justin does at Costa Farms[05:20] Why Pothos is having a comeback moment[07:45] Where do pothos come from?[08:

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 houseplan

This year, I had the joy of hosting a live Growing Joy popup at the Southeast Plant Show. I’ve been fortunate to attend a few plant events lately, but this one felt special in a way that’s hard to describe. The energy was electric! The people were overflowing with joy, and the plants were everything.If you love to connect with plant people, discover trending varieties, and just soak up good vibes, the Southeast Plant Show is a must. It’s a plant parent’s dream, with over 120 vendors representing everything from tropical houseplants to handmade pots (even snakes). Here’s a compilation of my conversations with different plant vendors, influencers, and company owners! They share trending houseplants, expert tips, and juicy hot takes about your favorite plants.In this episode, we learn:[03:16] Erica Parker, founder & creator of Southeast Plant Show! Southeast Plant Show | @southeastplantshow[05:49] Wade Richards - Plants by Wade Lee | @plantsbywadelee[09:18] Jeannie Tejeda - @urbnflockr | Urbnflockr | TikTok[

I feel like there comes a time in every plant parent's life when we start to get really curious and excited about having a dedicated space for all of our plants. If you are an outdoor gardener, the promise of a greenhouse for seed starts and overwintering plants is even more promising! I’ve had several different moments in life where I’ve Googled greenhouse kits but never crossed the finish line due to the overwhelming and somewhat intimidating aspect of installing them properly (and the price tag). Hopefully, this episode will set you up for success if you feel like you’re ready to take the leap of installing a greenhouse! In this episode, we learn:[11:35] Things to consider before planning a greenhouse[12:28] Why do you need a license for your personal greenhouse?[15:00] What direction should a greenhouse face?[16:44] Pros and cons of different greenhouse materials[20:29] DIY greenhouse vs greenhouse kit[25:07] What to consider for your greenhouse flooring[30:52] Different types of greenhouses and ventilati

Have you ever felt drawn to a specific tree—and wondered why? You might already be receiving messages without realizing it.In this episode of Growing Joy, I sat down with intuitive nature expert and green witch Rachael Cohen of Our Infinite Nature to explore one of the most fascinating and overlooked topics in the natural world: tree communication. From the underground mycelial networks to intuitive connections and bioelectrical signals, this conversation will change the way you see the trees around you.In this episode, we learn:[03:03] Launching the Intuitive Moon Community[04:23] Upcoming Reiki mentorship program[05:36] How do nature and trees support mental health?[07:51] Why we feel more “rooted” around trees than houseplants[09:47] Can trees actually touch us back? The TikTok tree trend[11:27] The science of tree communication: phytochemicals and warning signals[13:21] How trees share resources underground via the mycelial network[14:52] Wind River Chimes[16:39] AI, bioelectricity & PlantWave technol

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a homesteader? A growing number of people are turning to self-sufficiency and sustainability in their way of living. However, homesteading can seem intimidating, especially when social media portrays it as an exclusive lifestyle requiring acres of land and living off the grid. The good news is that it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle! In this episode, learn how Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn, co-authors of the book Small Scale Homesteading and absolute BFFs, are making homesteading accessible to everyone—no matter how much land you have. They share their experiences with gardening, chicken keeping, maple sugaring, and more, all while living on less than an acre in the suburbs of Minneapolis. In this episode, we learn:[06:43] Stephanie & Michelle’s homesteading journey[13:08] The challenges of gardening in different regions (know your last frost date)[16:24] How Stephanie & Michelle’s friendship and shared interests led to their book “Small

Did you know that some common outdoor plants have superpowers? Some can survive atomic bombing, clean up radiation, and even outsmart insects. This is Part 2 of my conversation with David Domoney, author of Plants with Superpowers, about the superpowers of outdoor plants. These plants can completely change how you walk down the street and look at nature.Listen to Part 1 of our conversation about indoor plant superpowers here.In this episode, we learn:[02:19] Welcome to part 2 with David Domoney[03:29] How did ginkgo trees survive Hiroshima?[06:08] How do sunflowers purify radioactive and toxic soil?[08:24] How magnolias trap beetles for pollination[09:31] Calming lavender vs. stimulating lavender[11:02] David’s lavender gin and tonic recipe![13:32] Raspberries with a surprise twist[13:54] Bee orchid's mimicry superpower[14:51] Espoma Organic's[16:14] How do walnuts help our brain?[17:23] Hedgehog Holly's shape-shifting defense mechanism[19:24] Can blueberries help with belly fat?[20:53] What makes rosemary so

Did you know that lavender comes in dozens of varieties, each with a different smell, and many with different growing habits? I did learn that from Rebecca at Lavender Connection, who owns a family-run lavender farm in Sequim, Washington, which also happens to be the lavender capital of the United States! After meeting her at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, where her beautiful lavender scents were wafting over to my booth all day, I knew I had to have her on the podcast to share her incredible expertise.In this episode, we learn:[02:40] How Rebecca became a lavender expert[06:25] Where does lavender grow natively?[07:17] How many species does lavender have?[09:06] English vs French vs Spanish lavender[11:19] How to avoid killing your lavender (top growing tips!)[12:55] Why you need well-draining soil for lavender[15:13] Make someone’s special day unforgettable by gifting them Wind River Chimes![17:27] Common mistakes new lavender gardeners make[20:12] Life as a lavender farmer: agritourism, DIY, and mor

Have you ever killed a succulent and then felt like you were completely doomed as a plant parent? That was totally me about eight years ago. I brought succulents home because everyone said they were the easiest, most foolproof plant. Yet I still managed to kill them. Naturally, I spent a lot of time thinking I was just a plant killer. However, I eventually learned that succulents aren’t fool proof. And if you’ve had your heart broken by one (or five), it might not have totally been your fault. Maybe it just wasn’t the right plant for you! Or you just needed a few key things to learn about how to keep succulents alive.So I invited my plant friend and the succulent queen of Indiana, Abby Perry of Abby’s Garden Parties, to talk about the real reason so many people kill succulents, what they actually need, and how to figure out if they’re even the right plant for you.In this episode, we learn:[03:16] How Abby became a succulent expert[07:14] The #1 mistake: overwatering[08:47] What makes a plant a “succulent”?[09

A few weeks ago, I found 22 baby ducklings on my roof. Not one. Not ten. But 22 fluffy, peeping, impossibly cute ducklings on the eaves of my Florida home. The videos I made became viral on Instagram and Tiktok, and so many people DM-ed me asking for updates! To be honest, it was one of the happiest and most bizarre times of my life because it made me realize how much my relationship with nature and plants had evolved to another level. Becoming nature-curious opened my eyes to the beauty of not just plant care, but also how much it lit up the world around me.In this episode, we learn:[01:34] How 22 ducks changed my perspective on nature and plants[03:57] What "nature curious" lifestyle means to me[06:27] I used to be “plant blind”[07:45] How I changed after moving from 500 sq ft to 5 acres[11:26] Becoming sensitive to nature’s subtle sounds & shifts[12:42] How I met Mama Duck (and how she learned to trust me)[14:36] Feeding the ducklings and fostering a bond with them![15:14] Stop wishing for that magic s

How do you view soil in your garden? A lot of us look at soil as just the brown stuff under our feet. We usually don’t think about all of the different components that make up soil, all of the different organisms living in soil, or how it is this whole environment that our plants depend on. It is a living, breathing ecosystem that could be the answer to improving your entire garden. As gardeners, you know that soil is important so you should be feeding it, not just feeding your plants. And there's no better person to talk about that topic today than Juliet Sargeant, an award-winning British garden designer, educator, and author of Start with Soil: Simple Steps for a Thriving Garden.In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Why soil is more than just dirt[03:28] Who is Juliet Sargeant?[05:31] Soil as a mix of science and creativity[09:02] What are the different components of soil? (topsoil, subsoil)[12:07] Air pockets in soil[14:37] Give your plants the nutrient-rich foundation they need with Espoma Organic![16:08] Jo

Did you know that your houseplants have superpowers? Some can actually seek out darkness to find the light, some can count, and some can actually bring wealth. To help me reveal all these amazing aspects of our houseplants is my new friend, David Domoney. He’s a celebrated British horticulturist, television presenter, and author with over 30 Royal Horticultural Society medals. And his book, Plants with Superpowers, is what actually inspired me to do this episode. This is the first of a two-part series on plants and their superpowers, and I have him on twice because he is such an enthusiastic person. I love his energy so much.In this episode, we learn:[03:50] Why is green considered a calming color[04:40] How did David become the lore specialist of plants?[08:33] What inspired David to write his book?[11:20] What is the superpower of the Venus flytrap?[13:43] Venus Flytrap evolution and feeding tips[14:40] Garden in comfort and style with new Dovetail Workwear X John Deere overalls, designed specifically for w

It’s Melanoma Awareness Month! Two years ago, I walked into a dermatologist’s office thinking I had a simple skin issue… then I walked out with a melanoma diagnosis at 34. As a lifelong gardener, I never expected my love of plants would overlap with a serious health scare, but here we are. I’m not a beach person nor an outdoor enthusiast. I just tend to my garden every day, really. But that little dot on my face changed everything about my relationship with the sun. I learned to love sunscreens, especially UPF clothing. So if you’re a plant parent like me who spends hours outside with your hands in the soil, I hope this becomes your gentle nudge to protect your skin the same way you protect your plants.In this episode, we learn:[03:36] Special thanks to Coolibar’s UPF50 clothing[04:49] Why should we care for our skin as we do our plants?[08:54] Why short, daily garden sessions still add up to major sun exposure risk[10:21] Should you use sunscreen?[11:45] Chemical vs. mineral sunscreens[13:40] My favorite sun

Did you know the scent of plants can do more than just make your garden smell good? It can actually improve your mood, your memory, and your overall health. I’ve always thought of plant scents as just a lovely bonus in the garden, but I didn’t know there’s some wild science behind how smell connects to our emotions and even our brains. And to help me with that is Dr. Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and expert on the psychology of scent. She explains how the smells from our plants can shape how we feel, what we remember, and how we heal.In this episode, we learn:[03:06] How did Dr. Herz start her career in the science of scents?[06:18] Why smell is tied to memories and emotions[09:01] Aromatherapy and emotional associations[10:28] Ingesting rosemary vs. smelling rosemary[12:27] Why do people like or dislike different smells?[14:30] How does the human olfactory system detect and process scents?[15:32] Wind River Chimes[17:20] Coolibar[21:43] What’s the role of the olfactory bulbs?[22:36] Why is the nose a signifi

You've tried water and soil, but have you ever rooted a cutting in a Fluval Stratum? Yes, it’s technically made for fish tanks. Yes, it looks like little black caviar. But it might just be the best thing to happen to your houseplant propagation! So in this episode, let’s break down everything I’ve learned from my conversation with my plant friend, Lindsay Sisti (@alltheplantbabies), who is a propagation extraordinaire and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation. Thanks to her, I now know exactly how and why this strange little volcanic material is revolutionizing plant propagation!In this episode, we learn:[00:00] Is there a mess-free plant propagation?[02:28] How did Lindsay become a propagation expert?[07:31] What is hybridization/pollination of plants?[09:26] What is Fluval Stratum?[10:00] What is a volcanic tephra?[12:42] What makes Fluval Stratum popular for plant propagation?[14:47] Protect yourself this Melanoma Awareness Month with Coolibar’s sun-protective clothing![19:07] LECA vs.

How do you create a natural garden? Is that even possible? I want to bring you to the style of garden that’s not only sustainable but also more resilient, and honestly, more fun. In fact, it might even be the future of gardening. Natural or naturalistic garden is an approach that’s all about working with nature instead of trying to control it. To help explain this topic, I brought on my dear friend, Kelly D Norris, a renowned horticulturalist, award-winning plantsman, and the author of  Your Natural Garden.In this episode, we learn:[02:40] How did Kelly get started with gardening?[07:46] What is a natural garden?[09:06] What are "native plants" in natural gardening?[13:42] How does ecological landscape design look in different settings?[15:43] Coolibar[17:42] Wind River Chimes[19:30] Ecological landscape designs[22:41] How to measure direct sunlight[29:04] Rewilding and selecting plants[31:18] Dovetail Workwear[33:08] Espoma Organic[34:27] Regional plant palettes and resources[39:12] How does ecological garde

Have you ever seen one of those viral plant hack videos where someone sprinkles banana peels in their soil or ices their orchid? If you’re wondering if they work, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because the answer is no. Sorry, plant friends.In this episode, I will be separating fact from fiction with my dear friend, Derek Haynes aka The Chocolate Botanist. Derek is a plant biologist who’s not afraid to call out the myths, explain the real science behind plant care, and help us simplify things.Let’s bust 5 of the biggest houseplant myths floating around online. In this episode, we learn:[01:03] Meet Derek, the Chocolate Botanist[08:03] Fighting misinformation online[10:37] Does banana water work?[15:15] Simplify your plant care with Espoma Organic’s high quality products![18:05] Which fertilizer is perfect for you?[20:53] Do coffee grounds work?[25:09] Do eggshells work?[28:36] Is it effective to water plants with ice cubes?Mentioned in our conversation:Growing Joy Ep. 283: From Wishlist to Whoops: 2025 H